In reply to Post #26
No more Moulinots for me Dave - 20+ trips over the years was enough.....

I love watching the Kev Ellis vids on Rainbow, but doesn't appeal as a trip. Too much like hard work (to get on there, and to fish it). I prefer to relax a bit in my old age

Not playing a lot of golf mate. One round costs me about 2 weeks of back pain so I save it for special occasions & courses. Also, we're heading back to Kent soon so would be a 10 hour round trip to take you up on your offer!

In reply to Post #22
As an update to the original post/video of the first Juvigny trip, I managed 2 further 'lockdown' trips in 20/21 - a week at Parco Del Brenta in Italy and another session at Juvigny in the Spring of 2021

What a 12 months of fishing!!! In total, across the 3 trips, I managed a total of 170 fish and these included 11 over 60lbs (2 over 70lbs - a big cat and the Juvigny lake record mirror at 74.10lbs)

The short(ish) video below features the big girls from the trips...

1 Year's Fishing – 11 Big Fish!

In reply to Post #250
If you mean what bait Ralph, it was crushed maize, pellet, hemp & tigers, and squid boilies. These were some hungry fish....

In reply to Post #251
The day 2+8 tests are mandatory, so the 5 day 'test to release' needs to be ordered in addition to these

In reply to Post #247
I think the risk is pretty low TBF. You'd have tested negative on the way out, and unlikely to be unlucky enough to pick up the virus during a week's fishing, assuming you've been sensible with distancing, mask, hand sanitising, etc

In reply to Post #226
I got back from a 2 week trip to the Marne Valley last Saturday, and my experience at Folkestone was similar to Gav's. I too had a valid & provable reason to travel, but they were less interested in that than the negative PCR test (this is a must have!). Same applied on the return journey, but getting a PCR test in France was relatively straight forward, and free. I got mine done at Chalons hospital. One thing I would add, and Gav might find this when he gets back, is that I have been contacted virtually every day by UK Gov Test & Trace. They're obviously very interested in people who have crossed borders!! I opted for the 2+8 day tests while quarantining for 10 days (I booked this while in France, as you need a unique reference number for the required Passenger Locator Form), and have 3 days left before I can hit the pub. A lot of ball-ache & additional expense for a fortnight's fishing, but well worth it for me. I Bagged a PB mirror at 74.10lbs on my second to last morning!!!

I didn't take any bait with me, opting to buy it at the lake - all 320kg's of it!!!!!

In reply to Post #21
Well mate - will deffo be going back to have a go for the big 70lb+ mirror that eluded me on the last trip....!!

In reply to Post #17
I knew what you meant Fred

Luckily, I never got stung by Bossard, despite the near miss....

I've been lucky over the last few years. Had a couple of great trips to Parco Del Brenta (got back last Monday, having had 55 fish from swim 9, including another 60 - my 7th this year!!!), a good few trips to the ever popular Moulinots, and a few more to a couple of the lakes on this Marne Vally complex

In reply to Post #16
Thanks for the comments guys - much appreciated

If anyone's interested, the lake has just become available on an exclusive basis for the week commencing Sat 31st of October (due to Covid quarantine issues for the group that were booked on). Brilliant opportunity for anyone that can get a group together at short notice. I'd normally jump at the opportunity, but I have family commitments, plus I only got back from Parco in Italy last week

Let me know via PM if interested, and I'll put you in touch with Chris the owner....!

Edit: hope this is allowed!? Can a mod let me know if not? Cheers

In reply to Post #10
I agree mate. Lovely lake, and Chris is a true gent

Not sure what the 'watercraft draw' is, but I'm notoriously unlucky in every draw I've been in so it was great to come out first (of one!!) on this trip