I enjoyed a catfish fishing session at Anglers Eldorado with some good friends back in early July and blanked. My good friend Bruce Elston did well during the session and also enjoyed success on several follow up trips to the venue. I was keen to get back to the lake for a last try as summer fades into Autumn.
On August 30th with warm sunshine and a gentle easterly breeze I set off from home to join Bruce at the lake. The road wound through mid Devon countryside showing signs of a long hot summer. I noticed that several trees were already taking on Autumn hues their leaves starting to dry up as the long drought takes its toll. I glanced at the River Torridge as I drove over to witness a pitiful trickle.
I found Bruce set up at Eldorado cat lake with an adjacent swim that had been producing well reserved for me a few yards further along the bank.
I set up my tackles and introduced a few handfuls of pellets and boilies into the area I was planning to cast into. We were both using beefed up carp tactics with boilies and self-hooking rigs.
After an hour it was good to finally have the rods out and the bivvy assembled ready for a 24 hour session. I put the kettle on and looked forward to sitting back with an expresso. Things don’t always go to plan!
I had inadvertently packed the wrong adaptor for the coffee maker meaning the capsules would not fit. As I pondered this issue the bite alarm beeped and rod tip pulled around as what I assumed was a catfish moved away. I picked up the rod and leaned back to feel nothing.
First chance missed and you don’t always get another!
A few minutes later I heard Bruce’s alarm and looked over to see his rod well bent as an angry catfish tried to find sanctuary in the overhanging branches of the Island opposite. Bruce held the fish hard grudgingly allowing line to be taken from a tightly set clutch. The pressure told after a few minutes and large boils appeared on the surface as the catfish fought hard in the silty coloured water.
I stood waiting with the net as the fish came closer. A large tail broke the surface and then a large head and cavernous mouth. The head went into the net easy but its tail caused a few anxious moments as I tried to film the event with my go-pro in one hand.
With the fish safely in the net, Bruce prepared the unhooking mat and weigh sling ensuring they were well soaked with lake water. The fish pulled the scales to 31lb 7oz. A great start to the session.
An hour later my bite alarm bleeped into life and I struck into a hard fighting catfish. The fish powered away threatening to take me into a snag so it was time to give the tackle a good testing leaning back and seeing just how much pressure could be applied using 20lb b.s Big Game main line. After a tackle testing few minutes the cat was wallowing beneath the rod tip where Bruce wielded the net and safely secured my prize. Uncannily the fish weighed in at 31lb 8oz just an ounce different to Bruce’s yet a totally different fish.
The rest of the afternoon passed by uneventfully until a much appreciated Fish and Chip delivery by Bruce’s daughter.
As the evening set in we both topped up our swims with bait and cast out fresh. The sun slowly set illuminating the evening sky as swallows swooped low over the lake. We were both optimistic that the night would bring a further result with past sessions producing well overnight for Bruce.
It is always enchanting to watch the light fade from within the bivvy with expectation of a run at any moment. The wind dropped away to leave the lake mirror calm. Bats replaced the swallows swooping in the night air.
In the early hours I awoke to answer natures call and gazed up into a night sky full of vividly twinkling stars. The valley lay silent with just the occasional hoot from an owl.
I awoke as dawn slowly broke and made a fresh coffee before checking one of the baits and introducing a sprinkling of pellets and boilies. I sat back still optimistic despite the blank night. I chatted with Bruce who was also surprised at the lack of overnight success.
As the sun rose higher in the sky its light illuminated the far bank injecting vibrant colour into the day like an artist working upon a canvas.
We both packed up reluctantly leaving the rods out until the last minute just in case. Whilst there is still time to catch catfish our sights are set on an abundance of other species as autumn descends.
Eventually a fascination with what lives in that dimension beneath the rippled surface took over. My early recollections are of sitting beside the river with my father armed with a spool of line and a tobacco tin full of hooks and split shot. Our wriggly worm bait was clearly visible in the crystal clear waters. An eel materialized from downstream and moved sinuously towards it. The eel with its resemblance to a snake held me transfixed and its image remains imprinted on my mind. I cannot tell you whether it took the bait; perhaps it did and I have deleted the memory, as there is nothing worse than a small eel impaled on a hook to create a horrific tangle of line and slime.
Extract from “I Caught A Glimpse” By Wayne Thomas Published
By the Little Egret Press in 2019
I have always had a fascination with eels and have had a few half-hearted attempts at catching a specimen of over 3lb. Many of my friends in the Specimen angling fraternity have caught big eels and I have admired the images posted on social media and in photos in the days of old. Many waters hold big eels and many more are rumoured to hold big eels.
I have seen huge eels during my years working with South West Water fish that were sadly trapped in sluice valves on reservoir outlets. At least one eel would have been close to the British Record of 11lb 2oz.
The problem with catching a big eel is that they are truly wild and are seldom seen so locating them is not always easy. There are a dedicated few anglers who target the species and they are generally a secretive bunch who protect the waters that produce big eels. This is for two reasons; big eels are vulnerable to over fishing partially because they are relatively delicate and secondly because they seem to have an uncanny knack of learning quickly after being caught. My friend Steve Dawe explained a theory shared by many eel anglers that a virgin water will yield a few big eels and then suddenly switch off as if the eels have gone. A few years later that same water can again produce, yet as eels grow slowly and live for many years the eels are still the same fish.
