carp fishing tips

My approach to Lesmont

A chance to take some pics with a better carp angler Carp fishing holidays at Lac des Lesmont - Whilst in session at La Horre I decided to take a few hours break and carry out a RECCE of the blue spots close to the town of Brienne Le Chateau and discovered ptentials for carp fishing holidays. Several lakes were visited and one particular lake stood out as a possibility for a future article. The lake is a recent addition to the commercial water scene having been purchased last Summer and only recently opened as a fishery. The owners Andy & Marie have since given the lake and site a complete makeover, with the help of the handy man and onsite bailiff Dave Toyer. Their aim was to create the ideal carp fishing holiday venue, a lake that would be suited to all, from the hardened angler to those looking for fairly easy fishing in clean secure surroundings. The makeover included the building of new swims, facilities and a 2 storey cabin, it is now ready in all respects and must say it is now an excellent venue! They have created a fishery that will be become renowned for its large stock of good-sized carp, excellent facilities that is ran by a helpful English bailiff.
The venue lies in the county of Aube in the heart of the Champagne region, an area synonymous for producing some of the largest carp in the country. The journey from Calais is fairly straight forward, south on the A26 to below Reims followed by a 20 minute cross country drive to the lake. It took us 3.5 hours with a toll cost of approximately 25 euros, be aware that toll prices do vary: depending on size of vehicle or if a trailer is being towed.
Unlike most commercial venues in France this lake is open all year, winter rates differ to the summer by 20 percent. It amazes me how many UK anglers hang up their Euro rods during the cooler months, winter fishing on the continent can be rewarding as the carp are at their heaviest. I am considering return trip to Lesmont in December, fishing from the cabin! Picture the scene: sitting in that fresh wood smelling lodge, watching a DVD whilst sampling the quality champagne of the region, awaiting a run from the rods situated on the balcony only 10 yards away, with the possibility of catching a big fish at their heaviest weights? I would much prefer these comforts than the hardships of the winter bivvy, wouldn’t you?

Approach to this carp lake in France

All inclusive is available Due to having only 60 hours fishing on Lesmont to write this piece it was pressure angling at it best, normally I prefer to spend at least 5 days, which enables me to research each swim, features and find some successful methods, however the 60 hours were enough! Despite the odds being against us, the fishing surpassed expectations as we managed to land over 30 carp, 10 of which were above 30 lb (13.5 kg) and included 2 x 40s (17.5 kg), the biggest being over 48 lb (22 kg), a right result in the time available?
The onsite bailiff was there to greet us on arrival, due to the time constraints it was necessary to get started as quick as possible, however the golden rule of location was still in our mind. As we stood on the cabin balcony a couple of carp crashed giving away their presence, no need to look any further! It was then a case of finding features around that area, where they were likely to pick up a hook bait. The obvious spots were at the base of the marginal drop, close to the lodge tree line. With the use of a marker float rod the marginal baseline was located. A couple of kilograms of hemp and Lac Lesmont onsite special boilies were scattered under the overhanging trees and towards the selected areas.
Rigs were kept basic consisting of approximately 10 inches of flouro carbon to a size 4 teflon line aligner. Within a couple of hours Rob managed to land a couple of small but hard fighting carp. The area was topped up with another kilo boilies, hoping that the boilie only approach would pull in a better stamp of fish. We used a total of 20 kg of 20 mm boilies during the short session, topping up as we felt it necessary. That night my first carp came in the way of a mid 20. After that they just kept coming, it was tiring but rewarding. I had 2 runs at once on several occasions and when the bigger carp moved in we would often have braces or trios of 30s on the mats. Due to a few snags under the tree line, we used armaled lockjaw clips, they worked as expected dropping the lead every time a carp attempted to find sanctuary.
Good carp form Lesmont Due to the onsite boilie’s going in on a regular basis, the fish do recognize them as an established food source, all rods were switched to them. In total I landed 20 carp to over 40 lb (17.5 kg) with 8 over 30 lbs (13.5 kg), Rob managed 11 to 48 lb (22 kg). My biggest fish was a fish is known as Physco, an aptly named fish as it fought like Mike Tyson and went mad on the mat. Robs 48 mirror was just as powerful and known as Ronny after the Kray twins. All of my fish were above 25 lbs (12 kg), not a bad average for any venue? A word of advice; these carp are extremely powerful and are amongst the hardest fighting lake carp that I have ever caught, for some reason the Lesmont fish are extra fierce!

