Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  G Cooper

Venue:  Beaurepaire

Date of holiday: 24-10-2008 to 29-10-2008

No. of persons fishing: 4

Brief details of your catches: 2 doubles ... 4 twenty's and a 34 1/2 all mirrors

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: long range with small bags of pellets. Baited areas didn't work

Were the facilities what you expected? ok

Were you happy with them? yes

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? yes

Would you recommend our services to a friend? yes

General comments: We fished the lake in March 2007 & had loads of fish. The weather went really cold and the fishing became very hard... we came home 3 days early and i think most other people fishing in france did the same the ferry was busy with anglers all saying the same. The venue is a very good one - we just went at wrong time of year.

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  mr keenan

Venue:  Beaurepaire

Date of holiday: 04-10-2008 to 11-10-2008

No. of persons fishing: 5

Brief details of your catches: loads of 20's and 30's a new lake record ( to be comfirmed) at 43lb 4 oz in all 1874 lb 4 oz of fish caught

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: fishing at long range using baitboats to drop lots of bait with your rig on the opposit bank, we had no fish from mid water or close in margins, the 2 inner bays either side of the spit produced no fish al all.

Were the facilities what you expected? not really, never seen a toilet and kitchen in the same room before

Were you happy with them? if you dont mind pooing,and then cooking your breakfast in the same room, they would be adeqaute,but know we were'nt happy with them

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? yes as a runs water,

Would you recommend our services to a friend? yes i havein the past

General comments: the lake has really bad access.because of the up and down water levels,and you cant access any peg with a vehical,(when we visited). however the lake has a very good stock of very and i mean very hard fighting carp, it is ideal if you want a social fishing trip,and once you get the fish going the action can be no stop.all in all it is a good venue,if you are after plenty of action,

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Mr Burbell

Venue:  Beaurepaire

Date of holiday: 20-09-2008 to 27-09-2008

No. of persons fishing: 1

Brief details of your catches: Carp up to 25lb,lots of bream, odd tench, 43 carp over 5 days

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: Boilie only, no pellet or particle beds. Double hook baits, 5 bait stringers

Were the facilities what you expected? Better

Were you happy with them? Yes

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? Yes

Would you recommend our services to a friend? Yes

General comments: All things went like clockwork (great)

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  M Belcher

Venue:  Beaurepaire

Date of holiday: 06-09-2008 to 13-09-2008

No. of persons fishing: 7

Brief details of your catches: 76 fish in total: 1 x 40, 7 x 30's, 2 x 30's cats, 25 x 20's, 30 up to 20.0, and 10 grass carp

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: Maize, and small amount of particles

Were the facilities what you expected? Better

Were you happy with them? Yes

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? Yes

Would you recommend our services to a friend? Yes

General comments: Ideal for a lake booking wouldn't book this otherwise, fish seem to hold up in certain areas all week. Thanks for a great week

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  James Thorpe

Venue:  Croix Blanche 2

Date of holiday: 30-08-2008 to 06-09-2008

No. of persons fishing: 1

Brief details of your catches: 57 fish, Mirrors to 38.00lb. Grass carp to 29.00lb, 1 small catfish and 1 x Koi

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: baitboat to chosen spots, keep the bait going in.maple-8 + Rhaja spice caught the fish.

Were the facilities what you expected? better

Were you happy with them? yes

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? yes

Would you recommend our services to a friend? yes

General comments: Great week, good fishing, good food! Rob the bailiff was a top bloke and went out of his way to help us. will come back.

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  mark potter

Venue:  Croix Blanche 2

Date of holiday: 23-08-2008 to 30-08-2008

No. of persons fishing: 2

Brief details of your catches: 57 carp and cats

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: snowman rigs fished over big beds of pellets,hemp,etc

Were the facilities what you expected? yes

Were you happy with them? yes

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? yes

Would you recommend our services to a friend? yes

General comments: Fantastic runs water.Rob the baliff really nice bloke.Food very good.We had a great time.

