Friday 30 March 2012

Carp Fishing in France Webcast – March 2012


Our Webcast brings you carp fishing video news every month from our 35 French carp lakes.
In this edition we bring you up to date with all the new season captures… & there’s been some fantastic ones. 3 lake records & a magnificent 72lb’er from Laroussi!

First 40lb Carp of the Year at Bletiere


During the hotest day of the year so far Damon banked this beauty at 41.02!
Damon had a 26lb 8oz mirror out early in the morning and at 12.30pm, when it was 80 degrees in the sun, he had a screaming run that produced a lovely 41lb 2oz mirror – our first 40lb’er of the year.
Well done Damon on your new pb!
Tight lines, John

50lb common is highlight of great week at Old Oaks


Jason Fillingham & his cousin had a good week on Old Oaks taking a 50lb common, 40lb mirror, 7 x 30′s and 3 x 20′s.
His comments;
” We only had 1 fish at night.  It was very cold & the fish are still not switched on properly… but a great week.  As usual the far margin produced all the fish to various boilie flavours.”

Thursday 29 March 2012

Wednesday 28 March 2012

Online Bait Shop for Alder and Notaires Carp Lakes



The Alder / Notaires ecommerce bait shop is now online.  As well as the Quest Baits range you can order your particles and pellets in advance without having to worry about having spare euros to pay for them at the end of the week (credit cards can be processed via PayPal).
They stock Parti-mix, maize, hemp, and carp pellets amongst others, details at the shop.

Shark Feeding Frenzy


50+ sharks in a feeding frenzy filmed off the coast of Perth, Australia.
Have you ever seen anything like this?

Tuesday 27 March 2012

Feeding Carp in the Winter at Golden Oak


Dawn breaks at Golden Oak French carp lake on a cold February day. Owner, Richard Mutimer, explains his winter feeding program and we see the tackle he has for hire.
Fishing Holidays at Golden Oak

What Tackle Do I Need For My French Carp Session?



Paul Cooper is a very experienced carp angler with many successful French trips under his belt.  In this article he takes you through the tackle he takes. He’s produced a 4 part video diary of all his preparation considerations – you can watch Part 1 here
What tackle do I need?
Do I need a tripod or can I use bank sticks?
  • This is a very important bit of research that you can do, as every lake is different. By reading through previous articles and feedback reports you can usually gather what the banks are like at the lake. It is no good turning up with bank sticks only to find that banks are made up of hardcore, rocky or simply not suitable for using bank sticks.
  • As I am visiting Blue Lake in April, I know that on some of the swims I will need a rod pod, so I will take a rod pod and bank sticks.
  • When in transit my rods (3 or 4 fishing rods, I spod rod, and a marker rod)  are in thin rod sleeves and all tied together with either tape or elastic or long shoelaces, so as to create a long but compact package.
Carp Fishing
All the rods are broken down in pairs with safety covers at each end. The rods along with the landing net all tie together to make a tight bundle to save space in the car.
  • I thin out my entire end tackle etc and only take what I think I will use. All of this fits in one small bag. The larger bag is used for cooking utensils, and additional tackle such as spod and marker reels, spombs etc.
Carp Fishing
All the tackle that I need for the week fits in these 2 bags
What cooking facilities are at the venue?
With Blue Lake I know that there are no cooking facilities so we will have to take our own pots, pans, portable table and cooker etc. We will also need an additional umbrella or as we have used in the past a large piece of tarpaulin sheet to erect a make shift kitchen.
Can you use bait boats or is a boat available to use at the venue?
Now more and more anglers depend on bait boats for presentation of their baits.
It is important to enquire prior to a trip to one of the Angling Lines venues to ascertain:-
  • Are bait boats are allowed on the water
  • Are there are charging points for the batteries etc.
  • If there is a boat on site for use by the anglers it is important to take a life jacket as most lake owners will not allow the boat to be used without one( Due to insurance reasons)
Most of these answers are easy to find by researching the web page of each individual venue.
My Tackle List
I generally make a list so that I do not forget anything. I have missed out important tackle in the past.
Carp Fishing
Bed chair, day chair, bag containing weighing tripod and rod pod and sleeping bag
  • Bivvy
  • Outer bivvy skin
  • Large umbrella to use as a kitchen
  • Folding table
  • Barbeque
  • Bed chair
  • Chair
  • Bivvy table
  • Sleeping bag
Carp Fishing
3 Fishing reels spooled with 15lb Gama, along with a reel for marker work and a reel for spodding, also Bite alarms, receiver and bobbins
  • Fishing rods and reels
  • Spod rod and reel
  • Marker rod and reel
  • Bite indicators/ receiver and bobbins
Carp Fishing
Bait delivery/ spombs, catapult, throwing stick
  • Spombs
  • Spods
  • Stove
  • Pots, pans and kettle
  • Cutlery
  • Landing net and pole
Carp Fishing
Unhooking mat, weigh sling, landing net and water bucket
  • Unhooking mat
  • Weigh sling
  • Weigh tripod
  • Camera with spare batteries.
  • Camera tripod
  • Camera self take equipment
  • 2 head torches plus spare batteries
Carp Fishing
Bite alarms, receiver with indicator bobbins, and 2 head torches
  • Weighing scales
  • Rubber mallet (to deal with driving tent pegs into hard ground). This is an essential piece of my tool kit as I have been caught out in the past.

