Thursday 28 February 2013

A Successful Autumn Session at Bletiere Carp Lake


Craig with his new PB – 39.02
Following a week-long visit to Bletiere, I described the venue in my feedback as being a wonderful place.  That simply doesn’t do the place justice and I felt compelled to give a more detailed account.
My brother, Greg, and I spent a week as the guests of John London at Bletiere during the first week of November 2012.  We caught the overnight ferry from Portsmouth to Caen and then had an easy, steady drive along the deserted and immaculately maintained network of toll roads.  Three tolls on the way down cost us a little over 20 euros.  John can give a route back that’s not much slower, more scenic and, importantly, saves on the toll charges.
Directions to the venue were spot on until we hit the point that my Sat Nav veered away from them.  Guess what? We then got lost.  We made it as far as the picturesque village, local to Bletiere, but had no clue where to go from there.  However, a quick phone call to John and we were quickly guided the last couple of miles to the venue.
The first glimpse of a new lake is always a memorable moment.  For me, there is always the gradual build-up of excitement and anticipation of things to come, yet tinged with a little trepidation that the lake, fish and surroundings will live up to expectations.  I was not to be disappointed with Bletiere.
I got my first glimpse of the lake as we drove down the track and soon spotted John’s home, the barn and gîte nestled into the hillside.  The lake is as picturesque as they come, situated in pleasant surroundings of open fields and woodland.  John has gone to a great deal of effort to plant interesting plants and flowers around the lake and the small island, situated at the top end of the lake, holds an impressive Weeping Willow tree.
Greg with a 35.04We were soon introduced to John and the dogs, Wispa and Daisy and, over a cuppa, John told us a little about the lake.  John knows the lake intimately and, as he gave us the tour around the lake, was able to point out the hotspots where it would be worth putting a bait and give us sensible advice on the tactics that work on this particular lake.
Greg and I were soon set up in our selected swims, with me opting for the house swim and Greg opting for the large double at the top of the lake.   As John had pointed out the likely hotspots and topography of the lake bottom we resisted the temptation to get the marker rods out, opting to keep the disturbance to a minimum.  John’s assessment proved to be spot on with the majority of the lake bottom being firm with some silt patches and areas of deeper water where the bottom had been scoured out by the carp.
On the baiting front, again we followed John’s advice and resisted the temptation to bait heavily from the off.  A handful of mixed size, 10 and 15mm boilies and a handful of John’s pellets were fed over each rod on a little and often basis and after every fish.  Later in the week we also started to use some of John’s particle mix.  Quest Baits, Baitcraft and Frank Warwick boilies all scored for us.
We also followed John’s advice on the rig front using backleads, small leads and smallish hooks.  I opted to start on running leads and Greg for fixed leads on a lead clip system.
Rig wise I caught on all three of my favourite rigs.  All were combi rigs of some description.  The first was a simple coated braid, Korda in my case, attached to a size 10 Fox Kuro S4XS hook, with a small piece of shrink tube over the eye and  a piece of silicone along the shank to hold the hair in place.
The second rig was similar to the first but was a proper combi rig, consisting of a fluorocarbon boom made from 12 or 15lb Korda IQ soft and a flexible section made from Supernatural braid.  The two materials were joined together using an Albright knot and a small piece of Tungsten putty used to cover the knot and aide the hook to turn.
My final rig, again a combi, is one that I generally save for trickier situations but is the one that was in use when I caught my largest fish of the trip, a truly magnificent 39lb 2oz common carp.  This rig is a full blown anti-eject rig featuring a stiff boom, in this case made of 25lb Korda IQ and a flexible section made of Supernatural braid.  Hook was a size 8 Fox Kuro S4XS attached slip D style (publicised by Martin Clarke) with a small rig ring for attaching the hair.  A small piece of shrink tube was placed over the eye and again, a small piece of putty employed to cover the knot and aide turning.  The stiff boom helps to keep the hook in the carp’s mouth and the slip D helps to improve separation of the bait and hook on eject.  Combined, they help to improve the chances of the hook finding a hold.  I only tend to use this presentation with hookbaits with at least some degree of buoyancy as the buoyancy helps the rig to reset itself in the event of it being inspected.
I vividly remember sitting there on that first night, taking in the atmosphere, with a glass of single malt whiskey in hand to warm me against the cold night air.  I love to sit out in the dark at the lakeside, listening to all of the night sounds and the comings and goings of nocturnal animals.  I also enjoy watching the night sky, and trying to spot the different star constellations, something I’m totally hopeless at.   Being in quite a rural location the clarity of the night sky was something to behold and the number of visible stars was quite astounding, beyond anything I can usually see at home.  I was even lucky enough to see shooting stars several times throughout the week.
Carp Fishing in France31.08
The daytimes were equally as pleasant as the nights.  I spent some time on one day watching a Kingfisher flying up and down the far margin and, on another, tried without success to capture a photograph of a small bird repeatedly coming to rest on one of my rods.  John and the dogs visited several times each day and I enjoyed our daily chats.  He is approachable, friendly and keen to help you make the most of your stay.  John appears to have struck the perfect balance between being attentive and eager to help but, at the same time, giving you the space to enjoy your holiday in peace.
Greg and I both worked our swims all week, adjusting the end tackles, tweaking the presentations, trying different hookbaits and fishing different areas within each baited patch, in an attempt to keep the bites coming.  We both caught, but, on reflection, I have wondered whether, for such a small lake, I over pressured some of my spots.  I fed five different spots throughout the week but fished two for the entire week, one for six nights, one for one night only and one not at all even though I saw fish rolling over it on a number of occasions.  I may have had better results by rotating the spots, giving them a rest after each capture.
We ended the week on 26 fish, with five thirties between us and a number of big twenties.  We were both chuffed with the result, especially as it was November.  In a way, I was glad that no forty came our way as it gives us something still to aim for.
Some lakes stir something inside you that is hard to fathom.  They leave an indelible impression upon you, and that is how Bletiere has been with me.  I spent the week at peace with myself, life and the worId.  In a busy, stressful, demanding life, that is a gift in itself.  I can’t wait to get back.
By Craig Barlow
Fishing Holidays at Bletiere

