Boy Band Hits Bourge!!!
Posted: 28th Jul 2014
I'm Back, still alive and kicking so don't worry. My wife had returned to the UK last week to visit family and enjoy a well earned break, so I was left with our twins boys for the week giving me the total run-a-round to be honest!!!
It's been a very strange summer with the fishing being very inconsistant through June & July. There has been many reasons for this but the amount of fish hooked and lost has affected the overall numbers each week. On average between 12 -20 fish have been bumped over the last month and I have seen this many times before around midsummer. I have bored myself about the spawning nevermind the customers, but with the fish spawning for the 5-6th time a couple of weeks ago, once again this strange behaviour has really upset the carps feeding habits. Last but not least the bloody weather, I cannot think of another summer like it resulting in you guys back in Blighty enjoying blistering heat and we have endured very changeable weather indeed. Because it's been so wet when the sun does shine the humidity is very high making it feel very hot indeed, but the strange part about it is the rain has been more like tropical storm weather and very cold indeed. The contrast as you can imagine is stark with large amounts of cold rain hitting the warm water of the lakes, resulting in the fish feeling very unsettled and unsure of what to do. These conditions are the worst for an oxygen crash and even though I have always been vigilant taking readings I have to be extra careful with these unusual conditions. I think the weed has helped somewhat to keep a balance in the lakes with the oxygen levels but inturn it gives the anglers and myself a headache to keep it undercontrol. Beause we have not seen the weed like this for over 4 seasons it really has segregated the fish and they are crashing on a regular basis very close to the peg bank. Fish can be seen all over the lake in most areas which even though frustrating sometimes for the anglers it's always exciting to watch those huge dark shapes cruising aound only yards from your hookbaits!!
Just to touch on where we left off a couple of weeks ago, John, Craig & Mark had a bit of a headbanger of a week, fish spawning in full force for a couple of days along with the weed making it difficult, it was not easy fishing. The fish could be seen all over the lake after the spawning and they cruised around over the top of the weed beds for the rest of the week. Another major factor which cannot always be mentioned is angling ability, like all things in life some people have a natural flare and others don't, in the case of Johns group they could not catch a fish if their life depended on it!!! To be honest they could all do with taking up golf, but saying that from the casting ability of these lads I bet they could not hit a ball either, LOL.
Joking aside they ended the week with a tally of only 6 fish, 5 being mid 30lb+ and a lone 20lb mirror. A fair few fish lost again with John losing a good fish close in when it turned on the top resulting in a hookpull, followed by a scream like a young girl had fallen over!!!! All in all it was a week of laughs, moaning and some happy memories, always great to have anglers down at the lake who appreciate the special magic that the fishery holds and that's why they return each year and not just for a score sheet.
Well, onto last week and what a contrast. Another group of 3 regulars booked the lake with Mr Guest, Silverback & Oli enjoying every minute of the week. They decided to stay in Bourges for the Friday night to break the journey and enjoy a night on the town to kick start the holiday. These boys do know how to enjoy themselves, with good food, wine, BBQ and rich living being an important part of their break. The lads did fish hard, keeping the baiting tight and building numerous spots in all the Pegs resulting in a plan coming together as the week wore on. Oli did drop a good 10 fish on the bounce which was frustrating for him, but tweeks with the rigs and moving onto Drennan Continental hooks with a quick honing with the JAG, all fish afterwards were landed. The lads did use the boat if they had a fish heavely weeded which helped to prevent loses, but the main thing is they genuinely care about the welfare of the stock.
Pb's broken all round with Paul taking a new pb mirror of 40lb+ followed by another stonking Grassie. Oli was keen to land a Grassie so when a mid 30lb+ rolled into the net midweek his mission was complete. John the Silverback showed the boys this week how it was done after taking his first 40lb+ fish from Peg 2, loved the way he stealthed into the swim after it had been baited by Paul, then moving back down into Peg 5 to take a brace of 40's on the last night upto 45lb+.
The final total was 17 fish, and 6 stunning stockies not included in the total. A good 15 fish+ lost due to hookpulls. 5 fish over 40lb+ with the best being mid 40. 7 fish over 30lb+ and 5 x 20lb+ most being around the 26lb mark.
It was a great week for all and some very happy memories, I'm sure when the lads look back over their pics, including the out of focus shots!!! they will smile indeed.
B5, Pellet & Bloodworm doing the business once again.
The new group of 3 this week arrived late on Saturday, they are all settled down even though it's raining "Cat's & Dogs" as I type this John has just taken his new PB of 40lb 8oz from Peg 1 last night!!! Weather is set to change on Wednesday but for now we have to batten down the hatches.
On the Wildlife front I got the chance to observe a family of Wildboar running up the hillside over looking the lake, only to disappear into the forest edge in a flash. A very rare sight in the daylight hours and for a split second I though John the Silverback had gone for his morning Jog.
Over & Out.
Team Sanctuary
