Date: November 2008

Details: 35-pounder in the snow!!

Extract from Carp Talk On-Line - November 6th 2008

Samantha Collins-Ratcliffe has been in touch to let us know about her latest excursion to France. The trip all be it a brief one – just three days – ended up being a real eye opener! The trip came about after speaking to David Keep of Angling Lines. Samantha explained how she would be going away sampling some fine regional wines and hopefully some fine weather and fancied getting the rods out for a few days. David recommended the nearby Windmill Lakes. The venue consists of two lakes set amongst 32 acres of beautiful French countryside, the first lake is around 3 acres and holds carp to 30lb, and the second lake is roughly 4 acres and holds carp to 40lb.

The first part of the trip went very well, but when Samantha eventually arrived at the lake she was pleased to be greeted by Dave and Sue Bainbridge who kindly offered a much needed mug of coffee. The temperature had plummeted and it wasn’t long before snow started to fall. The sudden drop in temperature left Samantha and her party of anglers feeling uncertain as to whether or not they would catch.

It all came good on the third day though when something decided to sample one of her hookbaits. A good 10 minute battle resulted in a nice 35lb mirror resting in the bottom of her landing net. The mirror fell to a new bait on test from Quest Baits, which was attached to an unusual take on the chod which Samantha has been playing around with. Rather than using beads to hold the hooklink in place, she has been experiencing a lot of success by using two air-dried 10mm hookbaits. Alongside this she presented one of her own PVA bags containing a dozen whole and broken freebies.

As it turned out Sam was the only one to catch during the trip and to do so during the snow made the experience even more special.

Date: May 2008

Details: March/April Round Up

Well, what a start to the season. We were daft enough to believe that we had everything under control and all was ready for the off when on the 10th March along came a storm which ripped the whole cabin roof off and dropped it upside down in the field behind! Several of the side panels went with it along with the electrics. “Oh dear”, we said.

Once it stopped raining we managed to restore everything to its former glory and it is now in use again.

March and April have been the wettest since we have been in France causing the lakes to flood 4 times and turning the banks into mudbaths. Hopefully this May sunshine will soon dry everything out.

Despite all this April has provided 145 Mirrors, 9 Commons, 1 Grass Carp, 6 Pike, 2 Tench and 4 Cats. This includes 2 forties and 14 thirties, oh, and a stunning 3lb 8oz Crucian.

One thing that has been very noticeable is that in spite off all these fish an awful lot of runs have resulted in not connecting with fish or in fish lost before they are netted. It seems that anglers will need to be more flexible with their rig methods to overcome these problems.

Our new Viper Icon bait boat, for hire this year, is proving to be a great success, reports are that battery life is excellent, the boat is very stable and easy to use, delivering 1kg each trip out. It even has no trouble dropping sticky particles, just the job!!

Now that May has arrived and the weather is warming up at last, it hasn’t rained for three days now. The fish are feeding a lot more confidently, already this week we have had 7 thirties out from the Carp Lake alone so things are looking up.

That’s all for now, the May update will be here soon.

Dave & Sue

April Storm Damage! All repaired now.....

Date: November 2007

Details: FANTASTIC AUTUMN & WINTER DEALS NOW AVAILABLE

Save money & fish! End of season & winter packages at great prices - now available. Ring Angling Lines for details :-)

Date: September 2007

Details: Yet Another Windmill Record !!!

In a week when runs have been hard to come by, probably due to the hot sunny days and very cold, clear nights, Phil Ince has worked hard all week to land this 45lb Mirror. The new Carp Lake Record fell to a single Elite Christmas Cracker boilie fished with a stringer over a bed of Halibut pellets and crushed boilies. He used a free-running set up and took the fish under the corner willow in front of the cabin.

Phil's previous PB was a 19 pounder from a day ticket water in Waltham Abbey so he was really stunned with the size of this catch and agrees that some things really are worth waiting for.

Date: July 2007

Details: Record Catch of Grass Carp

21st-28th July
Last week started well for Peter James who landed a massive Catfish but unfortunately the scales bottomed out at 52lbs so the exact weight isn't known. Although no photos were taken Garath has downloaded their video footage and hopefully this will be on the site soon. The weather was changeable with torrential rain but nothing could dampen their spirits as 30lb Carp after 30lb Carp was landed amongst them were 4 beautiful Grassies and 2 Commons. In all Matt Ayres landed 4 Grass Carp of 23lb 8oz, 33lb 1oz, 36lb 8oz and 26lb 7oz plus 2 Commons of 23lb and 26lb, plus three 30lb + Mirrors. Karl Law landed six 30lb Mirrors up to 37lb and Steve Peglar fishing the Cat Lake landed numerous Mirrors. Total weight was 950lb So I think its safe to say they had a good week....