Wednesday 27 February 2013

Latest on fridge, freezer and plugs at Blue Lake


Blue Lake - Carp Lake in France
Owner Sebastien has just confirmed there is now a 300 litre freezer and a large fridge on site at Blue Lake . Plus there are a few spare plug points and some kind angler has left 2 UK plug adaptors at the venue. Can’t guarantee some not-so-kind angler will remove these though, so I recommend you take your own adaptor to be on the safe side!
Fishing France at Blue Lake

Monday 25 February 2013

Interim Catch Report from Vaux – First Carp of the Season


Fishing Holiday at Vaux
Vaux in its summer clothes!
Despite the freezing weather, snow showers, rain, Warren has started our 2013 season by catching eleven carp, including four 30′s and a brace of 40′s (46lb mirror and mid 40lb common) between his arrival on Saturday afternoon and 6am this morning, Monday 25th Feb.
A full Catch Report will be put up at the end of this week.
Fishing Holiday at Vaux

What a Start at Laroussi – 58lb & 67lb Mirror Carp!


Huge congratulations to Steve Knight! He was the last angler on both Laroussi and Old Oaks & caught the last carp of the 2012 season (mid December).
Steve, loving the challenge, came back early February 2013 on Laroussi to try to seduce the first carp of the year and he did it with a lovely 26lb common.  Braving the horrible weather nights and days and fishing in a water at only 4°C during several weeks proves the determination of Steve.
Second angler of the year on Laroussi is actually fishing right now… Mr Naylor, alias Mr Sixty, is back !
Within 24hrs, fishing in a water at 4°C,  -4°C air temp and snowing, he showed us again his skill by catching a superb 58lb mirror!
But Wayne wants more…
Last night, he landed his second carp at 67lb!
A new PB for Mr Sixty!
Congratulations, that’s awesome… and still another 5 days to go!
More details and photos to follow.

