30th June 2008.

Really wanted a catfish this year. First time I ever saw one was years ago when out fishing with my dad as a youngster. A guy round the lake (Tiddenfoot) was photographing his mate holding a 14lber and the image of it has stuck in my mind since. This year it was time to catch one myself.

So I went to Claydon which is about 13 miles from home. Really lovely night, full of enthusiasm, only two other guys (fishing together) there when I arrived (about 5ish).

I got the impression that the most cats came from the far end of the lake, so I went straight up there this time. It’s shady there so I think many of the cats hole up there during the day. The guys on the
other bank were fishing across to the trees, so I stayed along the bank a little way and fished one rod out into the middle, and one in the margins thinking when the cats came out in the evening they were
going to along my bank.

Had a double-figure (unweighed) carp about 30 mins in, then nothing for ages. 9.30pm had a short but aggressive pull that was dropped. Could have been a carp but thinking it might have been a cat I took
the bailarms off to give the fish a free run. Only had 30 mins left at this point because packing up time is 10pm at the mo.

Bloke on the other side of the lake had a 31lber!

9.55pm (!) a fairly gentle take which I struck and initially thought nothing was there. Then it moved. And then it woke up. And then it tried to break my arms!!

Very pleased I am at this moment. First catfish, 18lbs 12oz or there abouts, this being from a lake that’s a real favourite of mine. Also, these cats came from Woburn Abbey originally, which were the first cats to be imported into this country. So you could say they are as native as you are likely to find in this country.

Bait was double halibut boilie (thankyou Mr. Rich and Mr. Worth) on a hair, fished in a PVA bag of halibut pellets.