Jun 2019

Deux Iles report to 29th Jun, 29th Jun

A catch report from Mark Statham, Paul Walley, Barry Smith & Andrew Bannister : 

1st day back from this gorgeous lake, last week, was tough to say the least. On arrival we met Bruno earlier than planned and had a good walk around the lake, picking at Bruno’s knowledge all the way around. First thoughts, pristinely kept fishery with immaculate facilities. Eager and excited to get the rods out for what seemed a lifetime of waiting, from the 12 months or so we had booked had finally arrived. 

As a party of 4, we had already decided islands a month after booking by draw😂

The first take on the first day, falling to island 1, to play to the net to them get a hook pull, as frustrating as this was, it was soon to become forgotten to the one toner from island 2, hitting into it, to be out powered after 5 mins by no way of turning it from the island in front from island 2 - with the power, definable one of the grass carp in the lake.

The lake was then quiet until around 4am when Mark in cabin 1 took another 1 tone from the willow, which resulted in a recently spawned 34lb 2oz Common. 

The next day, the RHS swim of island 2 had a take from the left of the island, which soon ended, 2-0 fish from this side. 

This was to be the last bites from Island 2 regardless of rig change, bait change, you name it. The next 4 days for myself and my mate Andy, were slow to say the least. A little interest in a zig, but no fish. The action continued more on island 1, but only that little bit more than us, a couple of missed runs, a couple more hook pulls, missed takes from nervous bites, and finally a couple more upper doubles landed by Paul on Island 1. 

After this the lake went quiet, mainly with just getting the occasional mugging off from a pick up and immediate drop. Tactics changed etc etc etc. Couple of missed takes through the early mornings on island 1, still no action despite every possible change on island 2. 

This continued until the final 24hr’s when it’s clear your mates are your mates when they want to club together so you can try and get that bite that means you don’t go home on a blank. 
Aiding to assist a move to where the action was happening, island 1, each of us fished 2 rods in spaces swims, still a little sceptical that the majority of the action had happened at the back of island 1 this was gonna be our best shot. At around 2pm, we were faced with the relentless power of Steve, managing to get him from the back into open water, a short battle, his diamond back surfacing out of the water 10’ from the net and bolting, pulling off again! 

Frustration was setting in, so far, Day 6, 3 fish landed from 8 or 9 bites, as shy as some were didn’t seem the best fishing, but speaking to some guys on the surrounding lakes appeared to be the norm, whether it was the heat the day we arrived, around 39/40 or just a week where their not sure they are spawning or not. The first combo definitely showed signs she had, as did the mirror that was about to be caught this evening. 

The last evening, prepared to sleep outside in my sleeping bag, I wasn’t about to waste the opportunity of a night on the swim where the action had been happening for what seemed like, all week, bar from 2 bites other than crays on island 2.

I did however end up sleeping on the hard tiled floor of cabin one, waiting for the rods to go. 
Lots of interest throughout the night followed by a great take around 00.15 from a 31.4 mirror who looking at his head and shoulders had been very active in this years spawn. 

Landed and returned, shorts wet, no mither, it’s the last night, I didn’t rebait the taken rod but fished the other to the far bank, to be rudely awoken around 6am! But very much appreciated, great fight in this common, weighed in at 30.2.

Regardless of the ‘unproductive’ week we experienced, we enjoyed every minute as frustrating as it got from time to time. 

Yes at moments we went to the local village, we picked up some bait and tackle, we weren’t going defeated.

The patience paid off, and we were willing to wait, Bruno, you have an amazing picturesque lake, with some fantastic fighting fish, and we all thankyou for your hospitality and your dedication to making the lake and facilities so clean. 

Thanks for popping over for a chat every day, and making sure we were ok. 
Would recommend this lake any day, after speaking with guys on the ferry it wasn’t just ourselves that had experienced a tough week, definitely towards the end it started to pick up so hopefully it will switch on.

Again Thankyou Bruno for everything.