Firstly I would like to wish a big happy New Year to you all, here's hoping 2010 is as much fun as 2009, and the fishing keeps getting better!

I’m sure many of you think I spend the five-month winter break just sitting around, watching the TV and drinking coffee - yeah right!

The winter shut-down gives me the opportunity to make improvements and carry out essential maintenance on the lakes.

As an example, last week we had a thunder storm which washed away most of the gravel off the road down to Vert and Bleu. This now has to be replaced, involving a trip to the local stone yard and a few back-breaking hours shoveling!

I thought you might like to see some of the other behind-the-scenes work I'm planning for this winter...

Rouge

- The double swim needs a bit of maintenance to keep it looking smart

- The soak away drain that stops the swim flooding needs to be re-dug and cleaned

- Many trees need trimming back to stop them toppling in when they bloom

Bleu

Every year this lake seems to take most time and maintenance

- Cut back and remove many of the overhanging trees because they fall in over winter.

- Raise the banking where the water overflows when we get floods.

- Continue tidying up the fallen trees behind the long bank.

Vert

- Build a new drain to the stock pond.

- Continue maintenance of the forest along the long bank - keeping the brambles and Acacia trees in check.

Even though this is all a lot of hard work, I do genuinely enjoy my winters - nearly as much as meeting you all in the summer.

Once again, happy New Year, and look forward to seeing you all again later in the year, when the weather is warmer and the lakes aren't frozen!

Kind regards

John

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

Bleu produces 98lb catfish



Rouge

The Cooper party returned for their second holiday with Exclusive Angling Holidays and once again Darren (2) managed a personal best carp of 35lb on the first night. The only problem with catching a big fish on the first night is that he couldn't wake anyone up to take a photo!

The fishing was pretty steady throughout the week although there were some signs of fish spawning for the second time this year.

We had a very exciting moment when Gary hooked a big cat which successfully snagged other lines. After a stand-off in the fighting chair for a good ten minutes with no movement we went out in the boat to try and get the fish in. Unfortunately we failed but had a good laugh about it afterwards.

All four fishermen caught fish but Dad Gary waited until the last afternoon to land the biggest fish, a 44lb cat.

There were at least four personal bests during the week and everyone really enjoyed their holiday.

Some of the other fish photoed during 'Waking hours':



Bleu

Blue also fished very steadily throughout the week with a monster catfish along with many carp up to just under thirty pounds.

Itchy-feet Wayne, who caught four carp and a cat on the first night, just had to have a morning session on Vert where he managed over 200lbs of carp before the scorching heat drove him back to the shelter of the trees on Bleu.

Many cats were caught with fish up to 70lbs plus before the star performance of a 98lb cat caught on Thursday night. The dumbbell rig proved very effective, the only problem being trying to catch bream of the right size.

Well done to everybody.



Tight Lines
John James

A mixed bag of weather

Rouge

The last few weeks have been a bit hectic especially as I have managed to break a rib.

Rouge saw the Sardi group fishing this lake for the first time and as usual bringing the rain with them. Every year the same sorry old tale of rain, sun then more even heavier rain.

The fishing was a bit slower than the previous week ( well that 91 fish haul does take some beating), even saying this a lot of fish were caught with two decent thirties from swims 5 and 6 and many high twenties from all swims both commons and mirrors. The cats have obviously been working out as the big ones always seemed to get away. I think I am right in saying that every one of the anglers lost at least one really big cat.

I don't have any photos yet as all the cameras were packed away but I know a good time was had by all and thanks again for coming. Please send me some photos.

Bleu

Bleu was once again visited by Mike and Colin who I think are on there 15th year down here. This was a red letter week for Colin who managed over 1000lbs of fish on his own. This was a PB total and coupled with a PB cat of 44 lbs.

"Biggest carp - 28 lbs 04 oz Biggest cat - 44 lbs.

All in all a great week despite the weather. The rain obviously helped, and it died off a bit on Friday when the sun came out."

Hope all goes well for the rest of the year, and see you same time next year.

Mike also managed 743lbs - congratulations on your second best ever total!


Tight Lines
John James

Rouge letter day!

Rouge

Sometimes you get a week where everything is perfect and this was the week. Arianne and Hein, two of our dutch regulars had the week of their lives.

Where to begin!
- Wall to wall sunshine
- 61 carp to nearly 38lbs
- 30 catfish to 90lbs
- Virtually non stop action whenever the rods were in the water.

I have never seen such smiling faces every time I went down to the lakes and I even had to get involved when three fish were on the lines at the same time. They fished from early morning normally between 6 and 7 until about midnight and then pulled there rods in to get some well earned rest.