Facilities on this French carp venue

The two-storey cabin is ideal for those wishing to take their better half, due to being of new build; it is absolutely immaculate and still retains that aroma of wood! The single and double bedrooms are more than suitable for a family. If an extra bed is needed the settee doubles as a sofa bed. The kitchen is modern, clean and has all of the facilities and utensils to whip up the heartiest of culinary delights, including pots, pans, kettle, cutlery, fridge freezer, microwave English sockets, gas cooker, toaster, adaptors and more. Other facilities and appliances include shower, toilet, washbasin, telephone, DVD player, TV (satellite planned), storage area, private bivvy area and small grassed area where the kids can play badminton etc
I was actually booked to stay in the lodge and planned to fish from the comforts of it, however on arrival myself and Rob decided it was too clean for us and better left that way i.e. we are both rough round the edge type carp anglers, without doubt we would have had it smelling of carp au de toilet within days!
The standard facilities for those that have not booked the cabin are also of a high standard including mens/womens toilet, Fridge freezer, microwave, hot clean showers, storage room, electric points for bait boats, telephone and shaving point.
Most essential items and baits are sold onsite including a large range of Nash boilie’s, dips, glugs, pop ups, batteries, terminal tackle, pellets of various types, well prepared particles including hemp and maize.
Large beanie mats are available for hire, which is a good idea as it prevents your car from smelling of fish, we all know it takes weeks to get rid of that smell.
A number of supermarkets can be found in the local town, 10 minutes down the road including Aldi, Champion and Intermarche.
The bailiff Dave is an experienced carp angler and lives onsite, he is able to monitor the fish’s movements and habits and will give advice when requested. He knows the features of the lake; a wise man would ask his advice on arrival! All of our fish came to the Lac Lesmont boilie’s, they are similar in price to what you would expect to pay in the UK. They are specially designed for the nutritional requirements of that strain of carp. Due to them going in on a regular basis they are established and recognised as a food source for that reason I recommend you use them on one or two rods.

Carp stock is good for holiday anglers

An awsome photo of a des lesmont fish coming to the net The original stock consisted of 300 - 400 mirrors, commons and grass carp, it was enhanced in Nov 2004 with 1.5 ton of carp ranging from 22 – 47 lb (11 kg – 21 kg). An additional half-ton of 30 lb (13.5 kg) plus carp were added in late Nov.
This year 10 x 30s (13.5 kg), 2 x 50s (23kg) and a 67 lb (30 kg) catfish have been stocked. The 2 fifties are known as Ronny and Regie, after the Krays, why? They are known to be right tearaways! The current lake record is not expected to stand for long as the fish are gaining some impressive weights. The current records stand at 56.2 lb (25 kg) mirror and 45.8 lb (20 kg) common. Weight gains taken into consideration, the lake now contains an estimated 100 x 30s (13.5 kg), 40 x 40s (17.5 kg) and 6 x 50s (22.5 kg).

Rules on this French venue

The main rules are:

No plastic baits
All fish to be treated with carp clinic
No lead core
No unattended rods
No rowing boats (remote control boats are allowed)
No encroaching on other anglers swims
Particles must be purchased onsite – pre orders are taken upon reservation
3 rods per angler

Swims and features

The mature triangular shaped gravel pit has many features including a number of prominent gravel bars, marginal spots, snags, gravel humps, bumps and overhanging trees. All of the swims have been strategically located i.e. all have features of some description in front of them. There is ample room to park the car within your own area, therefore the carp porter can stay at home as there are no long walks with the gear. 4 of the swims are big enough for 2 large bivvie’s and still have ample room to cast and play fish.

Swim numbers and features are as follows:

A goof carp whilst on my holidays Swim 1 is an ideal margin swim where it drops of from 5 to 25 feet, the base of the drop off is a good spot to place a bait, especially at night as the fish often patrol this area.
Swim 2 has a pronounced gravel bar running from the bank to its front and a dead tree in the margins to the right.
Swim 3 is the cabin swim, it has overhanging trees, sub surface snags either side and some gravel patches and holes to its front. The swim can be fished without booking the cabin.
Swim 4 has a small bar running out from the right margin, the main feature is the overhanging tree line. There are a few underwater snags close to the overhangs that you should be aware of.
Swim 5 has a long gravel bar that extends to the front with a depth of 14 ft at the base and 3 feet on top.
Swim 6 has a few humps and bumps with a number of rough patches.
Swim 7 has a few reeds and a gravel bar that has a depth 9 feet on top.
Swim 8 has a few weed patches and an overhanging tree to the left. For those who own a remote control boat the far marginal tree line is a productive area.
Swim 9/10 is a double swim that has some nice overhanging trees on the opposite bank, there are also a few snags that normally hold carp.
Swim 11 is located at the top end of the lake; slightly stronger tackle is recommended, as there are a number of underwater snags. Rigs encompassing a lead release system are required and is a swim recommended for the more experienced angler.

Conclusion on this lac

I am often asked where can I take my wife fishing? You wont go far wrong on this lake! The onsite cabin is located next to some prime features and attractive for both the family angler and those who opt for a little more comfort than sleeping in a bivvy.
An extra incentive is presented to the angler that lands the largest fish of the week in the way of a silver fishing reel key ring. Overall, Lac des Lesmont has a good stock of carp of all sizes, it is relaxing holiday fishing and immaculate with good facilities! A good quality commercial venue, Enjoy!