Dave & Sue

Matt Ayres 33lb 1oz	Karl Law 34lb 8 oz	Matt Ayres 26lb 8oz
Karl Law 37 lbs

Date: July 2007

Details: Chalet Ready for Action....

At last!!!!! We have finally finished the Chalet and its now ready for guests. It is situated on the left hand side of the Carp Lake about 15 metres from the waters edge and being in an elevated position it has a fabulous view across the venue. There is accomodation for up to 4 people with a gas hob, fridge, sink, table and chairs. Bedding, cutlery and crockery are also supplied, there is also 12 volt solar powered lighting and pumped water. Our first guest is in residence this week so we look forward to his comments.

Date: June 2007

Details: The Cat's whiskers.....

21 June 2007

Congratulations to Pat Moore who has been hoping to catch his first catfish this week. He had lost 2 possible thirties during the week and was beginning to think that this wasn't his trip when in a 12 hour spell he landed a 36lb, a 37lb and this 44 lb 4oz beauty at 11.50pm last night.

He seems very happy this morning!!!!!

Dave & Sue

Date: June 2007

Details: NEW ACCOMMODATION

19 June 2007

Yes - its been a long time coming, but our new chalet is nearly ready!

All the basic structure is now complete, ready for a grand opening early July. These pictures were taken before the exterior treatment phase which starts today. More info & photos to follow....

Dave & Sue

Up close	From across the Carp Lake	View from the veranda

Date: May 2007

Details: BARNET THIRTIES CLUB

Wednesday 23 May 2007

Wed 23rd.
Danny Gruar, Glen Ward and Glen Skinner are fishing Windmill this week and to be honest it's been tough fishing. Despite this they have still managed to bank FIVE thirties between 34lb 4oz and 39lb 10oz, plus a 28lb 12oz all Mirrors. They are fishing single and double smokey mackerel 20mm's with between 30 and 50 loose baits fed over the top of each rig. Mainly to the far margins from the north bank or to the islands overhanging trees.

Last night they kindly invited me to fish with them. I chose to have a go at the Cats in the top lake, fishing 2 x 28mm Halibut pellets over carp pellet beds and it paid off! 1 x 34lb Cat and 1 x 41lb 4oz (my PB Cat). Sorry about the poor photos but nobody else woke up!!!

All the best.
Dave

Date: May 2007

Details: Brace of Thirties.....

Due to our closure this week allowing us to put the footings in and hopefully build an Alpine Sprucewood chalet, (just waiting for the concrete to dry - start building tomorrow), it has been necessary for me to carry out vital stock control proceedures - Go Fishing in other words!!.

In a twelve hour night session on Sunday I managed a 25lb and a 29lb 12oz... both Mirrors.

Then last night, Tuesday, I laid there all night with nothing then two came along at 7am - typical!. Still mustn't complain one was 30lb 4oz and then a 36lb 4oz. Bit of a hectic half hour.

All fish were tempted by Elite Smokey Mackerel with 50 loose fed baits over each rig. I will probably have to go to work again tonight with my 3 Armalites and Shimanos and see what else it produces.

Dave

36lb 4oz	30lb 4oz and 36lb 4oz

Date: April 2007

Details: WINDMILL SEASON OFF TO A STONKING START!!!!

Hi All,

We've just said goodbye to our first full group of the season and as reported previously the "Luton Boys" have rally had a top week.

The final tally was 85 fish including 17 x 20's, 9 x 30's and 2 x 40's, for a total weight of 1,451 lbs. Everyone had PB's and all had 30's. Three Cats came out and one Grass Carp which is particularly surprising this early in the year. "Well Done Guys".

Top baits were Elite Smokey Mackerel, Mainline NRG and a privately made Tuna & Sardine flavour. Cats - Halibut Pellet.

Some of their comments were:-

"Great Holiday, It was better than last year, thanks to Dave & Sue for being great hosts".

"Great Food, Beautiful, tranquil venue and superb fish".

"All round excelent holiday, thanks very much and see you next year".

Thanks lads - hope to see you soon.

Dave & Sue

Date: April 2007

Details: Excellent 24 Hours!!

Well done to the "Luton Boys" who returned to us this week for the second time. In one 13 hour session between 5.30am today and 6.10pm they managed to land 4 x 30's and a 40lb. The terrific catch is 33.4 Grasscarp, 33.4 Mirror, 30.8 Mirror, 32.12 Mirror and a 40.6 Mirror.

Also this week they have banked numerous 20's plus Catfish of 43lb,37lb and 20lb.

Their total bag at 10pm this evening added up to 630lb and it's still only Monday!!

More pictures to follow.

Dave & Sue

Tom Grylls 33lb 4oz	Dean Clay 33lb 4oz	Matt Hardy 40lb 6oz

Date: September 2006

Details: New Stock for Windmill....

