Comments on: MY PROFILE

By: matthew smith

matthew smith — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 20:33:54 +0000

grand job, thanks alot for the help. i want some of those lumps you have had out of cassien, got 4 weeks to go at this xmas, ya never know ha thanks again, keep pulling them out!!

By: thebigcarphunter

thebigcarphunter — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:44:22 +0000

I include some words from a Cassien article. You will find details of a bed & breakfast who provide a tailored parking service, or used to. Ask for Geoff or Sandy – they are always happy to help. All the best
It was midday on Tuesday as I pulled into Montauroux. The water levels at Cassien were still low, and it was time to make a decision. Where would I fish? I decided to look down the West arm, towards the reserve, which was open till the end of December. The place was deserted. The North arm was busy, as was the South, and it seemed the low water was keeping most anglers out of the West. I had managed to get a seven day weather forecast and very heavy rain was coming, this is what was needed. It was now getting too late to set up anywhere, and I needed a place to sleep for the night. The van was a possibility, but I fancied a ‘treat’! I then remembered an English run B&B next to the lake called Amboise. Perfect! I would have one night of comfort and a proper hot shower before my mammoth session began.
Amboise is in its seventh year now. The owners Geoff and Sandie are proud to offer three different sized rooms, to cater for all possibilities. All the rooms have their own TV, Wi-Fi, and a well fitted bathroom with shower. Whilst you stay, you are more than welcome to use their great outdoor facilities which include a swimming pool, with sun chairs and parasols, and a terraced kitchen area, with BBQ and grill. I felt very much at home for my one night’s stay. The couple have two dogs themselves, Poppy and Fleur, so Charley and Flash were made to feel most welcome too, and there are ample grounds so they could both stretch their legs!
If you’re reading this, and you’re a carp angler who likes to fish at Cassien in the summer months; but you also like to travel with your wife or girlfriend? Then this could be a great solution. She can stay at Amboise during your stay, and can pop down and see you during the daytime, as it’s only situated 500m from the lake on the West arm side; meaning you get to stay at the lake overnight, which is allowed, as long as you’re not fishing during the no night fishing period. It could also mean you both get a better week’s holiday, and a little peace and quiet from time to time! Prices start from 51 Euros a night per person which includes a continental breakfast. They also provide an incredibly well tailored, parking service for anglers from Oct-April. For enquiries or bookings call 0033494764655 or email: info@amboise-bnb.com

By: matthew smith

matthew smith — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:37:35 +0000

hiya jake, just wondering if you could give me some advice. im going to cassien on 22nd dec, there were two of us but my mate just dropped out!! where is it possible to park, is there anywhere safe? i need to get my gear in the boats then leave it to park my van, any advice would be massivley appriciated. all the best matt smith, york.

By: thebigcarphunter

thebigcarphunter — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 14:38:57 +0000

Hi Aaron.

What an interesting comment/letter and I will be happy to help, if I can!
I actually did my first session on the canal after 15 yrs of not fishing, at the Sharpness end incidentally. I happened to move into a house about a mile away, and I was instantly drawn to the canal, as it absolutely screamed carp, what with all the reed beds, and little channels here and there.
I will be really honest here and admit that I was very green returning to the sport, after such a long lay-off, and I didn’t really have a clue what I was doing!! I only really found my groove again when I started my big trip at Cassien, and then it all came flooding back to me.
The one thing I did notice on the canal was how many holding spots there seemed to be and I can imagine a lot of the carp must congregate during the day, then venture out patrolling the margins at night. I only had one take in the three sessions I fished it, and after a short tussle the fish straightened my hook. I should have applied sidestrain to turn the fish, but as I said, I was naive, and probably in shock from getting a take at 2am!
A friend of mine fished it with good success and always used the method feeder, fishing with boilies and plastic corn on the hair. He would catch loads of bream, but the carp would inevitably come along at some point. In fact one night, Jamie as he is known, caught a codling from the Severn, then a pike and a carp from the canal bowl, where the big barges used to turn around. This part is controlled by the dockers club I do believe. He caught them all withing about half an hour of each other and must be some sort of odd trio record!!
My advice now I guess would be to fish areas where you have seen carp and stay mobile. The fish can obviously be anywhere along the locked stretches, so travel light, and maybe move every couple of hours. Dawn and dusk are always going to be the key times, but then big fish can come at anytime, so I really hope you get that elusive 40 you are so keen to catch. A 34lb’er from that canal is a remarkeable feat so you should be very proud of your achievement.

