11th August 2001
Andy & John Sue & Colleen
Had a good week of fishing caught 34 fish in total between 10lb and 24lb. Weather was brilliant!! could do with some tongs for the BBQ and coat hangers for the caravan.
Hope to see you again soon cheers, Fred, Peter & Tracey
Thank You Andy, John, Colleen, Sue.
18th August 2001
Brian & Betty {Essex}
Philippe, Nathalie, Alexis, Tanguy, Thomas {France}
Great week should have booked two, superb setting and great host. No big fish largest about 15lb but thouroughly enjoyable all the same
Many thanks to Fred, Peter & Family.......See you all next year, Brian
25th August 2001
From.....Matt, Karen, Russ, Tanya, Max, Taylor, Megan
We all had a really nice time, pity about the weather towards the end of the week. Although it never stopped us from having a nice time and doing all that we wanted. We went to the zoo it was really good well worth a visit the kids loved it!! Max caught 27 small catfish he was really chuffed {Not bad for a 5 year old}
Thanks again it was nice to have meet you all., Love Karen
A note from Carp Hunters Abroad
Well as all ready mentioned on the previous page the first two weeks of June were left empty so to give the fish a break and as it turned out, to give us a chance to get rid of some those little gritters they call poisson chat.
Well we can tell you many many poisson chat were removed from the lake although we must be honest there are still some of them left. The only true way to get rid of them all for good, would be to drain the lake down and remove them all via seine nets. Luckily this lake has an excellent water supply and would only take a matter of days to re-fill again. We are going to do this in January of next year {2002}.......well keep you posted.
The most annoying thing about these little gritters {when their in your swim} is that although anglers have not caught them on boilies they do have a tendency to whittle them down into square cubes. Air-dried baits or large hard baits tends to keep the little buggers away though. As a result of the removal in June most anglers have not been bothered to much by the little gritters.
It seems the best approach is not to use seeds such as party blend, hemp.....etc, double 20 or 22ml bolies such as Mistral Rosehip Isotonic's or Nutrabaits new Trigger Boilies are the baits that have done really well on this lake, they just go on catching Carp week after week after week. Good luck with your fishing and if you have not been here yet we hope to see you soon. Click on the link to the right for an update...General Information
22nd September 2001
Had a bad start to the week due to bad weather and toss bait. We had 9 fish for the week with the biggest going 24lb, most fish were doubles. Could have stayed another week but thats life! Don't worry about the poisson chat nicking your bait worry about Peter nicking your beer!
Thanks a lot guys - from the Essex boys: - Rory, Shea, Jonson, Jonesy
13th October 2001
Arrived Saturday the 13th at 4 in the afternoon completely knackered and in desperate need of food and alcohol. We first came across Etang Merault on the Internet and I must confess as I design websites for people in England I was most impressed with the simplicity of the website {food for thought} for me! The first week went so quick and was not very productive as between the 3 of us we only had 13 fish, four 20's and the rest being mid to high doubles. The weather stayed warm for the second week but the fishing got much better with Mark having a brace of 30's two nights on the bounce. We had 33 fish on the second week seven 30's, nine 20's capped with a superb 48lb mirror taken on roship isotonic. All fish were caught on mistrel baits so glad we listened to Fred we are most definitely converted to mistrel baits now.
Rob and the rest of the mob
Magic Fred there are no other words mate!
9th March 2002
Arrived Saturday mid day after a pleasant drive down from Caen. The weather on arrival was wet and windy and unfortunately there had been a heavy frost the morning before which made things a little hard going for the first few days. From Tuesday onwards the fishing improved a little as the water temperature warm up, we ended up catching 16 fish for the week with the best fish of the week being a superb 27lb Mirror Carp in stunning condition for the time of the year. No sight of the possion chat from last year
An absolutely fantastic setting and wonderful holiday. Peter, Steve, Paul and the bishop
30th March 2002
Saturday the 16th saw the arrival of June, Greg, Adrian, Paul & Heather who were down from Bury for two weeks. So pleased that the weather warmed up on the second week and you made the most of your stay visiting the many places of interest in the local area. Greg, Adrian and Paul fished most days and a few nights and although the fishing was not the only reason for their stay with us Paul did manage a new personal best carp of just over 26lb in what were very difficult fishing conditions even for the most hard'nt carp angler. Hope to see you back sometime in the future and good luck Paul with your venture in England, please don't hesitate if you need any advice as your only to welcomed.
