What can I say about Mirror Pool that hasn't been said a thousand times before. Stunning, peaceful, enigmatic. It captures the imagination of everyone who has been fortunate enough to drive through the gates and escape to the intoxicating world of excitement and anticipation that only Mirror Pool can deliver.

It is a fact that in only four acres of clear deep water margins lurks some of the largest carp you are ever likely to catch. To be able to see the huge carp bask in the upper layers of the lake during the heat of the day, the clear water making them appear to be floating in air. It's only when reality sets in that you realise you are looking down on over 100 carp with over fifty breaking the 40lb barrier with at least five of those over 50lb and two over 60lb to nearly 68lb. Where else can you get the thrill of being so close to your quarry, to have the chance to stalk these awesome fish, to catch a record float-caught carp. Remember it was done a couple of years ago on Mirror Pool at over 55lb and we are looking for some of you to give it a go again this year. Come on guys it can't be that hard can it to bear 55lb – after all it is Mirror Pool.

For those of you that have been a bit slow to book up for 2006, there is a glimmer of hope as we have a couple of cancellations. Be quick as they will go very fast. Also give a thought to the poor guys who had to pull out at this late stage, they booked their places nearly two years ago. Imagine how they feel.

Time to go now, only a few weeks until we open and the anticipation is building. Will we break 70lb this year? Only you guys have the answer to that one.

Good luck to you all.

With the cold weather at the start of the season we waited with trepidation to see how the anglers fared. Mirror Pool can be very slow until the waters begin to warm up. As expected John Collison’s party struggled with the elements with only one forty at 40.4lb and two thirties to show for their efforts.

By the 17 th April conditions were still very cold but the fish were moving around more. The group had three forties to 49lb, 4 thirties and two twenties with virtually all the fish coming to zig rigs in nine feet of water, with hardly a touch coming to bottom baits.

The week of 24 th April things started to really pick up for Graham Wall and his party with 7 forties with the largest being 45lb, 8 thirties, two 20s and two stockies at around 18lb which were put in a year and a half ago at 4lb and which have shown excellent growth rates and clearly have massive potential as our spawn fish from Millstone Pool where they have grown on to over 50lb.

The following week Wayne and myself took over at the lake for the week. Having not fished it for a couple of years due to the heavy bookings we decided it was time we had a go for the huge fish that inhabit the pool. I was frankly very pessimistic for our chances as the weather was very wet and cold which meaant that the water temperatures were low for the time of year. Luckily the fish responded to a heavy baiting of sweetcorn and we were rewarded with seven 40s to 48lb and 13 thirties including eight of those over 35lbs. Together with five twenties and stockies, we ended up with a fantastic weeks fishing – roll on next year!

The next week followed the same way with Andy James’ group catching a 65.8lb mirror, 10 forties, 9 thirties and six twenties and some doubles. Well done to Jean Boyle for catching the big one at 65.8lb. Most fish came out again on the golden grains.

Phil Doarbar and Steve Hancock booked the lake out for themselves on the 22 nd May. They were well rewarded with 6 40’s to 48.12lb, including a 40.6lb common, 8 thirties to 39.6lb a further 8 twenties and some doubles.

On 29 th May Rowland Farragher’s party took over the lake. The fishing was a bit slower but they still managed to catch five 40s to 46lb 4, a further eight 30s, together with six 20s and some doubles.

The week of 5 June was a bit slower for Gary Downing’s party but they still managed to catch four 40s. The highlight of the trip was a 41lb 8 to Gary caught on float tackle. They also caught three 30s and five 20s.

12 June saw Steve Baker and his friend Mark with the lake to themselves. This certainly paid off for them as, with the lighter pressure on the lake, they both caught well. Steve had 11 carp including four 40s to 48lb 6, three 30s and four 20s and doubles. Mark caught slightly less with 9 carp, however the highlight was a 62lb 6 Mirror, which was the same fish Hutchy caught in May the previous year. To cap it off, he also had a 46lb 8, 44lb 4 a 43lb 12 Common and a further 5 thirties.

France has seen its hottest and driest summer in recorded history, with no rain since May and daytime temperatures over 40oC has made the fishing more difficult than usual. This hasn't stopped the anglers from catching a large number of massive carp. Joe Easton was done with his brother and managed to catch two 50's and a number of 40's. Mark Law came back after his Autumn 2002 trip with his son Jake where they managed over eight 40's and continued his success with another three 40's and two 50's including a world record for a surface caught carp at 55.04lb.

An angling legend enjoyed success in May 2003. Rod Hutchinson fished alongside his long time fishing partner Marty Roberts. You can read how the trip went in Rod's own words in the August edition of Carpworld. Rod went on to beat his previous personal best set eighteen years ago with a 61.8lb mirror while Marty beat his personal best with two 49lb mirrors.

What has been evident this year is that the anglers that make the extra effort that the just rewards. Small baits have worked well as has sweetcorn both as loose feed and as hookbaits. Feeding little and often has been a more successful tactic than heavy baiting. As mentioned earlier, carp have been caught off the top this year with a number of 40s topped by Mark Law's 55.04lb, followed by a 55 in the following week. The carp aren't avid surface feeders but the rewards are therefore those who persevere.

