Swallow Pool - Bedfordshire's Premier Catfish venue

The inky black night sky and a moon shimmering across the Bedfordshire lake’s surface is the sign for catfish to once more go on the prowl. This tadpole shaped fish with its mottled skin and twitching whiskers has been an angling target in this home county for many years. Indeed over 3 decades ago the catfish population throughout the UK was much more limited than it is today and Bedfordshire was the epicentre for those who wished to target this fearsome predator. Being born in this county I have fond memories of teenage adventures in pursuit of what always seemed, and is an incredible creature and the thought of trying to catch one filled many dreams. So for me personally it’s lovely to know that one of the country’s premier fisheries for this species still resides there.

Swallow Pool is 3.5 acres and contains an incredible stock of around 80 catfish that have been caught to over 100lbs. With this type of population cast a line into the water and you can be assured a bite is always possible so excitement, whilst not guaranteed, is very close every night. The lake is run on a bookings basis giving you and, if you wish, your friends exclusivity and I know from experience how much fun that can be. Imagine a social evening with the laughter suddenly silenced by the first huge tail slap of the evening. The cats are on the prowl and the shrill of the alarm cuts through the air sending you diving off your bedchair. Coils of braid are disappearing into Swallow Pool as some unforeseen force has decided to steal your bait. A split second to consider what is happening and your heart rate steps up a series of beats and then it goes through the roof as the strike helps the hook find an anchor which results in a savage lunch buckling the rod as the reel’s drag capitulates. At this moment you’ll know that Bedfordshire is still one of the best places to do battle with a catfish and with Swallow Pool available to book why not treat yourself to one of the best moments in angling?