With all the preparations and planning completed I would hope to have a successful trip and be in a position to report back on yet another great carp fishing holiday.
Paul Cooper
Fishing France at Blue Lake

Video Diary – Preparing for a Carp Session in France (part 4)


Are you preparing for a carp fishing trip to France in 2012?
Via this video diary Paul Cooper will take you through his preparation routine for a trip to Blue Lake.
Fishing France at Blue Lake

Monday 26 March 2012

Molyneux Report to 16th March 2012


Helen and I had the honour and priviledge of welcoming back some good friends to Molyneuxin the shape of Big Jack Cuthbertson, and his dad Alan to the lake last week. They came over with Alex who we hadn’t met before, but who is a lovely guy and we were soon getting onas though we had known him a while.
35lb mirror carp from French lake Molyneux
35.08 pb for Alan
They had come over at short notice on a workparty week. The idea was to turn Jacks swim into a double and last minute bits and bobs around the lake, and then have a little dangle during the hours of darkness. However we hadn’t taken account of the French work ethic!  Ten days after taking a chainsaw in for it’s annual service I called to collect it to be told “we have only had it 10 days we havent looked at it yet”
So sadly we never got the chance to work on Jacks as planned, but I am sure that when they next visit we will get the job done. The weather, less than ideal for fishing, with chilly cold nights, misty mornings and for the most part clear bright skies during the day. Between them they managed 13 carp, and a few nice tench, with each of them catching a 35lb plus mirror, so not a bad week all round.
I often think that I have the best job in the world, and last week was a prime example of that. After all the cold weather and extremely hard work and effort we had put in over the winter months, just being at such a stunning lake, which holds some equally gorgeous carp, warm sunny days, and of course the odd cold beer with good mates… heaven !!!!!
It was a pleasure guys, looking forward to next time already :-)

Sunday 25 March 2012

Saturday 24 March 2012

Bletiere Owner’s First Carp of the Year!


35.04
As the weather has been so good this week and wanting to get some fishing in before our visitors start to arrive here at Bletiere I decided to work all morning and fish for a couple of hours in the afternoon.
It had been quiet up until today with only a few single bleeps, then out of the blue this stunning common of 35lb 4oz took off and gave a good scrap.
A very good start to my year’s fishing!
Tight lines, John
Fishing Holidays at Bletiere

Thursday 22 March 2012

New Accommodation Option at Bletiere


NEW FOR 2012 - The Owners Annex Room
New for 2012 at Bletiere is an additional accommodation option – the Owners Annex Room.  It comprises a shower & bathroom on the ground floor, then up the original wooden staircase you arrive at the spacious double room with views over the lake. The Annex has its own entrance, so your privacy is assured.
Fishing Holidays at Bletiere

First Anglers On Blue Lake Catching Well!


