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"The King is dead, long live the King".

The historical significance of Silurus.glanis, and its introduction to the U.K.

Guy Bridgeman

The European catfish has always been the quarry of fishermen in its natural catchments area due to its highly palatable taste and to a lesser extent its roe. Natural historians such as Gesneri recorded this fact as early as 1558, illustrating it in his work, (Ray, 1804, was the first to report it's wider appeal and economic significance). More recent archaeological excavations in Europe have revealed the bones of this fish in sites dating back to over 2000 years ago. This reputation proceeded it's first introduction to the UK in 1865 by Sir S.B.Lakeman, who owned estates near Bucharest (Hungary), and brought 14 juveniles 1800 miles overland from a tributary of the river Danube. The 'Times' hailed the introduction as an "extraordinary event", and said it was the most important introduction since the turkey, basing their statement on a proven commercial value (they have been cultured extensively in Hungarian ponds for nearly 300 years, in 'mono-culture' ponds since 1867 and included in commercial fisheries in central and eastern Europe for at least several centauries). These original Silurid 'pioneers' died unfortunately, along with the initial excitement, but a later introduction in 1880 to the estate lakes of the 9th Duke of Bedford was successful. Seventy fish were presented, by Max von dem Borne (of the German consulate), to the duke on a visit to Berlin.

As most of us are aware, these fish were 'forgotten' until after the second world war (I guess the duke couldn't catch them!), when captures were recorded elsewhere by anglers, showing that it's distribution had began to grow outside of the duke's Woburn Abbey estate. The 'Art of Angling' (1957) stated it had "no future" in the UK (as did 90% of water authorities in reply to my 1993 research) and this summed up the scant knowledge at the time. Apparently a 73lb fish was reported in the angling press (1960) when one of the lakes at Woburn Abbey was drained, but interest was again short-lived due to it's localised distribution and summer time activity. Only a handful of local anglers had the chance to appreciate the sporting qualities of this fish and continued to catch (on warm summers) and further translocate fish through the'50s and '60s. Then, in the drought of 1976, (when your Mr.Whippy fell all over you if you didn't eat it in one go!) Leighton Buzzard A.C. reported increasing numbers of double-figure 'cats' coming out of their then 'shallower' and 'warmer' waters. Metabolic rates tend to rise 10% for each degree Celsius in freshwater fish and so the drought increased the food requirements/activity of the 'cats' and the reduced water levels increased the likelihood of capturing them. The angling press latched-onto this seemingly new phenomenon, reporting 'arm-aching' battles with 'monsters' throughout the season. The nations attention had truly been caught and this 'new' predator of superior fighting strength was thought to be a rival to the title of 'top- predator', (then held by the Pike).

Although following summers were cooler and captures much harder to come by, a dedicated band of hard-core 'addicts' kept the faith going with their captures, always generating interest in the angling press. If it were not for these hard men (with, I guess, harder wives) staying out night after night and the interest by 'big name' anglers like Kevin Maddocks and Bob Baldock, the European catfish may well have done another disappearing act. The result of the big names' interest was the formation of the Catfish Conservation Group, and their association with the well reported captures of 'giant' fish from the huge rivers feeding the Black sea by pioneers like Kevin Maddocks. From then on catfish were to well and truly remain in the focus of the public's domain and imagination. I for one won't forget those first pictures of Kevin and a 130lb catfish, and lets face it, I don't think anyone else in the UK had seen anything like it either. Fishing 'lore' had its rod well and truly broken and even the most exaggerated fishy tales seemed lame by comparison. Even my dreams took on new dimensions; I began to lose fish and had nightmares of 200lb catfish! As for the future, it is clear that the 'king' of cats has seated himself comfortably in his UK throne, lets hope he keeps favour with his subjects; as we know, 'Kings' sometimes run amok!

Further Details available from Guy at silurusglanis@europe.com