Catch results 19/04/08

What a week! With Dad away visiting friends and family in the UK this week, I was running the ship by myself. Despite being a hectic week, I have to say thanks to all our guests, it was one of my most enjoyable working with Exclusive Angling Holidays. Here goes my attempt at putting it all into words and pictures:

Rouge

Having fished Bleu last year, Gary and Leigh returned to have a crack at the bigger fish in Rouge. I knew from the number of emails we'd exchanged prior to their arrival that they were looking forward to the visit - and to be honest so was I; these guys enjoy talking about fishing as much as I do!

Starting off behind the island, they had a hectic first night, banking several nice catfish to 36lb and carp to 23lb 8oz (a new PB common for Leigh). The boys were baiting heavily using our carp pellet and a mix of both our Matrix and GLM boilies.



As the action tailed off during the following 24 hours they opted to make a move - one taking the double swim (1 & 2) and the other occupying the summerhouse swim. The double swim produced a string of nice Carp for Leigh whilst the going was much slower in front of the summer house - although Gary managed the biggest catfish of the week at 47lbs 8oz.



After a move back behind the island, the Carp started to show for Gary who banked three whopping specimens in quick succession, topped by a new PB, and first thirty, of 32lb 12oz.



Thursday brought a break in the awful, rainy weather, and with it a lull in the fishing. However sport picked up in the double swim, giving Leigh chance to bank several more carp, including a stunning 29lb 3oz common...and another PB.



All in all, the guys banked 35 fish between them, with eleven carp over 20lbs and one thirty. In addition to this, it would be remiss of me not to mention the invaluable contribution of their girlfriends Sarah and Michelle: Michelle picked up a couple of runs for Leigh and was nearly pulled into the lake by a marauding catfish, whilst Michelle did the honours with the camera all week AND banked a nice slab of a bream!



Thanks to all four of you for a most entertaining week, and for cleaning the caravan, chalet and bivvies so thoroughly, baby wipes and all!

Vert

A regular customer of Exclusive Angling Holidays, Nick explained to me during a very relaxed weeks fishing on Vert, that catching fish comes in around 3rd on his list of priorities when staying with us.

That might seem odd to some of you, but given the abundance of wildlife and incredible scenery in the area, it's something i can totally relate to. Contented in watching a pine marten's foiled attack on a wren nest, and the wriggling water snakes making their way across the water, Nick and his wife enjoyed a grand week.

Despite this apparent lack of focus on putting carp on the bank, he still managed more than a few! The best being carp of 20lbs, and a few cats over the 20lb mark too. As ever, it was a pleasure having you down, and we both look forward to seeing you next year.



Bleu

Making their first foray into the world of French Carp fishing, our 6 guests from yorkshire couldn't have wished for a better start. The fishing on bleu was consistent all week, with plenty of smaller catfish being caught alongside some cracking carp.



Despite the extraordinary rain, which turned parts of the bank into a mudpit, and even threatened to to flood one of the bivvies, the lads remained in high spirits throughout and were all rewarded in the end. Each caught carp and catfish and there were shattered PBs all round.

The best, however, was saved for the end of the trip - in terms of weather and fishing. After celebrating a 21st birthday on Thursday night, in grand style with black forest gateaux and champagne courtesy of Stefan at the campsite, the lads shrugged off any ill effects to finally enjoy some roasting sunshine.



As i arrived at the lakes in the evening to collect the rental tackle, i could immediately tell something momentous had happened - everyone i saw was buzzing. It soon emerged that on top of a cracking 30lb carp, Steve had banked one of the big cats! Estimated at 90lbs plus (and having seen the photos I fully agree), the beast eventually succumbed after a spectacular fight that nearly pulled the captor in...all 6ft plus of him! The pictures speak more clearly than i ever could, so all i will say is well done lads, thank you, and look forward to seeing you all again in the future.



Widescreen camera for next time boys...:-)

Tight Lines
Will James