Thursday 21 February 2013

Spring Flowers at Notaires Carp Lakes


Notaires Carp Lake in France
Winter has been long and wet though not particularly cold this year, so it is a pleasant surprise to see the crocuses starting to come through so early at Notaires. The ‘warm’ wet weather has been good for the fish as the aquifers are refilled after the drought of the least two years and there have been plenty of opportunities to feed the carp with the lakes not freezing over at all this winter.
Even so, the fishing was excellent last year and the lake record was repeatedly raised until it stood at 45lbs 8oz to Matt.
We started a fish chipping campaign in 2012, using micro RFID chips. The person who catches a carp not previously tagged gets to name it. This has proved very popular with guests. A summary of the fish that have been tagged so far can be seen below. (Note, these fish form only a small proportion of all those caught in 2012.)
fish tag id
No. of times caught
FishName
010300dc0c0c
1
Tiddles
961001200052972
1
Poppy
961001200053048
1
George
961001200053106
2
961001200053119
1
961001200053241
1
Shamu
961001200053331
3
Willow
961001200053439
1
Frankie
961001200053443
5
Harriet (31lbs)
961001200053532
1
Bam Bam
961001200053574
1
Bubbles
961001200053577
3
961001200053695
1
961001200053745
4
Big Ben (32lbs)
961001200053934
1
Two Spot
961001200053954
1
961001200054069
1
Buzz
961001200054289
1
The Daddy
961001200054313
1
Jeta
961001200054433
2
Ellery
961001200054441
4
The Horse (45lbs 8oz)
961001200054458
2
961001200054470
1
Nemo
The larger tagged fish feature more often in the catch reports (due to their appetite?)  and while twenty-three carp have been tagged so far there are still another seventy or so waiting to be caught, tagged and named. So, what are you waiting for!
Fishing Holidays at Notaires

Monday 18 February 2013

Official News Just In – Spring in Sight at Holly Pools!


Cranes over France
It’s official – after 48 days rain or snow in the last 60 days, we finally have sunshine today.
What heralds Spring however is the return of the migrating cranes – last seen as winter closed in heading south – this time heading north to their summer breeding grounds.
We hear them before we see them, sounding like a cross between a frog and a goose…
Must hurry up with the swim work – as soon as the bank dries out enough to get the digger to work! More on this soon…
Carp Fishing at Holly Pools

Friday 15 February 2013

Photo Of The Month Competition at Roseau Carp Lake


Roseau Carpers Hoodie
This season we are offering a free Roseau hoodie for the best picture taken whilst at Roseau. The images can be of anything fishing related from a perfect scaley specimen, your French PB, scenic shots, water shots or even those alcohol related fallings over!
Each month we will take the top 5 entries and place them in a draw to be narrowed down to the top 3 photos.  The same will happen each month until, at the end of the season, we will have 15 photos.
I will then pick the top 3 photos out and ask for your comments as to which photo should be crowned the winner (the person who took the image cannot vote for their own picture) which will be shown on the venue page under latest news by the 10th August 2013.
So, get snapping away on your holiday!  You’ll be left with some great memories of your trip & you may even win a free Roseau hoodie.
Tight Lines, Roy

Wednesday 13 February 2013

Big Fish Competition at Roseau


This season at Roseau we will be running the “biggest fish” competition again.
The lucky angler who catches the biggest fish will win a week’s Drive N Survive holiday for the 2014 season and can have the choice to fish either lake… large or small.
How it works;
  • Any fish over 25lb will be a valid entry
  • Each fish over the current highest weight will need to be weighed and verified by the head bailiff using the bailiff’s scales.  Any fish not verified will not count
  • A leaderboard will be displayed in the lodge of the current highest weight
  • The winner will be announced on the Roseau page on Angling Lines website by 10thAugust 2013
  •  The winner is to contact Angling Lines to claim their prize
  • The prize is for 2014 season only.  If you can’t travel during the 2014 season then the person below the current leader will become the winner

Good luck and tight lines!
Roy
Fishing France at Roseau Large
Carp Fishing France at Roseau Small

