The biggest barbel to be caught from the Ouse system in a number of years was banked recently from the Beningbrough Park section.

The monster 'whisker' was not netted by a dedicated specimen hunter but by an angler competing in a local club match targeting small fish using maggots.

The beastly barbel slammed the scales round to a huge 10lb 14oz and as such became the first double-figure fish to be reported from the Ouse for more than a decade.

The lucky captor was Alan Pfluger who was competing in a Bishopthorpe and Acaster club event.

Finding himself pegged in a nondescript area between the Nidd mouth and the water tower, he decided to keep his options open and fish a small maggot feeder in conjunction with light tackle. After whipping out a number of small roach and perch the monster struck and was eventually subdued after a protracted tussle on just a 2lb breaking strain line and a tiny size 16 hook baited with a couple of maggots.

Pfluger went on to win the event with 12lb 8oz putting him well clear of the next best weight of just over 6lb. If you know of a bigger barbel from the Ouse in recent times please contact me on darren.starkey@ntlworld.com

With the chill of winter now biting better than the fish many anglers' thoughts turn to predators.

Pike are a traditional quarry in local rivers and lakes during the colder months and one local rod has been cashing in already.

Stonebow Snooker Club supremo and racehorse owner Tom Tunstall has been trying an unconventional approach to pike fishing on the Ouse around the Foss confluence.

Fly fishing is more normally associated with the pursuit of salmon and trout but a number of species will show an interest in a large collection of fluff and feathers aimed at imitating a prey fish.

Using his own creation, called the 'Tom Tun', fashioned from pink chenille, silver foil and white marabou, Tunstall has tempted a string of wily Essox's topped by a massive 20lb fish this week.

Weekend Bookings

Sunday

Donkey Woods - Huntington WMC, Howsham Hall - Tang Hall WMC, Kirkham Abbey - Pudsey Royal, Poppleton - Cygnet, Tadcaster Healaugh Manor - White Rose

Updated: 11:30 Friday, October 24, 2003