All,
After having a few trips abroad cancelled due to covid, some arguments and lost deposits, we have now rebooked and in the process of planning what to take etc. I'm mostly confident with tackle, bait, travel etc. But I don't know if that's just my first time naivety.
This forum has FAR more experience than I will ever have, and the best lessons are often made from experience and mistakes. So to those who have been to Europe far more than I, what do you know now that you wish you knew on your first trip across?
After having a few trips abroad cancelled due to covid, some arguments and lost deposits, we have now rebooked and in the process of planning what to take etc. I'm mostly confident with tackle, bait, travel etc. But I don't know if that's just my first time naivety.
This forum has FAR more experience than I will ever have, and the best lessons are often made from experience and mistakes. So to those who have been to Europe far more than I, what do you know now that you wish you knew on your first trip across?
In reply to Post #1
Relax it's a holiday
Relax it's a holiday
In reply to Post #1
you going to a established organised pay lake or somewhere wild in the middle of nowhere ?
If a more commercial place, just your normal gear, insect repellent and powerpack(s) for charging your phone and if using a boat your own life jacket.
Treat it as a holiday
you going to a established organised pay lake or somewhere wild in the middle of nowhere ?
If a more commercial place, just your normal gear, insect repellent and powerpack(s) for charging your phone and if using a boat your own life jacket.
Treat it as a holiday
Do as much research as you can on chosen lake, river etc...
I always write a full list of everything needed , car bits, forms/covid requirements, tackle and kit,food and so on...
Then just relax and enjoy the time away...
I always write a full list of everything needed , car bits, forms/covid requirements, tackle and kit,food and so on...
Then just relax and enjoy the time away...
In reply to Post #1
most lakes are not alot of different to fishing in the UK, unless you are going to places like cassien, Salagou etc
biggest lesson learnt for me
1) i used to take far too much kit
2) i'll only fish whole lake bookings
most lakes are not alot of different to fishing in the UK, unless you are going to places like cassien, Salagou etc
biggest lesson learnt for me
1) i used to take far too much kit
2) i'll only fish whole lake bookings
In reply to Post #1
Choose your venues wisely and always have a few spare euros just encase, I found the best tarts are in Rouen (not the ones you eat)(well you can if that is your thing).
Choose your venues wisely and always have a few spare euros just encase, I found the best tarts are in Rouen (not the ones you eat)(well you can if that is your thing).
In reply to Post #5
Same lesson here. As I don't fish with many mates (bit of a loner with my fishing) I look at smaller lake exclusive options and usually suitable for a family (got family trip to Golden Oaks next year) so choosing the right venue for you/your party is essential. At the end of the day you are carp fishing so unless it is extreme venues so same gear as your UK fishing and no need to take the kitchen sink. In terms of tackle make sure you have plenty of hooks and leads, and always take a bit more bait than is needed as you can always take it home
Same lesson here. As I don't fish with many mates (bit of a loner with my fishing) I look at smaller lake exclusive options and usually suitable for a family (got family trip to Golden Oaks next year) so choosing the right venue for you/your party is essential. At the end of the day you are carp fishing so unless it is extreme venues so same gear as your UK fishing and no need to take the kitchen sink. In terms of tackle make sure you have plenty of hooks and leads, and always take a bit more bait than is needed as you can always take it home
In reply to Post #5
Agree to whole lake bookings. The only way to go
Agree to whole lake bookings. The only way to go
I think the biggest mistake that people make is the mind set of I am going to France this is going to be easy. As other have said book a lake with a few like minded friend relax and enjoy.
In reply to Post #1
Going in the first place as it's totally addictive. I first went fishing in France over 30 years ago and have now moved over here. I wouldn't have it any other way but be warned it can be a costly experience! Whatever you do, enjoy and take in the French way of life.
Going in the first place as it's totally addictive. I first went fishing in France over 30 years ago and have now moved over here. I wouldn't have it any other way but be warned it can be a costly experience! Whatever you do, enjoy and take in the French way of life.
Thanks for all the tips. We've booked Les Rivets for 2 weeks. Lake exclusive and there will be 4 of us on it. Struggling to find any information on the lake that's relevant as it was fully drained and dug to remove snags and silt in 2018 so all information ore then wouldn't apply. Anyone fished it recently?
In reply to Post #1
I would never go back to a pay lake and enjoy the public venues. There you have more freedom to pick a swim, pack up and follow the fish.
I would never go back to a pay lake and enjoy the public venues. There you have more freedom to pick a swim, pack up and follow the fish.
In reply to Post #12
Don't drive through the night.
Catch an earlier boat 🛥 or cho cho 🚉 train.
Hotels are not that expensive (don't use an F1)
You can have a good night's sleep and get to the lake wide eye'd and bushy tailed.
It's a holiday not an endurance.
Tight lines
Ps
Keep your passport 🛂 in the front not buried underneath a mountain of tackle ❗
Don't drive through the night.
Catch an earlier boat 🛥 or cho cho 🚉 train.
Hotels are not that expensive (don't use an F1)
You can have a good night's sleep and get to the lake wide eye'd and bushy tailed.
It's a holiday not an endurance.
Tight lines
Ps
Keep your passport 🛂 in the front not buried underneath a mountain of tackle ❗
In reply to Post #13
Good advice Mike, hope you are keeping well m8!
Good advice Mike, hope you are keeping well m8!
In reply to Post #13
re passports or anything of value...
Dont leave them on show if you stop at a services.
My mate had passport, cash, driving licence, bank cards stolen from his van whilst they were at the back of their van having a sandwich
re passports or anything of value...
Dont leave them on show if you stop at a services.
My mate had passport, cash, driving licence, bank cards stolen from his van whilst they were at the back of their van having a sandwich