JOHN Arliss' dream was to have a fishing pond at the back of his pub so he could enjoy his favourite pastime.
On Friday the 43-year-old landlord got an unwelcome one when river water gushed into the car park behind the Mill of the Black Monks in Grange Lane, Barnsley.
He caught four live carp using a rod and net, put them into a bucket and then returned them to the nearby Dearne.
The ground floor of the pub, including the kitchens and toilets, were severely damaged .
The pub is now shut, wedding receptions have been cancelled and food and draught beer thrown away on the advice of health officers. Takings totalling £12,000 were lost at the weekend. "We do not know when we'll be opening," he said.
During the downpour John waded through four feet of water outside his pub to rescue his 16-year-old daughter Jessica's dress which had been bought for her forthcoming school prom. It was in the flat which is 30 yards from the pub and she feared it would be ruined by rising water.
• The former water mill is reputed to have a ghost but it's not been seen for days. "It got washed away," said John.