Best wishes.....Fred, Peter, Tracey - Carp Hunters Abroad
6th April 2002
Week 3 on Etang Merault was some what over shadowed by the ill health of a member of this party of 5 lads over from Southport. Big congratulations to Stuart aged 15 on the capture of a 34lb catfish caught on an eel brought all the way over from Southport!!..A total of 23 fish were caught for the week and we hope to see you all again sometime in the future. Best wishes to Alan from us all and we hope he makes a speedy recovery to join you all back on the bankside again for this summer......Stuart, don't forget to send the pic's and I promise to make you a star!
Best wishes to you all and we hope your stay at the "Rien Blanche" was comfortable Alan.
13th April 2002
This week saw the visit of 5 lads over from Essex. Between all 15 fish were caught with the biggest fish of the week being a superb 29lb.10oz Mirror. Don't forget the pic's Rodney!
21st April 2002
John, Les, Alan, Eric
Lovely setting with facilities just right for carpers and families. This is Thursday midday - so far 19 fish with several lost, biggest fish 25lb and the smallest 7lb, most doubles 2 * 20's. Fish coming from obvious places, snags, bushes not from open water and not during the day. Very hot during the day so maybe this is not helping the fishing in the daytime. There are no sign of any fish on the surface but they are crashing out...very annoying!!
Finished with 32 fish with another 3 twenties {21, 25, 27.10} caught with very hard fishmeals up to 28ml's.
27th April 2002
Nice to see old friends shame!. Did not see my 34 pounder again low doubles and mid doubles, fish crashing next time I'm going to bring a spear.
Thanks for everything see you soon, Kev, Kev , Steve
*****Friday night mirror 26lb.4oz*****
6th May 2002
A big well done to the lads down from Taunton this week who had 14 fish up to 20lb. Thanks for the trip over and pleased that Robert had a good time in France for the first time.....Neil, Robert, Gerret, Joe
11th May 2002
Next up the lads from Derby who had 22 fish for the week only small fish this week but well done and hope to see you over again soon
18th MAY 2002
Over this week Mark Cooksey and family who I know had a superb week with fish up to 29lb.7oz.
Hope to see you again later on this year but in the meantime would appreciate a few photo's Mark - if poss. ......All the best Fred & Peter.
25th MAY 2002
18th-15th of May.....Paul, Gary, Danny, John and 2 Kids.
Top swim - Fished close to margins and snags using M.R.G rock hard 15ml bottom baits. The swim produced eight 20's and one 30lb plus loads of upper doubles lost count. Had a lovely time very pleased with all round trip to your lake and house ! Ha Ha..We will pay you for letting us camp out in your front garden. Lot's of luck and best wishes see you again in October this year thanks for all your help.
Thanks for all your help pete!....Ha no really thanks to all Pete, Fred, Tracey and Pat.
Thanks for your visit lads none of you may not be able to read a map but one things for sure you all know how to catch carp! a total of two 30's, Fourteen 20's and loads of doubles there must be something about us's Eastend boy's....See you second week in October.....Fred & Peter -Family.
1st June 2002
First swim produced fish to 29lb.12oz weather of all sorts, very hot last three days fish feeding at night between 11:30pm and 1:30am. Lost 3 right in the corner on my last night, very helpful hosts" I will be back" after the mother that straightend the hook. Hard baits best "Nutrabaits Trigga"Best of luck Pete/Fred will send pic's via internet e-mail.
Regards, Gary| Ian| Nigel| Terry| Neil
Thanks for the visit Lads yet another superb bunch of anglers hope to see you all again - Fred & Peter
8th June 2002
Caught about 30 carp mostly high doubles, one 30 pounder. Three cats came out biggest 32lb all fish were caught on homemade 26mil trigger. Girls and kids had a brilliant time and got used to the outdoor living quite easily. Went out and about - zoo, aquarium, castle, magic house etc..etc.. ........... ...Well be back!!!