Sorry I can’t be of anymore help Aaron.

All the best.

Jake Langley-Hobbs

By: Nathan Aaron Bridgland

Nathan Aaron Bridgland — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 13:10:17 +0000

hi Jake, my name is Aaron Bridgland and have been a carp angler on and off for 25 years or so, so i know one end of a rod from the other so to speak, and have fished venues from half an acre up to 80 acre plus reseviors. The reason for contacting you, however, is the fact that i understand that you spent some time fishing the Gloucester/Sharpness canal for its carp, and i was wandering how you had got on. Ive spent a considerable length of time over the last few years on the canal, mainly at the gloucester end but also the occaisional trip ‘south’, and whilst ive had fish to 34lb, ive sruggled for consistancy. Im now forced to give up driving due to health reasons, and certainly cant afford a prolonged baiting campaign with boilies having also been forced to give up work, again for health reasons.
Ive no doubt whatsoever that there are uncaught 40lb plus fish, maybe larger, more than once have i been able to feed fish of that calibre corn in Sharpness marina, but , as you probably know, you cant fish there, or within a quater of a mile of them and they’ve no reason to leave the sanctuary of the marina, winter or summer!
Anyway, i was curious about your time on the canal and whether or not youd be prepared to share your experiences on the venue?
yours faithfully
Aaron Bridgland.

By: thebigcarphunter

thebigcarphunter — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 10:13:51 +0000

November time traditionally attracts lots of anglers but the odd thing with Cassien is when you expect it to be busy, it can be deserted, and vice versa!!
The bridge swim or a swim in the North/ South Arm split area would be worth a shout, or be brave and head up into the North and try one of those swims. The water levels have still been really low at this time of year in the past, and that does tend to make the North arm and other deep spots over-crowded with anglers. In fact the year I met Matt, the same thing happened, yet I took the gamble and plumped for the west arm, and the the rain came….oh boy, was that a session in the end!! Matt, Colin, Spam Mick, and I, all had fish to 62lbs if memeory serves me correctly. Poor Col only caught one – that was the 62!!
All the best.
Good luck

By: Damien linney

Damien linney — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 21:46:51 +0000

Jake
That’s brilliant thanks very much. How busy does cassien tend to get in November? Any areas worth concentrating on? Hope all is well with your new venture at sierra brava- fantastic place. I loved it. Kind regards
Damien

By: thebigcarphunter

thebigcarphunter — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 09:16:12 +0000

There is a vet’s surgery in Montauroux which is about 3 mins drive from Cassien. The vets is located off a roundabout on your l/h/s as you drive towards Montauroux, I think a large florist is in the same small precinct of shops, if I remember correctly. (There is a Ford garage further down the main road, the vets roundabout is before the Ford garage.) No appontment needed – just turn up for a tape/tickworm treatment.

Cheers

By: Damien Linney

Damien Linney — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 21:42:10 +0000

Hi Jake, I am a good friend & collegue of Matt Dent (EA) not sure if hes mentioned this yet but I wonder if you could help me with some contact details /location of some vets that would be suitable for the journey from Cassien back to Calais.Im planning another trip this November and taking my german shepard for company this year!
Can you just turn up or would you always need an appointment?
Any help would be greatly appreciated, regards Damien

By: thebigcarphunter

thebigcarphunter — Tue, 10 May 2011 20:19:45 +0000

That’s very kind of you but I now have a guiding business in Spain at Sierra Brava – http://www.sierrabravadreams.com. You are more than welcome to come here!

Cheers

Jake