Anglers mourn five-stone freshwater fish

Anglers were yesterday mourning the death of a five-stone native freshwater fish, believed to be Britain’s biggest.

Two Tone, a mirror carp which weighed 67lb 14oz, was found floating on the surface of the lake where it lived in Kent.

It was believed to have been between 40 and 45 years old and to have died from old age.

The fish, which gained its name from its skin colour, was only caught once or twice a year and no more than 50 times in its lifetime.

Chris Logsdon, 62, manager of Mid Kent Fisheries, which runs Conningbrook Lake at Ashford, said: “A week last Thursday it was seen looking distressed. We searched the lake for it, then last Saturday it was found floating on the surface.

“I think the hard winter and the cold spring may have taken their toll.”

He said Two Tone was “the pinnacle of the angling world”. The fish was wily and difficult to catch.