A Tribute To Barney...

Back in the 60's (or was it the 50's?) when the local crocodile farming trade is blooming, there were many such businesses in the Lim Chu Kang area.

There was a terrible flood and many of those reptiles escaped from their confinement into the wild.

And of course, the nearest marshland will be Kranji reservoir.

Some made their way to Sungei Buloh and got connected to the sea.
Others sought refuge at the swarms and marshland around Kranji reservoir.

Over these years, they are still there.
And growing...

Almost every accomplished local anglers knows that a certain part of Kranji reservoir holds the biggest giant snakehead in Stinkapore.

Neo Tiew Lane 2...

To reach this spot, one must travel waist deep in the water at a certain point of the journey.

Signs have been erected to warn humans of certain monsters that lurks in the waters at that area.

Some anglers are lucky (or unlucky?) enough to have met the beast.

I have personally met her (ya, it's a she) on a couple of occasions from afar.

Even as a beast she is, it seems like she does not have an appetite for human meat.

Local anglers who knew about her existence gave her a name:

Barney, the guardian of the most fabled giant snakehead fishing spot in Stinkapore...

A few days ago, I received a piece of very sad news...

And some photos...

While I do not know what happened to Barney that took her life, it is indeed a very sad thing to happen...
Barney will live forever in my heart even though we met only a few times...

Her legacy will not end here.

There are still a few more Barneys there although smaller.

Her babies will continue her guardian duties now that she's gone.







Rest in peace, my dear Barney...