Labour’s parliamentary spokesman for angling Reading West MP Martin Salter, ended the 2009/10 river season on a high note with a lovely six fish bag of big Kennet chub from the river near Newbury. Martin, who steps down as an MP at the forthcoming general election in order to spend more time on the water, fished a far bank glide to tempt his catch which included two chub over 5lb with the biggest weighing in at 5lb 11oz. He fished a two swan crystal waggler on 4lb Korum real line to a 0.13 mm hook link and a size 18 hook carrying two red maggots. Later on in the session he laid on with a lobworm under the near bank to tempt a 2lb+ perch.

Martin said:-

“After what has been a pretty dreadful winter for fishing it was great to see some relatively mild and settled weather arrive in time for the last weekend of the river season. I love catching big chub on the float and this was just one of those perfect days when it all came together without a hitch. The fish were fin perfect, in great condition and fought hard and long in the strong flow”.

Martin will be leaving the UK after the general election to work in Sydney, Australia for a few months before realising a long held ambition to tour New Zealand in a camper van in order to sample some of the best fishing in the world.