Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Mr Russell Greenlaugh

Venue:  Island

Date of holiday: 11-10-2008 to 18-10-2008

No. of persons fishing: 2

Brief details of your catches: I had a 58.14 common, a 51.12 mirror, and a 36.4 common. My mate Neil had a 41.12 mirror, a 35.12 mirror, and a 42.0 common

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: Rowing your baits out, and placing them in by hand. Clear spots to the island were most productive. 20mm boilies wtih a handful of free offerings

Were the facilities what you expected? Better

Were you happy with them? Yes

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? Yes definitely

Would you recommend our services to a friend? Yes definitley

General comments: Excellent lake, takes a few days to get your head round how to fish the lake, but once youv'e sussed it the rewards can be massive

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  walter wilson

Venue:  Island

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

No. of persons fishing: 2

Brief details of your catches: walter - 39lb, 42lb, 43lbDave - 33lb, 36.5lb, 45lbAll mirror carp

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: As advised by mick use the rowing boat to accuratly place baites and ground baite.Boilies used 18mm Matrix20mm Rajha spice

Were the facilities what you expected? yes

Were you happy with them? yes

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? certinly

Would you recommend our services to a friend? Yes You where a great help organising our return trip to the UK after the tunnel was closed due to fire.

General comments: Both dave and myself fished from swim 12 & 13 one of the few weed free areas of the lake.We had great help and advice from Mick Hall.We baited up with the boat mainly in the early evening and then rested the swim untill 9pm. All of our fish came between 9pm and 7am. Only 2 fish of the 19 that week came out during the day. Both Dave and myself achieved PB's with Dave catching a 45lb Mirror and I caught a 43lb mirror. During our visit a lake record 59lb Mirror was caught (well done Ali). What a great week

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Simon Webb

Venue:  Island

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

No. of persons fishing: 2

Brief details of your catches: Had the lake record at 59.8!!!! 1 x 50, 1 x 48.0, 1 x 47, 1 x 46.0, 1 x 45.0

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: Boilies around boilie on hair, a few pellets, no 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: Not a runs water but two fish of this size don't come along often. Once in a lifetime experience.

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Paul Cooper

Venue:  Island

Date of holiday: 09-08-2008 to 16-08-2008

No. of persons fishing: 2

Brief details of your catches: 39lb 14oz mirror, 41lb 8oz common, 41lb 4oz common, 39lb 12oz mirror, 44lb 2 oz mirror, 39lb 10oz mirror.

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: Island lake is unique for a French venue, in which the carp are aware of any angling presence and will move from a pressured area of the lake at any time. I was fishing with Pat Gillett and we both quickly formed the opinion that you neded to observe the lake constantly for any movement of the carp. This resulted in both of us moving swims on 3 seperate occasions and I do not think that this was enough. Only a hand full of bait is required around each hookbait, anymore and the fish would not even enter the baited area. I used double 10 mil Rahja Spice shelf lifes as hook baits and free baited with around 15 X 20mil Rahja Spice shelf life's to each hook bait.

Were the facilities what you expected? From my research of the lake it was up to it's expectations.

