IT'S never been caught and some even doubted its existence.
Yet on April 16, a 50lb catfish known locally as the "Billericay Loch Ness monster" was finally snared by angler Peter Hudd.
Mr Hudd, a 27-year-old landscape gardener from Billericay, said: "It had been a quiet night. I arrived at six, sat there until midnight but caught nothing.
"I decided to get some sleep in my tent when my line began to move.
"I was prepared to reel in a small fish then the pressure increased and it was so strong I thought the line had been caught."
Two huge whiskers then protruded slowly from the inky waters.
This proved to be the calm before the storm – an intense hour-long fight to land the flesh-eating fish ensued.
Fellow fisherman, Jason Reed, 44, said: "We just couldn't believe it.
"As far as we know that fish has been in Lake Meadows since 1995 and nobody has ever been able to catch it."
Mr Hudd, who has been fishing with his father since he was 13, added: "We tried to net it and then in tore off into the water again.
"By the time I had it in my arms, I was exhausted and covered in slime, mud and sweat."
Cat fish are carnivorous and prey on smaller fish and mammals.
In the winter months they hibernate under the silt.
Mr Hudd said: "We had only recently started fishing during the night because of the harsh winters.
"I used a relatively small 'urban bait' boilie – and could not believe it when the fish bit.
"Spring has just begun, it's the last thing I expected."
The euphoric atmosphere around the shores of Lake Meadows was 18 years in the making and for Mr Hudd, who has fished all over Europe, this was his crowning glory.
The race is now on to find out who will next enjoy the prestige and honour in snaring the "Beast".
