GREG Iszatt achieved a lifetime’s ambition with a world record catch in northern India.

The 48-year-old angler, from Benson, smashed the record books by landing a 66-pound Himalayan Golden Mahseer from the Mahakali River.

The spectacular catch obliterated the previous record of 44 pounds.

“My fish is some 50 per cent bigger than the old record,” said a delighted Iszatt, who admitted catching such a specimen had become an obsession.

Accompanied by Mahseer guide Christopher Oldmeadow, Iszatt confirmed the fish had been witnessed, videoed, and weighed on calibrated scales and put forward to the International Game Fishing Association (IGFA) for ratification as a world record.

Iszatt revealed he first tried catch the species last autumn, when he caught several fish up to around 15 pounds.

“After that trip I became obsessed in planning the tactics and logistical arrangements of what it would take to catch a 50-pounder,” he said.

“That was the challenge and target I set myself.

“Some anglers have been trying for 30 years without success to catch such a fish, so nine months is not too bad.

“The fish struck at 7.30am. It’s initial run was around 70 yards.

“I managed to stop and hold the fish around 20 yards shy of the big rapid for more than five minutes, not budging an inch.

“These were heart-stopping moments.

“The fish was in and out of the 54-inch landing net three times before it was finally secured.

“The shouts of elation and relief from me being probably heard a few miles up and down stream.

“The fight had lasted 25 minutes.

“On unhooking the catch, it was clear we were seconds away from losing it as the hook hold was very weak.

“The awesome fish was weighed, and fully recovered before being released back into the mighty river to continue its precious life.”