The one that didn't get away (From Gazette Series)

The one that didn't get away

A SHARPNESS club fisherman has become the toast of the region's fishing community after catching one of the largest carp to ever emerge out of Sharpness Canal.

Shane Portlock, a stalwart member of the Sharpness Dockworkers Club Fishing Section, landed a magnificent 26-lb (wild) common carp last week, and left many of the club's members in shock and disbelief with his prize capture.

Portlock, 39, is a former Dursley resident who now lives in Bridgewater but has remained a member of the club throughout, continuing to fish his favourite water.

The giant carp was caught at the heart of Sharpness Canal within the club's regular fishing area, with Portlock using bait consisting mainly of sweetcorn.

The delighted angler told the Gazette: "The first thing that I thought when I saw it was 'what a whacker!' I've been trying to catch a 20-pounder for five to ten years now. When I saw it coming up I just thought that it's a case of being in the right place at the right time. It's a once in a lifetime carp.

"It was a tremendous fight, and took 15 minutes to land using convential carp tackle.

"I had a 15-lb line and a size six hook on a bolt rig. A pre-baiting session had gone on for one week before."

Portlock is a former Purton Angling Club secretary who left Dursley for Bridgewater 15 years ago. A former Dursley retainer fireman, he worked at Berkeley Power Station for many years and is currently a maintenance team leader at Hinckley Point B Power Station.

The Sharpness club chairman Mike White was overjoyed with the catch, and said: "This is the biggest fish to ever come out of the canal to my knowledge, almost certainly the biggest carp. I've been fishing in this canal for many years, and I've never seen anything like it.

"Shane still comes up from Bridgewater to fish his favourite water and landed this fish in the same session that his son (Martin, 16) landed three double figured (wild) commons!"

The Sharpness club, which attracts members from all across Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire, may have been celebrating this week but it currently has another pressing concern to deal with that refuses to go away.

A complex legal wrangle involving the club's waters and the effect of this on club membership fees is causing the club's patrons considerable concern, and changes to the membership prices are set to commence next week.

White explained the dilemma and said: "During the past year we have been in negotiations with the BWB (British Waterways Board) over a legal agreement covering our waters.

"This means that rent and also third party liability insurance for all fishing section members will change. As from June 1 fishing membership will be #10 for seniors and #5 for OAPs. Also, you must be a full member of the main club."

Mr White added: "I'm sorry about the increase in section fees. Due to the rent, the cost of a club card is what it is. It's either that or we lose the water."

L Club cards are available from the Sharpness Dockworkers Club Fishing Section during the club's opening hours of Monday-Friday, 12.30pm-2pm and 7.30pm-11pm; Saturday, 12pm-3pm and 7.30pm-12am; Sunday, 12pm-3.30pm and 7.30pm-10.30pm.