World Carp Classic - Offical Global Website
Lake Bolsena 3rd - 9th September 2012

This will probably come as great relief to those competing in the WCC. Last night at approximately 6pm the wind picked up and dark clouds rolled in. A few specks of rain were felt and by the time darkness fell, lightning lit up the skies and Steve and I counted the seconds between the rumbles of thunder. The storm was getting closer as the time gap reduced, so neither of us wasted anymore time in putting up a shelter each to keep dry. The dogs had already scarpered to their cage in the van!

The temperatures have been very high in this area for the past few weeks. The change in weather could be just the ticket to get the Madine carp in the mood for some food. The fishing has been very difficult and slow according to the fishery manager and bailiff and after a quick chat with him this morning; he confirmed a fish may have been caught last night from the lake itself. At the moment he is certain the fish are contained in the middle areas of the lake and the fish last night was apparently caught at extreme range out towards the middle. I noticed on the official WCC website that distance markers are to be placed in between every third swim at a distance of 230 metres. The maximum distance you are allowed to fish this year is 200m. There will be plenty of checks using GPS if you are suspected of going further than the distance allowed and these special markers are a guide so you all know your boundaries.

A distance boundary marker at the WCC

Little Madine is not exactly fishing its head off either! I have been plugging away and working relatively hard, to try and catch carp number 2. The fish have been giving away their presence and two were definitely heard over my tiger nut and monster tiger nut pellet area before midnight, however, in the morning the rods remained static and no chances came to either of us. As conditions go, the wind is blowing straight into our faces and it looks perfect. I suppose the dramatic change in the weather could be too sudden and it may take a while for the fish to switch on. The temperature today is very mild and with the overcast skies, it reminds me of a typical English day in the autumn. Compared to yesterday’s scorcher it is a very welcome break indeed.

Ross Honey and his wife Marianne are due to turn up any minute, arriving from the UK. The hard work is about to commence and as of tomorrow, the fishing on Little Madine will just be done at night. I suppose I should set myself a goal whilst fishing the smaller of the Madine lakes over the next 5 or 6 nights and that will be to catch a carp over 30lbs. I know this is a challenge as Leon H fished it last year and caught plenty of carp but none over 30lbs. I know it can be achieved too, as Ben, who worked at the WCC last year, caught a 30lb common last year and I witnessed that one.

If you are heading to the WCC to fish have a safe journey and don’t forget anything important like your bait or reels. The amenities at Madine are very good if it is your first time here. Showers and toilets are available free of charge in the Bivvy City field. There is also a small local supermarket situated 4.5km away in Nonsard. It is a very small Intermarche and almost looks like a small warehouse (complete with a small bar/restaurant outside which sells cigarettes). The shop itself has everything a carp angler could ever need food wise, so if you need any extra provisions whilst you are here, the local supermarket is ideal. The nearest town is about 25 minutes drive away, and don’t forget, in France everything closes at lunchtime from 12pm till 2.30pm, and on Mondays nothing generally opens till the afternoon.

A very deserted bivvy city, with the ceremony hall in the background.

The facilities provided last year at Bivvy City consisted of a Stella bar and a lethal Hot Dog stand. I say lethal because ‘beware’ the mustard and Merguez sausage combination. It is not for the faint hearted! I hope this stand is provided again this year just to see the look on some of the faces of the unsuspecting buyers. I distinctly remember the pained look on one of the lads faces from the Irish pairing last year.

Hopefully the carp will be in a more playful mood tonight at Little Madine. Be back tomorrow with an evening post.

Catch you then.

Jake and the dogs!