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Carp River Fishing in France with Ade Kiddell
When spending another lovely morning in the French Ardennes, it takes a few minutes to let it all sink in. The weather most spring mornings are lovely, with the birds singing and the trees in blossom, but we still face another day of lockdown.
Experiencing Lockdown in France
We are now entering our third week of lockdown here in France. It differs from the lockdown conditions in the UK in that it is much tighter control. Firstly, to leave the house, we must fill in a form that we can download from the internet. The form requires us to give the reason we need to go out, whether it be work, food, exercise, etc. We must sign the date and time the form and carry it with us. These restrictions allow us only to go out for just 1 hour per day and within a 1 km radius of our home. This is backed up by regular police checks and a pricey 135 euro fine if we are out without good reason or correct paperwork. When watching UK TV, I can only think a much stricter system need to be imposed in the UK in order for people to stay safe and save lives.
Fishing Restrictions
As it may be for many other anglers, the biggest control I struggle with is not being able to fish. When the lockdown was first imposed I was able to fish, as the river next to my home means that I can fish from my garden without leaving my property. However, this was quickly turned into a total fishing ban as others in France were driving to a venue with their mates for a days fishing. The biggest frustration I have is I could actually fish from my lounge window! I think self-isolation with me and a fishing rod would be perfect.
Eyeing up Target Fish
Those of you that follow my blogs will know this time of year I normally start my campaign to catch a big river carp, a forty has always been my target, I have come close with plenty of thirties up to 37lb but the magic forty still eludes me. I have a couple of areas in my garden that have produced some good fish for me, luckily remaining well within the boundaries of lockdown I can keep an eye on these areas in anticipation of the lifting of restrictions.
Throwback of the Mid-30s Carp
Whilst looking for any signs of fish, my mind went back to when I first lived in France I didn't fish for the carp, barbel was always my main target, I stumbled upon the carp more by accident than design. A few years ago whilst I was a consultant for Korum, the Korum media manager Adam Firth came over to stay for a few days, the plan being too fish for barbel whilst testing out some new products and taking photos and film of new products in action.
We were busy with testing some new hook-link material, new reels and bite alarms, whilst we sat and talked, we had the rods out on a couple of spots we had been feeding, the same spots I talked about feeding earlier in this piece. Adam was filming a short piece with me talking about the new alarms when all of sudden one of my alarms screamed off. I picked up the rod and set the hook into a fish that quickly became obvious wasn't a barbel and within seconds 70 or 80 metres of the line had been stripped from the reel before the fish surfaced at distance! I could only see the swirl of a tail, I felt sure it was a catfish that had picked up my bait and set about bringing it to the net. Adam had quickly got the cameras out and filmed the whole fight and netting of the fish, which turned out several minutes later to be a mid 30s carp. A brute of a fish in fantastic condition.
Dreaming for a Big River Carp
I had caught bigger carp before but that fish was different and was the start of my now annual campaign to catch a forty-pound river carp from my now home river. I have seen plenty of the 30s a few 40s a couple of 50s and actually weighed a fish of over 60lb for a mate of mine staying at the house. So these big carp are not myths they do exist I just have to catch one.
Honouring a fellow Angler
On a much more sobering thought, I would like to mention my Brother in law, who as we speak is in intensive care with severe symptoms of this dreaded virus. I re-introduced Ben to fishing a few years ago, as he had fished in the past but work and family meant he hadn't fished for years. I soon got him back in the game and he has caught some really good fish over the last few years. Ben we all thinking of you and send you our wishes for a fast and full recovery, when I can, I will be baiting up a swim for you mate, so get well soon.
My advice to anglers of the UK, however frustrating it is, follow the advice of the experts. The longer we ignore the longer it will be before we can get back to living our lives, seeing friends and family and of course to go fishing!
STAY HOME, STAY SAFE, SAVE LIVES.