The last 3 days have been slow as most of the fish moved out of the first finger
bay, having nicked a few out. We are also convinced that the fish are far from
finished spawning, as all the male fish look too clean and the females too
gravid still. They are also peculiar by their absence!
They are not really having it anywhere round the lake, according to Pascal the
owner, who gets the daily reports from the other anglers as he delivers fresh
baguettes and croissants each morning at 8am.
The weather is also not helping, very mixed, with the wind constantly shifting
and bringing heavy rain and thunderstorms most evenings. There have been some
good fish caught however during the week, with Max Cottis having at least 2 fish
over 66lbs that we know of, plus some back up fish. Swim 5 has also fished quite
well, up against the tree lines, but nothing out to their right, the water that
is on the same side as George is fishing.
I have had another 4 fish, out of the fingers, nothing big but some lovely fish,
including a high double fully, a mid 20 Mirror and some lovely high double
figure Commons. I have also managed to drop only one fish so far, with a hook
pull, but I saw it roll and it was not a Rainbow biggie thankfully.
The mid 20 Mirror I caught last night will be unforgettable as my motor packed
up half way out!
As the wind was pushing hard, I was in danger of wiping out my other lines and
drifting well out of position. I grabbed an oar and had to paddle on a dead
engine, whilst still hanging on to the fish and winding as much as I could
before drifting off course to enter the first finger bay. It was a nightmare! I
was very relieved when I eventually got into the quieter water and bagged the
fish though, so much so, that I unhooked it and rowed it back in the net for
some photos !
Mid 20 Mirror
Despite the slow fishing, and George being plagued by Bream all week on his open
water rods, I am having a brilliant time, and have learnt so much about Rainbow
from George, in addition to having more than a few laughs, including George’s
idea of a six pack ! This is basically half a baguette stuffed to the brim with
6 sausages and a huge dollop of ketchup ! It certainly set me up for the day!
George's 6 Pack
We sat through the most amazing storm last night that dumped over 4 inches of
water in our boats in the space of half an hour! The wind and rain seemed
un-ending, but both the Quad Continental XL
(George’s house) and my Quad 2 Man stood up to it no problem.
We both envisaged
our own “End of Days” as the giant pines overhead were creaking and roaring in
the teeth of the gale.
It eventually abated and we both set about bailing the boats, so as we were
ready for action again!
Would it come though?
Catch you later
Stew
