THE last time he was caught, Marvin the Pike weighed in at 29lb.

Since that day, two years ago, the Marvin - who is well known among anglers at Park Reservoir in Wallsuches - has managed to evade anglers.

But the net finally closed in on him when the reservoir was drained.

Weighing just 22lb Marvin, along with hundreds of other fish, was caught as Curlies Fisheries, which owns the reservoir, prepared to re-open it as an all-trout fishery in the new year.

And it was not only fish that turned up in the vast nets - live bullets, a 150-year-old glass bottle and a machete were also among the catches of the day.

Owners Steve and Helen Kershaw, both aged 36, have run the business, which includes a popular tearoom, for the past two years.

Mr Kershaw said: "It was a course and trout fishery but we decided to change it to be totally trout fishing.

"It's the ideal setting for trout because the water is cold and deep.

"We started the process about eight weeks ago. We have a valve and pumps that run through the core of the dam, discharges out and that goes into the River Douglas.

"We don't know how long the lake will take to fill it up again. It depends how much rain we get.

"Our smaller lake will be used for any-method trout fishing, the larger one for fly-fishing. We believe we can fill a niche in the market."

The reservoir stopped supplying water to the surrounding area in 1965.

It is about 35ft deep and covers approximately five hectares.

When the draining is complete, more than 500 million gallons of water will have been taken out of the lake at a cost of £4,000.

Marvin became legendary among local anglers who heard of his presence in the lake, but failed to catch him.

Yesterday, he was out of the water for the first time in 24 months.

And along with five tonnes of other fish, including carp, bream, roach and a koi carp, he will be taken to the Kershaw's new fishery in Egerton Road, Belmont.

The current lake, once it refills, will be stocked with 2,000 trout worth £12,000 and should be open by January 1.

Bill Greenhalgh, aged 64, of Bottom o'th' Moor, designed the layout of the fishery when it opened.

He said: "I was curious to see what came out. I've heard rumours of this giant pike."

The Kershaws have been working with the Environment Agency and Met Office.

Enforcement officer Lee Preston said: "The owners have consulted with us throughout the whole process. We're here to check for non-indigenous fish like catfish and sturgeon."