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Steve & Jack McKay

Venue:  Croix Blanche 2

Date of holiday: 23-08-2008 to 30-08-2008

No. of persons fishing: 2

Brief details of your catches: 36 fish landed, mirrors to 37.01.

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: bottom baits over particle

Were the facilities what you expected? Better

Were you happy with them? Yes

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? Yes

Would you recommend our services to a friend? Yes

General comments: Odd occasion there was no runing water as the pump was broken, otherwise enjoyed every minute, ideal venue for father & son.

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Mark Potter

Venue:  Croix Blanche 2

Date of holiday: 23-08-2008 to 30-08-2008

No. of persons fishing: 2

Brief details of your catches: 38 carp :& cats to 36.08

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: snowman over particle

Were the facilities what you expected? Better

Were you happy with them? Yes

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? Yes

Would you recommend our services to a friend? Yes

General comments: Fantastic runs water, Rob the bailiff was great, brill all round.

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Mr Lamey

Venue:  Beaurepaire

Date of holiday: 16-08-2008 to 23-08-2008

No. of persons fishing: 2

Brief details of your catches: 15 Carp: 3 x Grass carp to 22.08, Mirrors to 29.4, 1 Cat 26.8, 1 Bream

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: Snowman over particles keeping to one spot all week. Bit slow for 2 days, but kept to my baited spot, spodding 3 times a day.

Were the facilities what you expected? ok

Were you happy with them? No, cooker in toilet! but i used my own as was planned anyway

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? Yes

Would you recommend our services to a friend? Yes

General comments: 

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Mick Walters

Venue:  Croix Blanche 2

Date of holiday: 26-07-2008 to 02-08-2008

No. of persons fishing: 1

Brief details of your catches: 12 mirrors from 13lb - 26 1/2lb

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: Snowman Cell

Were the facilities what you expected? Better

Were you happy with them? Yes

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? yes

Would you recommend our services to a friend? Yes

General comments: Very helpful bailiff, a good fun week.

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Geoff Taylor & Pete Homer

Venue:  Croix Blanche 2

Date of holiday: 26-07-2008 to 02-08-2008

No. of persons fishing: 2

Brief details of your catches: 18 fish in total 2 grass carp to 25lb............... 5 cats to 23.05 .....11 mirrors to 42lb

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: snowman rig fished to baited gravel patch.

Were the facilities what you expected? Better

Were you happy with them? Yes

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? absolutely

Would you recommend our services to a friend? absolutely

General comments: excellent fishery, highly organised, relaxed & friendly trip. Rob the bailiff was bang on couldn't ask for a more helpful chap to have on hand.

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Peter Homer

Venue:  Croix Blanche 2

Date of holiday: 26-07-2008 to 02-08-2008

No. of persons fishing: 2

Brief details of your catches: Geoffrey had 33lb mirror, 28lb mirror, 23lb cat. Peter had 42lb mirror, 32lb mirror, 29lb mirror, 2 x 28lb mirrors, 2 x 24lb mirrors, 2 x grass carp 25lb + 21lb, 3 cats 17lb, 15lb & 9.5lb.

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: Fishing to gravel patches at distance with bait boat, pellet + hemp, crushed up cell boiies. Fished snowman style rigs with cell bottom bait and pop up on top. Size 6 long shank hook.

Were the facilities what you expected? Better

Were you happy with them? Yes

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? Yes

Would you recommend our services to a friend? Yes

General comments: Lake very clean & tidy. Rob Walters, our on site bailiff, was excellent, good cooked breakfast in morning, his knowledge of the lake was very good.

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Mr Champion

Venue:  Beaurepaire

Date of holiday: 12-07-2008 to 19-07-2008

No. of persons fishing: 2

Brief details of your catches: Lake must have been 20ft above normal level. Had 12 fish between us with Colin Osborn catching a 27lb catfish which was the highlight of the week. Lost about 10 fish in sunken bushes.