It is now 16th August and we like all fishery owners in France are desperately waiting for some rain and a reduction in the temperatures. Despite that we have had a fantastic summer on Mirror Pool. It's a beautiful water with a fantastic stock of carp. Everyone who has had the pleasure of fishing Mirror Pool goes away enthralled with the lake having enjoyed its magic. In Rod's own words "A proper water this"

Apologies for the delay in putting out a new update - pressures of work have prevented this.

However, since opening the 2002 season in April the average weight of carp caught has been 35lb with 5 forties a week being the norm plus a 50lb every other week.

The week ending 8 June was a notable highlight with Tony Jarrett fishing with his two friends and having a fabulous catch. Tony was top rod with a new lake record at 65½ lb as well as mirrors of 54lb 2oz, 54lb and six other fish over 40lb.

Once again there has been a definite increase in the weight of the carp in the lake, something we always hope for but never really expect - not with the head of huge fish we already have in just 4 acres of water. The commons in the lake have appeared over 40lb for the first time ever and the fully scaled is up to 46lb (this fish was 24lb in 1999). One old warrior whose weight never seems to alter very much is Arthur. He has made a couple of appearances this year so far at 55lb. There are now a number of carp around the 48-49lb mark that may push over 50lb this year or next.

One other notable this year is the first surface caught carp. Many have dabbled over the years but Jeff Hudson's party succeeded where others have failed and took mirrors and grass carp over 30lb on floating dog biscuits. A bottle of champagne goes to the first angler to catch a 50lb off the surface.

More news as it breaks.

Rob & Wayne

A BIG THANK YOU to all of our customers who have made 2001 another fantastic year at Mirror Pool.

We are amazed that the lake management and feeding regime is still producing massive growth increases in the weights of the fish. The stunning fully scaled which came out at 37lb in 2000 was up to 43lb in August 2001. The lake biggie came out at 60.8lb in September.

An additional stocking of 20 young fish went into the lake in August. They are an excellent strain of carp which we used to stock Millstone Pool. After experiencing the growth of the fish at Millstone Pool we expect these carp to be 30lb in weight within three years. This is an example of our ongoing stocking policy to provide our customers with the best carp fishing holidays in France.

Mirror Pool is owned by Rob Green and Wayne Baverstock; Rob runs the UK side of the operation while Wayne manages the fishery in France. We are both keen anglers who bought the lake four years ago for our own use. The fishing holidays were secondary but have now taken precedence, so much so that the lake is so heavily booked that we find it difficult to get a spot on the lake for our own fishing.

We did manage a trip in May resulting in 26 20's, 16 30's and a 48lb carp. Our trip good as it was didn't match up to the holiday Matthew Ireland's party experienced in August. Having fished Mirror Pool previously and knowing the potential even they were astounded by their catch - 59lb, 51.12lb, 48lb, 46.2lb, 45.8lb, 45lb, 44.2lb, 43.10lb, 43.10lb, 42.10lb, 42.10lb, 42.8lb, 42.6lb, 41lb, 40.8lb, 39.81lb, 37.8lb, 37lb, 36.8lb, 36lb, 34.10lb, 34.8lb, 34.8lb, 34.8lb, 34.8lb, 34.4lb, 34lb, 34lb, 33.12lb, 33.8lb, 33.8lb, 33.6lb, 33lb, 32.8lb, 32.8lb, 32lb, 31lb, 30.8lb, 30.8lb, 30.8lb, 30lb, 29.12lb, 28lb, 27.8lb, 27.8lb, 27.4lb, 27lb, 26.8lb, 26.41lb, 26.41lb, 26lb, 26lb, 26lb, 25.12lb, 25.12lb, 25.41lb, 25lb, 24.8lb, 24.8lb, 23.8lb, 23.4lb, 23ln, 23lb, 22.8lb, 22.8lb, 22.4lb, 21.8lb, 20.12lb, 20.2lb, 20.2lb, 19lb, 18lb.

As part of our ongoing commitment to provide our customers with the best fishing holidays and facilities available we are building new shower and toilet facilities over the winter. These we expect to have ready in time for our 2002 opening in May.

Not resting on our laurels we are also totally revising our website. You can visit us at www.mirrorpool.co.uk

Once again, we would like to thank all of you for a great year and we look forward to seeing you next year together with all the Mirror Pool 'virgins' visiting for the first time.

Rob & Wayne

What a fabulous year we had in 2000. Mirror Pool has gone from strength to strength. Those of you who have visited the lake will know that it is a stunning venue and that a week spent on its banks goes all too quickly.

The great news is that the careful fishery management we put in place when we bought Mirror Pool has worked beyond our best expectations. The weights of the fish have increased by as much as 11lb a year. An example was a carp Wayne Drinkell caught which weighed 41lb in April 2000 and when caught again by him in October that year it weighed 52lb - an 11lb weight gain in 6 months. Wayne's October catch included 4 thirties, 2 forties and 2 fifties.

From our records we know we currently have 20 carp over 40lbs, 5 carp over 50lbs and 1 carp over 60lbs, with over 60% of the remaining carp in the lake over 30lb.

Since we closed the fishery down in October for the winter we have continued to feed the carp on boilies and pellets. These we continue putting in right through to the spring. We will then fertilise the lake to increase the natural food stocks within the lake.

We are confident that with these proven methods we will push the weights of the fish up even further. Our goal is to have at least 80% of the stock in the lake over 30lbs. We will find out in the spring if we managed to achieve it.