Angling Lines News Report – January 2005
The festive season is now over and everyone is looking forward to the spring and a new season’s carping in France and beyond. The lakes across France are quiet and devoid of anglers and as I gaze out over the field in northern Picardie they are wrapped in a coat of frost. It snowed recently and many venues were frozen over this week. So despite the new season only being a matter of weeks away, winter has certainly not released its grip on the French countryside. It is however a perfect time for lake owners to improve their venues, carry out work on the banks and swims and to stock fish.
Les Genets NEW
This month we have two new venues to tell you about. The first is called “Les Genets” and it’s situated in NW France. It’s a five acre lake with excellent facilities at the lake edge and is run by an English couple, Larry Arnold & Heather Barber. They live on site and will endeavour to make you most welcome at this extremely attractive water. Nestling in a pretty region of the French countryside it really does offer a haven of peace. Larry is an experienced carper himself and will be only too pleased to assist visiting anglers. Genets holds a beautiful head of mirrors & commons to 40lb+. The lake has no poisson chat or crayfish.
The bankside facilities are in the form of a comfortable lodge overlooking the lake where breakfast and evening meals are served. The food package includes a full cooked English breakfast with cereals, toast and as much tea and coffee as you can drink and a two-course evening meal - main course and sweet. These are freshly prepared and cooked each day by Heather & Larry. They are ex-publicans/restaurateurs with many years experience... so they know how to feed people. An excellent venue for up to 6 anglers spread over its nine swims.
Show me Genets
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Chapel Lake NEW
Those anglers who know and have enjoyed the successful Justices venue in central France, will be interested to know that the owner, Jon Harrison, has started a second lake in the same region. Called Chapel Lake it’s one of the most stunning lakes in the Limousin... it really is a picture postcard setting! It's an 18 acre Chateau lake dating back to 1690, so it's fully mature with large trees and shrubs. Nearby shops provide most basic needs and hypermarkets are to be found at La Soutterraine which is about a 15 minute drive.
The facilities at the venue are in the lakeside Chapel - it offers an open fire with barbecue, a comfy sofa bed, large dining area with adjoining kitchen and shower. Basic crockery and cutlery is provided. There’s an outside flushing loo in a small out-building.
The lake is over 300 years old and as it can never be completely emptied there are specimens in here that date back many years. Until now, the water has been run by a French syndicate with all types of fish stocked, but predominantly mirror and common carp. The lake was partially emptied in the winter of 2004 revealing approximately 300 excellent quality carp. An additional 200 carp between 15 and 55 lbs were added making Chapel lake a well stocked venue with an excellent chance of action.
Chapel Lake is available at a special discounted rate in this first year of business and groups of up to 6 can book the lake exclusively.
Show me Chapel Lake
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Lake Improvements
This winter has seen several Angling Lines venues undertake work and restocking to improve what they have on offer for the coming season.
Laroussi
Some quite extensive work has been carried out around the lake to improve the swims. The pegs that were the least flat, the 'Anse' and the 'Haut Fond', have been levelled to make setting up camp easier. The peg 'La Pointe' has been completely reworked, being lowered by 80cm to create a gentle slope all around. Two steps have been cut in the bank to facilitate netting and releasing of fish. Weeping Willows have been planted, plus shrubs on the ‘Pointe’ swim and the ‘2 Saules’ swim, to help create some shade as quickly as possible for the summer periods.
Show me Laroussi
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Lac du Val
New Chalet: Another new Chalet has been installed at Lac du Val. It's fitted with ensuite shower and toilet, separate kitchen, Sky TV and private parking.
New Shower: Responding to feedback from last years customers a new shower has been fitted in the communal anglers room adjacent to the main farm house.
Hire of tackle: In 2005 Lac du Val will be hiring Microcat bait boats, rods, bivvies & sleeping bags.
New Fish Stocks: After a long, cold and wet trip down south to Limoges, Dave & Sammy returned to Lac du Val with 37 more beautiful carp ranging from 24lb to 39lb 2oz, the larger fish being a copper coloured common of 39lb 2oz. All these fish were netted by themselves so every care was taken of them in every respect. We are pleased to say they are all doing extremely well in the 1/2 acre stock pond where they will be fed and observed before stocking into the main lake ready for spring.
Show me Lac du Val
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Lake Stockings
Winter is also the time in France when lakes have additional fish added - it is in fact the only time you can purchase carp stocks from French fish farmers. Several waters have taken advantage of the winter period to improve the existing head of carp in their fisheries.
Windmill:. To add to the success of the carp specimen lake, second lake has been re-stocked with large carp and catfish. It now contains commons and mirrors to 35 lbs, grass carp to 30 lbs and cats to 43 lbs.
Burons: This charming fishery in Normandy has recently stocked 25 beautiful mirrors, the best going just over 30lb.
See you next month.
Gareth |
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