The first 2 anglers to fish Blue Lake this year are having a great session.
They have had 45 carp so far… biggest was a 35lb mirror & the majority are 25lb to 30lb+, with a good mix of commons and mirrors.  They’ve also had 3 sturgeon to 30lb.
They’ve been fishing mixed pellets and boilies & single baits over any flavour bait is working at present.  The weather was cold at first with only 2 fish on Saturday, but by Tuesday the weather had changed and they were back on the fish. It has been warm in day and is 16°C today.  Ian has had 31 fish from swim 2.  Darren started in swim 10 and changed later in week – he’s on 14 so far.
More news as we get it.
Fishing France at Blue Lake

First Anglers of the Season Catch Record Carp at Molyneux!


46.08 – the new lake record!
Well after all the hard winter work we have put in here at Molyneux to get the lake ready for this year, we had our first group of anglers arrive last Saturday morning. The South Coast Crew, of Sam, John, Steve, Tom, Glen and Lee and of course the lovely Becky arrived fresh after a nights sleep on the Portsmouth to Le Havre ferry, and only an hour and a half’s drive to the lake. They were absolutely blown away by the beauty of the lake, and after a cuppa and a chat, they were raring to get going.
We wandered around the lake, with a quick chat about the swims and features that lay in front of each of them and upon returning to the kitchen the guys decided amongst themselves where they would like to fish. Saturday as always is spent setting up home for the week, and by the time the guys had got themselves sorted and had a little feel around the swims with a lead it was time for dinner.
After dinner Helen and I cleared away and wandered around the lake in the late evening to see how they were all settling in. It was beginning to drizzle and looked to be a wet night ahead. We were just thinking of turning in for the night when the van door was knocked fairly urgently. It was Becky to tell us Sam her boyfriend had caught a big mirror of 46lb.
With the lake record standing at 43lb 14oz, this was a momentous occasion, so off I set around the lake as fast as my old legs would carry me to find a very excited and slightly shocked Sam. Glenn and John were also in attendance. The fish was lifted out of the margins and I opened the net to see an old friend, the fish we call the big Linear in all her glory… She looked enormous!!
We checked the sling was zeroed and once again she was hoisted up. The needle swung round to settle at exactly 46lb 8oz. A new pb for Sam and smashing the lake record by almost 3lb !
There were handshakes and hugs all round and then we took the trophy photos with poor Sam struggling to hold up the immense fish.

Shane Pb’s with his 1st Carp!


46.08
A Pb for Shane on his first trip to Lac du Val when he landed this beautiful 46lb 8oz common on the new 2012 LDV bait.
More excitement to follow we reckon…
Carp Fishing France at Lac du Val

Wednesday 21 March 2012

Cabin Improvements at Molyneux


The new facilities in the Molyneux cabin
Work on the cabin has continued through the latter part of the winter with a view to improving the overall package for those that deide they would like a little more comfort and self sufficiency during their stay with us.
We have installed a mini kitchen unit comprising of a sink/drainer, a fridge, and a two ring electric hob.
This along with the existing microwave oven means that those that hire the cabin can now comfortably cook their meals without having to use the main kitchen area.

First Carp of the Season Smashes Molyneux Lake Record


46.08
Our first anglers of the season arrived on Staurday (17.03.12) – a party of six anglers and one non-angler.
One of them, Sam Bowers, wasted no time at all, and within 8hrs of casting out, the first carp of the season proper was on the bank….. and what a fish!
Affectionately known as the Big Linear at a new Lake Record weight of 46lb 8oz, smashing both his personal pb and setting a New Lake Record for Molyneux.
What a start to our first season!  To say we are chuffed to bits is an understatement.
Well done Sam :-)

Tuesday 20 March 2012

A Cracking Start to the Season at Watersmeet!


