A female angler caught a monster 68lbs catfish that was so big it nearly dragged her into the lake before she landed it.
Sharon Allport, who weighs just 61lbs, wrestled with the giant fish during a 40-minute battle at Yateley Match Lake in Surrey.
Ms Allport has battled anorexia for more than 20 years and is fed through a tube but still managed to reel the catfish in after it nibbled her line during a fishing trip to celebrate her 42nd birthday.
Sharon Allport (left) caught a monster 68lbs catfish that was so big it nearly dragged her into the lake before she landed it
Huge: Ms Allport (pictured) was at the Yateley Match Lake in Surrey on a fishing trip to celebrate her 42nd birthday
Ms Allport’s anorexia left her in hospital (left and right) and unable to fish for two years. But she credits angling with helping her cope with the debilitating condition
She told the Daily Star: ‘I jumped out and grabbed the rod. When I hit into it I couldn’t believe it. I was pumped full of adrenalin.
‘The reel was just screaming and it was so heavy, it shot off to the other side of the lake and I had to move along the bank to try to keep hold of it.
‘Then the tail broke the water with a massive splash and I was like “Oh my god”.’
Husband Dave, 44 and friend Tom watched on in amazement from the bank of the lake as Ms Allport, from Guildford, Surrey, managed to lure the fish in.
She described focusing her concentration as the battle with the catfish dragged on.
Ms Allport gripped the rod with two hands but was still nearly pulled into the water by the monster fish.
And she feared it had got away when it swam into weeds and nearly broke her line.
But she stuck at it and was amazed when she weighed the fish and found it was 7lbs heavier than her.
Ms Allport credited the catch to her ‘lucky’ mascot, pet parrot Armani, who accompanies her on fishing trips.
After battling debilitating eating disorder anorexia, Ms Allport was unable to fish for two years but believes angling helps her fight the condition.
Ms Allport (right) was being urged on by husband Dave (left), 44, as she landed the catfish following a 40-minute battle at a lake in Surrey
Ms Allport (right) has battled anorexia for more than 20 years and is fed through a tube but still managed to reel the catfish in after it nibbled her line
Ms Allport (left) said: ‘The reel was just screaming and it was so heavy, it shot off to the other side of the lake and I had to move along the bank to try to keep hold of it’
After an intense battle, Ms Allport finally landed the monster (pictured)
Ms Allport credited the catch to her ‘lucky’ mascot, pet parrot Armani (pictured), who accompanies her on fishing trips