Quarry Bank Fishery - Part 1
Fennel begins a 12-part series about carp fishing at the fabulous Quarry Bank Fishery in France.
A grand adventure
During our times of lockdown and stay-at-home living and working, one can't help but yearn for 'the times before' when we could go wherever we wanted with little consideration for infection, pollution or interruption. We 'had it good', and I hope that much of that freedom returns, albeit with the wisdom of us having learned from current events.
One such 'time away', which happened in September last year, was a week-long fishing trip with Shaun Harrison and Tim Pike. We'd been planning for six years to get together and have a 'grand adventure', so when Shaun took over managing the bookings for Dream Fishing Holidays, we saw our opportunity to book something up.
With each of us being experienced anglers and travellers, we were unfazed by distance or the fishing challenge that might present itself. Perhaps more crucially than that, we were all hard working folk in need of a good rest. We needed somewhere quiet, somewhere with history, somewhere with lots of nature, and somewhere to hang the coats of our crazy modern lives while we slipped into the robes of contentment.
Somewhere to lose and then find yourself
Shaun knew that I would prefer a water where I could fish semi-traditionally, close in to the bank (none of this casting to the horizon or rowing out one's baits into the next county) and ideally using centrepin reels. But, fishing overseas being what it is, we were likely to encounter much bigger fish than usual, so the rods and lines would have to be upgraded to something stronger than my usual bamboo toothpicks and flimsy filaments. However, depending on time of year, we might still be able to wear our tweeds and floppy hats. And, absolutely, we'd be taking several books to read and picking up a few gallons of wine on route.
Whilst we'd be fishing, this would first and foremost be a holiday. Somewhere tranquil were we could slow down, drift free from our burdens and worries, and listen to the inner voice that speaks truths in the quiet of our minds.
The stuff of legend
We looked first at 'The Hidden Lake' (Étang Caché), which has the reputation of being 'The French Redmire' due to it being similar in size and shape to the record-breaking carp pool, yet with a bigger head of big fish - circa 100 carp averaging 40lb but going to over 50lb. Alas, the available dates didn't work for Tim and I.
Shaun then proposed another lake, not too far from Étang Caché, which for some undue reason was proving less popular than his other waters. It was very different, very historic, and presented a unique angling challenge. A "man's water", not so much in size (it was only 5 acres), but in depth. A flooded quarry, its banks were vertical cliffs 40ft above and below the waterline. You could cast an inch from the bank and still be fishing 40ft away, such was the depth of water.
The challenge, if a fish was hooked, would be to haul it safely to the surface, playing it vertically and horizontally – rather like fishing from a boat. And play the fish responsibly you must, as savage underwater rocks could cut or snag your line if you didn't play a fish quickly enough to the surface. "Not easy to do," said Shaun, "given that the carp run to over 50lb and the catfish go to over 60lb."
At first, this 'Man's water' sounded intimidating. But I'd fished a similar water before (BB's legendary 'The Old Copper Mine' in Devon) which was also a flooded quarry and very nearly as famous as Redmire. So perhaps this new lake, named 'Quarry Bank' by its English owners, might also be the stuff of legend? If Étang Caché had the reputation as being The French Redmire, then perhaps Quarry Bank Fishery might be The French Beechmere, somewhere (quoting BB) to "take premier place in my affections"?
We'd have to book it for a week and then find out...
Somewhere to hang the coats of our crazy modern lives while we slipped into the robes of contentment.
...to take premier place in my affections.
A flooded quarry, its banks were vertical cliffs 40ft above and below the waterline.
You could cast an inch from the bank and still be fishing 40ft away, such was the depth of water.
Somewhere to use a centrepin and have a very real chance of catching a 50lb carp from under the rod tip.
Savage rocks, which extended deep underwater, could cut or snag your line if you didn't play a fish quickly.
The stuff of legend.
Part 2, 'About the lake', to follow next week.
Quarry Bank Fishery is a 5-acre water in southwest France, about a two-hour drive from Limoges airport. It is set within 14 acres of private grounds, which are sensitively managed for their wildlife interest. This makes it a haven for both anglers and fish. The fishery is available for exclusive bookings only, for up to five anglers.