Quite a number of fish were lost but that pales into insignificance when you think they managed a nearly a ton of fish on the bank in a week - 932kgs or 2150lbs to be precise!

There's not really much more that I can say except well done both of you, thanks for leaving everything so tidy and thanks for the photos.

Anybody reading this update will see what a fantastic week they had by looking at the photos, believe it or not we had 670 photos to go through and it was really very difficult to just select a few as they were all so good.




Tight Lines
John James

Big Cat diaries!

Rouge

Sean came down with his family and fished up to Wednesday morning on Rouge. The star of the show was a 66lb catfish caught on carp tackle on Sunday afternoon.

Unfortunately I was unable to get a complete tally of the fish caught because they were enjoying a family holiday and the latter part of the week was spent out and about in the outstanding beauty of the Dordogne.

I do know a number of good carp were caught to the high twenties along with several cats smaller than the magnificent 66-pounder.

Many thanks Sean for leaving everything so clean and tidy.

Please email us some photos so that we can give you your 15 minutes of internet fame!

Tight Lines
John James

More success at Etangs Des Papillons



Week three of my season brought the good weather back with more or less wall to wall sunshine and suntan cream the order of the day. All three lakes were full so it was quite a hectic time, especially when the fish decided to spawn on Wednesday and Thursday. As with last year it was the classic spawning on all three lakes with the most amazing action for 36 hours and then a complete stop.

However, this did not deter the fish from proving dramatic sport all week on all the lakes.

Rouge

Tony and his party of train drivers kept things well on 'track' with plenty of carp and cats coming out from all parts of the lake.

Ian on the summerhouse swim did have trouble but his train did finally come in on time with the biggest fish on the last afternoon. Well done Ian, happy smiling and joking all week, it was a pleasure to have your company. Several thirty pound carp were caught from swims 1,2,5 and 6 with cats up to 50lbs.

Once again the really big cats proved to be the masters and remained the monsters of the deep.

I am pretty sure a good time was had by all including the wednesday afternoon trip round all the local pubs in Thiviers. I understand the locals were somewhat amused at your 'happy hours'. Thanks for leaving everything so tidy.

Vert

When I spoke to Clive on the phone just before he came down the idea of the holiday was for a complete relaxing week to get away from the stresses and strains of work back in England.

The weather and the surroundings provided this in spades, but the fish had other ideas! As I seem to say all the time Vert is a completely underrated lake with a very large stock of big carp to the low thirty pounds and many catfish to 50lb. The day only fishing was more or less non stop with 20lb+ carp caught on a regular basis and cats into the forties providing the really tough fights.

All the big cats know where to go for the tree snags but this year because of Williams efforts at removing a lot of the low branched during the working party the angler now has more than a fighting chance of success.Thanks for your company Clive I hope you returned to the UK more relaxed mentally but fitter physically from all the fish!

Bleu

Mike and Stuart on their first visit to Papillon were a little sceptical about how the fishing would be, but by Wednesday they were bringing their rods in for several hours a day to try and get some rest.

They reached 1000lbs of fish by Wednesday and the week's total exceeded 1500lbs. Although they didn't manage any thirties, several 29lb carp were caught. Maybe your scales stuck...

Their excitement at catching catfish for the first time using the Catbuster tackle we provided was fantastic. Seeing the cats take a live bait on the surface is just about as good as it gets and the first time I saw them the enthusiasm for this method of fishing was totally infectious. I just wanted to get my rods in the water!

Two fifties were landed but yet again the monsters of the deep had the last laugh. Both are coming back again next year with a bit more experience of lake catfishing and I am sure at least one of the biggies will be tamed.

Again thanks for you company it was a pleasure to have you down.



Tight Lines
John James

Early season updates

Rouge

Oh, what a glorious start to the season: no rain and temperatures into the high twenties with sunburn a serious threat!

Fishing on his own, and only doing days, Eamon manged a very creditable 28 fish with 20 carp and 8 cats. Although he didn't get a thirty pound carp he did manage two mirrors over 29 and a common over 25. The biggest cat landed was 38lb but unfortunately several much larger specimens eluded the net.

Saying all the above Eamon had achieved his target for the week by Tuesday evening, not bad mate (7 out of 10!).

It's very difficult taking photos on your own unless you have a tripod so most of the pictures are of the fish on the mat. However, the last fish was 29lbs+ and luckily I was able to take the attached photos.



