Cookie, James and Callum had booked this week on Lac Lucie in 2023, just before we took over, and so had had a long time to get prepared and excited for it. Cookie has fished all over the world (except France) and had a amazing 68lb carp as his PB. James and his son, Callum, on the other hand were fairly new to carp fishing, going out with Cookie when they could, but had never fished in France before and in fact Callum had never been abroad before so there were lots of new experiences to be had.
Having flown into Limoges on the Friday they spent some time on Saturday morning looking at the sights before Nigel collected them from their hotel and bought them back to the lakes. They enjoyed walking around the lake with Nigel pointing out the key features and advising where the best places to fish were and then they set about getting their tackle set up before tea. James and Callum decided to fish on the main bank with Cookie on the right hand swim. He was planning to fish most nights whereas James and Callum were planning on playing it by ear and seeing how they felt.
After several weeks of really hot sun and high temperatures, the weather for the week was looking more hopeful with temperatures predicted to be mid twenties and some long awaited rain also in the forecast.
On Saturday night James and Callum caught up on some sleep in the chalet but Cookie landed a 28lb common (awaiting photo) during the night.
On Sunday there were fish spotted all over the lake as there had been a bit of rain. Cookie patiently helped Callum and James cast their rods out, or he would row their lines out to where they wanted them. He is an excellent teacher and very patient and helpful to them. It was the evening just after Cookie had just lost one that Callum landed his first carp, a new PB at 37lb 4oz and a lovely mirror.
On Monday there were some heavy downpours at times and both Callum and James hooked into a fish at the same time. Unfortunately their lines crossed and they both managed to lose them but later on in the day James landed his first fish of the session and a new PB for him as well, a 37lb 4oz common.
Cookie and Callum slept out all night and Cookie landed a small mirror, weighing just 5lb, which we have put in our nursery pond – destined to be a nice catch in the future.
On Tuesday, Cookie landed another baby mirror, slightly smaller than the above one but put it back in the lake and a 30lb common (awaiting photo) and Callum landed a 22lb mirror (awaiting photo). It was a warm day and James and Callum decided to spend the afternoon at the big lake, giving paddle boarding a go. They tried this for a bit and then swapped to kayaks which they found much easier. It was warm though and they both got a bit redder than they thought they would! When Nigel was leaving to pick them up he spotted that Cookie had a fish on and pulled over to go and have a look. It is always good to see our fish being netted and was pleased to see this 37lb 8oz mirror.
The three of them are big football fans and regularly go and watch Chelsea ladies play so with the Women’s Euros on the TV they had their tea and went down to the lake for a few hours before the match was on. Callum and Cookie had their rods in the water but James decided just to watch. They were just about to pull their rods out and go and watch the match when Callum hooked into one which led him a merry dance and it was half time before he got back to the chalet. But he was not disappointed as he had landed a 43lb common (awaiting photo), another new PB for Callum. And they were also happy that England had beaten Italy after extra time to go into the final.
On Wednesday it rained quite heavily and the lake was a hive of activity. Cookie landed a 45lb common (awaiting photo) and Callum a 28lb 8oz mirror (awaiting photo) and this small 5lb mirror which has also gone into the nursery pond
On Thursday and Friday Cookie had a few more (details to follow) and another nursery pond common. He said that the fish were jumping everywhere, possibly due to the frequent downpours we had through the day. James also stayed out all night for the first time with the other two but there were no signs for either James or Callum overnight. They then rested in the chalet for most of the day before going back out late afternoon. This paid off as at aroung 5pm James caught a 31lb mirror.
We don’t know the full final tally of fish but this is what we do know 4 babies, 0 at 10lb+, 3 at 20lb+, 5 at 30lb+ and 3 at 40lb+
The guys had a great week and James and Callum have learned loads from Cookie. We are sure that they will be back for a return trip one day. Until then bonne journée et à bientôt…