France – An Amazing Seven Days Fishing

Target- different species in France

Over the past 40 years I have been a pleasure angler. This year I decided to try fishing in France as a friend of mine had moved over there and has his own fishery.

I like to day-fish only and wanted to try to catch some new species.

My friend is James Peacock and the first day of my trip he took me to the River Saone to try for the catfish there. We arrived to the river to try our luck and fished with live roach. After 3 hours of fishing there we agreed that we should go and look for another swim. Almost one hour later we pulled up to another swim. I asked James if he fished this swim before and James said, “No but it looks right.” Then he rowed the baits out and we were fishing four rods.

It was less than half an hour that the baits were in the water when the left hand rod slowly started taking line. As I got to the rod the run became faster and faster and I struck into the biggest fish of my life. It was upstream and smashed through lots of water lilies but the braided main line cut through them, after a fight in the red-hot sun I finally got it near the bank. James then slid down the high bank, jumped in and gloved the catfish. My first catfish that James estimated between 45 to 50 lb. We took some photos and released the fish. After fishing for three more hours without a bite we returned to his lake Etang de Azat-Chatenet.

We had some food then went down to the lake to fish for a couple of hours before it got dark. I had a run on one of the carp rods and I landed a 12 lb mirror carp, that was two personal bests on the same day.

The following two days for me was incredible, first was a 13 lb mirror, a new PB, followed by a 13 lb sturgeon, yet another new PB. Then a 14 lb mirror, another new PB, then my first Koi at 9 lb – new PB. Next up was another first a beautiful grass carp that weighed in at 25 lb, another new PB, followed shortly by a 15 lb sturgeon, a new PB. I had 19 fish in total, ending with an 18 lb mirror carp, another PB. I had a great three days and arranged to return before winter set in.

When I returned the rains had come and the water was really cold. The first day I had four more fish with a 27 lb mirror carp. Dare I say it – another PB. Day 2 I had eight fish; mirrors and sturgeon, with the biggest sturgeon going 16.5 lb, a new PB. Day 3 was to produce one mirror and 3 sturgeons, the biggest sturgeon went to 17.5 lb which upped my PB yet again. The weather was getting worse every day, my last day I managed 4 sturgeon. For me it was an amazing seven days fishing, two short sessions and 39 fish, most of them bigger then I had ever caught before with four new species and 13 personal bests. Next year I know where I’m fishing!

A bit about Etang de Azat-Chatenet

This lovely cottage has been recently restored to a very good standard.

The accommodation consists of a kitchen/diner with a sofa that can adapt to a double bed and wood burning stove plus electric radiator. The kitchen is equipped with free standing gas cooker and fridge with ice box, table and chairs.

There is a laundry room for guests to use.

There is a large shower-room and separate toilet with wash hand basin.

There is free to view English TV and Radio, and a Playstation 2 so that you can watch your DVD’s, listen to your CD’s or play your games.

Upstairs you will find 2 x twin bedrooms with electric radiators

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