We have had an opportunity to buy some local fish and so have added 8 new Common Carp from 19 lbs to 29 lbs 14oz and 2 Mirror Carp, both 25 lbs to the Top Lake. These fish are in pristine condition having never been fished before.

Stocking 8 Sept 06	29 lb 14 oz Common	25 lb Mirror
25 lb Mirror

Date: July 2006

Details: 51lb Catfish at Windmill Lakes

2 July 2006

Well the Catfish have finally topped the 50lb barrier with this 51lb 10oz lump caught by Peter. He took our advice and put a very, very large bed of halibut pellet down, then fished over the top of them, once again with pellet, and waited for this cute little creature to come along. After a 20 min fight on the bank he took to the boat to chase it around the island and through every snag it could find. Two people had to swim in and try to net it but it was just too big and had to be landed by hand. He has continued to catch Cats during the week using the same method. So far he has landed a 36lb, 31lb, 22lb and a 42lb Cat.

Pete and his lovely assistant

Date: June 2006

Details: Yet another Windmill Record!!

25 June 2006

Well what a day - England beat Equador, Coultard gets championship point and 40lb 11oz Grass Carp is banked at Windmill !!!.

Well done to Adrian Marsh who landed this excellent fish at 4.30pm today. It fell to a Richworth Honey and Yuccatan 14mm boilie fished over a very large bed of hemp, maize and chick peas. He continued to catch fish throughout the evening but nothing quite as exciting as this specimen.

Date: June 2006

Details: Double Ladies Record!

7 June 2006

Congratulations to Carolyn Robins who landed the New Windmill Lakes Ladies Records with this Mirror Carp at 36lbs 12oz,(smashing her PB by 20lbs), plus a Catfish of 26lb 8oz on Monday. The Carp was landed at 10.10pm last night and fell to Nutrabaits 3D fished over 7mm pellet. The Catfish was caught on 5 Halibut pellets fished over a large bed of the same.

We couldn't persuade Carolyn to hold the Carp, so her son Lee did the honours.

The way the lakes are fishing at the moment it's a shame there is no-one here next week!!

Dave & Sue

Lee Holding Mums Mirror	Carolyn and her Cat

Date: May 2006

Details: New Lake Record

9 May 2006
Congrats to Mark Osbaldson from Manchester who landed a PB 28lb Mirror yesterday and at 2.00 this morning banked this 39lb 12oz Mirror which is not only his new PB but the biggest carp out of the Main Lake at Windmill. The fish were both caught on Nutrabaits Pineapple & N-Butric on BFM fished over a large bed of pellett with both crushed and whole boilies mixed in.

M. Osbaldson - 39lb 12oz

Date: April 2006

Details: Superb holiday

Hi David/Sue

Well thank you both very much for a stunning week, all of the lads have enjoyed themselves no end.
It is rewarding to come to a venue where the owners really make the effort to make you feel at home as you both did. We have never been on a trip where we have all laughed so much and had such a superb holiday. As for Angling Lines, please inclose this comment on my feedback form
"Windmill Lakes in our opinion should be one of the top 3 lakes in the whole of Angling Lines Brochure and if people want to enjoy themselves
in fantastic surroundings with great hosts, then BOOK WINDMILL" (Not a bad comment after 13 hours on the road and ferry). I will check the website to make sure that this is added of course, but thanks again for everything and the only bad news for you both is "We are coming back to the lake this year and next" (Maybe a good time for you to book a holiday when you see us in your book) Here are the pictures I promised you and see you both very soon (Never mention the bait boat in future as the wife NOT HAPPY with me and Rob!!!!!!)
Best wishes

Nick

Date: January 2005

Details: |New Carp & Catfish Lake

The Top Lake

Windmill Lakes are pleased to announce the opening of their new Carp & Catfish Lake - the Top Lake.

Building on last years success and demand on our main carp lake we decided to re-stock our second lake - the Top Lake - with large carp and catfish.

It now contains commons and mirrors to 35 lbs, grass carp to 30 lbs and cats to 43 lbs.

Here's an estimated stocking list:

10 - 14lb carp... approx. 100
14 - 20lb carp... approx. 60
20 - 30lb carp... approx. 20
30lb+... 2 (but we will be moving a couple more up from main lake by April and 5 more are ordered from fish farmer)

25lb+ grass carp... 2






Cats:
10 - 15lb cats... 5
15 - 20lb cats... 4
20 - 30lb cats... 6
30 - 40lb cats... 2
40lb+ cat... 1

The Top Lake is ideally suited to 3 anglers (4 at a push if they are mates). Bivvy only at the moment but we will try to sort out some accommodation soon.

The Main Lake

Our original specimen carp lake has also had a number of additions during the winter and now contains commons and mirrors to mid forties, grass carp to 40 lbs plus 4 sturgeon to add a little interest to your weeks fishing!