World Carp Classic - Official Global Website
Lake Bolsena 2nd - 8th September 2012

Photographs done of the 41ib, it must have been on the bait big time as it left about a pound of scopex squid red on the mat although it had fallen to a tiger nut, there was a bit of a respite in the wind and so I took the opportunity to get the rod back out and also give both spots a top up with bait.

I also had to reposition the marker as the fish took it out on its first powerful run; I knew the rough area and depth so it wouldn’t be too difficult. Any further out and I would have Gps’d it but the marker went back in position no problem together with a 2kg odd of bait and the same on the weed bed rod. The wind then increased to powerful propositions as the morning went on, the 8oz leads dragged along the bottom and 4ft waves wiped out the markers, great no doubt the bait I had put in would be down by the dam now 3 miles away! I had to pull the rods in and as conditions were hopeless it seemed the story of the session, just start to get things going and then the weather causes it to go all wrong. I therefore spend the time preparing the bait again ready for when the wind drops, it also seems a good opportunity to strip some of the old line off the reels 50m should do it as I’m not fishing long distance and then put on fresh leaders. The line has been on the reels 5 weeks and fished in some tough areas and with the rocks at Salagou it’s important to have your line and leaders 100%. All the jobs out of the way, the typing upto date then time to put the kettle on for a cuppa and listen to the radio and hope the wind subsides for the afternoon/evening.

Well its been a quiet couple of days, due in main to the mistral currently blowing gale force winds around the lake, these just make fishing impossible, you cant get out in the boat, rigs are blown away even with heavy leads and the fish just don’t like them. The winds blow day and night and can go on for days on end, anyone thinking of a session on Salagou should bear this in mind as over my last 3 sessions on the lake i have lost roughly 50% of fishing time. Anyway eventually the winds drop after 4 days and the lake is a totally different place and i can start the session again, keeping two centre rods at range on the drop off of the plateau a rod left on the edge of the weedbeds and a rod to the right on the bar. It is this rod that produces the next fish late afternoon and although not big it is gratefully accepted, on top of that it is a mirror and being only my second ever Salagou mirror i take a picture of it.

I ought to start another part of the diary but since it will be no.13 decided it might be unlucky and will carry on. It's Saturday and lots of pike anglers out, it is complete still no wind and the temperatures are soaring. The carp seem to love it and by mid morning carp are crashing every 15 seconds mainly in the middle of the lake, this goes on for hours and is an awesome spectacle. Both the two short range rods produce a fish each, 20ib plus commons, it is the rods on the long range rods that I am hoping will go off as these tend to produce the bigger fish. The following morning produces a better fish from the rod on the bar, it gets snagged though and i have to go out in the boat to free it, not sure what it was but manage to clear it and it is a better common that fights hard. I eventually net it and it is a cracking 35ib common. Shortly after ive done the pictures a big old storm brews and thunder and lightening roll around the lake for hours, you would think this would kick the fish off in big style but it is quiet no carp jumping at all.

Well that was the last of the action I decide to call it a day while the weather is reasonable and before another mistral comes along. Its been one of the tougher sessions I have fished with everything over the last six weeks from snow, to heatwaves, to torrential rains, to flooding and massive increases in water levels, to gales. Everyday is a challenge and it can be an achievement just to get the rods out against the elements and a carp no matter what the size is a bonus from these wild, beautiful waters and i wouldn’t want it any other way.

It’s always nice to be heading home, the journey is a long way across the length of France but then you are on the ferry with a cold pint of lager. The white cliffs of Dover come into view and you know you’re home, back to family and friends and another world!!! Until next time...thanks for reading, enjoy your fishing and follow your dreams.