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: Halibut pellet over spod mix & double spice Quest boilies with PVA bag.

Were the facilities what you expected? Better

Were you happy with them? Very

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? Yes, have done so.

Would you recommend our services to a friend? Yes

General comments: We had the lake to ourselves which was nice but high water level made landing fish a nightmare! Congratulations to Fleur on her baby girl xx

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  V Martin

Venue:  Beaurepaire

Date of holiday: 05-07-2008 to 11-07-2008

No. of persons fishing: 2

Brief details of your catches: 3 mirror carp to 21.10

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: Nothing worked, we hooked 3 out of 4 runs we managed to get. We tried maple 8, crab, liver, tiger nut, tutti fruiti boilies, sweetcorn, meat and bread. We tried range, close, popped up, not, PVA samples, large baited area (17kg of particles and pellets. We did manage to get one line bite.

Were the facilities what you expected? Yes but dominated by A&J tour

Were you happy with them? a lock for the toilet would be nice

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? NO

Would you recommend our services to a friend? Only when no AJ tours allowed

General comments: Reference Angling lines marketing, the lake is not pretty, it is mud banked and treacherous when it rains. It is probably good for 6 anglers but there were 7 when we were there, one being a professional who orchestrated a fantastic week for himself, his son and the A&J tours guest at the expense of ourselves and the other couple of self drive anglers. We left one day early the others 3 days early - says it all. The lake clearly changes depth dramatically we were told the lake was 7 feet above normal and it had already receded by around 5 feet- hence the mud everywhere. The coots' nests were 5 feet above the water and the scrub willow had aerial roots 4 feet above the water- all indicating the level is rarely or never as shown in the Angling lines marketing. One of the best places to bivvy up was under 4ft of water.... The facilities were adequate but usually there were towels, dirty or wet washing up, coats etc strung around to give the feeling you were definitely encroaching on AJ territory. I strongly recommend that self drive people do not use this lake if an A&J tour is present. AJ have a Gazebo and a picnic table etc set up and a full time angler on the water. This means all of the good areas are well baited creating the best feeding zones and this is continuous for months on end, one week does not change this! And of course the AJ bailif is ready to sit his client on top of all of this as he is bivvied up in place. (We only heard second hand about the massive prebaiting that took place before we arrived on the Saturday). One should also consider that the feed is limitless, a quick trip in the dilapidated AJ tour transit to Croix Blanche and more buckets of feed are available, also a barge sized bait boat. I would think this lake is great to fish when you are over these prebaited areas - the AJ tour were catching 5 - 10 fish per day whilst we got 5 runs in 6 days. Concentrate on the bank in front of the portacabin and sit right next to the AJ guys if you have to go, do not go to the other end which is very deep and cold water. There is no weed problem because the water is too deep but the marginal scrub willow is submerged about 10 metres out in lake to add to the difficulties. As for casting to rising fish, three fish rose within casting distance of the swim we used at the top right hand end of the lake in six days. Overall the Angling lines package of travel was very good. The lake did not match the photos and it clearly was not a runs water. The Croix Blanche owner even suggested to us that Angling lines dessert their clients whereas AJ look after them. Thing is not all of us want that experience, we want to be us against the fish with just what we carried to the lake, not limitless equipment and feed, professional angling skills and detailed water knowledge. Anyone know of a water where there is a limit to the numbers and the fishing is relatively simple for not massive carp? My local £6 a day day ticket water is always better than we experienced last week. (if it wasn't I wouldn't go there!) It would be useful if all respondents noted where they fished on the lakes to see if there is indeed a picture of certain swims being favorite, it helps us but not the tour organisers so would not be popular. ******* Note from Angling Lines ******* The sharing of this water with A&J organised trips will never happen again - it will be stopped immediately. It has only happened a few times in the past & there has been no problem but that is clearly not the case on this week. In future anyone who boks a self-drive trip will definitely not have to share the venue with A&J trips. Has Mr Martin says the fishing at Beaurepaire can be very good as the A&J party proved. With regard to high water levels this has been a consistent problem in France throughout this year - it has been one of the wettest on record. Some venues can take this without problem but the water levels at Beaurepaire do rise dramatically with prolonged heavy rain. We do make this clear in the Website text... here is what the Website says "Throughout the year the lake can change in depth quite dramatically as it is fed directly by the water table. The near by River Aisne often floods in the winter months and while it does not flood the lake, the water table is raised, sometimes by as much as 3 metres. This can mean that the banks can look quite different in early spring, or after very prolonged periods of rain and the central point area can become submerged. However during normal weather conditions water levels remain constant and during the summer months the lake depths vary from a few centimetres in the shallows to around 2 metres." We are sorry that the receding water leaves the banks muddy & slippy but there's little the owner can do about that.

