Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Barn Owl Lake
We will be carrying out a full stock assessment of the lake on Thurs 22nd Jan. The aquaculture college of Saint Pee sur Nivelle are coming to share the experience and weigh the substantial number of carp. We added an extra 50 thirties in November so 2009 will be a big fish runs water. Given the fact that tackle, bait, food, accommodation and airport pickup services are available flying down to Toulouse is the cheapest, fastest and most hassle free of making it down here to the South West. You can leave London on a saturday morning and be fishing before midday same day whithout even the hassle of putting a bivvy up. Barn Owl is an easy water where most of our previous guests have never been able to fish for the full twenty four hours every day of the week. If you need to know details on tackle, bait and so on, just post a comment and we shall get back to you.
Fishing in Spain
I've always thoroughly enjoyed the fishing in Spain and to be honest most waters have been kind to us in terms of results. The guided catfish trips to Mequinenza and Caspe have been running since 2002 and I can't even imagine how many fish have come out to our guests. If you are interested I have two dates left for Caspe this year, one in June and one in September, both very productive periods. I have done some fieldtesting on other Spanish lakes mostly targetting predators, the target for 2008 was to catch a 40lb+ pike, after having several 35plusses, I managed to bank late december an absolute crocodile of a pike measuring 1m35 ! I won't even comment on the number of zander caught because when you hit it right it is one a chuck. Hence, if any of you guys wish to experience something different on massive beautiful waters with little or no pressure, give us a call. The typical day is made of lure fishing from a boat then getting back to camp to do some carp fishing for those that are not too knackered from the day on the boat.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Domaine de Boux
Christophe Lardry netted the lake in December so as to remove excess roach and he also took out all the carp below 10kg (22lb). This means that the lake carp average is just about awesome ! I will be going there in the following weeks to organise with owner the improvement of the wood bank swims and a better following of facilities by Philippe the on site bailiff. Boux has been established for more than a decade now, some of the large residents are over 30years old (scaly, big leather) and are holding their weights well, the carp introduced 7 years ago are pushing hard, 3 of those are now over 50lb and loads are 40+. You cannot fault the fishing there and certainly can't expect to be hassled by the bailiff, the water is truly to yourselves to enjoy.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Etang de la Botte
After a b&h (bad habit) and a quick tug on the nesspresso machine, here goes for some more news on the lakes:
La Botte
In early March we will be digging a new borehole for the water, putting new wash bassins in, changing the shower arrangement... The comments on these have been regular and we are committed that these improvements will be made before the start of 2009 season. Photos of the new structures will be placed both on website and this blog.
I dont know if you have noticed on your regular UK waters that some years they don't behave as consistently as usual, this was the case for La Botte in 2008 as it was for the Goncourt Great Lake in 2007, Boux and Les Saules in 2005... The first three weeks of the 08 season got us quite worried on what was going on as few fish graced the bank whereas previous years start of season was awesome, then came some massive captures with guests only fishing two rods because they could not keep up with action... Things did even out come April and we were more than reassured that not only the fish were healthy but they were also doing major growth. On a couple of june 2008 weeks the carp had a strange behaviour of hammering natural food on one side of the lake for 5-8days then deserting the area only to establish camp on the other side of the lake for the following 5-8days. That feeding scenerio worked for the fish but led to some frustration of guests watching through binoculars the others anglers hauling on the far bank. Pascale on site had to deal with that understandable frustration of some guests not sharing consistent action, but and it is a big but, those that did not have serious hauls of fish in numbers did encounter some very big carp. It was like the big carp were doing their own thing whilst the sundenly created shoals were busy elsewhere. From experience, I know that this chance in behaviour is punctual because on la botte it is not feature and food related as it may be on some other peggy lakes. The venue has a huge stock of carp compared to most lakes but the above just shows that even then, they may not behave and spread evenly every week like pawns on a chessboard. La Botte is both suited to experienced continental anglers looking for a 55lb+ or even 60+ and those relatively inexperienced wishing to get cramp from rod action. It's fairly unusual for one lake to suit both ambitions.
La Botte
In early March we will be digging a new borehole for the water, putting new wash bassins in, changing the shower arrangement... The comments on these have been regular and we are committed that these improvements will be made before the start of 2009 season. Photos of the new structures will be placed both on website and this blog.
