Posts Tagged ‘Gigantica’

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Some Shots With Trakker!

August 2, 2010

Good Morning.

I thought I would give you all a short update. My first week in the UK has not surprisingly flown by. A lovely weekend was spent with friends, and the boat regatta, in and around the docks of Bristol, was thoroughly enjoyed. The house party afterwards went on into the early hours and my only regret was not getting the blonds’ telephone number!!

Tomorrow I am off to a location in the Cotswolds. I am joining other members of Trakkers’ outfit to do a shoot for a future catalogue. My dogs will be trying to sneak into a few pictures no doubt and we have been given a Colossus and other equipment for the three day jolly!

I only found out about this event whilst staying at Gigantica for three nights. Richard Farnham and Matt Quibble were fishing alongside Neil Spooner and company. I am eager to find out how Trakkers’ intrepid duo got on at the French lake, as when I left, they had both yet to score!

I will write a blog of the three-day Trakker event when I return. There are some stunning carp in this water; whether I fish or not will be a different matter though, as unfortunately I have no tackle with me. However, I am hoping someone will have a spare rod and reel with them, and a spot of stalking will definitely have to be done. I can’t wait!

Back soon.

Jake and the dogs.

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Posted in Vacation Blogs | Leave a Comment »

Four Days and Counting!

June 16, 2010

Good Morning.

I have received confirmation that my Colossus is on its way from the UK. A new house for my dogs and I in time for my next session. Trakker’s shelters have impressed me to date and I first saw the Colossus last October in France when it was being filmed for some promotional footage. I liked what I saw, but as always, until you slip it on your own foot for size (so to speak), you never quite know how good it is going to be. Size wise I am sure it will be big enough, but it is the other aspects I am interested in; how quick it is to erect, how strong is it in high winds, what is the ventilation like, is the integrated groundsheet impermeable etc… Oh and will it keep the mossies at bay! I will find out in due course…

My little break so far has been very worthwhile. I have emailed two finished articles off to relevant publications, and sorted out all of my washing. My dogs beds also need some attention as they have started to reek a little; a culmination of a stay in a dog kennel, long sessions, and little time in between for washing beds! My equipment is also reaching the stage where a thorough overhaul and general maintenance is needed, and the only way to carry this out is to take time out and spend a careful week going through all of your kit with a fine tooth comb. How many times have you noticed something is broken, only to arrive for a session and discover the broken item is… oops… still broken!

France is calling after my next session and I will be making the long journey back to my Gigantica base. I won’t be doing any fishing as the place is fully booked till the end of November, plus I caught my fish from there last year. I will however be sorting through all of my equipment, and also doing a little research on some French waters to fish on my way down to Spain – my winter destination for 2010/2011. What! Did you think I was undertaking another long, cold, and bleak winter carp fishing… never again!

I came to Italy to try to better my common carp record caught in Italy in 2008. I haven’t managed it yet, but I still have one final two-week session to go. It may be the fairy tale ending I am searching for. If I don’t manage it, it matters not, as it means I have to keep trying elsewhere. Spain could be the obvious place to do it?

I have however enjoyed the Italian experience and after a slow start, I have speeded up and caught very well during the last couple of months. The real big fish have been missing, but if I am really honest, I am not too bothered about that – I would rather just be catching carp these days and the lump will come if it’s really meant to be. I have realised there is no point stressing if the big fish aren’t coming as it does not make them suddenly appear in your net, and fishing for long sessions certainly does not guarantee a big fish either. Sometimes a little luck is needed and I have lost fish whilst I have fished in Italy…Who is to say that one of them wasn’t a 30kg common?

My next blog will come from the side of a lake on Sunday the 20th of June. I hope you join me for my final session in Italy.

Ciao

Jake and the dogs.

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Posted in The Italian Job! | 1 Comment »

Tonight is Looking Good!

April 13, 2010

Good Evening.

Nothing happened last night which after the previous night was a little disappointing; however, I don’t believe the carp are visiting the area every night as the lake is very big, nor do I expect them to throw themselves on the hook and crawl up the line into my landing net! Looking back to the previous night’s action, the two takes were about four hours apart which suggests to me that two groups, possibly more, visited the area looking for food. What is also notable is the fact I have four rods in that area widely spaced down the long length of bank, and the action came on just the one rod. Tonight will be interesting!

Any carp on the horizon?

The weather today has been very changeable, but as I write this the evening is warm and sunny. Last night in comparison was quite chilly and we did have some cold winds yesterday afternoon. I now reckon these slight changes may make all the difference with regards to what happens each night, although I do think once the carp begin their eating quest leading up to the spawning period, this mission to find food remains quite consistent. Speaking with some of the local carp anglers over the last few days, they all predict action at night when they fish, and not during the day, unless there is rain increasing the oxygen levels. I will point out here that Emanuele and I are the only anglers on the entire lake at the moment, as most locals don’t even bother till the weather gets warmer. There are a few hardcore regulars, but it seems most others prefer to wait till the sun shines with more strength and the water temperatures are higher. (I believe they are called fair weather anglers!) It is always nice to catch a carp in the day, but on some waters, night-time seems to be only window of opportunity for a take. Saying that I did catch my biggest carp ever at 2.30pm on a very hot afternoon at Gigantica so there are always exceptions to this rule and maybe because it was such a large fish it felt the need to eat more often than the smaller carp.

I had to make do with dog shampoo after my haircut!!

I have been to check on my rods today, and have redone one which has been in the water since Sunday. I have put this in a slightly different spot amongst some new lilies that are showing. It looks a great spot from the boat! I have also made a large dent into the next part of No Fixed Abode which will get finished tomorrow, so we have time to begin the preparation for the forthcoming Enduro. I have also shaved my head (done every three weeks), cooked some nice pasta, and I have also nipped to the local commercial centre for more dog food and to top up my internet sticks. All in all a busy day and we both hope it will be a busy night. The one good thing about not catching last night was I got a great night’s sleep and for once I didn’t dream about fishing!

Cheers

Jake and the dogs.

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Posted in The Italian Job! | 4 Comments »

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