Paul, Graham:- fishing
Teresa, Jen:- non fishing
Adam 8 , Daniel 10
14th June 2002
John, Tony, Vic. Dell, Nicky - Edmonton London
Great "HOTEL" fish hard to catch in day when you do it's mostly at night. Swim one was best so whoever gets it will have a good week but you need to fish snags tightly. If you can, sleep during the day and fish at night. Biggest fish of our stay was a 31lb mirror, 16 fish in all but had to leave two days early Shame - Good luck and thanks Fred & Peter.
Well done lads and see you all again in May of next year....Fred & Peter
22nd - 29th June2002
Very hard going weather very hot hence no fish during the day. Didn't night fish but caught a few anyway mostly doubles plus a bonus catfish all on mistral iso!. Had quite good action but lost many fish in snags all fish caught between 7-30pm 10pm. Lunched every day at the tabac bar in village 6 courses with wine £6 can't be bad had a really great time drank loads of beers and whiskey
Good luck everyone - John and Joe McVeigh.
6th July 2002
Weather very up and down, very hot Sat & Sun. Mon, Tues, Wed we were wearing our fleeces because it was that cold. Thursday afternoon extremely hot, Fri cold again fishing very slow.Lost 2 biggies in the bottom right hand corner of swim one, lost another 3 in snags up on the right hand side of the same swim even though we were locked up tight. Wife lost a big 25+ at the net right in front of us. We caught 6 fish from swim one in between the to fallen trees. Suffered badly with the weather, too unsettled but we enjoyed ourselves though all fish caught on Roship Isotonic's.
All the very best to you all, thanks for the tea and the look around at your house and nice to have met you all, you are all very lucky!... ...Joan & Trevor
What a very nice change it was to have met you both though you did much better on Etang des Palluau the previous week, we would have loved to have seen you catch the biggest fish in the lake. If you do decide to buy a house over here to spend the rest of your retirement we would only be too pleased to help. All the very best to you both....Fred, Peter, Tracey & kid's
6th to 11th July 2002
Had a great week but had to go on Thursday due to unforseen circumstances we had a few more with the biggest being a 27lb common one of the lads lost your 5ft long grass carp at the net {gutted}
Paul Triggs and friends from Portsmouth UK
Paul my dad said you must have only seen it's tail as it's at least 10ft long!!...All the best and hope all's ok at home....Fred & Peter
13th to 27th July 2002
A fantastic two weeks weather very hot with a few storms, fishing slow during the day but plenty of runs during the night ( many of which were missed ). Around thirty upper doubles with the heaviest being 26lb, mistral Iso's worked well along with strawberry birdseed. We used stiff hook lengths and small hooks with small single baits. After the odd whiskey and glass "bottle" of wine or two make sure you don't mis-judge the distance between your bivvy and the lake in the night!!
Tight lines and big thanks again to Fred, Peter and family
27th of July to 10th of August
This week saw the visit over of Terry Seymour and friends from Tunbridge wells in Kent. We are not sure of the final fish count for the fortnight as they had to leave on the Friday morning due to commitments at home. The last time that we spoke on the Tuesday before their departure they had caught over 40 fish with loads of upper doubles 5 or 6 twenty's and a small thirty. What we do know for sure is that these guy's knew their carp fishing and enjoyed a great couple of weeks despite the very unsettled weather conditions.
Terry if your reading this please drop me an e-mail with a fish report for the week with some photo's when you get the chance, Thanks for your visit over and well done....Fred & Peter
24th August to 31st 2002
Arrived Saturday mid-afternoon shattered, rained first few days but never cold, did'nt get much fishing done but managed several fish with the best being a beautiful 31lb.8oz mirror and a new personal best. Area is really fantastic with great food and cheap whiskey.
Enjoyed the week despite the weather and had a superb time.....Richard & Berni + Simon & Jayne From Mansfield.
31st of August to 14th of September 2002
Had a brilliant time with fantastic scenery and wildlife. We caught 18 carp ranging from 12lb to 27lb. The 27lb being mine and also my largest ever carp caught to date
Many thanks we had a great time - Linda, James and Robert Hall.
14th to 21st September 2002
It's now Friday 9.30pm, fish caught: 25, up to 18lb between Spencer and Kevin. One for me at 12lb.4oz on Wednesday (Fantastic weather - except Wednesday night storm) lost a great deal of fish! must fish tight up to the stags for your runs. Baits used: trigga & tutti fruiti (Richworth) were most successful - they seemed to prefer small baits. Spencer had his rod pulled in (swim one) must have been a monster, pity he did'nt catch him........ Maybe next time.
