A DEDICATED angler has today described how he beat off depression following a theft to return to the waterside and make a prized catch.Des Wells, 45, from Ipswich, hit rock bottom when he had his treasured collection of expensive fishing gear stolen from his garden shed more than two years ago.

A DEDICATED angler has today described how he beat off depression following a theft to return to the waterside and make a prized catch.

Des Wells, 45, from Ipswich, hit rock bottom when he had his treasured collection of expensive fishing gear stolen from his garden shed more than two years ago.

The items, which included six custom-made carp rods, and eight reels, were worth about £6,500.

He gradually got better and decided to begin his collection from scratch and carry on indulging in his favourite hobby.

Despite a recent theft of yet more equipment, Mr Wells refused to let it affect him, and went on to land one of ultimate goals in the angler world - catching a 40lb carp.

The father of four said: “I spend a lot of time at the Ardleigh Reservoir. I sit there for several hours at a time and wait for the fish to come up. I knew these 40-pounders were there but I have been waiting for ages to catch them.

“When all my stuff got stolen, I was told by one or two anglers that they would have given up but I carried on and went on to achieve this. I want to show people that you can get over stuff like this. This is my life.

“I go out at all times of the night to try and catch these fish. My wife is very understanding.”

Mr Wells, who has been fishing since he was a child, is now hungry to catch carps weighing 50lbs.

Have you overcome setbacks to achieve something special? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.

The largest carp ever caught was an 89lb monster caught in a French lake last year. The British record is a 64lb carp.