I usually have no problems locating the Abbey fish as there are so many and they are not shy of showing themselves so was not surprised to see a couple of shows in the first swim on the central track between the Fox and the Heron, however, I prefer to have a good look around before opting for the first swim and was amazed at just how many empty swims there were! I settled on swim No 11 on the Fox that commands the top bay where I’d seen some nice dolphin like displays and a few bubblers. Perfect!
I explained to my Partner, whom had never been camping before never mind Carp fishing in France, that I’d need to get my rods out first and since it was not drizzling anymore I’d put the bivvy hotel up later. Luckily this went down ok! Good start! I soon had my rods in confident positions and was impressed with the latest “A bait” from Jay Rider that had been so successful at Teillats and a proven winner when combined with the Cell that the Abbey fish absolutely love! Just needed to get off the mark and teach my new camera lady how to take a central trophy shot!
It wasn’t long before I had my first take and was gutted when I got weeded up and lost it due to excessive pressure that resulted in a line break! a) Just like any Angler, I hate losing any fish….especially the first one in France! b) I should’ve got the boat c) I should’ve used 45lbs Quicksilver leader d) My girlfriend never heard me swearing like that before! LOL!
Hey ho, that’s fishing and excited humans make mistakes……I soon changed to the Quicksilver and found out that the lakes shared boat would be available to use should I need it. I was glad just to be on the fish anticipating another chance! The next action wasn’t too far away and resulted in a nice 23lbs Mirror a little down in weight and flat across the belly, however, I was pleased to get this one in and critique my Gilly’s photography skills! Not bad for starters but would need to get quicker if I were to be holding up a lump!
That evening came and went in a flash as it seemed to take all afternoon to set-up camp as well as good bobbin action, eating, drinking and generally really enjoying the start of the weekend…..luckily I made a very wise decision that evening and gave the Algeria game a miss! I was far better off fishing and loved every minute of landing my 2nd fish of 38M and then a 3rd of 43M…..now my photographer was getting impressed! “Next one will be a 50” If only it was that easy!.... The next one was back down from the clouds at 30 but who cares….they were having it big time in the Bay! The Quicksilver was helping but the weed was really thick in places so I tried to steer the fish out of these areas but unfortunately they knew exactly where to go and I still managed to lose a couple more before getting access to the boat that really was a big advantage.
After a much needed rest I was awoken by the sound of crashing fish in the Bay that turned out to be spawning fish in the edges of the weed. A couple of sausage sandwiches were washed down with a couple of mugs of tea before roaming around to the end of the Bay to check out the carp orgy! What a sight! 40’s, 50’s and possibly even bigger Commons were thrashing through the weed causing a massive disturbance around all areas of the margins! Maybe the action would dry up today but who cares….I’d had a great time already and anymore would be a bonus!
We headed round for a nice hot shower and change of clothes to freshen up and get settled down for a nice day’s fishing and chilling out in what was turning out to be a sunny intervals type of June day around 18 degrees. Jereon Flokstra was my neighbour for the session and is always there when ever I am, even in the depths of the harshest Winter! He was being filmed by Rob for the Avid DVD and had already caught some nice fish to mid forties….looking forward to seeing this DVD when it’s out later this Summer…should be a really good one with lots of stunning Abbey fish!
Back to the plot…..my fears of not having anymore action due to the spawning ritual soon disappeared with another couple of 30’s and a nice 42M. Most of the fish I saw spawning seemed to be Commons so was not too surprised to only be catching the Mirror’s but then when a scarred mid-twenty common arrived I soon put him back and that explained why the Mirrors appeared to be in better nick as this had to be the second spawning of the Season.
That evening was spent with a nice bottle of red to wash down the Red Thai Curry and to smugly bathe in what was turning out to be a really good session, just needed that something a little bit more special to complete the icing on the cake with a cherry on top. Before dusk the receiver was squealing out yet again and I was bent into another lively lump….by now my Girlfriend knew the drill and with this particular fish I didn’t need the boat and was soon wading along the margin to the spot where I can safely land a fish without too much weed trouble. The lead was released on the take and the fish was ponderously wallowing on the top and slowly heading into the direction of the net….I could see it had a very large head and was praying yet again that this one didn’t pull out.
I let out a “Yeesss!” which signalled a successful netting that motioned my Gilly to wet and zero the sling, refill the water and prepare the camera, by this time we were joined by Rob, Jeroen and a few others whom just happened to be passing by…. “Scraper 50” I estimated as it certainly felt heavier than the previous fish but you never know thus I wasn’t surprised when the Reuben’s spun around to 49.14 and flicked too 50.04……”50” was the consensus and who was I to argue! Rob kindly took some really good snaps followed by plenty of handshakes, pats on backs and plenty of celebratory drinks that night! Happy Days indeed!
The following morning with brew in hand I was still on cloud nine reminiscing about my first 50+ this year from Teillats and now one from Abbey!….2010 is going to be a memorable year and I’ve still got six months to go!….surely I wouldn’t have a 60!!!, that’s just far too greedy….I mean, I would’ve have settled for just the first three fish on the first day of the weekend and here I was on ten good fish to 50lbs with a night and a day still to go!
Usually I never reel in and take a shower but given the company and the way things were going, I couldn’t resist and ended up having one each day! The toilet and shower block have been refurbished and are much improved, they also now have an essentials grocery shop and an improved well kitted out tackle and bait shop. Abbey certainly goes from strength to strength and you are always made welcome there by Evelyne, Cedric, Julian or Sebastian and certainly by Jeroen! A big thanks to you Guy’s for making my best ever trip that even more memorable!
The last night and day continued with six more fish that included a stunning Mirror at 46lbs giving me 5 x 20’s, 6 x 30’s, 4 x 40’s and a 50….that’s sixteen with an average size of 35lbs for 3 nights and 3 days not too shabby considering I had lost or pulled out of about another 10!!! Before I sign-off from another memorable blog entry, I’d just like to thank my new Gilly and expert photographer and formally announce the sacking of my old one! Lee you know it’s nothing personal Mate, but you simply don’t have the same smile Fella! Be lucky.