Were you happy with them? Extremely

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? yes

Would you recommend our services to a friend? yes

General comments: I spent the first 3 days in swim 8, studying fish movements which was difficult as the carp did not show themselves except at first light and twilight. My normal approach to a weeks session in France is to try and draw the fish into my swim and then seep the rewards. It was obvious that this was not going to happen and that I would have to find the fish and move onto their feeding areas. Being mobile was the answer. The lake averages around 4 metres depths with numerous gravel and sandbar features which provide areas of weed growth. The lake is stuffed with natural food which includes areas of swan mussels with razor sharp shell. After locating the fish on the 3rd day in a bay to the left of swim 1, I moved onto this swim and during the night I picked up a run from a clear patch in a weeded area, resulting my first fish, a common of 41lb 8oz. I returned that bait to the water along with a Pva bag containing 10 mil Rahja’s for another run within ½ hour. The line went over a mussel shell and I was neatly cut off. Drastic action was taken and at first light I changed all my 4 reels to 18lb BS to reduce the chance of another cut off. This did the trick and from then on I had no further problems, 3 more fish from swim 1, a common of 41lb 4oz, and mirrors of 39lb 14oz and 39lb 12oz. The fish moved once again to the bay in front of swim 13 and to the other end of the lake in the bay to the left of swim 8. Pat had already made his move to swim 13 and I once again upped camp and set back up in swim 8. 2 more mirrors of 44lb 2oz and 39lb 10oz with 2 lost fish and the carp were on the move again. It was now Friday afternoon and I decided to stay put. No more fish but what an excellent result on such a fine big fish water. With 3 forties and 3 thirty nine pound plus fish, my average weight was in the region of 42lb. Pat also had 3 moves around the lake and his tally of carp were 4 fish, mirrors of 55lb 4oz, 46lb and 37lb, and a common of 41lb 4oz. All the fish were caught within casting range most being off the margins. Bait boats are allowed on the lake, but I would think that they would prove a disadvantage, so leave them at home. There are boats provided on each swim and in any case most of the fish responded to the contents of a PVA bag to attract them to the bait with a few catapulted offerings. Island lake is a thinking anglers water and If you are up for a challenge, with the chance to catch some forty and fifty pound carp then give it a go. August is supposed to be a very none productive month, but as seen from recent catch reports from island lake, this proves the suppositions to be wrong. Regards Paul Cooper

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Paul Cooper

Venue:  Island

Date of holiday: 09-08-2008 to 16-08-2008

No. of persons fishing: 2

Brief details of your catches: See previous report

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: 

Were the facilities what you expected?

Were you happy with them?

Would you recommend the venue to a friend?

Would you recommend our services to a friend?

General comments: 

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Pat Gillett

Venue:  Island

Date of holiday: 09-08-2008 to 16-08-2008

No. of persons fishing: 1

Brief details of your catches: 55lb 4oz mirror, 46lb mirror, 41lb 2oz common, 37lb mirror

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: double bottom baits (1 x 15mm & 1 x 10mm)fished over about 20 mixed sized baits and 3 handfuls of 4mm pellets. I caught on both the Quest baits Liver B8 and Rahja Spice.

Were the facilities what you expected? yes

Were you happy with them? yes

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? definately

Would you recommend our services to a friend? yes

General comments: Island Lake is an excellent venue if you are prepared to work for your fish. The lake is weedy but if you fish sensibly this is not a problem. I only caught 4 fish during the week, but the average size works out to nearly 45lb that doesn't matter. As at Cedar lake last year, Sandra brought us fresh bread etc every day which was much appreciated.

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Marcel From Holland

Venue:  Island

Date of holiday: 02-08-2008 to 09-08-2008

No. of persons fishing: 1

Brief details of your catches: Caught 6 fish l 38,2 lb C 38,2 lb M 38,2 lb M 40,4 lb M 42 lbM 45,1 lb. Also lost 9 fish in the weed

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: Just feed a little on clear patches. And always watch wehere the fish is jumping and feeding I just used normal 20 mm boilies i used a dutch brend with fish and garlic

Were the facilities what you expected? a little

Were you happy with them? yes

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? no (more room for me :) )

Would you recommend our services to a friend? yes

General comments: like everyone said its not a run water but a big fish veneu And i used the normal boat it didn't seem to spook the fish Also take lure's with you there's a lot of pike and perch

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Shaun Harrison

Venue:  Island

Date of holiday: 24-07-2008 to 30-07-2008

No. of persons fishing: 4

Brief details of your catches: Extremely hot weather made the fishing quite difficult. I landed three carp but lost three as well. I was more than pleased with the result considering the weather.The largest fish I landed was 40lb 6oz

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: Light baiting - as many boilies as I could hold in my hand with an alternate bait fished amongst them. This is a tactic I find works well when the fish aren't really having it. I hooked fish on Quest Baits Liver B8, Rahja Spice and Special Crab.I also fished at relatively close range to keep the lines out of the way of cruising fish.

