Your host for the week is Martin Ainsley. A carp angler of nearly 30 years experience, (pre-hair - he even remembers when you had to strike!!) He is well qualified to introduce you to the best swims on his local rivers Creuse and Vienne having dedicated the last 30 months exploring them. Also, by being fluent in French he has gained invalueable knowledge through a local "River Only" carp fishers club.
Prior to moving to this area Martin and his wife Bernie ran the renowned KingfisherNormandy fishery. They gained a great reputation for their customer service which meant them being booked for years ahead. Martin would sometimes sit for hours working on a new plan of action with a struggling angler, this would often result in a telephone call with an invitation to drink to a new personal best. One very special night after a new area, baiting plan, set-up and rig was decided upon after 4 blank days, a call came in at 2am with news of the capture of a new upper-forty for the venue, quickly followed by a brace of upper thirties. For a host it just doesn't come any better than that! (The angler was quite chuffed too!) It's his enthusiasm and confidence that is infectious and helps anglers with the sometimes daunting prospect of French Carping.
His uncomplicated yet descriptive opinions of how best to catch, treat and enjoy our favourite quarry make him very popular with both French and British anglers alike. He describes himself as a thinking angler spending many hours finding fish, their patrol routes and feeding areas, then pre-baiting and making plans for fishing prospected areas. This has paid off for him and is particularly useful for the visiting angler. He can assure you that fish are present in a stretch and give you information on what methods and baits have produced for him. You can therefore fish with confidence from the outset, one of the most important things in fishing.
Personal Favourite début river 30 at 37.08lb
The three fish shown are of particular interest in his French fishing career, not just for their size but the fact that he changed his tactics completely to put each fish on the bank. The two larger specimens were extremely angler-wary fish and a major change of baiting approach helped him beat their wariness. The beautiful riverfish came to modified stalking tactics in relatively shallow water on a baking hot summers day, having watched her for a couple of hours. "You simply can't beat that feeling!"
The Enigmatic "Shower" at an all time high of 48.07lb
He can guarantee that you will be fishing in proven areas with proven captures with tried and tested tactics. He can also guarantee that you will be thoroughly well looked after in a supremely picturesque region of France. He and Bernie have always tried to ensure that everybody enjoys their time in France to the full. They can point out the best hostelries and restaurants if you want to soak up some of the French atmosphere. (He will bivvy sit for you if all of your group want to go out together. It's your holiday, he will sort out as much as he can for you.
If however you just want to enjoy your holiday completely alone he understands this and will leave you to enjoy your stay. Though you have the reassurance of a French speaker available to you at all time via the phone.