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Tony Jenkins

Venue:  Croix Blanche 2

Date of holiday: 05-07-2008 to 12-07-2008

No. of persons fishing: 1

Brief details of your catches: 14 fish, 3 pb's 26.02, 26.15, 33.03lbs

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: using a bait boat to chosen spots and baiting with Mainline baits and pellet-seed combinations.

Were the facilities what you expected? Better

Were you happy with them? yes

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? very much so

Would you recommend our services to a friend? very much so

General comments: Had a fantastic week! truly can't wait to come back.

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  andy b

Venue:  Beaurepaire

Date of holiday: 05-07-2008 to 12-07-2008

No. of persons fishing: 2

Brief details of your catches: two runs only ,non on bank

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: dynomite

Were the facilities what you expected? no

Were you happy with them? no

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? only if the water level went down

Would you recommend our services to a friend? would of until this trip

General comments: most of the fish are taken from the front of the lake to what would be the island ( if it is not under water )the water levels are so high that it is impossible not to catch under water trees and crap around your swim and we had to rake the front part before we could fish,there is no sign of any improvements to the lake and the cabin that is for your use is not ideal unless you like to cook shower and have a crap at the same time, but saying all this the owners are very good and where helpful p s hope the birth went well

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Mr D Town

Venue:  Croix Blanche 2

Date of holiday: 28-06-2008 to 05-07-2008

No. of persons fishing: 3

Brief details of your catches: 73 fish mainly 20lb-30lb mirror carp, 1x 31lb, 1x 33lb, 1x 40lb 4oz. Several catfish to 29lb, bream 2lb to 9lb.

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: Fusion hook bait swimfeed- orgy, hemp, pellets. Used bait boat to selected marks and stayed on them. Fed swims sparingly but often.

Were the facilities what you expected? Better

Were you happy with them? Yes

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? Most Certainly

Would you recommend our services to a friend? Definitley

General comments: Our baliff "Trevor" gave us exceptional service, well over/above the norm. Food: Breakfast prepared by trevor -very good Dinner prepared by Les- very good. Facilities are good and very clean. An Excellent venue, lovely Lake and views Scroupulously clean banks around the lake. We all enjoyed a marvelous holiday, and the fishing was the best ever.

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Del Town

Venue:  Croix Blanche 2

Date of holiday: 28-06-2008 to 05-07-2008

No. of persons fishing: 3

Brief details of your catches: Total of 73 fish mostly 20's and 30's.several 30+'s to 40.04lbs

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: Bait boat and stick to your spots!

Were the facilities what you expected? Better

Were you happy with them? very

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? definitely

Would you recommend our services to a friend? definitely

General comments: A great week, good food and plenty of it, our bailiff Trevor was exceptional providing excellent service & help. Thank you

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Mr S Dea

Venue:  Beaurepaire

Date of holiday: 14-06-2008 to 21-06-2008

No. of persons fishing: 2

Brief details of your catches: 31LB PB , 28LB , multiple other 20LB catches , including a Cat at 25lb. Multiple fish 15-20LB lost count !