Monday 11 February 2013

Winter Review (December & January) of Villefond Carp Lake


55lb Common Carp
Arthur at 55.04
Winter Review
Lake Manager Mark Lambert has taken full advantage of the quiet winter period here at Villefond to test out the new tweaks and flavours made in the house bait range which includes the new plum nut bait which has already had great results. Fishing just short sessions through out the winter using the new baits Mark banked 3 x 20’s, 6x 30’s, 9 x40’s (to 47lb 12oz) and 1 x 50.
The 50 was the big Common known as Arthur and for the second capture running has set a new lake record for a common Carp.
This is the fish I will focus on in the next section.
Fish of the month
Arthur is by far the lakes largest original fish (unstocked by us) and was first reported to us by Mark himself some years ago at 44lb+ and since then has continued to grow and has now set a new common carp lake record on both its last captures this time at a whopping 55lb 4oz.
I know as well on a personal level how much this capture meant to  Mark as well, as lake manager Mark gets to see all these fish getting caught but only very rarely gets to fish for them himself and has been desperate to catch one of the lakes 50’s. A dream he has now made reality and for the fish to be caught on the new improved Villefond house bait just makes that capture even sweeter.
We have our first customers on as early as mid February this year and with the new bait already performing so well I can se another year of records here at Villefond so watch this space in the coming months.
Carp Fishing in France at Villefond

Things to do for Non-Anglers – Local French Markets

For our non-fishing guests at Bletiere I supply a folder of things to do & this year I have added a list of brocantes (markets) in the local area.


The brocantes take place on a Sunday and last most of the day and they range from a small village to the bigger towns where all the roads are shut and the locals set out stalls to sell anything they no longer need… it’s a bit like the car boot sales in the UK.

They are a great way to pass a couple of hours while the fisherman back at Bletiere set up their gear.  You never know, you might just find that valuable antique that’s been missed, but you’re sure to find some great local produce.
  • 16 March – Thorigne- sur- due
  • 24 Mmarch - Lamney
  • 31 March - Le luart
  • 7 April - La ferte Bernard
  • 28 April - Vibraye
  • 9 May - Thorigne-sur-due
  • 26  May - La ferte bernard
  • 2  June - Aveze
  • 30 June - Cherre
  • 20  July -  La ferte bernard
  • 4 August - Greez sur roc
  • 15 September - La ferte bernard and saint ulphace.
  • 2 Oct - Greez sur roc
  • 20 Oct - Saint-jean-des-echellas
  • 17  November -Vibraye
This is just a list of local ones & there are a lot more further afield.  If you fancy a morning out look on the map when you are coming over and see where the places are and I can always give directions.

Tight lines, John

Fishing Holidays at Bletiere

Tuesday 5 February 2013

2013 Carp Stock Check at Lords


Lords Carp Lake
As part of their regular fisheries management programme, the Bigots have just completed a stock check at Lords.  In January 2013 Lords was netted & every carp removed, weighed & returned.
Here’s the results;
The 50The 30′sThe 20′s
52.0935.0429.12
35.0429.12Ghost
The 40′s35.0129.09
45.0735.0129.09
45.0335.0129.05
42.0934.1328.11
42.0534.1028.04
41.1134.0627.12
41.0734.0627.05
40.0933.1527.05
40.0933.1527.05
40.0933.1527.02
40.0233.1227.02Ghost
40.0233.05
40.0233.01Under 20′s
33.0118.01Fully scaled
The 30′s32.1414.09Ghost
39.1132.148.03Ghost
39.0432.14
39.0432.10
39.0032.10The Cats
39.0032.0777.03
39.0032.0772.12Mandarin
38.1332.0769.04
38.0632.0348.08
38.0232.0344.01
37.1132.0339.11
37.0831.1539.00
37.0431.1238.13
37.0431.1237.01
36.1331.1236.06
36.0631.0535.11
36.0230.1435.04
35.1130.1030.14Mandarin
35.1130.10
35.1130.10
35.04
French Carp at Lords