On 10th June 1977 an elusive goldfish-eating perch with a prodigious appetite is finally netted after two years on the rampage in a Kent pond!
The fish – nicknamed Jaws – was caught by two Southern Water Board engineers equipped with a rowing boat, fishing net – and a 240 volt 240 volt stun rod. Former trawler skipper Alf Leggett accused Jaws of eating 3000 goldfish in his Ickham breeding lake near Canterbury. The greedy predator, which weighed in at just 1 lb (0.45 kg), avoided several attempts to catch it – including efforts by anglers and military marksmen.
Mr Leggett, 61, has constantly had to replenish his stock over the last two years as the numbers of goldfish dwindled. As would be expected of a fish which last month successfully evaded the attentions of intrepid explorer Colonel John Blashford-Snell with five soldiers and a machine gun, Jaws put up a spirited fight at the end but using their specially-designed rod, the two men from the water board were able to stun the killer perch and catch it in a large net.
Mr Leggett said he was delighted the fish had finally been trapped. “He has caused me a lot of trouble but I suppose in a way I gained a lot of respect for him – I am certainly pleased to see the back of him from this pond,” he said.
