Fishing with the kids
We just discovered another great place ! One of our families recently asked where he could take his son fishing. They had no rods or tackle and wern't really into fishing, but fancied having a go. A friend had mentioned a place about 30 mins from our family holiday cottages where you could just go for a full or half day and the river was stocked with trout several times a day - it was pretty much guaranteed you'd catch something ! They hire out the rods and bait so you don't need expensive equipment so it's perfect for families with kids who just want to try it out. I got the details and sent them on their way. They came back with 3 trout !
This Sunday I took the boys there to check it out and wasn't disappointed , we also came back with 3 trout !
My father loved fishing but rarely had the time but when he fell ill he made time with the boys and they loved helping him tie the flies and land the carp. One of their last memories of him was catching a huge carp together at a local pond a few weeks before he died. They were keen to go fishing again.
Les Sources du Moulin
Les Sources du Moulin is in Migré a 30 minute drive from La Grange du Moulin and Les Vallaies. There is a restaurant which offers a lunch menu at 12€50 and is reported to be excellent . We took a picnic as did many of the fishermen. In the typical French way, they had sunbeds, chairs, tables, wine and even a fondue in the spot next to us whilst their 5 rods sat waiting for the fish to bite. We had a plastic bag to sit on and a bottle of water.
We had no equipment and had no idea what we were doing but the rods (long bamboo sticks) with line, hook and float were provided for a 10€ deposit; we paid extra for maggots and didn't pay the fishing fee of 5€ per child until later in the afternoon when the river was re stocked, so we could of fished for free - if we had we wouldn't of caught anything though ! (not through lack of fish, just lack of expertise - our neighbours despite sleeping off the lunch time wine on their sunbeds seemed to catch plenty !)
We want fish !!
We arrived at 1pm and were told the trout were released at 3pm so we had a 2 hour wait although we remained hopeful of catching something before then - everyone around us seemed to be landing fish (and an eel) every few minutes ! 3 o' clock came and went and despite our neighbours shouting 'we want the fish' (in French) he didn't turn up until 3.20pm (apparently it's all dependent on how busy the restaurant is that day)
We had to wait until then as everyone was saying how we need to be quick landing the fish and putting new maggots back on the hook - we were getting very excited ! At long last the owner started up his tractor and came along the track, scooping net fulls of trout into the river for each group. We had at least 5 placed right in front of our hooks but they all swam down to the 3m50 depths below and ignored our wriggling maggots.
Nibbles and success at last
However after about 5 minutes Benjamin got a nibble or two, his float went down but he pulled up too quickly (apparently) and the hook was empty of maggots and trout when it surfaced. This happened at least 3 times - we blame the hook, it must of been blunt !! Thomas on the other hand had a sharp hook and he landed a whopper within 10 minutes of the trout being released (this was after 2hrs 30 of sitting on the bank holding a bamboo stick) He was thrilled (of course) and wants to go again (of course !) Benjamins not so keen.
Team 'fishing' spirit
It's very much a team spirit and all the neighbours helped us - we would of been lost without the kind lady next to us removing the hook from the poor fishes mouth or the man on the other side getting the line untangled from the tree branch. It was very much an 'experience' for me and fun in an odd kind of way. I doubt any of us will become members of the Prince Albert fishing club (or its French equivalent) - although I was, as a child thanks to my Dad. We enjoyed the ice creams and will definitely try the restaurant at some point. If we fish again we will go more prepared (something other than a bag to sit on will be a minimum) but we came home with 3 trout on barbecue night and they were delicious (thank you 'you tube' for the gutting video )
Three trout - how ?
Well the family next to us caught 19 and felt sorry for the boys, so gave us 2 of theirs so we could come back home and proclaim huge success, they were all delicious. It was fun and a great experience for anyone who's not fished before. The owner recommended coming in the morning when it's cooler (it was 34c in the shade that afternoon) and just before the fish are released at 9am....
