I have just recently returned from a most wonderful 2 week holiday in France. My wife and I went to stay with some friends of ours at their idyllic place about 40 mins into the countryside out of Toulouse. Surrounded by vineyards, sunflower fields and arable land it was far removed from the hectic, overpopulated East Sussex we are used to. Just what holidays should be.
At the back of the house where we were staying was the most impressive vegetable garden tended to by our hosts Scott and Aurelie. We were never short of fresh veg and the most incredible tasting tomatoes we had ever eaten. It really is amazing how good it all tasted, kissed by the sun and grown organically using good old horse manure for fertilizer.
There were plenty of animals running around too. Chickens supplying fresh eggs daily, quails, rabbits, goats, peacocks and a couple of rescued pigeons. There was also a pond full of various fish, small carp, rudd, bream and even a minature catfish. It really was the most relaxing place to be, impossible not to unwind fully which was just what we needed.
Scott is an old university friend of mine that some of you may know from earlier blog posts as my travelling and fishing companion on my Indian adventures. Naturally, we planned to squeeze in a bit of fishing during my visit. With the River Tarn being a mere 15 minute drive away we were ideally situated too.
The Tarn is famous for it's big catfish which have been filmed taking pigeons from the banks in much the same way as killer whales beach themselves when taking seals. They are formidable predators and a worthy quarry for the angler. Traditionally, they have been fished for with smelly deadbaits, pellets or livebaits. However, these days they are increasingly being targeted on the continent with artificial lures and it is this technique that interested me the most. Far more entertaining than sitting behind baited rods, that's for sure!
The catfish have very poor eye-site and primarily detect their prey through feel and vibration. It is therefore important to choose your lure accordingly. You need something that gives off a lot of vibration and displaces a good amount of water. Big paddle tails, wide swimming actions and large spinning blades are just the ticket.
Our first session saw the 4 of us set up camp for 2 nights in the most beautiful spot imaginable just downstream from a large weir. The plan was to fish the feeder and carp rods from base-camp and then also roam the banks with the lure rods for the big cats.
We baited up with a large bucket of maize and fished over the top of it for the carp and silverfish. The water was very clear so it wasn't until the light started to fade that we got any action. With a few small carp, one over 20lb and a couple of small barbel we were happy with our initial results,
Bang on dusk we spent an hour fishing our lures in a lovely looking deep water spot. It is a hole that had been successful for Scott in the past and on the fourth cast with my Rapala Super Shad Rap.....I hooked up. I could not quite believe it had happened so quickly but the fish appeared to be well hooked and charged off on a few blistering runs before hanging deep below me under the rod. When it finally tired Scott was able to glove it out for unhooking and a quick photo. It was a monster and a very fine catch on the lure rod, estimated between 50-60lb and a good 4-5feet long I was suitably impressed with my first experience of catfish on the lure.
To make it a true red letter day, 10 minutes later Scott also had a fish from the same hole. Slightly larger and this time on a clacker spoon. What a session! We called it a day after that and headed back to camp to relax by the fire with the girls.
We fished a couple of more times during the holiday and I enjoyed some good sport with the small barbel and silverfish on the feeder rod but there was no further action from the catfish. I always enjoy fishing in France whenever I visit, there is so much water to choose from and so few anglers it really is a breath of fresh air in comparison to the often crowded banks back at home. Highly recommended. Vive La France!
WATCH THE CATFISH ON A LURE VIDEO HERE:
