Details of your catches:

We arrived at the lake to find the worst possible weather conditions for Carp fishing. It was over 30 degrees every day, full sun on the lake, oxygen levels were low, water very, very warm and the Carp were not really interested in eating much at all during the week we were there. Never the less we had a warm welcome from Mehdi the owner and managed 12 fish in total. I was on Peg 3 fishing the far margin. I started with my PB a common carp weighing in at 29lb and went on to catch a mirror carp weighing in at 38lb. I lost a third carp at the net! After a 3 day lull with nothing but a couple of large Bream while using plastic corn due to the Poisson Chat’s eating everything I used as a hook bait I managed somehow to catch and land a lake record Cat Fish weighing in at 105lb another PB for me. Peg 1 blanked, no fish down that end at all. Peg 2 produced 3 fish, Peg 3 - 1 fish, Peg 4 - 1 fish Peg 5 - 7 fish, one over 50lb. The fishing was slow but only God can control the weather. The pegs were good and the fishery was tidy and the grass cut. All in all an interesting week our third at Old Oaks and we will return but when it’s a little cooler perhaps in October. We love this fishery due to its wild and un-spoilt appearance and the friendly approachable owner.

Your best tactics/bait/rigs:

Raj Spice pop-up’s seem a safe bet against the hungry little Chats or armour guard seems to protect your bait for several hours. Large 20mm Pineapple pop-up's worked well.

Were the facilities what you expected?

The lodge/chalet was basic but adequate just needed a good spring clean. The toilet was in need of repair and the addition of a toilet roll holder would be welcome. The picnic table is old worn and rickety and needs replacing. The shower works well. Plenty of hot water. The midges and mosquitos were vicious and seemed to bite even though clothing. Jungle Formula seems to work but re-apply every 4 hours. *Angling Lines note* Mehdi has today gone to install a toilet roll holder and fix the wobble on the bench. He intends to renew the lodge this Autumn.

Were you happy with them?

The lodge needs refreshing it is looking a little tired now.

Would you recommend the venue to a friend?

Yes without reservation.

Would you recommend the services to a friend?

Angling Lines is very good at handling bookings for this fishery and I would highly recommend there friendly and professional manner without reservation.

General Comments:

We have been to Old Oaks three times now and found it not an easy fishery to catch loads of Carp but when you do get one it's a good one I have had two Carp in the low 50's befrore and the fish are in really good condition.

Details of your catches:

Mathew and Kate Peg 1, Steve Peg 2, 29 lb Common,37 lb14oz Mirror, 105 lb Cat Fish Pb Andrew Peg 3 , 47 lb 6oz Mirror ,Peg4 , 48 lb 8oz Mirror Pb Gary Peg 5, 42lb 09 oz Mirror,39lb 8oz Mirror,53lb 14oz Mirror Pb, 39lb 8oz Mirror,33lb 8oz Mirror, 48lb 13oz Mirror,42lb 12oz Mirror

Your best tactics/bait/rigs:

Fishing 1 to 2 rod lengths from the far margin , using 15mm pop ups as chats took the bait otherwise , found Rahja Spice the best which were good for the Carp and the chats didn't care for them , left off the party blend as this just increased the chat attack

Were the facilities what you expected?

been to Old Oaks twice before and so yes

Were you happy with them?

Yes adequate although it would be great if the picnic table was replaced as its getting a bit wobbly *Angling Lines note* Mehdi has today gone to fix the wobble and will refinish the table this Autumn.

Would you recommend the venue to a friend?

Yes

Would you recommend the services to a friend?

Yes

General Comments:

Mehdi is a great guy if you need anything or information then you just have to ask . The fish we have caught over the last three visits have all been in great condition and its thanks to his care

Details of your catches:

2x 50’s 4x40’s 6x30’s 2x20’s 1 Bream 1 Tench 100’s of Poisson Chat..!

Your best tactics/bait/rigs:

Pop ups,EVERYTHING else gets attacked by the 100’s of Thousands of Poisson Chat that are breeding uncontrolled in this lake...!!!!

Were the facilities what you expected?

Very Basic, no bin bags, toilet roll or even bins supplied..!

Were you happy with them?

Shower was good, everything else was very tired and unmaintained.

Would you recommend the venue to a friend?

Unfortunately not at the moment.

Would you recommend the services to a friend?

Probably, but you need to visit the lakes you’re selling to make sure they’re up to standard.

General Comments:

Mehdi is a nice fella and the fish are big,powerful and in good condition but the lake has been neglected for a long time, overgrown swims, grass and bushes uncut,loads of underwater snags,lots of line hanging from bushes,loads of coypu digging into the bankings and worse of all literally hundreds of thousands of Poisson Chat. These things destroyed anything we put out,biting through our hairs even on plastic baits..!! Pop ups were the only thing that lasted longer than 10mins but they still had a go at them..!! Anyone visiting this lake should be told about the extent of this problem as they are uncontrolled at the moment.Fishing was extremely slow at times we think down to the amount of Chat getting onto the bait immediately giving the Carp no chance..!! *Owner's note* The poisson chat are something that I try to manage on the lake and I am aware there are weeks they are more active than others. However I do not believe they are any worse than previous years. When I can, I net the balls but I don't use traps during the fishing season to avoid anglers. Many anglers have few issues if using pop-up method. I also agree the grass was long on the week you were there, whilst it isn't an excuse I was suffering from very bad hay fever at the time. Regarding the facilities provided, I am afraid we have never supplied toilet roll or bin bags. There are we think five coypu that live by the lake, again this is something we manage during the winter but a few coypu are common place on many French lakes and do not affect the fishing.

Details of your catches:

17 fish 7x30s 8x40s 2x50s Ray Peg 1 40.03, 33.05, 39.14, 50.0, 45.02, 38.0, 41.02 all mirrors Adam Peg 2 44.12, 40.02, 39.12, 31.05, 49.13, 42.0, 37.07, all mirrors Kieron Peg 4 52.10, 36.02, 44.14 all mirrors

Your best tactics/bait/rigs:

Fishing to the far margin with mainline baits cell and essential cell

Were the facilities what you expected?

Yes

Were you happy with them?

Yes

Would you recommend the venue to a friend?

Yes

Would you recommend the services to a friend?

Yes

General Comments:

A lovely place to spend a week, listen to Medhi as he knows what he's talking about. I can't wait to get back there.