I did a pole match yesterday on a lake in France that is full of Bream and carp. The morning was vzery cold as there had been a heavy frost overnight. Got to the venue and met up with some French friends and also met 3 other English fishermen. I had peg 2 which was one of the favorites. After the whistle the going was hard. I had to wait 1 and half hours before getting a bite. Landed a nice size carp and within 2 minutes had another bite. This was something bigger and took off like a rocket with my elastic stretching out and pole bent over. The fish made it to some overhanging branches so I had a wait to get it out. Eventually got it to the landing net and a nice 5.2 kilo cartp. Nix had a bream to 2 kilos then the swim died for 2 hours. After which managed 6 more carp. In total 15 kilos. The winner a guy opposite me had 19 kilos of bream. I came second so quite pleased. Now for the difference between French and English prizes. Second place was 2 dozen oysters and 2 large bags of groundbait. Starter for me tonight is as photo washed down with a nice bottle of fizz, followed by lamb curry.