ralphj

I think lake one is supposed to be 16 acres you can probably reckon on it being nearer 14 (may be a bit deceptive) They have both done fish well into the 60lb mark and a lot cheaper than some english owned puddles that some people rave about. The bottom can be a bit silty in places but nothing to drastic as they were originally gravel pit's come quarries. On the down side they do have some sturgeon and if you catch them its not unusual to catch them three or four times in the week.

Nice venues still run by French I believe good value for money with some decent size fish in it. Which lake are you looking to book. I think most of them have fish over 40lb with a very decent average of mid to high 20's. You wont be wasting time catching too many doubles.

There is one near Angouleme but I think it only has carp to high thirties.

What time of the year are you looking to go?

Hi Rus, are you driving, if so how far are you prepared to drive. There are some nice lakes in the Limousin region of France where the weather is also a bit warmer late in the year. I have been to a few decent ones as I have family in the area. If you interested let me know. Ralph

If the owner says it hasn't been fished for 40 years then you had not done your homework as there are catch reports from last year on the website along with stocking from 2008 and 2009. This is a commercial water and not some rare find. D minus must try harder next time. You would be very very lucky to find any water that has not been fished for that amount of time, what with gypsy's and locals there are probably no such waters. Don't forget that if people have grown up in the area they all know these waters, even if they do look like no one knows they are there.

I do think that with all the professional information that you have on the net nowadays it is a bit strange that a lake owner posts on a forum asking for views, come advice on something that is likely to affect their business. With answers like the one above it shows that you need to take the advice with a very big pinch of salt If you have one guy fishing on a 1 and half acre lake is that not the same as 10 guys fishing a 15 acre lake. Surely the same amount of salt is being distributed per acre. I think you need to do a bit more homework before you get yourselves into trouble. Posting questions on a forum is very dodgy as everyone has their own opinion and they will always feel that they are right, better to ask someone that works inthe business and knows the answers than someone that thinks they do.

I don't think you'll find Neil doing a great deal at the moment. He may have problems

Hi Dave, another 2 to consider are Val Dore and Etang Brigueuil both quality waters with nice size fish.

Very well done Dave if a little late you will see I was querying coops statement, but its been sorted thanks

Hi Lenny, have a look at talking carp you will fin d some info on their (if the website is up and running sometimes I think it crashes) hope you find it OK. Great lake and great hosts Barry is a top guy.

Hi Gus, if you have not been to France before what do you consider to be big carp for some it maybe high 20's for other's it my be 60's or 70's or even bigger. What you have to look at is what you want with regards to big or small water, is distance a concern, do you want it exclusive there are many factors to consider. The best way to choose is by asking friends who have been away to places there is no substitute to recommendations. Adverts always look inviting that's what they are there for to draw you in but a personal view from someone you know who has been is always the best way forward. Hope you find what you want. All the best mate.

Is that right Keith you have only had approx 400 fish out this year. As Coops says over 1 in 4 being over 40lb and you've had 100 forties out to 200 anglers. That equates to just over 400 and only an average of 2 fish per angler?

Hi David I do tend to agree with you I posted on here a little while back that if you have to keep pushing your lake then you cant be that busy. There are some lakes on another forum that seem to have thousands of threads and posts, yet if anyone asks if someone can suggest a place to go the owners of said lakes come on and say we have space. I would have thought a decent lake would not have to keep pushing itself surely the fish and the service do the talking. I did get slated a little while back on the same subject but still maintain that until it was sold recently Maison de Lac Bleu did not sell itself on every forum nationwide it sold itself on what it had by word of mouth. Its the only way forward if your any good people will know about you the carp fishing fraternity has good jungle drums

Hi There, we we never did go in the end it got cancelled but i'm sure we'll be off there later in the summer or if not next year. We have a trip planned for France in September. Thanks for asking