My eel fishing excursions over the years have resulted in a few blanks and many encounters with tackle twisting bootlaces that are more trouble than they are worth.
A big freshwater eel of over 3lb is likely to be a fish of over 30 years old though on commercial lakes this is possibly impacted upon by an increased food source that enhances growth rates.
My good friend Steve Dawe is an eel enthusiast and over recent seasons I have obtained permission to fish waters that had never been eel fished. On both waters we caught brown trout on dead-baits and left after each session wondering if we had been chasing a fish that didn’t exist?
Over the years I have invested in several books on eel fishing including, The Eel Angler by Barry McConnell, Fishing for Big Eels by Brian Crawford and Eels by John Sidley. Reading these book’s, it is apparent that eel anglers tend to be dedicated fanatics who are prepared to invest many hours in pursuit of the mysterious and enigmatic eel.
After two blank sessions on non-productive waters Steve suggested we visit a water that had produced good eels and a healthy population of medium sized fish in the 2lb to 3lb size range.
I was now well versed in eel fishing rigs, tactics and waiting for a run all I needed was for an eel to take my bait.
I met up with Steve at the chosen water a couple of hour’s drive from my North Devon home. It was 7.00am with light drizzle falling and a warm muggy atmosphere enveloping the lake that lay in a wooded valley. Steve was already in position with baits just cast out as I arrived.
I set up in the adjacent swim and tackled up with Dyson rigs and small roach heads on each rod. After ten minutes Steve was into an eel of over 2lb that gave an exciting scrap despite its moderate size sending up plumes of silt as it gyrated in the water. I watched Steve carefully deal with the eel, I took a quick photo and watched it swim away.
Within moments my own bite alarm sounded as the rollover released line allowing it to stream freely from the open reel spool. I picked up the rod and struck into nothing! I missed two more runs before Steve was once again attached to an eel. This eel gave an equally good account of itself before being netted and scaled 2lb 4oz.
This was to prove to be Steve’s total eel haul for the day. I persisted with two eel rods missing a run or two every hour some of which were undoubtedly carp swimming into the line. On one occasion the line was streaming out and I struck to feel heavy resistance. There was a big swirl on the surface and for a moment we both thought eel! It was in fact a foul hooked carp of about 3lb!
Steve left one eel rod out and enjoyed float fishing in the margins where he caught a nice roach and a few carp. It would have been easy to be distracted as large carp cruised under the rod tips and slurped down surface food. Bubbles broke the surface as fish fed hard upon the silty lake bed.
I remained fully focused on an eel despite the continual frustration of missed runs. Some could be small eels or finicky eels whilst some could be carp nudging the baits and releasing the line from the delicate rollover indicator.
As mid afternoon passed doubts began to creep in that another eel blank was looming? Steve had to drive away to get a phone signal and wound his rods in for a while. Shortly after he left I eventually made contact with an eel; the type of eel I had often encountered in the past that probably weighed 1lb 8oz. A small eel for the venue but at least I hadn’t blanked.
I showed Steve the eel when he returned and slipped it back into the lake. We planned to pack up at around 6.00pm but fish on until 7.00pm if I had not caught an eel over 2lb.
At 5.45pm the indicator bleeped once again as the line was released from the rollover. I picked up the rod, paused as the line tightened and lifted into the fish. There was a big swirl and a cloud of silt as the rod was pulled over as something large pulled back in the murky water. The drag was set tight and I hung on as the rod hooped over. The eel shook its head and I felt savage lunges transmitted through the line and well bent rod. Steve grabbed the net and after a few anxious moments the prize was secure. This was without doubt a new personal best eel and a magnificent looking creature. The eel was quickly unhooked, fortunately it was lip hooked, the barbless size 4 slipping out easily with the forceps. The eel was laid out onto a wet unhooking matt and admired before having a number added to its credentials. At 4lb 8oz it is a fish that will remain etched in my memory and will undoubtedly be the first of more eels as I explore my local waters more.
Steve gave useful advice on photographing eels and I did my best to pose as I admired the eel. A truly magnificent fish that has fulfilled a long held desire that had been smouldering since that day with my father beside a summer river well over fifty years ago.
Many thanks must go to Steve who guided me to success and quipped as we packed away’ That’s the second trip now that you have commented that “your fish totals as much as both of yours”. My last trip with Steve had been to Chew Valley Lake where I had boated a 38lb pike. Once again right place, right time and a big slice of luck!!
These hot summer nights and days seem to suit the wels catfish that dwell in the lakes at Anglers Paradise. Local angler Bruce Elston enjoyed a session fishing overnight on Anglers Eldorado’s catfish lake where he banked catfish of 16lb, 30lb 5oz, 36lb 10oz and 40lb 6oz.
Some of our amazing supporters at Quay Sports in Barnstaple donated money raised at their 1st Anniversary Fundraiser. They raised an impressive £1122 in ONE day and we’d just like to say a massive thank you to Toby, Harrison, Chris and Mark L and the rest of the store team for continuing to fundraise for Children’s Hospice South West.
