Autumn trip part 3 of 3
Gravel pit carps
2 weeks earlier, we started fishing in the south of France, near a nice warm Mediterranean coast line.
One week later we established camp in the mountains, where a cold strong wind challenged us and our equipment.
Next 6 nights, will be spent in one of the North of France, many gravel-pit lakes.
Though it’s only middle of October, some frosty nights are promised by the weather forecast.
Second morning of this trip, I jump out of a warm sleeping bag, to stop a carp from making line leaving the weel. A thin layer of hoarfrost is covering the area, and it’s in sharp contrast to those summer-like conditions, we experienced 14 days ago.
Addicted: This 70ha big lake got a quite low fishing pressure, because only a handful of people possess the right to fish. According to Jean Marc and Jean Luc, shouldn’t there had been any carp-anglers, fishing for the last month.
2 previous seasons, I caught fish from this water that tops at 18.8kg. Back in 2017 Jean Marc got the biggest known carp at 27.5kg. Read more about this under the tabs Reunion in France and Road Trip.
Though I didn’t succeed catching one of the lakes big specimens, this place seems magic to me. Long standing friendships from the local area makes it possible to be here, and when we gather around the bonfire, Spirit of fellowship is in absolutely presence. Through time the gravel-pit had provided a strong addictive effect!
Island fishing: Due to extreme high water-level last year, it couldn’t be managed to fish from this island. Now it’s normalized, and out here I will make an attempt. Tackles find the spots on 3 different plateaus, placed along the shores. 1kg of boilies is supplied in a spread-out on each spot, who holds depts between 3 and 5m. At nightfall everything is ready for the coming days, and it’s time to get some sleep.
A quiet first night goes by, but early morning 2 common carps drops in, at respectively 8.3 and 15.5kg. The latter leaves a handful of crushed mussels in my sling. A natural main course located on a 3m deep plateau, had been supplemented with boilies.
It felt for temptation within 14 hours, and the take was triggered by a Hinged-D/Combi-Rig, mounted with 2x20mm boilies in snowman stile. Details concerning this rig, can be found under the tab Lake Sorø.
At 300m distance from the rod-tip, a lead-clip fixed, 227g heavy lead is set in motion. The fight from boat happens over 20m of water, and several deep pulls propagates in a flexed blade.
Next 2 days, 5 more carps are outlined. Top-fish is a 13.1kg common, and a mirror at 18.1kg.
Masses of boilies: Autumn, with its deployed fallen water temperatures is arrived. Carps increased food intake, are not to be mistaken.
This also applied at the river, and in the mountains for the past weeks.
Consumption of bait has been pretty high. If all fish that’s caught on my rods so far, gets counted, it hits the number of 51 carps and 2 catfish.
To keep fishing like this up and running, can require quiet some bait. If the carps for the next 3 days, will eat like they did the last 3, 12-15kg more bait will be distributed.
This autumn trip I only fish and bait with boilies, and the final spending will end at approximately 80kg.
Then add 40kg that Jean Luc used for his fishing, before leaving me alone in the gravel-pit.
Between friends, we did a lot of home-made/rolled boilies through the years, and 2019/2020 has been no difference. At winter 20/21. it was decided that long days working the boilie-roller, should be finished.
When found a bait-manufacturer, who understood the value of close cooperation and high quality, the French half of Team C.A. had a favourite boilie put in to action.
First chosen boilies from the Danish part of Team C.A was likewise produced. First test-mix/rolls had been surprising identical to our home-made. A few following adjustments, made these HNV boilies to appear as our own.
Through season 2021. it didn’t take near the same effort, to prepare boilies for our trips. Cause to a very satisfying result, the same thing will apply to seasons of the future.
Lost: Activity on the plateaus continues. Day 4 and 5, culminates in 6 power-runs that needs to be handled.
3 commons that tops at 15.4kg. and 3 mirrors that reach 17kg gets on the bank. When this 17kg mirror sets of just before dawn, a heavy night-fog envelops the landscape.
I turn on my camp orientation-light, before jumping into the boat. Now there might be a little chance to find back home, when the fight is over.
20m from shore, I look back over mine shoulder, but the only thing my eyes can see, is a big white wall!
The journey continues towards the fish, and several hundred meters from starting point, a trophy slides in the net. If possible? fog had even increased before the GPS screen lightens up. It got to show the way back, because I got no idea where back is located.
Carp in company: Last night a bonfire is lit up. Jean Marc, Jean Luc and Tomi, had found themselves time, for a night on the island. They bring good mood, a big cooling box, and some shelter for the night. Jean Luc brought his carp-gear, in hope for a quick fish. Tomi who is chef, has through time treated with high class meals.
Today is no exception!
The inside of before mentioned box, shows to contain big tressures of food and drink. Before the company notice, is yet another memorable afternoon/night, gone through the hourglass.
Most of 13 runs, had occurred from morning till afternoon. Number 14 goes of next noon at 10:45. Along with me making Contact to the fish, Jen Luc prepares the boat for take-off. Nearly 25m from this spot where the carp got hooked, it surrenders and is safely broad on board.
Point of the hook and hook-bait are still intact. Quickly and without feeding, we put the tackle back on its plateau. Jean Luc set course for camp, with the electric engine on full speed. On our way back, 250m of line disappears very fast between my fingers. On shore the rod is put back in place, while Jean Luc retains a 15.3kg mirror carp.
Defeat: At 11:45 we are packing up. A drop-back from hell! Are triggered on same rod that just delivered. The line lays flat on a calm lake surface, before the rod is pulled towards the sky.
Despite a high-speed line intake, I feel no movement at all. Only getting the feeling, of something that’s stuck to the bottom. After a mandatory boat-trip, the line points straight down, and there’s no fish to identify on the sounder.
It just shoves a very straight branch or iron-stick, pointing out of the bottom 16m below. It’s impossible to free the tackle, so a line break is unavoidable.
This specimen was a sneaky bastard, who crashed down the plateau-slope, under the obstacle, and back to freedom.
With more than 1000km of driving before reaching Denmark, there would be plenty opportunity to think about, if this was a really big one that left the final battle in victory.
Martin Stormly 2021.
