Feb 2016

2016 Spring Cabin Maintenance, 21st Feb

As the start of the 2016 season fast approaches, works were underway this weekend in readiness for our first anglers. As well as the usual trimming, pruning and re-planting around the banks, this spring presented a new chore. When we built the Floating Cabin back in the winter of 2013, we understood that there was always a chance that the barrels that support it might need replacing and we designed the deck accordingly.

After a few years of rubbing and bouncing on Lake William’s stony bottom, it was apparent that more than one of the barrels had eventually worn through and popped. Although the whole platform was designed to facilitate the replacement of the barrels, it was still no mean feat! With all hands on deck, we did eventually get both barrels replaced without too much drama as everyone filled their boots - quite literally.

Feb 2016

Winter, 19th Feb

Local photographer Mig Rodriguez popped by to take a few winter shots of the lakes. Very moody in black & white. He’ll have to come back in the summer when this rural idyll is in its glory.

Dec 2015

A Summary of the 2015 Season, 2nd Dec

Despite kicking off to slow start in terms of Anglers, those brave enough to come in March and April this year saw some decent catches in spite of the rain.

La Gléhias regulars, Richard Park and Scott Bryant did their usual trick of finding a few big lumps in March when the water was still very cold, with Scott busting a PB with a 35lb8oz Common, and Nick Cooper returned to us determined to bank a few biggun’s and we were happy to oblige.

“Lee and Tracy are wonderful people who make the French trip special. The lake has some cracking fish in and looks beautiful, lots of features to fish to and a floating cabin which is simply stunning.”  Nick Cooper, April 2015

April also saw the return of the Chamberlain Party who, as on their previous visit to us, had monstrous success both in terms of fish numbers and weights with nineteen Carp to over 38lb and eight Cats to 54lb.

May again was pretty quiet for us Anglerwise, so the fish took that as a cue to get some spawning out of the way. Didn’t stop regulars Keith and Barry Smith winkling out a few whoppers and their mate Alex Harrocks bagged a brute of catfish to boot.

The season really got underway from June with Tom Roberts and Simon Bonwick enjoying some daytime carp fishing on Lake Lauren whilst Simon’s octogenarian dad Charles had fun on Lake William (the coarse lake) floating for silverfish.

“Brilliant place. Hope to come back. Fishing perfect for our very mixed group + facilities superb. Owner very helpful + friendly.”  Simon Bonwick, June 2015

Jenny and Ted Handley retuned to us in July and Jenny gave herself the challenge of catching one of the bigger Cats. She accomplished this in style landing a 43lb’er which also gave her the Ladies Lake Record Cat Award! Adding this to the Ladies Lake Record Mirror and Ladies Lake Record Grass Carp in previous years, that’s a nice collection of La Gléhias wine right there!

July also saw the arrival of the Morris Party, the two anglers in the party were teenagers Elliott and Billy who bagged an amazing 41 fish in their time here in including nine 30+ Carp and two 40+ Catfish. The lads had set themselves the target of catching 20lb+ fish; they achieved this in the first day!

August saw the return of the Calthorpe family who managed to bank 28 fish including a big brace in their week, but then we wouldn’t expect any less than this from them with Wendy smashing the Ladies Lake Records numerous times in the past.

The fish behaved pretty well throughout the season and continued to come out in reasonable numbers, averaging around 18 per week up until some point early in September when we suspect maybe half the Carp decided to have a second spawning which slowed up some the bigger fish for a few weeks after.

The return of the Cheese Party at the start of October saw the catch numbers coming back up.

“Thank you to Lee and Tracy on my first ever French adventure! Me and Nigel Cheese had a blast even though the week proved challenging we managed 15 between us including my first ever cats after losing a few between us. Best fight I’ve ever experienced! 32lb PB which I hope to break next time.”  Chris White, October 2015

Richard Park came back for the second time this year with buddy Wayne Hockley and the pair had a fairly busy time banking twenty one fish including two near forties for first time visitor Wayne who broke his PB three times in his week here.

The elusive big Cat was hooked several times this year but once again snapped everybody so we still don’t know the weight of it; can’t wait to see what it comes out at, maybe next year!

Big thanks to all our anglers for visiting us for giving us your cracking feedback and photos and hope to see you all here again soon.

Lee & Tracy