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: Far bank , method feeder worked well , also single hookbaits over particles at 60 yards.

Were the facilities what you expected? Yes .

Were you happy with them? Yes

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? Yes

Would you recommend our services to a friend? Yes

General comments: good first time venue for france very easy to fine , easy to bag up !

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Gavin Watts

Venue:  Croix Blanche 2

Date of holiday: 14-06-2008 to 21-06-2008

No. of persons fishing: 3

Brief details of your catches: Unfortunatly i didn't catch but the other lads i went with did. Included in the catches were a 40.0 mirror and a 25.0 cat.

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: 

Were the facilities what you expected? Yes

Were you happy with them? Yes

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? Yes

Would you recommend our services to a friend? Yes

General comments: The baliff was great, can't speak highly enough of him. Food was pretty good.

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Little's

Venue:  Croix Blanche 2

Date of holiday: 07-06-2008 to 14-06-2008

No. of persons fishing: 1

Brief details of your catches: Caught 23 fish, 20 carp to 31.10, 3 cats to 22.03.

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: Assin-8 & fusion bollies,over broken bollies & pellets.

Were the facilities what you expected? Better

Were you happy with them? basic but did the job.

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? yes

Would you recommend our services to a friend? Yes

General comments: Food was very god fishing the same. Rob the bailiff was spot on, will be back.

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Keith Evans

Venue:  Croix Blanche 2

Date of holiday: 07-06-2008 to 14-06-2008

No. of persons fishing: 1

Brief details of your catches: Mirrors & cats

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: Halibut pellets with maize & trout pellets.

Were the facilities what you expected? Better

Were you happy with them? Yes

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? yes

Would you recommend our services to a friend? Yes

General comments: Great place, broke PB 3 times, had a good time, Rob is a great lad.

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Justin Ross

Venue:  Croix Blanche 2

Date of holiday: 07-06-2008 to 14-06-2008

No. of persons fishing: 2

Brief details of your catches: 15 fish each. Biggest for me 28.0, uncle caught a 31.0

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: Everything worked. Best was probably 22mm Halibut pellet. Used tinned tuna in sunflower oil, and ground bait.

Were the facilities what you expected? Yes, good

Were you happy with them? Yes

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? Yes

Would you recommend our services to a friend? Yes, brilliant service

General comments: Everything was great, really good venue. Hope to book again for next year. Thanks

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  S Wilks

Venue:  Beaurepaire

Date of holiday: 23-05-2008 to 31-05-2008

No. of persons fishing: 6

Brief details of your catches: 80 Fish in total: Biggest being 37.4, 5 x 30's, 12 x Catfish upto 21lb

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: Big bed of bait and fish on top of. Any bait works when you get the fish on the feed.

Were the facilities what you expected? Ok

Were you happy with them? Yes........ The water level was very high and there were bushes below the water. Line was getting snagged and there were no swims.

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? Yes.... when the water level was lower i would.

Would you recommend our services to a friend? Yes

General comments: Water levels made you lose lots of fish. Apart from that everything else was brill. Thanks Steve.

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Vic Willmott

Venue:  Beaurepaire

Date of holiday: 17-05-2008 to 24-05-2008

No. of persons fishing: 3

Brief details of your catches: Lake was very high, still caught Carp from 17 - 35lb, Catfish to 15lb, Bream to 7lb, also some Jack Pikes

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: Sweetcorn for bream. Milk chocolate boilies for carp.

Were the facilities what you expected? Yes, same as last time

Were you happy with them? Yes

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? Yes

Would you recommend our services to a friend? Yes

General comments: Paul, Terry and I had a great time. Not many fish because of conditions but Mr Cousin's family made us so welcome, we didn't just feel like customers, we felt like friends. Looking forward to our next trip in September.