Date:
March
2008
Details: Grosley - a taste of what’s to come…..
I visited Grosley this week and arrived surprisingly in the sunshine! Despite the heavy rain over the last few months Grosley remains completely fishable. The banks were not muddy and even the track for vehicles around the lake was sound. I remember visiting this venue 5 years ago and Eric Touzé the new owner has already worked wonders on the site.
After several years of neglect this wonderful site is being given the opportunity to live up to it’s full potential. Eric has cleared away debris and given the whole place a much needed facelift. More importantly he has re-adjusted the number of and size of some of the swims.
A serious angler himself - he is well aware of what makes a good swim and has left much flexibility around the lake. Some swims and areas are ideal for groups of anglers to have whole areas of the lake to themselves... so he is quite prepared to leave certain swims empty to enable groups of anglers to get the most out of their holiday.
So far catches on the small lake have been excellent and prospects for the forthcoming season looks very promising - but the large lake has yet to be really fished. The first groups of anglers go out in April… so look out for updates on the website.
I took a tour of all the facilities and there will be an on site tackle and bait shop which will stock Quest baits - he has a nice range of boilies, dips and pop-ups alongside pellet etc.
Contrary to rumours on the forums we can assure you that there are no additional charges for fishing permits as there used to be in the past. The lake which is set in a beautiful valley has a railway line which runs along one side of the valley. Trains are few and far between, and not one passed in the day I was there. Eric tells me there is a commuter train to Paris which passes in the mornings and evenings but rarely runs at other times. It certainly would not deter me from coming here…
The on-site restaurant which over looks the small lake is simply decorated with lovely views over the lake and a great outdoor terrace. I'm sure this will be a big hit with the anglers who look to enjoy good food as well. Eric has now turned the restaurant into a ‘creperie’ and I was lucky enough to experience some of the food.
I had a savoury pancake with lardons (small pieces of bacon) onions and cheese sauce that will be on offer- it was superb and I reckon I’m a good judge of food as anyone who knows me will verify I am passionate about food!. Eric will also be doing a full English breakfast and evening meal package. From what I could see he had thought of everything - with one exception, HP brown sauce! But don’t worry - stocks will now be in place :-)
Regards, Bridget
Date:
March
2008
Details: Early Season Session
Just received this more detaioled report from Ron & Steve.....
Ron & Steve at Grosley 7th to 15th Feb 08
Set off late Wed evening for Dover ferry. Expected high wind’s but weather wasn’t as bad so had a good trip across. In Calais decided to set sat nav for Grosley got lost somewhere on way as it took 5hours this route... so we followed angling lines directions back and only took 3 hours 10 mins!!
Arrived at lake approx 11am after driving through thick fog/mist. As we neared the lake the mist cleared to show us the 2 lakes surrounded by woodland in the valley... a very inviting view to any angler.
The weather cleared to produce a bright clear start to the day. We met Eric and family who spoke pretty good English and welcomed us with hot drink to thaw us out. After looking around the small lake we decided to fish swims 21 and 22 which gave us plenty of flat area to set up the bivvy’s with on site picnic tables to the left looking from the restaurant.
The weather remainded dry all day but got as low as -6 most nights but did reach -8 on thursday night.
Some fish were showing on top when we arrived but disapeared for 2 days. Ron started to fish swim 22 with Quest Fruity Trifle boilies over pellets towards the left bay and bank ahead. Tried several set ups for 2 days but didn't get a bite.
Steve set up in swim 21 and fished towards the restaurant at several distances and the right bay. Started with Quest Rahja Spice on two rods and kg1 on other.
For both anglers the first 2 days were quite with just a couple of beeps but no runs, the weather very cold and the sun just starting to warm up.
Early on the 3rd morning at 02.15am Steve’s rod with Rahja sounded the alarm and they were off!
Steve was the first to grace the bank with a 25lb 9oz mirror which he sacked (with owners permission) for photo later.
Total fish caught - 14 Carp , 1 Sturgeon, 2 Bream and a Tench were caught during this Feb fishing break. Times and weights listed below :-
Sat 9th Feb
Steve – Rahja – 25lb 9oz Mirror at 02.15am
Steve – Rahja – 30lb 8oz Mirror at 18.30pm
Steve – KG1 - 20lb 4oz Mirror at 21.00pm
Steve – KG1 - 21lb 4oz Mirror at 23.00pm
Sun 10th Feb
Steve – Rahja – 11lb Bream & 5lb Bream
Steve – KG1 - 13lb 8oz Mirror at 14.30pm
Steve – Rahja – 18lb 2oz Mirror at 16.45pm
Mon 11th Feb
Steve – Rahja – 25lb 6oz Mirror at 14.45pm
Tues 12th Feb
Ron - Rahja – 14lb Mirror at 04.00am
Ron - Rahja – 30lb 4oz Common at 16.15pm
Steve – KG 1 - 9lb 8oz Mirror at 18.40pm
Wed 13th Feb
Ron - Rahja – 15lb 4oz Mirror at 08.05am
Ron - Rahja – 19lb 2oz Mirror at 14.10pm
Thur 14th Feb
Ron - Rahja – 22lb 4oz Mirror at 09.15am
Steve – KG1 – 5lb Tench
Ron - Rahja – 10lb 2oz Mirror at 18.45pm
Fri 15th Feb
Ron - Rahja – 11lb 6oz Sturgeon
The weather through out the trip was mainly dry and sunny during the day but bitter cold in evenings.
The facilities are basic with wc/showers but very clean with plenty of hot water.
Summary – The fishing was never going to be easy due to weather and time of year, but overall we had great sport. We were very well looked after by Eric and family who delivered bread each morning to the swims. We are looking forward to coming back in the summer when we know this will be a very good runs water and an extremely enjoyable fishing venue. Also look forward to trying Eric’s on site restaurant.
Date:
February
2008
Details: Early Season Sucess at Grosley!
Ron Neville & Steve Beeton are enjoying a great early season session at Grosley. In 6 days they have caught 13 carp so far (11 on Quest Rahja Spice) and 2 bream.
The carp incuded a 30.04, 30.02 & several others above 25lbs.
Steve had 4 fish on Saturday from 15lb to the 30lb'er which he caught around 18.30pm.
Ron's 30.04 came at around 4pm on Tuesday.
They tell us it's been dry and sunny but very cold... minus 6 some nights!
They have also had 2 big bream the largest being 11lb. Most fish have been caught at night or early morning.
Steve is fishing with Quest Rahja over a bed of pellets (from Eric) and also using KG3 boilies. Ron was using Fruity Trifle and didn't have any luck so changed to Rahja and started to catch.
More to follow....
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Steve's 30.02 |
Ron's 30.04 (nice jumper Ron!) |
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Date:
January
2008
Details: Grosley Small Lake
Following on from the video news report, here are a few photos of the carp recently stocked into Grosley Small Lake. The fish were all young mirrors and one common, mostly in the 30lb bracket, the largest going over 39lb.
These will add a boost to the lake that has already a good head of doubles and twenties and up not only the catch rates but the average size too.
These fish should do well, and as they are all young will grow fast.
