DreamLakes Revisited
by Sally Golding

Once again we returned for our visit to Dreamlakes on August 4th 2006. Into Hornets on DL1.It was a slow week for the carp so we decided to fish for what was in front of us……..CATFISH. I am one of those non fisherman who finds it hard not to get into the swing of things, so Trev (my partner) lets me join in as and when… I even get me own rod.

We woke up on the Thursday morning and decided to put a rod out for catfish and we got what we were fishing for. Trev’s PB up to then was 63lb so of course he wanted to better it. The line tore off and after quite a struggle he got it into the net with my help. He puffed and panted with the fish in the net, up the bank and into the bag. The scales were all set and ready and guess what…….Trev’s personal best had been beaten….by 8oz!!!!!!! A beautiful looking catfish at 63lb 8oz was calmly lying in his net and Trev was grinning like a Cheshire cat.

We settled in for the night and got a few bleeps on the line but nothing came until it ripped off and I bought in a 50lb monster, PB shot to pieces for me but boy was I beaming.

Friday arrived and it was my birthday. We woke up and as I opened my cards and present from home the rods were checked. I put the kettle on as usual and as I looked round there was Trev was decorating the bivvy and surrounding area with birthday balloons. He even had me sitting at breakfast with a balloon on a stick above me!!!

Time to go back and get those lines out, because you can’t catch a monster with no rod out can you? As the day went on Trev said I could have a go at bringing in a small one. The line ripped off with a screech, 30 minutes later I landed a 56lb catfish. WOW what a birthday present second PB in 2 days.

Rods sorted and back into the lake. By now I think Trev was thinking maybe he shouldn’t of let me have a rod. The line screeched off again, Trev ran for the rod and said it was only a small one so I asked if I could bring it in so he handed the rod over.

All seemed ok and even I thought it was only going to be a smaller one, because it was coming in quiet smoothly and easy. But that catfish decided to give me a run for my money and zipped off at what felt like 160mph.

Daz from the next swim came over to see what was going on. As I was bringing in (whatever was on the line), I didn’t realise Trev had got the video camcorder out and someone from next door decided to help out and take over the camcorder while Trev helped me, and coached me into bringing the fish in.

Finally after what seemed like a fight with Mike Tyson I got it into the net. Once again Trev huffed and puffed up the bank and we managed to get it onto the scales. As the scales went higher and higher I suddenly thought to myself…..OMG lets hope it’s not bigger than Trevs PB……..and guess what…….I had landed a huge catfish.

As I returned from hiding behind the bivvy, all I was greeted with was “b**ch" and a huge grin from Trev. I had beaten his PB not bad for someone who doesn’t fish a lot is it. Also who else can say what a wonderful birthday present….A 68LB CATFISH. You never know I might not be a non-fisherman for long. Who knows, I might be having my own swim in a few years.

Sally Golding
Hornets, DreamLake 1, 4th August 2006

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