Admittedly, never fished outside of the UK. Know lots of anglers who have been to France, but what about other countries and venues!
Why are carp anglers in the UK seemingly obsessed with going to France? Are there any other countries or venues that would appeal? Italy, Holland, Belgium.... + more?
Keen to hear about other carp venues outside of France, or am I missing something special about France fishing? Germany is difficult to fish the good venues because they're the real deal secret squirrel crew, so I hear
Why are carp anglers in the UK seemingly obsessed with going to France? Are there any other countries or venues that would appeal? Italy, Holland, Belgium.... + more?
Keen to hear about other carp venues outside of France, or am I missing something special about France fishing? Germany is difficult to fish the good venues because they're the real deal secret squirrel crew, so I hear
In reply to Post #1
A lot of other countries worth considering but maybe not this year!
Best chance of enjoying a fishing holiday this year without the risk of it being cancelled would be in the UK.
A lot of other countries worth considering but maybe not this year!
Best chance of enjoying a fishing holiday this year without the risk of it being cancelled would be in the UK.
In reply to Post #1
I suspect because it's closer and easier to get to lots of lakes in France. Normally see questions being asked about lakes within a few hours drive of calais.
I suspect because it's closer and easier to get to lots of lakes in France. Normally see questions being asked about lakes within a few hours drive of calais.
In reply to Post #3
And yet Belgium is as close and a fraction of the size of France. I guess what's prompted me to think this is seeing commercial tv broadcasts of lakes in these countries and wondered if it's just a distance thing. The whole drive and survive thing? Some of my pals would never drive again and only fly, for ease. I think I'd want to take all my own gear if I was going for a week or more. Have I answered some of my own questions in that last statement?!
And yet Belgium is as close and a fraction of the size of France. I guess what's prompted me to think this is seeing commercial tv broadcasts of lakes in these countries and wondered if it's just a distance thing. The whole drive and survive thing? Some of my pals would never drive again and only fly, for ease. I think I'd want to take all my own gear if I was going for a week or more. Have I answered some of my own questions in that last statement?!
In reply to Post #1
There's loads , just need to do you're homework , can't see anyone giving their secrets away
There's loads , just need to do you're homework , can't see anyone giving their secrets away
In reply to Post #5
Okay then, keep the venues secret. Let's be like ze Germans
I thought this was classed as homework, asking for reviews, tips etc 
Not too fussed about actual names of venues but more the appeal to fish other counties other than the Mecca of France.
Okay then, keep the venues secret. Let's be like ze Germans
I thought this was classed as homework, asking for reviews, tips etc Not too fussed about actual names of venues but more the appeal to fish other counties other than the Mecca of France.
In reply to Post #6
If you're looking for commercial type venues you have plenty of options in Belgium, Holland, Hungary, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia and probably more in be not listed. You have Spain, Germany and Austria that have plenty of big carp but the lakes are not as commercial therefore you will struggle to find info about let alone fish them unless you know the right people. France is definitely the main option due to cost, convenience and variety on offer
If you're looking for commercial type venues you have plenty of options in Belgium, Holland, Hungary, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia and probably more in be not listed. You have Spain, Germany and Austria that have plenty of big carp but the lakes are not as commercial therefore you will struggle to find info about let alone fish them unless you know the right people. France is definitely the main option due to cost, convenience and variety on offer
Hi Tom,
Yes there are 1000s of venues both public and commercial.
The Germans aren't really that secretive, it's just their rod licence and syndicate systems that makes things difficult and not easy to fish
Got to agree with Ralph though, I certainly won't be helping anyone out again venue wise after the "Pirate incident" a few years ago
Best
Jon
Yes there are 1000s of venues both public and commercial.
