Lac Baliene - Spring 2010
A slightly quieter year for the lake last year, lots of fish caught by those fishing with the biggest going upper forties. The average weight of the fish is rising year on year with average weight of the fish caught being upper doubles/low twenties. The great thing about the place is that every swim produces fish, given the stocking levels being ‘generous’ and the fishes preference to shoal up and move up and down the entire length of the lake it’s pretty hard to avoid catching fish. Ideal for the first time ‘French trippers’ or the want a week of good fun fishing groups with added bonus of the chance of a whacker.
We carried out lots of work on Baliene in 2009 in regard to the swims. The problem has been the eternal water level changes governed by a climate, localised gravel extractions and irrigation by the farmers which has resulted in pegs1 through 6 being unfishable (at least comfortably) during the first few months of the season. To resolve this we have extensively reworked the swims turning them into split level double swims, this should mean that at full water level you should be able to land the fish without having to wade out. This is not proven yet obviously because after 3 very wet winters this bloody winter was fairly dry so the lake still has not filled up. Whilst i had the big blue digger to hand i decided to smarten up the other swims too so now most of the swims are levelled and gravelled. Just a note to the bloody minded, fishing is not allowed from the clear areas in front of the facilities, the area is clear so you can view the lake whilst you eat.
The facilities on the lake are fully operational with cooking, toilets and showers on both sides of the lake. Time permitting we hope to add an additional toilet/ shower facility behind peg 1 in 2010. Common sense is required in regard to the tracks around the lake, if it has rained heavily the tracks will be soft and muddy, please stick to the main gravel track to the entrance side.
We were approached last year with a view to letting the lake out for Enduro carp matches, as it turned out nothing came of it but it has started us thinking. If there are enough interested parties (14 x 2man teams) we would run a 48 hour carp fishing match based on the popular international ones currently being run. The only difference being that we would expect the match to be ‘Enduro’ in the true sense of the word. This would not be a match were the draw was the crucial factor (see previous comments on stock levels), angling ability and stamina being the real factors. Anyhow as i said just a thought, anyone interested email me and if there is enough interest i will sort it out.
Anyhow, enough of my drivel all that is left is to wish you a successful season carping be it with us or wherever, i wish you well. Remember to leave a little for tomorrow because today should never be enough.
Phil G