Reviews 2017

 

Simon and Christina 1/04/17

Our second year and again I have to say Les Croix is the ultimate carp fishing venue. It’s not just about the fishing either, as soon as you drive through the gates you hit the “tranquil zone”, chilled out – perfection! Jon as normal was welcoming and knowledgeable, it was great to meet Lisa later in the week. Gite was 5 star, Oscar seems to have recovered well albeit still with a snotty cough! Now the fishing, tricky week, temperature good mid teens – 20 degrees, but the fish kept at bay by cold North/East winds. I did manage to catch a couple though, mirrors at 36.02lb (1st time out in two years) and my new PB of 52.08lb. Also five stockies - perfection in miniature between 8 and 12lbs looking good for the future of the lake. Talking of the future we have booked for 2018 and 2019 and more likely every year after! Jon and Lisa thanks for everything.

 

Barry 08/04/17

I have been to Les Croix many times, the weather and the fishing have been variable but the standards remain the same. Jon’s hospitality is excellent, the gite is always spotlessly clean and the food delicious. This trip the fishing has been challenging with high pressure, cloudless skies and a cool North/East breeze. I have however been fortunate enough to catch two amazing fish, a grass carp of 35lb and a huge mirror of 60.12lb.

Hope to return again soon.

 

Jim and Helen 15/04/17

This was our second trip to Les Croix and it did not disappoint. The gite is superb and the welcome pack and flowers very much appreciated. Good to see Jon and Lisa again and the lovely Oscar. Fishing very successful despite challenging conditions. Fifteen fish caught topped by a big common at 65.20lb and 3 x 50’s, 5 x 40’s and a number of future leviathans . Look forward to returning to this “old carp anglers” paradise.

 

Ken and Rachel, 22/04/17

Our 15th visit to Les Croix and unfortunately has gone down as by far the coldest. Massive changes throughout the week- 22 degrees one day then a high of 4 degrees the next. Despite the conditions still managed to catch four stunning les Croix carp all of which were over 40lb (the biggest weighing a lovely 49.06lb. As expected the gite was clean homely and welcoming after being outside freezing all day! Big thanks to Jon for his usual hospitality

looking forward to September and meeting up with Oscars mate – the new dog.

 

 

Michael and John 29/04/17

Our first visit to Les Croix having fished in France for nearly twenty years. We got off to a flyer landing six fish on the Sunday to mid 40! The weather then changed and the fish switched off. A single fish of 62.3lb on Tuesday evening then nothing until Friday when the lake came alive giving us six fish to 67.9lb Jon was always on hand to offer advice and help with anything. The food package was top notch, the fish immaculate condition as was the gite. An amazing week and one of the best we have had. Many thanks Jon and Lisa.

 

 

John and Julie 20/05/17

Les Croix remains the favourite venue and the fishing lake of my/our year. Everything about it is spot on, Les Croix in the late Spring is at its best and spending time with both frogs and cuckoos is to be treasured. A remarkable period of weather pushed the water temperature up from 15 to 26 degrees during the week so fishing wise we have observed some carp at very close quarters as they have spent most of the week spawning. Despite every effort their interest in each other has meant a nil return for fish on the bank. The good news is we are back in September and can’t wait. Great to meet Lisa and thank you to you both for looking after us so well and keeping everything here so immaculate.

 

 

Paul, Freddie and Anya, 27/05/17

This was our first trip to Les Croix and it is truly a superb venue in all aspects. You can immediately tell that this is a totally professional and well run operation and very different to any other lakes I have fished in France over the last 30 years or so. The fishing was certainly not easy and too much sun is definitely not good for feeding fish! Overcast weather however and the fish start to move around the lake and feed. I have learnt a lot about the lake

over the week and now even more looking forward to my next visit in October this year. Jon and Lisa are fantastic hosts and I cannot fault any part of the accommodation, food, lake and company! See you in October for round two!!

 

 

Clare and George, 03/06/17

Our first time at Les Croix what a beautiful setting! Fishing not easy – weather very changeable. So peaceful and perfect accommodation, great BBQ’s in the evening and all that you could ask for in the gite. Many thanks Jon and Lisa (Nice welcome pack too!)

 

 

Mark and Jayne, 10/06/17

Our first visit to Les Croix, beautiful lake and location, tranquil and peaceful, lots of birds so you need your binoculars and not just to watch what the carp are doing – look out for the hoopoe’s! Fishing was challenging but very enjoyable. During a 24 hour period landed 40lb, 35lb and Emma at 58.2lb from Sunday evening to Monday morning, all stunning fish! Then the carp switched onto the abundance of natural food and showed no interest in offerings of boilies. Accommodation was great and Jon provided excellent meals every evening. Les Croix is an anglers dream on an exclusive lake full of stunning carp. Les Croix should be the top of every carp anglers list.