Joe Dietrich fished Anglers Paradise’s Eldorado Catfish Lake to tempt 5 catfish the best scaling 63lb 9oz. The other cats weighed with a 47lb, 32lb, 27lb and 21lb along with 2 mid double carp! All from an overnight session on Eldorado Carp and Cat 2 (bottom lake) Best fish came at dusk and dawn.
I joined a group of friends at Anglers Paradise fishing the Eldorado day Ticket Catfish Lake. We had booked the lake for the weekend ensuring we would have exclusive use throughout our stay.
The weather forecast predicted high temperatures, unbroken sunshine and light winds, perfect for catfish based on Bruce Elston the groups organisers previous experience.
Due to other commitments I could only attend for the first full day of the session which reduced the need for bivvies and associated camping gear.
We met up on the Saturday morning off-loading a mountain of gear and assembling on the lakeside for a discussion on where to set up. This was based around likely location of fish and the focus on enabling a vital social aspect of the fishing.
By the time we had debated where to fish, tackled up and baited swims it was late morning and the sun was beating down from a cloudless sky upon calm waters. Lush summer growth surrounded the lake with many summer flowers in full bloom.
Five anglers two rods each. The wait began with a steady intake of cool water and snacks. Anticipation was high as we soaked up the sun with the England versus India Cricket match results punctuating the day.
The sight of a grass snake crossing the lake was appreciated by all present an indication of the rich diversity of nature provided by the vast complex of lakes nestled deep in the heart of Devon.
Whilst we all shared a deep passion for angling I think we all appreciate the vital role being with nature plays in supporting our mental health during these strange and challenging times.
It was late afternoon when Bruce’s bite indicator sounded the alarm as something moved off with his bait in the far margin. The rod hooped over as Bruce began persuading what was undoubtedly a good sized catfish to the waiting net. Large swirls in the lake raised expectations as Bruce put his tackle to the test. Eventually a large eel like shape emerged from the murky water and was coaxed over the waiting net to a round of congratulations.
The fish was kept in the net for a few moments whilst the unhooking mat and weigh sling were drenched with cool lake water. The scales were checked and zeroed and cameras switched on in readiness with some thought given to where the sun was and its likely impact with shadows etc.
This first cat of the weekend scaled 30lb 12oz and was one of five catfish to be landed by Bruce over the weekend.
Anticipation grew with the capture of this specimen catfish and it was a happy bunch of anglers who wound in their rods to savour a delicious pizza delivered by Bruce’s wife from the local Inn at Halwill Junction. https://www.thejunctioninnhalwill.co.uk/pizzamenu/
As the sun slowly sank below the horizon it was time for me to leave and head for home. The rest of the party remained and I was sure more catfish would grace their nets over the remainder of the weekend.
The following morning, I was delighted to check my phone and find an array of images showing catfish caught by Bruce and John Hughes. The total catch for the weekend was eight catfish. Bruce landing cats of 38lb 10oz, 37lb 10oz, 30lb 12oz, 22lb 5oz and 21lb 12oz. John Hughes banking three cats the best scaling 20lb 8oz and 15lb 4oz.
Bruce with a fine catfish of 38lb 10oz
Despite Mitch, Ben and myself blanking it had been a pleasure to relax in Paradise with good company beneath a cloudless summer sky. Plans are already being made for a return next year or maybe sooner.
I was delighted to look in at Quay Sports on their first year anniversary celebrations. Tackle shops have always been a central part of the angling infrastructure where anglers meet to exchange stories and plot future forays. There is nothing better for the sport and the industry than this social interaction. In addition to coffee, cakes and raffles there were fun casting games to test the skill.
Chris Connoughton of Quay Sports commented
“Quay sports would like to thank everyone for their support since opening. The backing we have received is amazing and to see the community come together like it has, is a joy to be a part of.
To see everyone smiling and to help a cause such a Children’s hospice southwest makes us proud.
In the end with Mark potters kind generosity and Chris Connaughton’s organisation and planning combined with the effort of all staff and customers kindness, we managed to raise £1000 for the cause which is phenomenal!
We should also give thanks to all of our suppliers for providing some great prizes.
We are so pleased to have built up such a great store and group of people who enjoy the shop and the friendship and camaraderie that comes with it, it’s been great to see local people, anglers and non anglers alike creating their own fishing hub, where we can all meet and talk and tell fisherman’s tales to each other, it’s been fantastic.
We hope that our head quarters will remain central to the local angling community for many years to come.
So we will keep building, keep listening, and keep helping people enjoy our wonderful pastime.
Many thanks to everyone who has supported us we can’t thank you all enough.”
Barnstaple Tackle shop Quay Sports Celebrates its first full year of trading on Saturday 25th June.
The shop has proved a very popular venue for local anglers to catch up discuss tactics and buy bait and tackle.
They have also given considerable help with sponsorship for local angling clubs including Bideford Angling Club, Combe Martin SAC and North Devon Tackle AC. They also help to promote local fisheries.
