Exclusive Angling Holidays News
Keep up-to-date with all the latest Exclusive Angling Holidays news right here. From catch reports to future plans and as many photos as we can gather - it's all here to give you all the information you need before deciding to book with us. This page was started at the beginning of 2004; you can view all previous updates here, you can also now add comments to each new entry, by clicking the link at the end of each post.
Catch results 10/0508
Rouge
Four new Exclusive Angling Holidays customers arrived last week, and were blown away by the wonderful surroundings on Rouge. The fishing didn't disappoint either, with a string of fish on the first afternoon from the double swim.
By Monday the action had slowed down in the main body of the lake and is was Michael, fishing behind the island, who was picking up the runs - mostly after dark. As the weather turned wetter and then settled on dry and cloudy, fish started appearing all over the lake - and big ones too! In total the lads each managed carp over 20lbs, including two new PBs of over 30lbs.
The vast majority of the fish fell to Matrix boilies, provided by us, and were used in conjunction with our carp and halibut pellets. Whilst the fish have not spawned fully yet, small groups are paired up and there is some thrashing around in the margins. This meant that the carp were only prepared to feed in short spells, and when they did, the action could be frantic! Both thirties came from the double swim to baits fished towards the far margin.
Finally, many thanks to the guys for a really enjoyable week in their company, and for leaving the lake and rental equipment in perfect order. We look forward to seeing you in the future!
Bleu
John took advantage of an empty lake this week and had a brilliant result with a 60lb catfish, alongside several smaller specimens. On top of this he managed mid twenty common and mirror carp to prove that he does indeed still possess those golden appendages.
Nice one Dad.
Tight Lines
Will James
14 May 2008
Rouge
Four new Exclusive Angling Holidays customers arrived last week, and were blown away by the wonderful surroundings on Rouge. The fishing didn't disappoint either, with a string of fish on the first afternoon from the double swim.
By Monday the action had slowed down in the main body of the lake and is was Michael, fishing behind the island, who was picking up the runs - mostly after dark. As the weather turned wetter and then settled on dry and cloudy, fish started appearing all over the lake - and big ones too! In total the lads each managed carp over 20lbs, including two new PBs of over 30lbs.
The vast majority of the fish fell to Matrix boilies, provided by us, and were used in conjunction with our carp and halibut pellets. Whilst the fish have not spawned fully yet, small groups are paired up and there is some thrashing around in the margins. This meant that the carp were only prepared to feed in short spells, and when they did, the action could be frantic! Both thirties came from the double swim to baits fished towards the far margin.
Finally, many thanks to the guys for a really enjoyable week in their company, and for leaving the lake and rental equipment in perfect order. We look forward to seeing you in the future!
Bleu
John took advantage of an empty lake this week and had a brilliant result with a 60lb catfish, alongside several smaller specimens. On top of this he managed mid twenty common and mirror carp to prove that he does indeed still possess those golden appendages.
Nice one Dad.
Tight Lines
Will James
Catch Results 03/05/08
Rouge
Following on from their barnstorming week on Vert, Colin, Adam and Dan moved up to Rouge on Saturday - and within just a few minutes of the rods going out, Colin had a 40lb+ catfish on the bank!
The fishing throughout the rest of the week was steady, if not spectacular, and despit some horrendous rain in the early part of the week, all three anglers managed new PBs (or, in Adam's case a dead heat with his previous PB!)
From behind the island Adam managed 2 carp over 30lb, the biggest being a PB-equaling 33lbs, and another high twenty to boot. From the summerhouse swim, Dan smashed his PB common with a lovely 24lb specimen, caught when the other guys had had enough of the rain and retired to the campsite for a steak! Fair play for sticking it out!
As ever, Colin managed to wangle some of the biggest fish caught - he just seems to have a knack for Rouge... The biggest carp of the week, and the year so far on Rouge, fell to his rods, and pulled the scales round to 34lbs 12oz. Along with this, and the 40lb cat he had on the first day, Colin also banked another beast at 46lbs.
Top angling guys, in spite of the carp being distracted by the bream spawn, you managed to bank over 750lbs of fish!
Look forward to seeing you all again in the near future.
Vert
As promised, a few pictures from last week's 1300lb haul, which included 15 fish over the 20lb mark (carp and cats) and a monster cat of 42lbs!
Bleu
Ian, Lou and Eric fished Bleu this week, in difficult circumstances brought about by the bream spawning. However, despite this they managed to bank 700lbs of fish, made up mostly of catfish up to mid thirties.
Unfortunately most of the carp could be seen with their noses into the bank munching away on the bream spawn for the majority of the week.