Were the facilities what you expected? yes

Were you happy with them? yes

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? definitely

Would you recommend our services to a friend? definitely

General comments: Not an easy lake by any stretch of the imagination but a excellent venue if you want to target big fish. It is the second time I have been to Island Lake and will definitely return again. This is definitely a good choice for the anglers who have been around a few years and want a bit of a challenge with some great rewards to be had.

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Ron Key

Venue:  Island

Date of holiday: 23-07-2008 to 30-07-2008

No. of persons fishing: 1

Brief details of your catches: Mirrors 42lb 6oz, 38lb 6oz, 37lb 7oz Common 24lb

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: All my runs came from hard gravel runs between the weed beds. Hookbaits were Quest Baits Fruity Trifle, Smoky Fish, Liver B8 and Rahja Spice fished either as double 15mm or single 20mm bottom baits. All were fished over a PVA mesh bag of crumbed Rahja Spice boilies.

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: Island Lake is a is not a runs water but the ideal choice for the committed big fish fisherman. The lake is a complex shape with many points and bays and of course a large island. The bottom varies from gravel to soft silt and hosts some fairly heavy weed beds. The fish do respond to angling pressure and move quickly around the lake making it an extremely interesting and challenging lake to fish. The fish are catchable though, and the average weight of the fish is high with the majority of the fish caught while I was there in the mid 30's and 40's. I'm certainly looking forward to a return visit.

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Mr Taylor

Venue:  Island

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

No. of persons fishing: 6

Brief details of your catches: 10 fish caught, 51lb 1oz mirror, 2x 46lb 6oz mirrors, 42lb 6oz mirror, 41lb 2oz mirror, 40lb mirror, 32lb 6oz mirror, 25lb 4oz mirror, 21lb 2oz mirror & 38lb 2oz common.

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: Baiting little but often.Tiger nut 14mm boilies.

Were the facilities what you expected? Better

Were you happy with them? Yes,

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? Yes definately

Would you recommend our services to a friend? Yes definately

General comments: 4 of us gained our personal bests. Mick Hall was very helpful, all in all a fantastic week.

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Kevin Gill

Venue:  Island

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

No. of persons fishing: 2

Brief details of your catches: 3 Fish.. 1st one at 49.12 a PB, 2nd at 43.5 and the 3rd at 35.15

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: Fished to the island unsing ledacore safety rig on size 4 on a combi link tube blowout, and stiff rig. Tiger nut boilies presented in a pva bag

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: Complex was good, bailiff very helpful. We enjoyed it so much we have booked again for next year

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  mark petford

Venue:  Island

Date of holiday: 31-05-2008 to 07-06-2008

No. of persons fishing: 1

Brief details of your catches: i had a 39lb mirror and a 42.5lb common both lovely fish, no marks, clean as a whisle.lost 3 fish.

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: i found that snowman hookbaits worked well with a little pva bag of 4 boilies,putting in loadz bait did absolutly nothing, the only thing that paid of was the bags, find your clear spot and put a bag to it, the fish do move about alot so a walk round everyday wouldnt go a miss

Were the facilities what you expected? yes

Were you happy with them? yer

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? definatly

Would you recommend our services to a friend? yes

General comments: great lake , great fishing, not a runs water but a big fish venue. already got my next years trip booked, mike was helpful abd even better , he was a spurs fan, no gooners aloud!!!!!!

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Mark Ridley

Venue:  Island

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

No. of persons fishing: 1

Brief details of your catches: 1 x 36lb

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: Nothing seemed to produce really.