I dont know if you have noticed on your regular UK waters that some years they don't behave as consistently as usual, this was the case for La Botte in 2008 as it was for the Goncourt Great Lake in 2007, Boux and Les Saules in 2005... The first three weeks of the 08 season got us quite worried on what was going on as few fish graced the bank whereas previous years start of season was awesome, then came some massive captures with guests only fishing two rods because they could not keep up with action... Things did even out come April and we were more than reassured that not only the fish were healthy but they were also doing major growth. On a couple of june 2008 weeks the carp had a strange behaviour of hammering natural food on one side of the lake for 5-8days then deserting the area only to establish camp on the other side of the lake for the following 5-8days. That feeding scenerio worked for the fish but led to some frustration of guests watching through binoculars the others anglers hauling on the far bank. Pascale on site had to deal with that understandable frustration of some guests not sharing consistent action, but and it is a big but, those that did not have serious hauls of fish in numbers did encounter some very big carp. It was like the big carp were doing their own thing whilst the sundenly created shoals were busy elsewhere. From experience, I know that this chance in behaviour is punctual because on la botte it is not feature and food related as it may be on some other peggy lakes. The venue has a huge stock of carp compared to most lakes but the above just shows that even then, they may not behave and spread evenly every week like pawns on a chessboard. La Botte is both suited to experienced continental anglers looking for a 55lb+ or even 60+ and those relatively inexperienced wishing to get cramp from rod action. It's fairly unusual for one lake to suit both ambitions.
Friday, January 16, 2009
News : Great Lake, Traque, Saules, Robin, Woods...and Pascale, of course
Well, given the fact that on the 16th Jan only Sandrine and myself are members of the blog as it is not yet publicised, I'll crack on and give some winter fisheries management news for every lake, here goes:
Goncourt Great Lake
If it aint broke, don't fix it, in other words we are not adding any fish to the lake as it is doing just so well in terms of natural development. Those having fished it in the early 2000 years would not recognise the lake now. Trees 10m+ high, 2 outgoing peninsulas, cosy discreet swims...
I am pleased that it did a 60+ carp in 2008 and even more enthiusastic in the fact that I KNOW that a sixty plus fully scaled beauty is waiting to be caught. I'll be having a crack at it myself if work and kids allow for a few days there, but the mission is extremely high on my angling agenda for 2009. Those having fished the lake over the last few years will know where the big scaly monsters "sun" themselves during some afternoons... Come on lads, awesome fish caught in 2008 but even better to look forward to in 09. Forget stereotyped angling, behave and fish as a hunter with your eyes and gear.
Goncourt La Traque
The addition of a chalet and own toilet/shower facilities has enhanced the fishery in terms of comfort. The stock is now well known and still growing steadily with the numbers of fifty plusses increasing every year. The lake has a human scale to it for it's angling approach and a social aspect also given it's central peninsula. The fishing can be very prolific on this lake given the numbers present but that does not mean that they will jump into the landing net. Use too much bait in the wrong place and the fish will move away from you much to the satisfaction of your neighbour. My advice is to plumb, fish for one fish at a time then if hundreds of fish are crashing in front of you, adjust the feed going in to the number of takes. Please do not overstrike fish in there on take, I have noticed a couple of horrific rips on some fish due to bad angling and the use of fine gauge wire hooks. No midwater snags are present, so a bend in the rod is good and required to stop kiting but please no sudden sharp jolts back on strike, if the fish has taken 5m of line on take, it's already hooked...
Enjoy the lake, hospitality and fishing, a truly awesome venue by any standard.
Goncourt Les Saules
No changes are planned for this winter, we are all pleased that the 45lb+ commons are now making regular appearances on the bank. Some groups in 2008 had some indecent captures of thirties and forties with the odd fifty, fair play to them. This is a lake where if you wish to get a "result" to get the best out you will need to remove fingers from back pocket and get an accurate picture of features in front of you. Please remember that as much as the far bank is productive, many mid-distance features are more than worth the effort in finding. If you intend to mark these for casting I would advise you placing a marker at the back end of them rather than on them as this does clue the fish up on your intentions to catch them. This lake is one where walking around on a calm sunny day will give you a serious idea on the stock and their behaviour. Les Saules is by no means difficult or daunting, far from it, loads of fish to go for with features to target for all four rods. And yes, if there was an ultimate social lake this is it a perfect horseshoe lake to share fishing with mates whilst never being far away from the rods.
