At Puyravaud, we like to encourage young anglers! Eloise’s Dad , Mark, had asked, in advance, if there was anywhere she could fish on site. I suggested she try the little stream which feeds our lakes and holds, trout, chub and roach. The family duly arrived with a nice little rod and reel loaded with 4lb line.

Whilst Dad was fishing for carp on the main lake, Eloise decided to have a little casting practice, just a few metres away, with no bait, just a single hook and some weights. After a few minutes she called Dad to say that she was hooked on the bottom. To Mark’s great surprise, he noticed a jerking action on the rod and quickly realised Eloise had hooked something alive.

With expert tuition and not a little skill, Eloise managed to play the fish and some 10-15 minutes later a beautiful 18.5lb pike was on the bank. She regularly accompanies Dad on his carp adventures and often helps him land his catches, but this time the roles were reversed.

Watch out for this young lady in a few years! If her interest continues, we could see some more big fish on the bank.

Well done young lady!!!!!!

PS – Worth an entry in Angling Times, me thinks!