Were the facilities what you expected? Slightly disapointed

Were you happy with them? Sort of

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? Maybe

Would you recommend our services to a friend? Yes

General comments: This is my 3rd year on the Island, as with other feedback this is not a runs water and the possibilty of a blank week is a real reality. I went with a party of 7 and 3 of the lads had a blank week. Fishing was tough and it does seem that this lake has hot swims (as most waters do). I was a little disapointed this year as i felt the lake could of done with a bit of TLC, Having to throw a bucket of water down the loo after the call of nature isn't much fun ( as the toilet was broken) even worse considering this toilet block uses a generator for power, so you have to start the generator just to fill the bucket from the tap. The lake generally looked in need of a bit of a tidy up the stinging nettles were massive all round the lake and swims and the cabins are looking a bit tired. I'm lucky as we have always booked the lake exclusively so we do a draw for swims, every year when we arrive and talk to the previous lads we here a lot of moans about the lack of a draw so it appears to be on a first come first serve, some of the lads had turned up on the friday to ensure a choice of swim (seems a little unfair). The is more of neutral feedbak rather than negative, the water does hold some big fish but you have to be prepared that you may come home with heads held low.

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Simon

Venue:  Island

Date of holiday: 10-05-2008 to 17-05-2008

No. of persons fishing: 1

Brief details of your catches: 1+ 35lbs , lost 3 fish, the swim where i was ,was very snaggy,oh yeah i caught a pike on a popup.

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: Basically not to use a lot of bait and to fish the margins, size 4 hooks and keep it simple.

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: Top venue, top fish,a lot of fish came out this week but not at my end of the lake.The baliff Mick is a great help and always there when you need him. Showers and toilets are very clean but if your expecting to sleep in the cabins forget it , you can only store your gear in there.PS the navigation co-ordinates are spot on , they lead you up to the gate. Will be going back next year 100%, had a really great time chheers Simon.

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Mr John Belloni

Venue:  Island

Date of holiday: 10-05-2008 to 17-05-2008

No. of persons fishing: 3

Brief details of your catches: This is a nice venue with good swims and bailiff Mick will help you all he can this is not a runs water but if you work at it the rewards are there. I only had one fish but my son had 2 personal bests a 40+ and a 52 lb mirror and his mate mid 30 and a 40+

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: Find your spots with the boat and use bait with care, boilies I think are Ok unless you have trouble with possion chat

Were the facilities what you expected? yes

Were you happy with them? yes except power

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? yes

Would you recommend our services to a friend? yes

General comments: I think that clients should be aware that electric is not in all the swims and you could be caught out without a fridge etc as we were told it would be in all swims by 2008.

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Paul Bateman

Venue:  Island

Date of holiday: 10-05-2008 to 17-05-2008

No. of persons fishing: 3

Brief details of your catches: Paul: 51lb, 44lb, 33lb. Duncan: 10 fish including 48lb, not one under 40lb.Carl: 44lb

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: Mixture of boilies.

Were the facilities what you expected? Better

Were you happy with them? Yes, been before.

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? Yes

Would you recommend our services to a friend? Yes

General comments: Mick puts you in the right place, very helpful, great bloke.

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Jaimie McDaid

Venue:  Island

Date of holiday: 03-05-2008 to 10-05-2008

No. of persons fishing: 7

Brief details of your catches: We caught about 25 carp in total between us . I had 55lb a 47.08 a 45lb a 41lb and a 38 2 other lower 30's and a 29lb.The 55lb was in mint condition. Only the 41lb had any damage.

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: I used big game 15lb green line with a size 4 wide gape hybrid hook and 20mm scopex boilies. I placed my baits with casting as when I used the boat I found I was spooking the fish. Recommend people to use the boat to find the spot but then to cast to increase chances.r was really hot 73 to 78 degrees nearly all week. Fish taken in the morning and evening times also if any cloud moved in. I used alot of bait but used a catapult rather than boat.

Were the facilities what you expected? Yes, very good but our chosen swim had no electric. As some of the others did - they helped us out.

