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27/08/2017

The Chalk family visited Puyravaud for the second time and Howard was desperate to catch some carp after a disappointing first trip.

The first week was OK with 5 fish banked, but a feeling of what might have been with 6 fish dropped. However, Howard made up for it on the second Sunday with 5 beautiful carp during a magical 6 hour session. 48.1, 39.6, 48.12, 53.0 and finally the best of all a 59.8 mirror that equalled the lake and venue records.

The good luck continued as Howard went on to land 11 fish in his second week and 16 in total for a very successful fishing trip. Considering he did not fish for 2-3 days during the second week, it was an even better result with average weights of 46.22 for the 11 fish caught and 44lbs for the two week catch. Howard broke his PB on at least 4 occasions and has well and truly joined The Puyravaud 50’s Club! He ended up with 4 x 50’s, 7 x 40’s and 6 x 30’s. Not half bad!!!!!!!!!!! Howard also wins the prize for being the best organised photographer with a set up to take his own shots!

48lb 1 oz Mirror 1st Fish sunday 20th
53lb Mirror Sunday 20th 2nd Fish of 5
51lb 8 oz Mirror Thursday 24th
51lb Mirror Friday 25th


25/08/2017

Heron Lake

The Potters are at Puyravaud for their first trip. Bob and Russell, normally catching barbel on the Severn, were looking for a family holiday with some fishing as well – 37.1M, 20.0C, 38.75M, 43.0M, 36.0M, 31.0M, 30.4M, 30.8M, 51.2C, 25.2M, 35.0M.

12 fish – Total Weight 378.45lbs, Average Weight 31.53lbs

The guys took a few days to get into the fish, but their first week ended with PB’s all round and the highlight being a beautiful 51lbs+ common. The guys still have another week to go!!!!!!

Kingfisher Lake

Howard’s second week and what a week it was – 39.12C, 48.1M, 53.0M, 39.6M, 48.12M, 59.8M (Equalled Lake and Venue Record), 38.6M, 36.8M, 40.12M, 51.8M, 51.9M.

11 fish – Total Weight 508.5lbs, Average Weight 46.3lbs

A great week for Howard with 4 x 50’s and one that equalled the lake and venue record. Multiple PB’s this week to better last weeks to make it a pretty perfect two week stay. 16 fish in total, 5 x 30’s, 7 x 40’s and 4 x 50’s!!!!!!!!


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20/08/2017

The Ruthven party of 14 came back to visit Puyravaud for the 6th time and professed to enjoy their stay just as much as the first time. They enjoy what Puyravaud has to offer, but also get out and about to try many activities that are available in the Charente region. They love go-karting and laser questing amongst other things and Sue even took the time to write a review on their various stays at Puyravaud – here it is word for word……………….

In 2011/2012, I was set a task to find a holiday with a lake which was big enough to accommodate at least 5 fishermen, with fish (carp) of 40lb plus and with accommodation which would house a group of 12/14 minimum with two or more bathrooms and ideally two kitchens. And not forgetting a pool for the kids and all of this for two weeks in the summer holidays!

Now this was proving to be quite a challenge but as luck would have it, after looking on many websites for fishing holidays in France, I came across Puyravaud and what a fantastic find it has turned out to be!

Our first visit was in 2012 with 8 adults and 6 children, Marion and Peter really didn’t know what they had let themselves in for, especially as our van broke down a couple of miles away from Puyravaud and Peter had to help rescue us! 

The holiday whilst stressful in parts was brilliant, the accommodation surpassed expectations, beautifully renovated and converted Barn and Cottage both with all the mod cons you could possibly need a real home from home with plenty of space for all the family!  Plus, that all important swimming pool and a pool table to keep the kids (and adults) occupied.

All the fishermen were happy, 5 good sized swims and some descent catches, a bit of rivalry going on and a personal best or three achieved!

We decided before the holiday had even finished that we would definitely be back.  Little did we know it would be every year.

Puyravaud is such a wonderful place to stay and thoroughly recommended for the fishing and as a family retreat/holiday.  It is far enough away from everything to enjoy the tranquil setting and country walks, yet near enough by car to main road routes and country lanes to explore rural France.

As our family has grown up and more fishermen emerged, Puyravaud has also evolved providing two beautiful, tranquil lakes to fish.  In 2017 two PB’s achieved after catching a Mirror Carp of 59lb on Kingfisher Lake and a 53lb Common on Heron Lake.

But for us it’s not all about the fishing, each year we look to find other activities and with the help of Peter and Marion booking for us, we have enjoyed Laser Quest, Go Karting, Tree Climbing, The Velo Rail (not for the faint hearted) and bowling. Not to mention a trip to the man-made beach with Kayaks, horse riding and ice-creams.    We have also ventured further afield to Royan with its beautiful beach, Bordeaux for shopping and wine tasting, to Cognac to learn how it is distilled and for the tasting of course!  Not to mention a trip to Limoges (including the airport to pick up a late arrival) a good excuse for lunch and of course more shopping.  Plus, some lovely restaurant meals in the various locations we have visited.