Goncourt Robin Lake
After 7 years of fisheries science studies and 15 years of fisheries management I thought that good surprises would become rarer, wrong... Yep, us here in office were advertising this lake as a low twenty pound+ lake with the odd upper thirty one year and the next year it produces an absolute avalanche of thirties, forties and three fifties ! Nobody is complaining, far from it, get on there quick because if they carry on growing at the same speed god knows what 2009 & 2010 will yield. No major plans for the lake this year, we will be discussing with Pascale the possibility of opening and embanking some of the swims so as to make them more comfy. The mobile home remains on site for exclusive creature comforts and the chance to share privileged moments with angling friends or family.
Goncourt Woods Lake
We will be netting the lake this winter so as to remove some of the young carp present, they have not been too much of an issue in 2008 but would be in 2009. The task of netting this lake is a major one, an island and some serious gravel bars will ensure that this will be a proper nightmare as it was when it was done 6 years ago. If any of you guys fancy wrestling 100lb+ catfish over the net, please join us to get wet, slimy and cold. Apart from being hard work the netting will be a good social and an experience in itself. Woods was from some years "in the shadow" of the other Goncourt lakes, well, the wheel turns and it has become a very natural big fish producing venue. It is the only lake on the complex that has many common carp that fight like demons ! I'm sure the massive cats have instructed them on how to perform fast swimming. Expect your side rods to be ripped off the rod pods because on take both carp and cats go for it big style. A very entertaining lake to say the least.
Goncourt Pascale
I've saved the best till last. If anybody can say a bad word about her then they can expect the wrath of all those Goncourt fans that have ever met her. The whole complex would not be as authentic, as genuine and as friendly if it was not down to her love of meeting guests and making them genuinly feel at home. I don't even want to think of the number of pies she has baked over the years, anybody else would have gone "sod it" let's do industrial pies... Not Pascale, a symbol of a true welcome is far more important that any financial or gain of personal time. She may have a french accent that most will find inviting and blue eyes that go with her kindness but if you break the rules or lack respect to the fish, family or the complex then you can expect her to kick you off promptly with my 100% approval. She enjoy's the job tremendously so it's up to you guests to preserve that ongoing enthiusasm that is so rare.
I'll be commenting on our other lakes on next post.
A bientôt,
Simon
Goncourt Great Lake
If it aint broke, don't fix it, in other words we are not adding any fish to the lake as it is doing just so well in terms of natural development. Those having fished it in the early 2000 years would not recognise the lake now. Trees 10m+ high, 2 outgoing peninsulas, cosy discreet swims...
I am pleased that it did a 60+ carp in 2008 and even more enthiusastic in the fact that I KNOW that a sixty plus fully scaled beauty is waiting to be caught. I'll be having a crack at it myself if work and kids allow for a few days there, but the mission is extremely high on my angling agenda for 2009. Those having fished the lake over the last few years will know where the big scaly monsters "sun" themselves during some afternoons... Come on lads, awesome fish caught in 2008 but even better to look forward to in 09. Forget stereotyped angling, behave and fish as a hunter with your eyes and gear.
Goncourt La Traque
The addition of a chalet and own toilet/shower facilities has enhanced the fishery in terms of comfort. The stock is now well known and still growing steadily with the numbers of fifty plusses increasing every year. The lake has a human scale to it for it's angling approach and a social aspect also given it's central peninsula. The fishing can be very prolific on this lake given the numbers present but that does not mean that they will jump into the landing net. Use too much bait in the wrong place and the fish will move away from you much to the satisfaction of your neighbour. My advice is to plumb, fish for one fish at a time then if hundreds of fish are crashing in front of you, adjust the feed going in to the number of takes. Please do not overstrike fish in there on take, I have noticed a couple of horrific rips on some fish due to bad angling and the use of fine gauge wire hooks. No midwater snags are present, so a bend in the rod is good and required to stop kiting but please no sudden sharp jolts back on strike, if the fish has taken 5m of line on take, it's already hooked...
Enjoy the lake, hospitality and fishing, a truly awesome venue by any standard.