Were you happy with them? yes. more than happy

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? Without a doubt. - it was recommended to me by mark May who did a lovely dance everytime I caught! :-)

Would you recommend our services to a friend? Yes. I would n't recommend anyone else. You are the best and I will always use you.

General comments: Trip of a life time. Will definitely be coming back again. The 45lb caused me a problem as it got snagged up it really fought well and took me 40 mins in the boat to get it in. Well worth the effort though :-)

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Matthew James

Venue:  Island

Date of holiday: 26-04-2008 to 03-05-2008

No. of persons fishing: 3

Brief details of your catches: 3 x 40's and 3 x 30's, several others

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: Took baliffs advice and put a couple of handfuls of boilies around the hook bait

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 lake, Mick is great, very helpful. Facilities are good, showers nice and clean. Already booked for next year!!

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Robert Bennett

Venue:  Island

Date of holiday: 19-04-2008 to 26-04-2008

No. of persons fishing: 5

Brief details of your catches: Some big fish caught, Mine were 41.8, 39.10 and a 37lb. Matty landed a 50, and a 29lb. Others included a 47.0 46.0, and 3 x 30's.

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: All caught on boilies. 6 runs on squid

Were the facilities what you expected? Excellent

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: Mick is a top fella, really helpful. Will definatly go back. Fantastic venue. If i had to find one complaint it would be the coypu population. Great venue.

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  W Drinkell

Venue:  Island

Date of holiday: 19-04-2008 to 26-04-2008

No. of persons fishing: 4

Brief details of your catches: Only 1 fish caught. 32lb. No one was catching. Moon was full, water was clear down to the bottom.

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: Tried a bit of everything

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 venue, beautiful. Mick is a creacking bloke, spot on. Will definitely go back, better luck next time. Had a great time regardless... that's fishing

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Dave Bodman

Venue:  Island

Date of holiday: 12-04-2008 to 19-04-2008

No. of persons fishing: 6

Brief details of your catches: Although the 1st few days weather was very bad with lots of heavy downpours it did pick up and I started to catch along with a few of my fellow anglers I believe in all we had a total of 24 fish with 5 lost including 2 x 50+ fish. I managed to catch the follow all beating my UK PB (which is 38:14) - Mirrors of 46.04, 45.14, 41.05, 41.01, 39.12, 39.01. Common of 40.00

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: Although this is by no means a runs water a little bit of work in finding the right spots and the patience to sit on your hands (48hrs +)the fish will come over a small amount of bait

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: This is a fantastic venue with a very helpful and knowledgable Ballif (Mick Hall) there is now electric in a few of the cabins pegs 3/4, 5/6 and 7/8 along with 1 of the shower blocks nr swims 3/4 , 5/6 which makes life easier the cabins are suitable for what they are designed for and the showers were clean Mick even took us for a tour of the shops available locally which saved us time trying to find them

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Jody Trayte

Venue:  Island

Date of holiday: 05-04-2008 to 12-04-2008

No. of persons fishing: 2

Brief details of your catches: Not many caught because the weather was awful. Did have a couple of 40's though. Was told by some other lads that if fished brilliantly the following week. The luck of the draw.

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: 

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: Mick is fantastic, really helpful. A knowledgable guy who really looks after his lake. He knows when to be there but also when to leave you alone. Shame about the weather but otherwise a great lake

Holiday Feedback Form

Name of customer:  Lee Purcell

Venue:  Island

Date of holiday: 22-03-2008 to 28-03-2008

No. of persons fishing: 1

Brief details of your catches: Only 1 fish, 10lb Pike.

What did you find were the best tactics/baits: Tried everything. Left rods out for the first 48 hours, but no joy. Was just too cold

Were the facilities what you expected? Better

Were you happy with them? Yes

Would you recommend the venue to a friend? Yes- Definately

Would you recommend our services to a friend? Yes, no doubt

General comments: Not great fishing as weather was so bad. No ones fault just the time of year. Venue was amazing Really clean. Sandra was great. Perfect