Swallow Pool - Bedfordshire's Premier Catfish venue

IN ADDITION TO SWALLOW POOL THERE'S ANOTHER CATFISH VENUE YOU CAN BOOK.

Martin Bowler reflects on his visits to Spitfire Lake in the spring of 2023.

Spitfire might be small in size measuring only 1¼ acres but the big sky which fills every direction of the compass is matched by both the venue’s stock and specimens. With approximately 60 catfish to 90lbs, 120 carp to 40lbs and grass carp to over 40lbs it seemed the perfect place for an angling journalist short on copy to win a bite! Admittedly I would have liked to have seen a more benign weather forecast as opposed to freezing winds and heavy cold rain followed by frost but I had no choice with deadlines looming. If I have just one frustration with a dream job it’s that I am constantly the man who arrives too soon and leaves before the fish switch on which becomes frustration because I do it intentionally! Angling Times isn’t created on the day you buy it but my content has to be relevant when you do, which means on this occasion I needed to catch a catfish despite the conditions! During the 3 hour journey I knew if I’d delayed my visit by a couple of weeks I’d be guaranteed to catch but with a quick sip of coffee at the motorway services I shrugged my shoulders and cleared my head - it was now time to focus. Confidence and positivity is crucial at these times and I spent the final leg of my trip planning the attack.

I had originally decided to go on an all out traditional catfish attack with minimal resistance rigs utilising baits such as squid and mackerel. A last minute tip-off however changed everything and the van was repacked to take advantage of this intel. Given the lake’s size the fish knew exactly when they were being angled for and thus this required an element of stealth to the equipment used. I had been told it was far better to use strong carp tackle and use bait more akin to this species. Only an idiot would ignore local knowledge especially with conditions against them so suddenly the van contained Sticky’s krill active boilies and oily pellets. ESP 10ft Onyx rods with 18lb Syncro XT line replaced the 12ft 4lb test curve models threaded up with 60lb braid and the rigs were scaled back to match. A simple lead clip and 3oz lead in conjunction with a 12 inch hook length made from unstripped 20lb ESP Tungsten loaded and a size 4 super strong catfish hook. To be honest it seemed a little strange targeting moggies like this but importantly as I bumped down the track on the final leg of a long journey I was happy I had done everything I could to help myself.

Wind didn’t whistle across the lake, it howled and the clouds fled through the sky as if they wanted to be somewhere else. The grim predictions were correct but now was no longer the time to feel negative and I immediately set about deciding where to fish and importantly where to place the rigs. With Spitfire being small in size and shallow the margins were the biggest feature and with a little plumbing I discovered it was formed in the shape of a double step with 2ft dropping off to 4 or 6ft. Given the chill the second zone was the better option and a series of overhanging trees on the far bank provided an appealing amount of cover. My intention was to fish very accurately with each krill wafter hookbait sitting over a small pile of bait made up of boilies and oily pellets. To achieve this I had brought with me a small Procat bait boat from Angling Technics and was soon loading up the chamber for the first drop. Using such equipment does make life easier but as with all things there’s a right and wrong way to do it especially when you want the hookbait sitting in a pile of free offerings. Open the door and keep a tight line will see the lead swing away from the bait, drop on a slack line and risk a tangle. So on each of the 3 rods once the boat was in place I allowed the line to tension first which in turn caused the boat to come back towards me as the mono acted as a bungee. I now had a small amount of slack and immediately opened the hopper’s door. I could then allow the lead to re tension the line as it fell without pulling it off course and even feel it touch down after catching up with it just before this moment. Confident I’d done all I could, it was now a waiting game.

As predicted the cruel weather didn’t relent and alas only 2 bites came from a fishery that deserved to be written about in more glowing terms. Two 20lb common carp were a success given the challenge but none of the catfish that Spitfire Lake is famous for which had me packing up after 2 days disappointed. The journalist in me wasn’t happy without the story I wanted to tell so as I made my way back to Wiltshire I made a gap in the diary which I didn’t really have, swallowed the extra fuel costs and made a plan to return. How could I leave an article like this and do a job I considered below the standards I set myself?

Three weeks later and I returned a little disappointed that the wind had once more decided to come from the north east. Importantly though the sun was shining and spring had moved on at a pace. Buds were bursting, petals had come on show and the lake was no longer gin clear and had a tinge to it. This told me that the fish were feeding and I could now expect to see Spitfire’s full potential.

The reason I had struggled wasn’t my approach but the conditions and it’s important to know when this is the case so you don’t change everything and fail because you’re now doing the wrong thing! Having been to a venue before is a huge advantage and I was fishing very quickly which matched the speed of the first bite. Over the honk of the Canadian geese in the crops behind the alarm screamed then the tick of the drag was heard as it was tortured by a big fish. Tail slaps on the line told me it was a catfish and its refusal to leave the far bank margin for 5 minutes indicated it was substantial and angry. With the 10ft Onyx buckled to the duplon it was a brutal battle and I enjoyed every second of it with the landing net making me feel it had spoiled the fun! However I now had a chance to admire a brute of a catfish that must have weighed 50lbs or more that was intent on covering me in slime for ruining its day. Like a huge tadpole with marbled skin and a tail 4ft long whilst not beautiful was impressive and like its brothers and sisters in the lake available for everyone to meet . The angler in me was happy and so was the journalist - I had my story now! Spectacular Spitfire!

Spitfire Lake near Sawbridgeworth on the Essex/Hertfordshire boarder is a lake packed with big fish, has good access and comfortable swims alongside sensible rules. There’s even a BBQ area for socials and a flushing loo! It’s available to book on an exclusive basis. If you fancy some great fishing call Tony Bowman on 07956 229148 for more details.