42lb
We are over the moon with the start of the season we’ve had here at Watersmeet.  Jez has had a 42lb’er out and Grant has just had a 33lb 5oz beauty.  They have also had various other fish, photo’s will follow.
Fishing Holiday in France

Monday 19 March 2012

Buying A Carp Lake In France – 3 Priceless Articles


Buying a carp lake in FranceWe’ve featured these articles before on the Blog but we get asked the same question so many times in the office here at Angling Lines –  “How do I go about buying a carp lake in France?” – that we thought it worth repeating where you can find out.
John London, the Bletiere owner, put together 3 fantastic articles that take you through the complete process.  They can save you loads of time… & money!
So here they are;

Fishing Holidays at Bletiere

Sunday 18 March 2012

50lb Carp Landed at Villefond – & It’s All On Film!

One of the Villefond Big 5 Carp has just become the lake’s latest 50lb’er. Our cameras were there to capture the whole sequence as angler Rob Inns banks his first 50 – ‘Bennetts’ at 51lb 1oz. This is why we go carp fishing!


Carp Fishing in France at Villefond 

Saturday 17 March 2012

Carp Fishing Video – More Big Carp Added At Margot


Here’s the video to accompany the post from a couple of days ago.  To recap Margot took delivery of 12 more mid 20′s and 12 more 30′s to complete its top-up for the 2012 season.
The largest of this batch weighs 36lb and brings the total stocked this winter to 50, including 30 x 30′s, 3 x 40′s and a 60 pounder.

Thursday 15 March 2012

Margot adds another 24 large carp


Margot has just taken delivery of 12 more mid 20′s and 12 more 30′s to complete its top-up for the 2012 season.
The largest of this batch weighs 36lb and brings the total stocked this winter to 50, including 30 x 30′s, 3 x 40′s and a 60 pounder.

Tuesday 13 March 2012

Molyneux To Extend The Range of Quest Carp Baits They Offer


We will be continuing to stock Quest Baits in 2012 as they proved to be so successful last year at Molyneux.  We have also extended the range of flavours available.
These will of course include the ever faithful Ghurka Spice which caught more fish last year than any other boilie. I’ve added to this Rhahja Spice, Chilli Chocolate, Fruity Trifle, and two brand new boilies being very successfully feild tested at the moment by Shaun and his team. Magnum White which has already  accounted for a lot of very good fish, and also Squidberry which is due to be released by Quest in March this year.
We are also stocking the full range of matching pop ups, and a range of the incredibly popular Pimple Pops. I would like to thank Shaun Harrison very much for his help and advice in compiling what we hope will be a comprehensive range of big fish catching baits for Molyneux Carp Fishery.
Bait will be in stock from 24th March, and any orders should be forwarded through to me.

French carp lakes

Tuesday 6 March 2012

41lb Linear Mirror Carp Makes a Great Target Fish at Commons


Fantastic Linear Mirror Carp
What a magnificent carp!
Back in December we filmed Commons being netted and we left when it got too dark to continue filming.  Later that evening these two stunning linears came out of the net together and Michel Bigot took these snaps and has just sent them to us.
The linear above weighs 41lb and is one of 12 different 40′s recorded at Commons.
You can see the full list of every fish in the lake in the previous article but we reckon this fish is a great one for anglers to go after.
Two Linear Mirror Carp
Fishing France at Commons Lake