Goncourt Les Saules
No changes are planned for this winter, we are all pleased that the 45lb+ commons are now making regular appearances on the bank. Some groups in 2008 had some indecent captures of thirties and forties with the odd fifty, fair play to them. This is a lake where if you wish to get a "result" to get the best out you will need to remove fingers from back pocket and get an accurate picture of features in front of you. Please remember that as much as the far bank is productive, many mid-distance features are more than worth the effort in finding. If you intend to mark these for casting I would advise you placing a marker at the back end of them rather than on them as this does clue the fish up on your intentions to catch them. This lake is one where walking around on a calm sunny day will give you a serious idea on the stock and their behaviour. Les Saules is by no means difficult or daunting, far from it, loads of fish to go for with features to target for all four rods. And yes, if there was an ultimate social lake this is it a perfect horseshoe lake to share fishing with mates whilst never being far away from the rods.
Goncourt Robin Lake
After 7 years of fisheries science studies and 15 years of fisheries management I thought that good surprises would become rarer, wrong... Yep, us here in office were advertising this lake as a low twenty pound+ lake with the odd upper thirty one year and the next year it produces an absolute avalanche of thirties, forties and three fifties ! Nobody is complaining, far from it, get on there quick because if they carry on growing at the same speed god knows what 2009 & 2010 will yield. No major plans for the lake this year, we will be discussing with Pascale the possibility of opening and embanking some of the swims so as to make them more comfy. The mobile home remains on site for exclusive creature comforts and the chance to share privileged moments with angling friends or family.
Goncourt Woods Lake
We will be netting the lake this winter so as to remove some of the young carp present, they have not been too much of an issue in 2008 but would be in 2009. The task of netting this lake is a major one, an island and some serious gravel bars will ensure that this will be a proper nightmare as it was when it was done 6 years ago. If any of you guys fancy wrestling 100lb+ catfish over the net, please join us to get wet, slimy and cold. Apart from being hard work the netting will be a good social and an experience in itself. Woods was from some years "in the shadow" of the other Goncourt lakes, well, the wheel turns and it has become a very natural big fish producing venue. It is the only lake on the complex that has many common carp that fight like demons ! I'm sure the massive cats have instructed them on how to perform fast swimming. Expect your side rods to be ripped off the rod pods because on take both carp and cats go for it big style. A very entertaining lake to say the least.
Goncourt Pascale
I've saved the best till last. If anybody can say a bad word about her then they can expect the wrath of all those Goncourt fans that have ever met her. The whole complex would not be as authentic, as genuine and as friendly if it was not down to her love of meeting guests and making them genuinly feel at home. I don't even want to think of the number of pies she has baked over the years, anybody else would have gone "sod it" let's do industrial pies... Not Pascale, a symbol of a true welcome is far more important that any financial or gain of personal time. She may have a french accent that most will find inviting and blue eyes that go with her kindness but if you break the rules or lack respect to the fish, family or the complex then you can expect her to kick you off promptly with my 100% approval. She enjoy's the job tremendously so it's up to you guests to preserve that ongoing enthiusasm that is so rare.
I'll be commenting on our other lakes on next post.
A bientôt,
Simon
Welcome to the Hortonfishing Blog
I would like to wish you a warm welcome to this sharing space of those having or wishing to fish our French and European specimen venues. As much as we do publish feedbacks on the website this area is dedicated to being more interactive so as to get as much information as possible on the latest information on the lakes. These details may make the difference in terms of approaching the venues with the correct methods, tactics, baits and confidence in what is done on the bank. We are happy to hear from those having positive and negative experiences, on the latter please justify with accurate facts and contexts. The sort of comment like "I blanked, winnie the poo lake, no fish in here" is not going to be any help to anyone, but if you felt let down I the first am interested to know why and address the problem. For ten years my policy has always has been one of no bullshit, just fishing. I intend to keep it that way and with our lake owner partners work 100% for our guests to be happy no matter how good or bad the fishing may be. A browse through the catch reports will tell you that the fish are there to be caught and do get caught with regular awesome surprises in terms of growth. My wish for this Blog is for you guys having had an experience on our lakes to share it, even after a trip, there are always a few questions on: what would have happened if I had done that ? Well let's get the ball rolling and planning ahead whilst the fish are enjoying a winter of 2008-09 rest.
On behalf of Horton Management, lake owners and managers may I wish you all the best for 2009.
Simon Horton M.Sc.,M.I.F.M.,C.Env.
On behalf of Horton Management, lake owners and managers may I wish you all the best for 2009.
Simon Horton M.Sc.,M.I.F.M.,C.Env.
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