End of season update

I would first like to thank everyone who came down to fish our lakes this year. I know you all went away happy when when I look at my bookings sheets and see that so many of you have re-booked for 2010. With so many venues on offer in France, knowing you had a great time really is the biggest reward I can ask for and it makes all the hard work worthwhile.

I'm pleased to say that the fishing and weather at Etangs des Papillon have brought more than a little sunshine to all our guests, despite 2009 being a difficult year financially for everyone.

I make special mention of the weather because it has been the hottest and driest summer on record down here with the hottest day we recorded at 41.6 degrees. Phew what a scorcher!

My weekly reports have been a bit sparse towards the end of the year, but we hope to have this rectified by next April when the new season starts. Maybe we will have a few new innovations as well – think live updates to the blog from the lake during my daily visits!

Now down to the meaty stuff and the lake highlights.

Rouge

Although this is notoriously the hardest lake on the complex, this year it has not lived up to the reputation at all. I might have to re-write the brochure after seeing catches in excess of 50 fish on most weeks and a staggering 2000lbs of carp and cats caught on many occasions.

The record of 91 fish caught by two anglers in the week was simply amazing. Not just because of the numbers but also the quality and size - cats to 91lbs and carp to 38lbs.

To me the highlight has to be the re-appearance of a 40lb carp. Even though monster fish have been seen on many occasions I hadn't seen one banked until one was finally landed two weeks ago at 41lbs.

PLEASE Billy send me the photos, I know all our customers would love to see them.

We fishermen are all the same in that the ones that got away are always the biggest and I can honestly say that this has been what I've heard every week. Yes I believe you ALL (this even happened to me!)

Vert

Incredible is the only way I can describe Vert.

Historically the “runs water" on the complex, it has certainly lived up to that reputation. The size of the fish has staggered us all: loads of 20lb+ carp, both mirrors and commons, along with the occasional thirty mixed in. With regular catches in excess of 150 fish in a week, Vert makes an astonishing fishing lake.

Also impressive is the new lake record 61lb cat and several 50lb+ and a coming out during the season.

The most weight caught in a week was over 3500 lbs what can you say about that other than "fabulous"? I promise I will not increase the price because of the fitness program involved in catching these fish.

Bleu

Once again Bleu continues to be very prolific in quantity and quality.

Almost every week over 2000lbs of fish have been caught and the number of 90lb plus Cats has been amazing. However the lake record now stands at 105lbs with a different fish of 102lbs caught the week before. From the photos I have seen there are at least three different fish pushing at the 100lb barrier.

All I hear week in week out is that ‘next year we will have stronger rods and line’. Yes, yet again the ones that keep getting away are always the biggest.

We have now named the Bleu monster cat “Red October” and the hunt is on!

The carp are in no way lagging behind with regular 30s coming out throughout the season. Several fishermen have just missed the 30lb common barrier during the last few weeks of the season as multiple 29lb+ commons were banked.

The average weight of the carp caught during the season has been over 20lbs so this fact speaks for itself. Yes the fishing is truly exceptional.

Overall it has been a wonderful season and thanks to all my customers, both old and new, you have made my summer. I am really looking forward to next year and with the number of bookings already confirmed it is going to be excellent.

I can now have a fun winter chopping down trees and generally improving things around the lakes. Any suggestions, let me know!

Tight Lines
John James