 

Ben, 22/07/17

Had a fantastic week even if it did rain every day. But when it stopped the fishing was brilliant. Just what I wanted! Ten fish altogether, highest 58lb, three in the 30’s, four in the 20’s and two under 10lb. Jon was a brilliant host and cook,

will be booking to come back again. Best holiday ever. Thank you.

 

 

Ashley, Alan, Daisy, Jackie and Kim, 19/08/17

We are a party of five, two of which were fishing and three to relax. We were very impressed with the gite it was spotless and homely. We sat outside on the patio everyday it was lovely, the pool was fantastic even though it was a bit cold for the first day. The food has been fantastic, so much given to us each day that we are going home heavier than when we came! The fishing has been challenging because the weather has been so hot but as of now they have caught four beautiful fish all caught at the end of the day. The hospitality of Jon and Lisa has been exceptional, very lovely people, we don’t want to leave this lovely tranquil place. We hope to return, thank you.

 

 

Ken and Rachel, 02/09/17

Our sixteenth visit and a whole two weeks of total relaxation! The fishing was unusually slow, with the majority of the nine fish caught just before or after dark. All fish however were in perfect condition. Although the fishing was slow, still managed to catch 4 x 40’s – the biggest just under 46lb. The lake matures and looks better each year that passes. The gite clean and homely as always and loving the new sofas! Great to meet Oscars pal Bailey. Thank you for all, see you soon.

 

 

Lee and Lesley, 16/09/17

Les Croix is "Quality Quality Quality" ! the venue is second to none, the carp are the best and the accommodation is tops, Oh and not forgetting Jon and Lisa's hospitality, the whole package is one that leaves you wanting more. If you want a treat for lunch or dinner try the Le Roc Du Boeuf in Rochechouart or Le Castel De Glane in St Junien, and despite two or three attempts

we didn't make it to the Burger Sur Vienne in St Junien which came highly recommended. Also ask Jon to direct you to the Patisserie in St Junien it will blow you away if you like your bread, croissants or desserts.  We also had a sobering visit to Oradour sur Glane village and museum which whilst not uplifting for a holiday we had no idea of it's WWII story and again recommended. We had a couple of high pressure periods so things were slow on the fishing front but to be honest I did not fish hard, choosing to do 3-4 hours in the morning and the same in the evening allowing the swim to rest. On the Sunday my first day of fishing I managed to meet up with `Slate` at a weight of 59.06lb and having a carp of this quality so early both Jon and I said there was only one way to go and that was down. How wrong we were. Not fishing every day and continuing with

short sessions  I had the privilege to land a 49, `Perky` at 52 and `Emma` at 62. ten carp in all for an average of 38lb+, all in all an incredible two weeks. Cannot wait to get back and can't thank Jon enough for a tremendous holiday that ticked every box

 

 

John and Julie,30/09/17

After a fishless week in May courtesy of frolicking fish intent only on each other there was some anxiety on the fishing front. A fish within Five minutes helped sort that out and it got better and better ending up with in the last hour on Friday "Emma" a personal best. All nine fish caught in late afternoon/evening from the centre of the lake. So that left plenty of time for a relaxing break and the opportunity to enjoy this wonderful place and local area. It is a thrill to be here – for the fishing as where else can you go and catch over 100lb of fish in two casts and where the average for the week is over 40lb. For the venue Jon and Lisa continue to provide an exceptionally well appointed gite and beautiful environment. Thank you both for sharing this with us and see you again next year.

 

 

Dave and Paul, 07/10/17

Really enjoyed our stay, everything taken care of and made it relaxing and stress free. The journey down was very easy with hardly any traffic all the way from Caen. The gite is comfortable and caters for all your needs, also fresh eggs on site was a bonus. The weather was perfect (for English autumn carping) but seems not for our French relations. Light rain followed by sunshine! We tried and tried but couldn’t get the fish to feed. Some days the lake was just dead – amazing for this time of year. Even so we loved it here and had a really good time unwinding from the stress and pressure of the UK. The carp will wait and no doubt we will be back. Lovely venue. Chilled out!

 

 

Jim and Helen, 21/10/17

We have been so looking forward to our third visit to Les Croix, in fact since our last trip in April. It was great to see Jon and Lisa again, as well as Oscar of course and new recruit Bailey. The gite was immaculate as before, the lake looked fantastic and with the weather set fair we anticipated a lovely week of relaxation away from city life – with fresh eggs for breakfast. This was our first autumn trip, it can be a time of feast or famine and this proved

to be the case with more than half of the catch coming in a three hour period at the end of the week. With very high pressure and warm sunny days the fish were off the feed for a few days midweek. I stuck to the plan and in fact used more bait than usual, with gentle encouragement from Jon – this paid off because the fish turned on Friday evening with five carp between 7 and 10pm and culminating in the capture of the magnificent Slate at 59lb.

A challenging and rewarding week and again we can’t wait to return in April 2018. 

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