I would firstly like to thank Kim and Iian for putting up this prize.

Well the competition win to Rushes has approached and gone,and what an experience it was. Following the success of the previous forum members we were hoping for a good result we were hoping for the same experience and we were not disappointed.

The journey there was faultless , taking around 41/4 hrs from Boulougne , in heinsite the best port I feel would have been Le Harve with the crossing being around 5hrs on a day crossing and 10hrs for a night crossing. However from Dover - Boulougne it was 50min and your experience to our first France trip had began.

The surrounding area's were good with amenities local within the town of Brulon approx 3km from Ian and Kim's.

Arriving at Ian and Kim's was as warm and as welcome as you could have imagined a nice cup of tea and a in formal chat as soon as you get there. The pair of them made myself and my dad as happy as could be expected from a lake owner. The facilities that they have catered for all with freezer's for your bait fridges for any perishable food etc. Washing facilities good clean and well maintained with a shower that was refreshing after the journey.

A good look around the lake on arrival saw features in the margins and plenty of fish topping in the upper section of the lake away from the house. The rain prior to us arriving did colour the water to a golden brown but the swims all looked good and fish able to be honest better than I had of expected considering the weather. We settled on Blue Camp / Rooney's Rest swim which is the first peg on the left of the house. There were features all around this swim and knowing the success of Mike and Rob two weeks previous made it an easy choice for us. Setting up the bivvy there was a lot of activity in the middle of the lake and also to our right just outside the house along the dam wall. Dad wasn't to excited about this having never carp fished at all even though river fishing was his thing, lets hope it would be his week. However myself on the other hand was all to eager to get the rods set up and in the water.The bell rang for our evening meal and having it on the terrace over looking the lake was superb. The food was outstanding the first nite and every subsequent nite after that. They told me you would not be disappointed with the food package and Kim, what can I say superb food and presentation thank you from us both.

Having seen the fish moving during tea the only thing to do was to set the rods up ASAP. With all things in place the rod went around 8.30pm and a few small bleeps almost straight away. Around 9.00pm the rod went off and the first French carp hooked and on it's way to the net. If this is the things to come we couldn't ask for much more. Into the net it slips 19lb 13oz Common a stunning clean fish. On this note we retired to bed to get a good night sleep.

The next day was overcast and the conditions looked to be slightly grey to say the least. With the rods all in the water we waited for the first run. Dad was the next one with what we thought was a small cat, very little resistance and what a surprise when we saw the fish surface. He could hardly contain his pleasure as the net slipped under the fish a stunning first carp of 19lb 8oz. The smile on his face was electric,all I heard him shout "that's 25lb if nothing else"

The next fish came quick for him a small cat around the 6lb 5oz mark. I was so made up for him in the respect of the fish being caught and then the jammy git had another more or less on the bounce. A nice looking 13lb 6oz Mirror. The day could not get any better or so we thought. Around and hour had elasped when the alarm went again, dad racing to the rod struck into a nice heavy fish. Not being to enthusiastic about playing the fish letting it run and bullying his head round it came to the surface. Initial look at the fish I would have put £50 on it as a thirty. The only thing going through my mind at the time was "twat" five / six fish into the week and a thirty in the net. I must say using two sets of scales the fish was deceptive at 24lb 7oz and now the smile on his face was electric.Not to be outdone my baiting tactics was stepped up quite heavily and about an hour and a half later "Bingo" into a decent fish at last for today. Not being overwhelmed by the power of these fish it soon came to the net a thirty for sure. No! Not to be but a new PB of 26lb on the nose, now whose smiling dad.With the weather drawing in we cleaned up and called it a day.

The next day was again overcast with rain in the air so going on the prevoius day thought it may well be slow and it was . With a few small cats to 7lb during the course of the day a few bonus fish showed. The fish were clean and unmarked with the weights being 21lb 9oz and a 15lb 1oz both Mirror. With the rain in your face and the strong wind we choose to again reluctantely call it a day and catch up on a bit of sleep.