A massive “Thank You” to Marion and Peter who have welcomed us back every year, always accommodating the varying numbers, vehicles and birthdays (Marion makes an excellent Lemon Drizzle Cake!) We look forward to returning yet again in 2018.

We really appreciate it when customers write reviews and we include all of them on our testimonials page, but this was extra special for us from a group that we now know very very well. See you next year!!!!!!!



18/08/2017

Heron Lake

The Brinksman/Wright group arrived for what was primarily a family holiday with some fishing as well. Andy and Steve fished some evenings/nights as well as fitting in some trips and time by the pool – 33.0M, 22.0C, 20.0C, 34.0M, 21.0C, 47.0M, 33.0M, 20.0C, 32.0M, 35.7M, 33.0M, 40.0M, 24.0M, 27.0M, 23.0C, 34.7C, 20.0C, 21.0C, 22.0C, 28.0M, 27.0M, 31.0M, 32.0M, 28.0M, 25.0M

25 fish – Total Weight 746.4lbs, Average Weight 29.86lbs.

Kingfisher Lake

Howard and family returned for their second visit to Puyravaud. Last year Howard struggled in difficult conditions, but is back for 2 weeks to put the record straight – 39.8M, 44.0M, 43.6M, 42.6C, 42.12M.

5 fish – Total Weight 212.9lbs, Average Weight 42.58lbs

Howard has broken his PB on 3 occasions and the week could have been so much better as he dropped 6-7 takes. There’s always next week to get some more.



11/08/2017

Heron Lake

The Ruthvens on a two week stay focused on Heron for their second week, 20.0C, 53.0C, 25.0M, 22.0M, 28.0M, 25.0M, 25.0M, 31.0M, 49.0M, 20.0C, 35.0M, 21.0C, 44.0M, 36.0C, 44.0M, 49.0M, 37.0M, 37.0M,27.0M, 32.0M

21 Fish, Total Weight – 691lbs, Average Weight 32.9lbs

Considering the guys only fished a few mornings and evenings, a very good second week with our largest Common on Heron coming out for the 4th time this year. The guys will be back for the 7th time in 2018!!!!!!

Kingfisher Lake

Not fished as they all moved to Heron for the second week.


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06/08/2017

The Knowles group of 11 visited Puyravaud for the first time for what was primarily a two week family holiday. They took advantage of the pool and also visited local towns and sites as well as the man made beach just up the road.

On the fishing side, Gary, Paul and Lee managed to get a little time each morning for some fishing on Heron Lake and managed to have a successful time despite some changeable weather. All three managed new PB’s and totalled 37 fish and over 1000lbs in weight at an average of 30lbs.


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06/08/2017

The Ruthven family of 13 returned to Puyravaud for the 6th time to enjoy 2 weeks of R&R from their busy lives in the UK. The group always combine some fishing with lots of other activities such as Go Karting, Laser Quest, sight-seeing and visiting a few good shopping haunts.

They focused the first weeks fishing efforts on Kingfisher Lake and were soon landing some nice fish. Paul and Mark both got into the fish and landed some good high 40’s, before Paul broke his PB on day 4 with a lovely 52lb mirror. Mark’s best for week 1 was a nice 44lb mirror. However, Paul left his best until last and landed a new lake and venue record when he tempted a beautiful 59lb mirror to the bank using an 18mm garlic and liver boilies topped with white fake corn.

The fish was weighed on two separate scales to ensure accuracy and confirmed as the new Kingfisher Lake record. Not to rest on his laurels, Paul then caught another beauty of just under 50lbs soon afterwards to round off a fantastic week for the group. In total they managed 14 fish with a total weight of 622lbs and an average weight of 44.8lbs.

And they still have another week to go………………!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The group have already booked their 2018 trip to ensure another opportunity to catch some great Puyravaud carp.



04/08/2017

Kingfisher Lake

The Ruthven group of 13 are back at Puyravaud for their 6th visit and have concentrated all their efforts on one lake for their first week. Fishing evenings, some nights and early mornings, Paul, Mark and Dave are trying to continue Kingfishers trend of yielding a good number of fish – 30.0C, 40.0C, 42.0M, 46.0M, 44.0M, 44.0M, 35.0M, 52.0M, 45.0M, 44.0M, 48.0M, 44.0M, 59.0M (Lake and Venue Record), 49.0M.

14 fish, Total Weight – 622.5lbs, Average Weight 44.5lbs.

The boys had a fantastic first week rounded off by Paul’s new lake and venue record of 59.0lbs. Paul actually broke his PB twice in two days with a 52.0 mirror followed by the 59.0lb lake record.

The boys still have another week at Puyravaud to catch a few more!!!!!!!!!

Heron Lake

Not fished as the team all fished Kingfisher.