Part
1: Picking a fishery, Preparation and Travel options.
These
days the choice of fishery is endless, all over france there are fisheries
offering top quality fishing and facilities and they all tell us that
they are the best and have the biggest fish.
To be sure that your getting the type of fishing that you are after
it is important to look around, don't just pick the first one that you
see advertised or a mate tells you about in the pub. A trip to France
for a week is costly and therefore you have to be sure that you are
getting what's right for you.
Look
at what you want to achieve from the trip, personal goals. Maybe you
want to catch a 40lb+ fish, or maybe its just a relaxing week by a tranquil
setting bending into a few fish now and again. What ever you want it
is out there for you.
When
I look for a new venue in France, I look to for fill certain criteria.
1. Size of average fish, (not the biggest), as that could be 1 in 150
fish.
2. Traveling time, under 4 hours on the French side, unless I can spend
longer on a venue.
3. Facilities on site, running water, showers, electricity, lodges,
baliffs, etc.
4. Quantity and Quality of stocking compared to the size of the water.
5. Number of anglers per acre of water.
6. Features on the lake.
7. Security, you don't want to be caught out in France, its along walk
home.
8. Nearest shops, and what they have on offer, food wise.
9. Cost of fishing, as well additional costs that may not be included.
10. Pressure over the year from anglers.
The
internet is an excellent source of information, you can see pictures,
read reviews and contact the people in charge to ask questions. Be careful
if the web site is out of date of badly presented, as similarly the
facilities on the lake may reflect the lack of care that the site shows.
Magazines are good as well. Phone around and ask for brochures and information
so that you can build up a comparison with other waters in the region
or around France.
Make
sure its right for you and not your friend who may well have totally
different ideas about what they want from a week away fishing.
As
far as travel goes, this will depend on the venue that you chose, but
be realistic about the amount of time that you want to commit to driving,
flying or floating across to your chosen venue. It an be stressful so
go with a friend who can also drive if you need a break, have a route
planned well in advance and seek regular breaks, especially at night.
The ferries, and Euro Tunnel are both extremely comfortable in their
own ways but think about the time of year you are traveling in, it can
be rough out on the high seas early and late season.
Flying is also an option on some fisheries as they can supply all the
gear that you need.
Coach trips and mini buses really take the stress out of traveling,
and the can be a really good laugh and a way to meet your fellow anglers.
I would really recommend this for 1st time visitors to France.
To
sum up be prepared, and get sorted well before you go, be comfortable
with the company that you are fishing with and the quality of the venue,
and don't leave travel arrangements until the weekend before you go
its far less stressful to arrange it when you book your fishing.