The French Presidential Elections


Sarkozy
I’m quite enjoying the run up to the French presidential elections, even though none of us Daggs can vote in them. That situation will have changed by the next Presidentielle though. As soon as Caits turns 18 in April, I shall go to the Mairie in Nouzerines and get the paperwork going for her, Benj and me to become French nationals and thereby obtain the right to vote. Rors is still too young and Chris is quite happy to stay British for a while longer.
Here’s the full list of candidates in this year’s Presidentielle:
  • Nicolas Sarkozy – Union pour un Mouvement Populaire
  • François Hollande – Parti Socialiste
  • Marine Le Pen – Front National
  • François Bayrou – Mouvement Démocrate
  • Jean-Luc Mélenchon – Front de Gauche
  • Eva Joly – Europe Écologie Les Verts
  • Dominique de Villepin – République Solidaire
  • Corinne Lepage – Cap21
  • Nicolas Dupont-Aignan – Debout la République
  • Nathalie Arthaud – Lutte Ouvrière
  • Frédéric Nihous – Chasse, Pêche, Nature et Traditions
  • Philippe Poutou – Nouveau Parti Anticapitaliste
Bayrou
There’s one I’d like to add: Nicolas Canteloup. He’s an impressionist who excels at politicians. He has a 10-minute slot after the news every night where he does skits on political figures. Chris and I actually understand most of what he says now. Our project of watching telly every night is really paying off. Not only are we now a lot more in touch with French affairs, but it has definitely helped our French. We chortle away at all Canteloup’s digs at the big guys and gals. Sarko is obsessed with Rolexes and conducting an affair with Angela Merkel in this alternate political reality; Hervé Morin (who recently dropped out of the Presidentielle) is always shown in his kitchen and Hollande generally makes references to flour as a weapon somewhere or other when he appears. (A disgruntled woman threw a bag of flour over M Hollande recently!) Canteloup has his finger on the political pulse and would make a brilliant president in my opinion.
Melenchon
I’m following most of the candidates on Twitter. Melenchon is chief Tweeter, closely followed by Sarko. However, some of them aren’t into newfangled technology like Twitter and either don’t have a Twitter account (or at least I haven’t found it yet) or Tweet about once a day. They’re missing out on good publicity in my opinion. Twitter is effective. I’ve signed up on a few of their websites too. I’ve already had a begging email from M Hollande. He wants me to give him a fiver to help his campaign (or possibly dry clean his suit to get rid of any remaining flour). Low income expat with no suffrage rights donating to millionaire politician? Sorry, I don’t think so! He also asked if I wanted to deliver leaflets etc but I politely declined. I’ve heard rumours he wants to restrict the autoentrepreneur status to a three year max, which is ridiculous, so even if I could vote, I wouldn’t be supporting him. I’m following him, and the others, out of intellectual curiosity only.
I was startled to discover that Marine Le Pen is only 42. I thought she was older than me. She hasn’t worn very well, poor dear, despite being wealthy. Now, her big idea is to reintroduce the French franc. That would be plain silly, since only a few days ago, the 17th of February, to be precise, saw the last acceptance of francs by the Bank of France. People queued for hours with bundles of old notes they’d discovered in attics, down the back of sofas, under floorboards etc to exchange them for Euros. Ten years later French people are finally turning their backs decisively on the franc. She’s missed the boat.
Hollande
Finally, a quick look at slogans. Despite denying during his interview on TF1 20h journal that he had a slogan, Sarko is clearly going with La France Forte (strong France). It’s appearing everywhere. Hollande’s is Le changement, c’est maintenant (The time for change is now). (Not that he’d give me change from five euros.) Le Pen is apparently La voix du peuple (the people’s voice). Bayrou claims that Un pays unis, rien ne lui résiste (nothing can defeat a united country). The other slogans are all suitably vague and jingoistic – Aimons la France (we love France), Pour une France libre (for a free France), Le vote juste (the fair vote), Prenez le pouvoir (take power). Only a few are unsubtle like Arthaud’s Une candidate communiste and Poutou’s Aux capitalistes de payer leur crise (capitalists must sort out their own mess).
Sarkozy and Hollande are leaps and bounds ahead of the rest at this stage. Bayrou has referred bitterly to the Sarkhollandisation of this election. So will it turn into a two horse race and slanging match? Maybe, but I’m optimistic it will be more interesting than that. When anything exciting happens, I’ll let you know!
Steph Dagg