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The Great Flood

Posted: 14th Jun 2016

Well it's been a crazy few weeks and I'm only just catching up being two weeks behind.

After the previous blog regarding another weeks great fishing including a brace of 50lb+ fish we have had to deal with the worse floods France has seen for the last 100 years. It was the speed in which the flood water rose in a 48 hr period after 40+cm of rain fell in that time, filling the 15 acre lake to the brim over night after the work carried out earlier this year when the lake was empty. The flood plain at the back of the lakes was completely full equating to millions of gallons of water pouring into the valley but with drastic measures taken and a discussion with our neighbour we cut a second overflow channel through the valley dam which now acts as an emergency overflow incase this incident ever happens again. We may never seen this again in our lifetime but at least we have a measure to tackle this problem now. No fish lost and the anglers just about managed to stay on their pegs with the bivvies floating away but the positive note is we managed to divert the flood water and solve the issue. So much cold water entered the lake it stunned the fish with such a temperture crash, but the full effect was on the following group of anglers the week after.

A big thanks to Ross, Kevin, Braidan & Paul for your help and understanding while I had to deal with the issue.....thanks chaps it was a massive help.

The fishing was patchy with a lot of the stock residing in Peg 5 which Paul made the most of. Paul & his son Braidan had a blistering start when they arrived landing no less than 8 fish on the first night and Ross in 1 banking a 39lb 4oz mirror. Once the rain started to fall the fish seemed to move into 5 and it then started to become more patchy. All was not lost because Ross landed one of the stunning fully scaled mirrors just over 30lb, along with Kevin landing a 38lb mirror along with 3 other fish towards the end of the week. Braidan managed to pick fish off from 4 but also had to be the cameraman for dad with his list of fish increasing each day to a new pb and largest this week at 49lb 10oz. Some lovely looking fish came out this week and the total for the week was 24 fish.....much lower than we have had this season but despite the weather conditions the chaps did very well I think. best was the 49lb+ with 5 being over 40lb+ 9 fish x 30lb+ to 39lb 10oz and 10 x 20lb+ to 29lb 9oz. the guys also landed 9 stockies which I have not counted which where predomantly around 18-19lb.

All in all in turned out well in the end and a few new pbs being set is always the aim, well done guys.

The following week was a different story with one of our regulars Graham booking the lake along with a few friends who had not been to the fishery before. It was a battle all week with the cold water shutting the lake down and the fish showing no signs of feeding anywhere. the lads fished hard and gave it 100% but it was only the grass carp that seemed to be feeding. I also think the flood of cold water sparked a little spawning interest with the smaller carp and grass carp but once again the massive weather change is making life difficult for the bigger carp and it could start to slow the fishing down over the next few months unless they spawn and get it out of the way with the next temp rise. It's a real shame because we have had such a fantastic start this year being one of our best years as can be seen from the blogs.The guys worked hard and managed a few carp to 42lb 12oz and 40lb 8oz this week, but the remaining 16 fish were all grassies and not even big ones to be honest upto 33lb so all in all it was a very strange week indeed, but 100% it was the effect of the weather over angling ability, so don't beat yourself up guys and we will see you next year to settle the score!!!

We are now up to speed with two anglers on this week pitting their wits. the weather is still terribe and water temp is cool so the lads are going to have to work hard to make it happen. Settling into pegs 1 & 2 has left a lot of space for the fish and yesterday evening I was watching a lot of carp bubbling, popping their heads out and crashing down in Peg 5....once again they seem to be stacked in there and probably going over Steves bait from the week before.

Back soon with this weeks results....it's now time to get some grass cut once the ground dries out and carry out landscaping the 15 acre lake. I will start to build the pegs over the next month so I will keep you all updated.

Over & Out from a wet Team Sanctuary