Guest Stories
Six years of trip reports, in guests’ own words
Personal bests, family holidays, celebrity visits and one story that means more than any fish ever could — this is TopCats told by the people who’ve fished it.
40+
Stories & counting
14 species
Best single-stay record
2018
Simon’s first visit
106 fish
Best week, 3 anglers
How It Began
The trip that turned into an ownership
Before he owned it, Simon was a guest — an ex-sales-director who landed a 100lb+ fish in four hours on his first visit in 2018, then a 120lb Amazon Redtail on his very first cast the following May. He bought TopCats from previous owner Shaun on 1 November 2019, and every story below has happened since.
Featured Stories
The ones worth reading in full
IN MEMORY
Finley’s Arapaima
Finley Wells first fished TopCats in 2022, aged 7, dreaming of an Arapaima. His leukaemia returned in 2024 and he passed away that September. This year his father Stuart returned and, guided by Doy, landed the Arapaima on Finley’s behalf — TopCats supports Anglers Against Cancer and Catfishing Against Cancer.
READ THE FULL STORY →
RECORDS
History Made at TopCats
Dan Brindley equalled the resort’s six-year species record — 14 species in a single stay, previously held only by Danny Bowkiss — with 45 fish including a 300lb+ Arapaima, and won a free three-night return stay for it.
READ THE FULL STORY →
NOTABLE GUESTS
John Found, Barbel Society
The Honorary Vice President of the UK’s Barbel Society spent two weeks in a Suite Bungalow with private “Hideaway” access, guided by Ben to 80+ fish across 11 species — including two Arapaima from the legendary Swim No. 9.
READ THE FULL STORY →
NOTABLE GUESTS
Andy Carroll’s Second Visit
The Newcastle United footballer returned in 2016 with fiancée Billi Mucklow, landing a 100lb+ Mekong Catfish and a monster Siamese Carp from Heaven’s Point with guide Ben — first visited back in 2010.
READ THE FULL STORY →
LAKE LEGENDS
Double Hook-Up
The exact same moment, two swims apart: Rob Ferrey landed the famous albino “Casper,” while Dan hooked the equally famous giant Ripsaw Catfish. Called one of the greatest moments in TopCats history — celebrated with an impromptu prize-giving on the spot.
READ THE FULL STORY →
More Stories
Every visit tells a different story
Shorter reads from the rest of the logbook — sorted by the kind of trip.
PERSONAL BESTS
New TopCats Fishing Record
Day-ticket guest Jeffrey set a new record — 15 fish across 8 species from Predator Corner.
PERSONAL BESTS
Record-Breaking Win
Pete Hamerton, a Pallatrax competition winner, landed 10 species in a single day — an albino Pacu among them.
PERSONAL BESTS
Another Red-Letter Day
Sean Wilson’s blow-by-blow diary: 23 fish, a ~100lb Siamese Carp, and Tyson the Mekong.
Family & Groups
Avril’s 40th Birthday
Seventeen guests, exclusive lake use, and son Taine landing two Arapaima to win best-fish.
Family & Groups
Fanthams Do TopCats
A father and son week, both landing Julien’s Golden Carp, plus golf and a big night out at Jimmy Woo’s.
Family & Groups
Another Wedding Party
An eight-strong stag do with exclusive lake hire — the groom won an Arapaima for best fish of the day.
Family & Groups
Mark It Off Your Bucket List
A Premium Bonds win funded a father-son trip from the Lake District — and an unofficial 128-Chang record.
Everyday Days Out
Day Ticket Fishing at TopCats
What a standard day ticket actually looks like, told through a regular’s visit — five species landed.
Everyday Days Out
Out of This World
A week-long stay, three anglers, 106 fish across 13 species between them.
Everyday Days Out
A Friday Friendly
An impromptu pairs match against the previous owner — decided by 10lb.
Everyday Days Out
A Hot Day at TopCats
An American guest’s drone vlog of a session at Heaven’s Point.
PRESS & sPONSORS
Pallatrax at TopCats
A week-long stay, three anglers, 106 fish across 13 species between them.
PRESS & sPONSORS
Billy Flowers, England International
The angling international’s visit, later a well-known vlog by Reality Carp Fishing.
Everyday Days Out
Meet Popeye & Nelson
The story behind three more named lake residents — two Redtails and a one-eyed Alligator Gar.
Everyday Days Out
Thailand Holiday & Fishing Experience
Pallatrax’s Neil Denton and wife Kate combined fishing with a full 14-night island itinerary.