Good Morning.

Yesterday morning I had the feeling the fish had all moved on the wind. The carp love the wind at Gigantica and when I received a telephone call at 8am from Head bailiff, Dan “the slayer”, saying he had caught 10 carp in the night to 34lb(!!) from Pole Position, this confirmed my thoughts. A couple of the other lads had caught a couple in the night to 34lbs too, so it was definitely time to have a rethink about my location on the lake. At midday I reeled in the rods and sauntered round to the lodge. Dan looked exhausted!! We sat there watching fish bosh all along the east side and that particular corner of the lake. Once again it felt like I was flogging a dead horse in my swim and a move was on the cards.

The Tree Line swim resembles a Mill Pond!

You would think after spending all my time fishing on the bank over the last 17 months, that I wouldn’t mind a couple of days, waiting for the fish to return, but actually you would be surprised! It would be a completely different matter if I was fishing at a huge lake, and the logistics of moving to the other side, with two dogs, would take a whole day or more; but Gigantica is a mere 34 acres and there is a track around the whole lake. On some of the massive lakes I have fished at, there are small bays that are larger than Gigantica! However, at Gigantica the packing up takes an hour at the most, the kit can be chucked in the van and in minutes you can be setting up on the other side of the lake. There is no excuse not to move really. Obviously moving swims at any water depends on whether or not one is available, but fortunately there were two; Big Girls and Oblivion and that is where the fish seemed to be showing.

Where the fish were showing; Oblivion and Big Girls.

I should point out that I am now writing today’s post from another water not too far from Gigantica, a lake called ‘Bluewater’. I have been invited by Jim Clavin, the owner, to fish his small pond for a couple of days. He wants me to try and catch some of the fish and these will then be put into the main lake. Before you all say that this will be an easy task, because it is a small pond, think again. The fish have been living in there for some time, they do get fished for and they aren’t as stupid as they look!! So, this was my other small dilemna yesterday, do I pack up from the Tree Line swim and head straight to Bluewater, or stay at Gigantica for one more night in a new swim. I decided to do the right thing and packed up my gear and drove round to Oblivion. I decided to fish all three rods, to an area about 50 yards out. They were cast out so they all landed onto a space about the size of a transit van roof. I spodded out some boilies and a few tigers, and fished with my tiger nut rigs, that I used in the Tree Line. Did I catch? No! I am glad I moved though, as it is always nice to think if you do catch, it was well worth the effort, and if you don’t move swims you’re always left wondering….should I have moved!!

So as I have already mentioned I am now at Bluewater Lakes just down the road. I will be back at Gigantica to continue my efforts to catch one of the big residents, before I fly back to the UK in a couple of weeks, for a quick visit. The pictures of big carp on the walls at Gigantica are a constant reminder of what I am fishing for, and the fact they are displayed on the wall, for everyone to see, is great for the motivation! Lots of people look at them and pick out particular carp they would dearly love to catch. I am not that fussy! Big is beautiful and any lump will do!

Big carp for all to see, and catch!

I had a quick freshen up before I left Gigantica. All the packing up had taken its toll on my body and the dogs weren’t coming near me! I then know it’s time to have a wash. I have already mentioned the great facilities at Gigantica, but I thought I would actually show you them. I know most people go fishing in France to hopefully catch big fish, but it is also comforting to know there will be a clean and hygienic, toilet and shower block for your convenience, during your stay. I normally make do with a solar shower and a plastic bag, so I am making the most of these luxuries during my stay!

The best commercial water shower in France!!

Very tastefully 'done out'!

A throne fit for a king!

It is now time to go and have a walk around Jim’s small pond for a look. He tells me the fish have been feeding down one end of the lake. I think my stalking rod may have to come out of the van first, in that case!

Come back tomorrow to see how I am getting on down at the small pond at Bluewater Lakes, trying to catch some wily carp!

Cheers.

Jake & the dogs!

Tags: carp, Gigantica, jake langley-hobbs, stalking

This entry was posted on July 9, 2009 at 12:22 pm and is filed under Gigantica. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.