The Germans aren't really that secretive, it's just their rod licence and syndicate systems that makes things difficult and not easy to fish
Got to agree with Ralph though, I certainly won't be helping anyone out again venue wise after the "Pirate incident" a few years ago
Best
Jon
In reply to Post #1
As other people have said i guess France has sort of cornered the market in a way ...as its near to UK and has private UK owned fisheries so that makes life alot easier for the average angler that just wants a relatively safe hassle free holiday
then you have people that are a bit more adventurous who like to do there own homework
again France caters for this as ita a big country with lots of rivers and big public waters so it ticks all the boxes again
Me personally i have never fished in France ....i became obsessed with fishing the Ebro in Spain it had everything i wanted at the time ...big cats n carp and would have gone on to be the Premiere water in Europe ( in my opinion )
but it was then systematically raped on an industrial scale by EE people for 8 yrs with no one stopping them
now it is a shadow of its glory days but can still be an adventure
The main problem with Spain is it has 17 autonomous regions as they all have different rules so this makes it hard work
getting the correct paperwork to fish or even understand the rules !!!
The two main ways to fishing in Spain are the same as a lot of countries ...ie use some kind of guiding service for your license / tackle etc etc and you fly in or drive your van down and sort your own paperwork etc ...but that can be very hard work trying to deal with Spanish officials in a short period of time ...some regions i believe you now can get your licenses online ? and others its several trips to the bank and town hall and here in Murcia where i live you have to have compolsory Public Liabilitty insurance as well to sort out as well !!!!
The main thing i can say to anyone who contemplating fishing in Spain is have ALL the correct paperwork in place
if caught by the Guardia Civil or worse Seprona ( basically fishing police) then it will end in tears they will take great pleasure in fining you and posssibly confiscating your tackle for one year !!! ( been there ...done that .. got the t shirt ) and Ex Pats breaking the rules are like a red rag to a bull believe me
Another main thing to remember is NO NIGHT FISHING except in certain areas in Extremadura ? ....even though we watch Carp Stars coming here on Youtube / TV etc all night fishing without a care in the world
but in reality they are in the middle of nowhere normally and have a guiding company watching there backs !!
if your really taking the piss with the rule breaking on your own the locals will soon shop you just for the sport and something to talk about in the Bars
But apart from all the doom and gloom above ...Spain is an amazing country to fish in ..and has every type of fishing you could possibly want from Inland seas to big wild rivers to drainage ponds the choice is yours
As other people have said i guess France has sort of cornered the market in a way ...as its near to UK and has private UK owned fisheries so that makes life alot easier for the average angler that just wants a relatively safe hassle free holiday
then you have people that are a bit more adventurous who like to do there own homework
again France caters for this as ita a big country with lots of rivers and big public waters so it ticks all the boxes again
Me personally i have never fished in France ....i became obsessed with fishing the Ebro in Spain it had everything i wanted at the time ...big cats n carp and would have gone on to be the Premiere water in Europe ( in my opinion )
but it was then systematically raped on an industrial scale by EE people for 8 yrs with no one stopping them
now it is a shadow of its glory days but can still be an adventure
The main problem with Spain is it has 17 autonomous regions as they all have different rules so this makes it hard work
getting the correct paperwork to fish or even understand the rules !!!
The two main ways to fishing in Spain are the same as a lot of countries ...ie use some kind of guiding service for your license / tackle etc etc and you fly in or drive your van down and sort your own paperwork etc ...but that can be very hard work trying to deal with Spanish officials in a short period of time ...some regions i believe you now can get your licenses online ? and others its several trips to the bank and town hall and here in Murcia where i live you have to have compolsory Public Liabilitty insurance as well to sort out as well !!!!
The main thing i can say to anyone who contemplating fishing in Spain is have ALL the correct paperwork in place
if caught by the Guardia Civil or worse Seprona ( basically fishing police) then it will end in tears they will take great pleasure in fining you and posssibly confiscating your tackle for one year !!! ( been there ...done that .. got the t shirt ) and Ex Pats breaking the rules are like a red rag to a bull believe me
Another main thing to remember is NO NIGHT FISHING except in certain areas in Extremadura ? ....even though we watch Carp Stars coming here on Youtube / TV etc all night fishing without a care in the world
but in reality they are in the middle of nowhere normally and have a guiding company watching there backs !!
if your really taking the piss with the rule breaking on your own the locals will soon shop you just for the sport and something to talk about in the Bars
But apart from all the doom and gloom above ...Spain is an amazing country to fish in ..and has every type of fishing you could possibly want from Inland seas to big wild rivers to drainage ponds the choice is yours
In reply to Post #9
Great post. Thanks Steve
Great post. Thanks Steve