After enjoying a mega trip to Le Queroy last year, I was sure I wouldn’t be able to beat the result. This year I went with a more relaxed approach of enjoying myself and trying to get a few bites throughout the week. After a ferry trip lasting seven hours in one of the most uncomfortable seats imaginable (I will certainly be booking a cabin next time) we arrived at the venue.

I was hoping for the usual one or two fish a day, however after having a quick walk around and picking swims, this plan was to soon go out of the window. After getting all three rods out, almost instantly I was away and this set the trend for the week. With the fish on the munch from the off, we soon gave up exhausted and the single rod was put to rest on dry land till morning! With a spot picked out on my side of the lake, a plan was hatched to pull as many carp as I could to my lightly baited area. Something I will go into more detail in Carpworld later on in the year!

The carp seemed to be competing with the cats and to start with the ratio was two cats to every carp. This improved throughout the session until the cats didn’t get a look in at all. I even managed a new lake record cat and a PB to boot, weighing in 90lb! I still can’t believe I got it in my landing net!

With 10 cats and more than 60 carp by the end of the trip, for a total weight of 2065lb. It was a painful trip on my arms and back to say the least! Mike Stacey (my little Welsh mate) was rushed off his feet and while he took photos and cooked breakfast (at tea time), managed a rake of fish too. He beat his PB twice and it would have been 5 times if he hadn’t started on a 45lb mirror!

After just fishing 6 days and 3 full nights, I managed 27 carp over the 40lb bracket, the best a brace of 48lb mirror’s.

Every bit of Gardner Tackle used held up to perfection and helped in every capture I had! From Mirage for close in work to Pro XM (Light Blend) for hitting those spots at 100 yards plus. The 20lb Trickster showed its class in landing the 90lb cat without a problem, even with its abrasive mouth. Size 6 Mugga’s were on top form and I landed every fish I made contact with; a great result considering the seer amount of fish hooked! The lead system was a humble Covert lead clip (used with Covert Tungsten Tubing) and a Camflex lead-free leader when using a helicopter set up.

We also enjoyed some time away from the lake with a video and a couple of meals out, so the week soon flew by. After packing away Friday morning and having lunch with the owners, we headed for home very early Saturday morning. It makes me wonder what we had caught if we had fished for the full seven days!

Dan and Jodie have just taken over Le Queroy, and I would like to wish them all the best on their new venture, it’s a great place to get a bend in your rod and to get an aching back! For full details on this excellent venue, please visit the Le Queroy Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Lequeroyfishing