As good as the weather was the first week of my season the second week
with two of the lakes full really made us pay. 6.5 inches of rain in 5 days is heavy even for France. However, this did not slow down the fishing in any shape or form with this week's anglers catching a total of 985 lbs of fish, with 3 thirties and a 75lb cat the best of the bunch. These were all caught on boilie tactics with very little bait going in.

The fishing did slow down towards the end of the week and on friday night we had avid discussions about next years tactics as they have decided to do two weeks next year.
Forty fish were caught so the average weight per fish is well over 23lbs - not bad lads.

I don't know how you managed to brave the rain all week but I was pleased that the new drains put in over winter coped with the amount of rain and none of the swims flooded at all.

Thanks for leaving the lake so tidy it was a pleasure to have you down
to fish and enjoy your company between downpours.



Vert

Fished by Michael and his dad, Vert continues to stagger me with the quantity and quality of the fish. Many twenties were caught but unfortunately no thirties YET for the carp. Thirty and forty pound cats were regular visitors to the net.

Not fishing nights they did manage over ten fish per day which in
between the rain was a brilliant effort.

Michael I hope you read this but I have never been through as many
photos where half your or your dads heads have been cut off... :-)



Tight Lines
John James

Work party produces some of Rouge's best


The annual Etangs Des Papillons work party produced plenty of big carp along with big changes around the lake and big laughs.

Leigh, Gary and I travelled down for a week of working to get put the final touches to the lakes ahead of next week's grand opening. During the evenings and nights we all fished on Rouge and had some fantastic results with five thirties (including two recaptures) and three fish which will undoubtedly reach thirty pounds later on in the season. Some stunning smaller fish including a 20lb leather and mid-double linear also made an appearance.

It was a fantastic week's fishing, which simply got better and better as the weather warmed up. Here are a few of the highlights:



Some heavy frosts at the start of the week saw most fish penned up in front of the double swim. However, as the weather warmed up the fish moved out and started to come from behind the island too.

The cats were active, including two large specimens that got away, and two fish up to the mid-forties were banked.

Most came to pop-ups over small amounts of biopeche pineapple boilies and carp pellets. One fish was taken on 'the method'.

Work Party
On the work front, we got lots of vital work done. The main projects on Bleu were to remove two of the overhanging trees which had become too much of snag - one from the island and one from the bay behind. This involved a lot of getting wet for Dad, Leigh and Gary.

On Vert we tidied the snags at the end of the dam wall and took a few dead trees from the forest behind the straight bank.

Above Rouge we spent a lot of time tidying the awful mess of trees and bramble along the driveway and opened up a lot of space above the existing field. In addition Dad has worked hard to put a permanent overflow in place between Rouge and 'The secret pond' which will reduce the risk of flooding during heavy rain.

On top of that, we had a bloody good laugh. I don't think anyone survived without having the piss taken at some point, especially me and Dad.


Massive thanks to Leigh and Gary for their hard work and enthusiasm throughout the week...and for keeping me and Dad from fighting!

We open up next week to paying customers, so watch this space for more news.

Tight Lines
Will James

Catch reports - September summary!

Finally, I can get online and keep you all updated on how the fishing has been. Sorry for the long delay, we can thank the good people at Virgin Internet for that...

Rouge

Despite some seriously inclement weather, and a slow start to the week, Rouge eventually came good for Colin and his party, throwing up an incredible 27 fish in around 24 hours! Well done guys!



Vert

Daniel and his father enjoyed two weeks of fabulous fishing on Vert towards the end of the month. On their second trip to Exclusive Angling Holidays, each managed to bank new PB catfish of over 40lbs (I was luck enough to witness two of these captures, cracking fish). Daniel also took the biggest fish from Vert this year with a stunning 31lb common, which he described to us in glowing terms - "Mint condition!". A fabulous fish that clearly knows how to avoid getting caught, so well done guys!



More pictures can be found in our galleries.

Bleu

James and Gaz returned for the second year running to give Bleu a crack for two weeks; James targetting the monster cats, and Gaz the monster carp. By the end of their fortnight neither was disappointed, but it was James who reached his goal first with a whopping 92lb cat after only a day on the lakes! After that it was a very chilled out fortnight, in which both anglers caught plenty of nice carp, including two thirties, one of which (common, pictured below) I had the pleasure of witnessing, with around 15 twenties and plenty of smaller carp to back things up. Three other big cats also made an appearance, two over the 80lb mark and one over 70lbs - so all in all a succesful holiday. Thanks for your great company, and we look forward to seeing you on Rouge next year!



Tight Lines
Will James