From clear, natural water, no British freshwater fish is as stunning as the rudd (Scardinius erythropthalmus). The bronze flanks glisten like butter in a pan and cut sharp contrast with blood-red fins. It is a shame they are not as widespread as they once were, for they are the perfect child’s catch. Lovers of the surface layers, they aren’t fussy about shotting patterns or feeding at depth which happily suits the ethos of a novice angler.
A fish of a pound is an extraordinary sight and a four-pounder would surely stop your heart.