BIG FISH COLUMN: Living the angling dream

It is the dream of many anglers to own their own fishery and few will deny the thought has not crossed their mind at some time or another.

Take the fanciful thought a step further and which of us has not considered quitting work, abandoning the rat race and setting up that dream fishery overseas where the sun is that little bit warmer, the fish that little bit bigger and the pace of life that little bit slower?

One local couple who took the plunge and were brave enough to try and turn their dreams into reality were Jim and Lynsey Pearce who sold everything they had here, exchanged their business suits for waders and bought their very own lake in the heart of Franceís Dordogne region: Carp and Cats.

Well known on and around the local angling scene Jim was a regular on the banks of the Thames and St Patrick's Stream and no stranger to the big fish waters on the famous Yateley Complex but a fishing trip to France with a friend back in 2006 showed him a whole new side to angling and a little over a year later the couple were selling up and on their way!

Formerly owned by a French family who used it as their holiday home it is unlikely that the three-acre lake was ever fished until Jim and Lynsey's arrival but it is now stocked with the highest quality carp sourced from the most reputable fish farmer in France with a mixture of commons and mirrors to over 40lb.

There is also a large head of catfish to over 60lb and on-site stock ponds to ensure a perfect balance of up and coming fish to complement the larger specimens and ensure the quality of the venue into the future.

If you want to take a look at what Jim and Lynsey have created then check out their web site at www.carpandcats.com

With the start of the new river season almost upon us the Big Fish Column will be firmly back in the UK next week with a look at what we can expect during opening week on the local rivers.

- Any anglers wishing to report catches may contact me on 08870 755138. I may be e-mailed on ian@bigfishtrail.com