Thanks for your company guys, and I hope next time we see you the carp and well and truly feeding for you!
Tight Lines
Will James
05 May 2008
Rouge
Following on from their barnstorming week on Vert, Colin, Adam and Dan moved up to Rouge on Saturday - and within just a few minutes of the rods going out, Colin had a 40lb+ catfish on the bank!
The fishing throughout the rest of the week was steady, if not spectacular, and despit some horrendous rain in the early part of the week, all three anglers managed new PBs (or, in Adam's case a dead heat with his previous PB!)
From behind the island Adam managed 2 carp over 30lb, the biggest being a PB-equaling 33lbs, and another high twenty to boot. From the summerhouse swim, Dan smashed his PB common with a lovely 24lb specimen, caught when the other guys had had enough of the rain and retired to the campsite for a steak! Fair play for sticking it out!
As ever, Colin managed to wangle some of the biggest fish caught - he just seems to have a knack for Rouge... The biggest carp of the week, and the year so far on Rouge, fell to his rods, and pulled the scales round to 34lbs 12oz. Along with this, and the 40lb cat he had on the first day, Colin also banked another beast at 46lbs.
Top angling guys, in spite of the carp being distracted by the bream spawn, you managed to bank over 750lbs of fish!
Look forward to seeing you all again in the near future.
Vert
As promised, a few pictures from last week's 1300lb haul, which included 15 fish over the 20lb mark (carp and cats) and a monster cat of 42lbs!
Bleu
Ian, Lou and Eric fished Bleu this week, in difficult circumstances brought about by the bream spawning. However, despite this they managed to bank 700lbs of fish, made up mostly of catfish up to mid thirties.
Unfortunately most of the carp could be seen with their noses into the bank munching away on the bream spawn for the majority of the week.
Thanks for your company guys, and I hope next time we see you the carp and well and truly feeding for you!
Tight Lines
Will James
Catch results 26/04/08
Another week of mixed weather at the lakes, with heavy showers and bright sunshine sharing the days of the week. Whilst the cool weather that arrived on Monday seemed to knock the fishing off, the week started in grand style on all three lakes with some of the bigger fish coming out.
Rouge
Rouge was not booked this week, so I snuck down for a few evenings and had some great sport. In three nights, I had 5 carp and 3 cats. The biggest carp weighing in at 33lbs 2oz, and the biggest cat around the 38lb mark.
There is a full write up of my week's fishing here:
http://www.carpcast.com/session-diary/a-week-on-rouge/
Vert
The lads on Vert hit the ground running, and never really stopped. Each banked upwards of twenty fish during the week including several twenty pound plus carp and lots of catfish - topped by a specimen of 42lbs, the biggest from the lake this year.
The trip was a warm up for the guys who have moved on to the bigger challenge of Rouge this week. As ever, Vert provided the goods!
Pictures and a full breakdown of the catches will follow next week once they have finished on Rouge.
Bleu
Bleu fished fantastically during Saturday and Sunday, when the weather was scorching, producing some of the lake's best fishing. Several fish topped the twenty pound mark, including two upper twenties that will surely push through the 30lb barrier in the course of the season.
After heavy rain on Monday and Tuesday the fishing slowed throughout the main body of the lake, and only Steve on peg 5 continued to catch consistently. He banked a mirror of 32lbs and a stunning common at 30lbs 8oz, not to mention a 51lb catfish!
As the weather returned to a more steady, warm pattern later in the week the catfish seemed to push out the carp and lots of smaller specimens were banked. At the same time, the bream were spawning heavily in the margins and perhaps, also occupying the carp.
All in all, this year's trip yielded a lower number of fish than last year for the 4 anglers, but at a notably higher average size. Once again, Bleu continues to thrive.
Thanks to all 4 anglers for leaving the lake and the chalet in such a clean and tidy state. I can't wait to see the photos, and hopefully we'll see you again on Rouge next year!
Tight Lines
Will James
02 May 2008
Another week of mixed weather at the lakes, with heavy showers and bright sunshine sharing the days of the week. Whilst the cool weather that arrived on Monday seemed to knock the fishing off, the week started in grand style on all three lakes with some of the bigger fish coming out.
Rouge
Rouge was not booked this week, so I snuck down for a few evenings and had some great sport. In three nights, I had 5 carp and 3 cats. The biggest carp weighing in at 33lbs 2oz, and the biggest cat around the 38lb mark.
There is a full write up of my week's fishing here:
http://www.carpcast.com/session-diary/a-week-on-rouge/
Vert
The lads on Vert hit the ground running, and never really stopped. Each banked upwards of twenty fish during the week including several twenty pound plus carp and lots of catfish - topped by a specimen of 42lbs, the biggest from the lake this year.
