Etang Des Merault
Etang Merualt got off to a good start in March with the 3 lads Terry, Ashley and John who made the visit down to us from South wooden Ferries.
Here's the entries to date from the log book
3rd of March 2001
Had a peaceful week, shame about the weather. The lake is great, produced some nice fish, 5 Twenty's a 32lb.4oz mirror and a new personal best 39lb leather for me. We wasn't fishing for cats but Terry swears he hooked one but got broke up before getting it in!! We hope to come back later on this year.....Thanks for a great week Terry, Ashley and John.
PS. could do with a table by the barbecue.
24th of March 2001
The lake and surroundings are really nice. Alex relaxed in the caravan while I bivvid up at the lakes edge. Caught 17 fish ranging from 14lb to 28.8oz, I'll send some photo's when I get them developed. Local restaurant is good.....Future anglers note! dinner is served between 12 and 130pm, great food and wine.
Thanks Fred & Pete see you with the wife and kids next year.
Alex and Gary
7th of April 2001
19 fish in total for the week. Fished most days and a couple of nights we had 5 twenty's and 2 thirties, 31lb and a 32lb.8oz. We broke our personal best 4 times in a week! The weather was not very pleasant the first few days but the sun did shine the last few days. Thanks for all the help and advise, this greatlyhelped us.....See you again early next year
Tony and Mark.
Thanks for a fantastic week, the lake is really beautiful and the fish are faultless. We had 26 carp altogether ranging from 4lb to 17lb, pity we did not catch anything bigger but the weather was really against us but we still enjoyed ourself. The locals are very pleasant but just don't eat the fish in the restaurant because I'll give you a guess what sort of fish they were! Thanks for all your help and advice and hopefully we'll see you next year.
Cheers....James, Dave, Peter from Newbury
28th of April 2001
Well the week my wife and I have just spent here on Etang Merault must go down as one of the best weeks of our lives. The fishing, accommodation and help from Fred was just first class. We caught 31 fish with 9 going over 25lb two of these fish went 36lb.08 and 33lb both mirrors and perfect in condition I caught the 36lb on our wedding anniversary which was also a new personal best and some what of a double wammy........Be back again mate!
Thanks Fred......Sue & Paul
19th of May 2001
Marcus & Ashley.....We caught 35 fish in total 2 twenties with the rest between 10lb and 20lb. We had problems from the poisson chat, sometimes taking small baits, single baits and stringers fished best
Thanks Fred & Good Luck.......Marcus & Ashley from Preston Lans.
26th of May 2001
Twenty five fish in total best fish 39lb 4oz, 37lb.10oz, 35lb.6oz, 27lb.8oz. Very hot and sunny a great venue for serious fishing and socializing. Fish came from margins and snags big baits seemed to work best {2*20mm snowman} top area and bottom bay is where we caught the three 30's from HARD BAITS BEST very friendly and helpful host.
Thanks for a great week.....Dave, Chris, Simon and Tony the TOP MAN AS SEEN ON TV !
2nd of June 2001
Ten fish all week mostly doubles.....Note! poisson chat can be a problem here but can be overcome by using large baits, weather has been really hot 85+ most days so fishing has been really tough - fish hiding in snags..etc. The biggest fish of the week was a 34lb.10oz mirror captured close to snags in swim no 1. "Striking the right rod may improve your chances!!!
Good Luck.....Mick, Kevin, Jeff, Paul.
A note from Carp hunters Abroad! In May of last year many of the poisson chat were removed from Etang Merault, it seems that there is still a few problems. Fortunately the first 2 weeks in June have been left free which will enable us to remove the little gritters!. It is said that if poisson chat are left to run riot in lakes they can become a big problem, this is very true but you can rest assure this is not the case on our lakes and never will be. Thinning the lake of poisson chat "which exist all over France" is a small price to pay in return to catching one of their BIG BROTHERS the CAT FISH !
I hear some of you saying why are we so honest?.....Well it's simple really
23rd of June 2001
Sue, Paul, Dave
27 Carp caught in one of the most fantastic weeks fishing I've ever experienced. Largest fish of the week was a 37lb mirror in mint condition "lets hope they stay like that". We had five 20's with the rest being between 10lb and 20lb. We fished the first swim from the caravan...... Now off home for a rest!
Thanks a million and see you all again next year.
14th of July to 28th July 2001
A very good start to the first week having a 29lb.7oz Common on the very first night. Even though we were knackered from the drive down we were not complaining. Seven more 20's and two thirtys were caught in the first week. Week two was brilliant with a personal best fish of 42lb.2oz being caught by myself. Jack also had a personal best fish of 35lb with lots of 20's also being caught. Had an excellent fortnight's fishing, the girls got great tan's and we had the best fishing trip to France so far.
Thanks Fred & Peter for being so informative and friendly a truly great fishing holiday was had.
Alex, Jock & Lasses