Really had the best time ever, Thanks Peter & Fred left you some "Booze in Fridge" - Back in 2003.
Spencer, Sharon and Kevin from East London.
21st - 28th September 2002
"Well what can we say - Got lost found village but not lake spent night in field, found lake next day! Fished and caught right through to Thursday morning then went dead. All fish mid to top twenty's, facility's are the dogs bo**ocks, Fred and Peter are nice and we are back on next year.
Thanks again Fred and Pete and well see you September 2003 - Ricky & Paul....Cambridge
28th September - 5th October 2002
We all had an excellent time at the lake, great facilities and surroundings spot on. Landed 13 fish - biggest only 15lbs, only 1 under 10lbs. Lost all the big fish in snags on swim 1 and the end swim looking down the lake. All fish on Rosehip iso's and Richworth Strawberry. Lots of huge carp basking, Including a Grass Carp about 4 1/2 foot long, Not really interested in floaters though, a bit frustrating to say the least! We were glad to help stock the breeding pond, let us know how the fish are doing......Huge Thanks to Fred and Peter, Great set up and we will be back with harder tackle!!!
Giles, Jim, John and Adam (Norwich)
5th to 12th October 2002
Fishing started well enough in the earlympart of the week, with the biggest fish being a 27lb.4oz Mirror but Fishing sloped off rapidly afterwards. Loads of doubles caught with the odd bigger one, caught small wels catfish at the far end of the lake along with some possion chat on worm "the possion chat now reside in the farmers fields. Best baits where Trigga and MRG, not much action on the Roship's. The weather later on in the week was very up and down at night it was freezing. facilities were sound again as at your other lake that we fished early this year. We enjoyed our stay and no doubt you will see us in the near future...."left you some bits in the caravan cupboard"
Thanks again Mick, Rob andSteve - from Liverpool.
Thanks for the bits you left in the caravan and if you get a chance Steve could you e-mail us some pic's. Look forward to seeing you all again some time as your more than welcomed over again. Thanks for your visit over and good luck in Canada "let us know how you get on" thanks again.....Fred & Peter
31st October 2002
We are leaving now after a good weeks fishing. We started off in swim 1 and it was good, we had 2 runs in about 2 hours. Andy caught the first fish weighing in at 12lbs then I caught a 16lb mirror carp followed by a 15 pound common carp & 18lb mirror. I had the best fish of the week weighing in at 23lb and being a miror. All our fish were caught on NRG and Roship Isotonics. We had a deer swimming across the lake during the week and we saw the 2 pairs of kingfisher's
Thanks we had a great time in wonderful surroundings and in all a fantastic week - Andy and Charlie from Camberley in Surrey.
Thanks for the visit over and well done to Charlie, the photo of "your 23lb mirror is now on the website" thanks once again and hope to see you both again.....Fred & Peter
2nd to 9th November 2002
Made good time to Blois then got lost due to map reader!!Good facilities and fishing great. Caught 14 fish, our son Dudley caught 2 carp of 31.06 & 20.03. Snag to the left of Irish in swim one produced every night. Peter the perfect host, sorry we didn't catch the monster, beter luck to all you fishermen.
Had a great week - Kevin, Mandy, Barnaby & Dudley from Deal in Kent
30th November 2002
Well firstly, what weather for late November, T-shirts and shorts during the day, along with loads of carp and a monster of a catfish. Sorry we did not weigh it as we had nothing to weigh it in and Paul would not let me use his sleeping bag. But it was the biggest fish I've ever seen and what's more I caught it! must have been close or if not over 70lb, definatly bigger than the one's that Matt Hayes and Mick Brown caught in England and they were both over 60lb but mine was bigger Fred!. Over the two weeks we caught a total of 39 carp + the cat. nine twentie's best 28.04 & 4 thirtie's best 37.09 and a new personal best for Paul of 44lb which he caught on the friday before leaving.
Without doubt a holiday of a life time and a bargin price ofa thousand pounds for two weeks it's not only the fishing it's everything that you get with it, the surroundings and facilities, first class so roll on 2003....Ron & Terry Stow from the black country.
