etang du bois

Hi Steve here.

Just a report on an unbelievable session I had in France last week.

To cut a long story short I was invited to join 4 other guys on a trip to France, at a venue they had been to before a few times.
We arrived at the venue and I was escorted round the lake by the lads. I chose a swim called the Cobbs. I was third out on the draw and this swim was not favoured by the guys apparently. It looked right to me though.

The first night we were all knackered from the drive so bait placement was a bit haphazard.
The next day I put one bait to a far corner where I had seen fish jumping: the other two rods were again cast to where fish had shown earlier.

Monday morning. I had a run on the corner chod rig and after a mighty battle a 41.08 mirror graced my net .

All pressure was off now and I could really get to enjoy this first French trip.


41lb 8oz

Tuesday. Late afternoon.

I was again lucky to get a take on the corner chod rig. This time it was an even harder fight and a 45.8 mirror was brought to the net.I was blown away by my good fortune and really wanted the other guys to catch











45lb 8oz

My other two rods were not doing anything so I moved one 6 ft away from a small snag, opposite me, slightly to my right in a slight depression in the lake bed. I was using the new Grange boilies on this rod, tipped with corn (on a short 5 ins suffix heavy braid rig). I put out about 10 freebies around the spot.

Tues night 1930 I was rewarded with another 45.8 mirror.

 

This was followed by the amazingly new lake record 57.7 common. 

Jesus!

I could then have packed up and just sat around enjoying my immense good fortune !!

57lb 7oz. A new Lake Record


I was desperate for the others to catch but the lake was fishing slow. They all supported me royally during my stay and I really appreciated their support.

To cap things off I had a run Thurs afternoon and a stunning 38.3 common was landed. I'm glad to say, Russel in our party had a 46.2 mirror on Friday afternoon, but unfortunately Tim lost a good fish. When your lucks in eh!!!
Saturday arrived and time to go home. I got my payback on the way home when my car developed an oil leak 70 kilometres from Calais. Thank god for AA European cover. They got us a car and we got home 4 hours late. My car with all our fishing gear got back Monday and is now being fixed at the local garage. Nothing major so I had not used up all my luck.



I must say a big thank you to Frenchy, who was great company throughout and a lovely guy to have by your side and for helping with the long drive.