The trip was a warm up for the guys who have moved on to the bigger challenge of Rouge this week. As ever, Vert provided the goods!
Pictures and a full breakdown of the catches will follow next week once they have finished on Rouge.
Bleu
Bleu fished fantastically during Saturday and Sunday, when the weather was scorching, producing some of the lake's best fishing. Several fish topped the twenty pound mark, including two upper twenties that will surely push through the 30lb barrier in the course of the season.
After heavy rain on Monday and Tuesday the fishing slowed throughout the main body of the lake, and only Steve on peg 5 continued to catch consistently. He banked a mirror of 32lbs and a stunning common at 30lbs 8oz, not to mention a 51lb catfish!
As the weather returned to a more steady, warm pattern later in the week the catfish seemed to push out the carp and lots of smaller specimens were banked. At the same time, the bream were spawning heavily in the margins and perhaps, also occupying the carp.
All in all, this year's trip yielded a lower number of fish than last year for the 4 anglers, but at a notably higher average size. Once again, Bleu continues to thrive.
Thanks to all 4 anglers for leaving the lake and the chalet in such a clean and tidy state. I can't wait to see the photos, and hopefully we'll see you again on Rouge next year!
Tight Lines
Will James
Catch results 19/04/08
What a week! With Dad away visiting friends and family in the UK this week, I was running the ship by myself. Despite being a hectic week, I have to say thanks to all our guests, it was one of my most enjoyable working with Exclusive Angling Holidays. Here goes my attempt at putting it all into words and pictures:
Rouge
Having fished Bleu last year, Gary and Leigh returned to have a crack at the bigger fish in Rouge. I knew from the number of emails we'd exchanged prior to their arrival that they were looking forward to the visit - and to be honest so was I; these guys enjoy talking about fishing as much as I do!
Starting off behind the island, they had a hectic first night, banking several nice catfish to 36lb and carp to 23lb 8oz (a new PB common for Leigh). The boys were baiting heavily using our carp pellet and a mix of both our Matrix and GLM boilies.
As the action tailed off during the following 24 hours they opted to make a move - one taking the double swim (1 & 2) and the other occupying the summerhouse swim. The double swim produced a string of nice Carp for Leigh whilst the going was much slower in front of the summer house - although Gary managed the biggest catfish of the week at 47lbs 8oz.
After a move back behind the island, the Carp started to show for Gary who banked three whopping specimens in quick succession, topped by a new PB, and first thirty, of 32lb 12oz.
Thursday brought a break in the awful, rainy weather, and with it a lull in the fishing. However sport picked up in the double swim, giving Leigh chance to bank several more carp, including a stunning 29lb 3oz common...and another PB.
All in all, the guys banked 35 fish between them, with eleven carp over 20lbs and one thirty. In addition to this, it would be remiss of me not to mention the invaluable contribution of their girlfriends Sarah and Michelle: Michelle picked up a couple of runs for Leigh and was nearly pulled into the lake by a marauding catfish, whilst Michelle did the honours with the camera all week AND banked a nice slab of a bream!
Thanks to all four of you for a most entertaining week, and for cleaning the caravan, chalet and bivvies so thoroughly, baby wipes and all!
Vert
A regular customer of Exclusive Angling Holidays, Nick explained to me during a very relaxed weeks fishing on Vert, that catching fish comes in around 3rd on his list of priorities when staying with us.
That might seem odd to some of you, but given the abundance of wildlife and incredible scenery in the area, it's something i can totally relate to. Contented in watching a pine marten's foiled attack on a wren nest, and the wriggling water snakes making their way across the water, Nick and his wife enjoyed a grand week.
Despite this apparent lack of focus on putting carp on the bank, he still managed more than a few! The best being carp of 20lbs, and a few cats over the 20lb mark too. As ever, it was a pleasure having you down, and we both look forward to seeing you next year.
Bleu
Making their first foray into the world of French Carp fishing, our 6 guests from yorkshire couldn't have wished for a better start. The fishing on bleu was consistent all week, with plenty of smaller catfish being caught alongside some cracking carp.
Despite the extraordinary rain, which turned parts of the bank into a mudpit, and even threatened to to flood one of the bivvies, the lads remained in high spirits throughout and were all rewarded in the end. Each caught carp and catfish and there were shattered PBs all round.