Following morning , woke up early only to find the swim had flooded slightly with what could had been a heavy rain fall in the night caught us all by suprise. We decided to take a rod and alarm and do a spot of fishing around the slouse area. Dragging the boat out of the lake and with a very light baiting tactic settled down for a limited day of fishing with the weather being heavy with wind and rain. At a distance of 10-15ft out the bites came good for us, well for my dad yet again. A small brace of fish weighing in at 9lb 7oz,17lb 6oz, 8lb 10oz cat,18lb 13oz mirror and a stunning common of 15lb 6oz. Well as for me not so fortunate, the only fish caught that morning was a 18lb 7oz Common, cracking fish. The weather by this point had closed in so with a run to the bivvy and a 5hr Thunder storm ahead of us limited fishing time really but a superb morning never the less.

Bright and early the next day fishing prior to breakfast which we had only done on one occasion had sarted to get early indications that the fish were not bothered by the heavy rain the day previous. With the water level high we headed back to the slouse where I must say revenge was sweet . The fish started to feed as soon as we put the rod in the water. Then came my turn starting with a 13lb 13oz Mirror, 18lb 2oz mirror , 14lb 2oz Common, 17lb 3oz Mirror and finally that morning a rather strange looking Mirror of 16lb 2oz. Strange in the sense of a double belly. Really weird but still fish are fish and it was healthy so thats all that matters. Dad did struggle that day and couldn't buy a bite such a shame.

Well the last but one day dawned and we stayed in our swim as the water had recedead rather nicely. Dad started hitting the fish first with mid double mirro's and the odd common, and then it was my turn. The morning was slow so time to reflect on the week.Mid morning for me was slow very sloooooooooow. So after lunch a slightly different approx on the rig front and within the hour a nice 15lb 9oz mirror was in the net. Not much happened until around 5.30pm when a single tone on the alarm woke me up. Hitting into the fish I knew it was a big fish moving very slow and taking line in short burst so as we had done prevoiusly took it easy to the net it came, and , yes a new PB of 27lb10oz was looking at me. Well that wa sit for me a perfect end to a week. Made up with this fish I decided to put a rod out after tea and try until dark to see what turned up. Around eleven a single bleep on the alarm followed by a further 3 then the tip of the rod just gave a flicker against the light of the torch. Hitting it I had nothing to loose and bang solid feel on the rod. Winding down into the fish and slowly keeping it away from and snags in the margin got it into the net. A nice 25lb 6oz fish just to make the day complete.

Saturday time to pack up. Around the 10am mark dad has a run and lands a nice fish of 13lb 4 oz just to make his week 11.00 bivvy down shower and a slow drive in to Brulon for a cafe and to watch the slow pace of village life. Dinner and then a reluctant goodbye and time to go. So sorry to leave but the lake isn't going anywhere so ok for next year.

Summary

There are fisheries out there whether it be the UK or France that would have you beleive that for £700 of your hard earned cash you can have 40's and 50's on the bank no problem, then by all means go. If you catch 2 x 20's will you get your money back, then of course not, you have caught fish so why should they. Why be fouled by the commercial water's.

On the other hand if you want a family run buisness, with fishery owners that yes ,have said in the past the fishery isnt yet right but have worked bloody hard to correct the concern's then this is the place. This is a couple that have worked damn hard and wear there heart on there sleeve and beleive in the rewards then this is the place for you. During the week we have not caught huge fish, no 30's no 40's and they are honest and say these fish are in here but do not come out very often then that to me is all that counts. Do they deliver what they advertise then the answer is yes. You can't try before you buy but do give it a try. You will buy the experience again the next year gauranteed.

Look at the whole package, not just packets of it. Ian and Kim from myself and dad keep up the hard work and look forward to seeing you soon. Good Luck nity to fish the lake.

Scott Dance