Details of your catches:

I had around 18 carp in 4 days fishing and lost 4. The average was mid 30 and I lost one of the big ones around a branch in the margin to the left of swim 2. The biggest was 41lb.

Your best tactics/bait/rigs:

Boating over to the far margins and snags was the best tactic.

Were the facilities what you expected?

Facilities are basic but provides a hot shower and a flushing toilet which is all you need for a great weeks fishing.

Were you happy with them?

Yes great.

Would you recommend the venue to a friend?

This venue is a real gem, the lake is nestled in the middle of a large complex of lakes and opposite a working gravel works. The margins are deep and the water is very clear which means hard fighting big carp will certainly pull you arm off! The lake is wild so there are plenty of snags so you will need to beef up on your end tackle. 60lb snag leaders and 30lb+ hook links are imperative if you want to land as many fish as possible. There are a lot of crayfish so you can get away with using A LOT of bait! Tiger nuts as hook baits will also keep you from reeling in without any bait on.

Would you recommend the services to a friend?

Always! Angling Lines are number 1!

General Comments:

Epic venue on the wild side, big hard fighting carp and nice big comfortable swims. Awesome!

Details of your catches:

21 Carp caught to 38.8lb

Your best tactics/bait/rigs:

Spicy Plum hard hookers supplied by the owner.

Were the facilities what you expected?

Yes, actually better than expected as the shower and toilet were very good.

Were you happy with them?

Yes

Would you recommend the venue to a friend?

Absolutely, Grandes Cimes is a very technically difficult lake to fish as it has been left to nature. The crayfish and the snags are challenges that need to be overcome but the results are worth the effort. The water level was also an issue while we were there, but you adapt and try to overcome.

Would you recommend the services to a friend?

Yes, was very impressed with Angling Lines.

General Comments:

I had a fantastic week on Grandes Cimes, helped by the fact I had a fish on the bank within 4 hours of arriving, so the pressure was off immediately. The big fish in the lake managed to avoid my rigs for the week, but the bites were regular and the fish which are all immaculate, fight like trojans, and as the water is 3m deep every carp feels like a 50lb fish when you hook it. The lake is completely left to nature, so there are some huge snags, which disappear in to the water, I used the sonar on my boat and some of these snags go on for another 20ft that you can’t see! As you are fishing to these snags, as there are no features on the lake bed, and these are big powerful fish, so you have to be locked up tight and on your rods, two bleeps and you need to be striking. Bottom baits worked for me, tried Tigers, CC Moore, Sticky and Mainline and caught nothing. The owners bait works very well. There are an insane amount of crayfish, they even come into your bivvy at night, and they eat everything. A boilie is gone in an hour and it doesn’t matter what colour or flavour, they are on it which means every four hours, you are rebaiting your rigs. The facilities are great, lovely clean hot shower and loo. There is a Carrefour supermarket 5 mins drive away that sells everything. We had some great BBQ’s. There is also a Patisserie in the local village if you fancy a treat. The owner and his assistant can’t do enough for you, if you need bait or any batteries charging, they are happy to come collect, charge and return but you need to give them an adaptor. They also message to see that everything is ok and if you are enjoying your holiday every couple of days. Can’t recommend this place enough, and can’t wait to return.

Details of your catches:

Hooked into 21 carp, first out was 1am 58lbs 4oz Common. Followed by 32lb Mirror at 4am, we had nothing in the daytime except 2 Bream and a 20lb Grass Carp at 9:30pm. The week went on with the 1am and 4am runs producing 1 sub 20lb grass and several 30lbers minimum of 2 per night. My brother had 1 run the entire week and that was a bream.

Your best tactics/bait/rigs:

I believe in CC Moore Pacific Tuna and mixed pellets & boilies with their liquid attraction. Pops ups were presented 2” off the bottom 18mm and tried tiger nuts too which had a take twice throughout the week. Baited up with Constant’s particle mix (20kg) bait boat drops were 500grams CC Moore and 500grams of particle per rig drop. Followed by PVA bag on overnight takes to get back on the spot.

Were the facilities what you expected?

Facilities were more than perfect very hot water in the shower and immaculately clean. Need to supply own toilet rolls.

Were you happy with them?

Extremely happy

Would you recommend the venue to a friend?

Absolutely, when we arrived our swim was under 3ft of water due to heavy downpours over the previous weeks, so set up on the upper surface and entered the water for all the fish to be landed. Crayfish will eat a pop up in 6-8 hours. So Re-bait up every 8 hours minimum. Get the particle mix 20kg lasts the whole week. That’s per angler.

Would you recommend the services to a friend?

Yes definitely

General Comments:

The venue is 5 minutes drive to town and carrefour contact as well as fuel station there. Takeaways again local in the town, excellent value and all food was to high standard.

Details of your catches:

23 landed: 55lb mirror 42lb common 11x30lb+

Your best tactics/bait/rigs:

Majority of free feed was particle and crumbed boilie as the water was still cold and also to combat the Krays. *note- Krays were not that bad in the lake but use the right tactics to fish effectively.

Were the facilities what you expected?

Yes but please come prepared. The owner has put a great shower and toilet block in. Due to the lakes remote nature, there is no fridge, freezer or power. Come prepared with a gas fridge and plenty of solar power banks. The staff will take your boat batteries etc to be charged if required.

Were you happy with them?

Yes.

Would you recommend the venue to a friend?

Yes, Grand Cimes is a good challenging lake that will make you think about your tactics and approach. The lake is located in a beautiful area surrounded by other lakes.

Would you recommend the services to a friend?

Yes. Used AL for years and the team are always available to amend your booking if issues arise.

General Comments:

Grand Cimes is a challenging lake that if you get it right will reward you handsomely. Rigs and tackle need to be up to the job of fishing at range in deep snaggy margins.