The best, however, was saved for the end of the trip - in terms of weather and fishing. After celebrating a 21st birthday on Thursday night, in grand style with black forest gateaux and champagne courtesy of Stefan at the campsite, the lads shrugged off any ill effects to finally enjoy some roasting sunshine.
As i arrived at the lakes in the evening to collect the rental tackle, i could immediately tell something momentous had happened - everyone i saw was buzzing. It soon emerged that on top of a cracking 30lb carp, Steve had banked one of the big cats! Estimated at 90lbs plus (and having seen the photos I fully agree), the beast eventually succumbed after a spectacular fight that nearly pulled the captor in...all 6ft plus of him! The pictures speak more clearly than i ever could, so all i will say is well done lads, thank you, and look forward to seeing you all again in the future.
Widescreen camera for next time boys...:-)
Tight Lines
Will James
What a week! With Dad away visiting friends and family in the UK this week, I was running the ship by myself. Despite being a hectic week, I have to say thanks to all our guests, it was one of my most enjoyable working with Exclusive Angling Holidays. Here goes my attempt at putting it all into words and pictures:
Rouge
Having fished Bleu last year, Gary and Leigh returned to have a crack at the bigger fish in Rouge. I knew from the number of emails we'd exchanged prior to their arrival that they were looking forward to the visit - and to be honest so was I; these guys enjoy talking about fishing as much as I do!
Starting off behind the island, they had a hectic first night, banking several nice catfish to 36lb and carp to 23lb 8oz (a new PB common for Leigh). The boys were baiting heavily using our carp pellet and a mix of both our Matrix and GLM boilies.
As the action tailed off during the following 24 hours they opted to make a move - one taking the double swim (1 & 2) and the other occupying the summerhouse swim. The double swim produced a string of nice Carp for Leigh whilst the going was much slower in front of the summer house - although Gary managed the biggest catfish of the week at 47lbs 8oz.
After a move back behind the island, the Carp started to show for Gary who banked three whopping specimens in quick succession, topped by a new PB, and first thirty, of 32lb 12oz.
Thursday brought a break in the awful, rainy weather, and with it a lull in the fishing. However sport picked up in the double swim, giving Leigh chance to bank several more carp, including a stunning 29lb 3oz common...and another PB.
All in all, the guys banked 35 fish between them, with eleven carp over 20lbs and one thirty. In addition to this, it would be remiss of me not to mention the invaluable contribution of their girlfriends Sarah and Michelle: Michelle picked up a couple of runs for Leigh and was nearly pulled into the lake by a marauding catfish, whilst Michelle did the honours with the camera all week AND banked a nice slab of a bream!
Thanks to all four of you for a most entertaining week, and for cleaning the caravan, chalet and bivvies so thoroughly, baby wipes and all!
Vert
A regular customer of Exclusive Angling Holidays, Nick explained to me during a very relaxed weeks fishing on Vert, that catching fish comes in around 3rd on his list of priorities when staying with us.
That might seem odd to some of you, but given the abundance of wildlife and incredible scenery in the area, it's something i can totally relate to. Contented in watching a pine marten's foiled attack on a wren nest, and the wriggling water snakes making their way across the water, Nick and his wife enjoyed a grand week.
Despite this apparent lack of focus on putting carp on the bank, he still managed more than a few! The best being carp of 20lbs, and a few cats over the 20lb mark too. As ever, it was a pleasure having you down, and we both look forward to seeing you next year.
Bleu
Making their first foray into the world of French Carp fishing, our 6 guests from yorkshire couldn't have wished for a better start. The fishing on bleu was consistent all week, with plenty of smaller catfish being caught alongside some cracking carp.
Despite the extraordinary rain, which turned parts of the bank into a mudpit, and even threatened to to flood one of the bivvies, the lads remained in high spirits throughout and were all rewarded in the end. Each caught carp and catfish and there were shattered PBs all round.
The best, however, was saved for the end of the trip - in terms of weather and fishing. After celebrating a 21st birthday on Thursday night, in grand style with black forest gateaux and champagne courtesy of Stefan at the campsite, the lads shrugged off any ill effects to finally enjoy some roasting sunshine.
As i arrived at the lakes in the evening to collect the rental tackle, i could immediately tell something momentous had happened - everyone i saw was buzzing. It soon emerged that on top of a cracking 30lb carp, Steve had banked one of the big cats! Estimated at 90lbs plus (and having seen the photos I fully agree), the beast eventually succumbed after a spectacular fight that nearly pulled the captor in...all 6ft plus of him! The pictures speak more clearly than i ever could, so all i will say is well done lads, thank you, and look forward to seeing you all again in the future.
Widescreen camera for next time boys...:-)
Tight Lines
Will James
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