So, you've heard throughout this website, what we have to say about our lakes (and we are a little biased), now read what our customers think about our lakes, fish and our service.
"I first visited Etang de Papillion back in 2010 without really knowing what to expect. My first impression was that all three lakes on the complex were breathtakingly beautiful, all having that traditional English estate lake vibe, and being surrounded by woodland and vegetation it gives a really private feel to them.
The fishing is second to none – on my first night on Lac Bleu, I landed 13 catfish to 81lb, and haven’t looked back, booking up almost every year on Bleu since (*Note to self: I will get round to fishing for the Lac Rouge monsters).
Whist nothing is guaranteed in fishing, if you think about what you are doing you will be in with a chance of a very big catfish. 80 and 90lb fish can be caught every night, and on our last 4 trips, at least one of us has landed a ton up fish! Fish of this size are a real team effort, and the use of the boat can really come in handy. The scoreboard in the social area is a nice touch too to bring a bit of competitiveness to the week, but also good to check what the fishing has been like on the run up to your trip as the weeks tally's are regularly posted online. The food is amazing whether you go to the local shops and cook in the lakeside chalet, or order food from 'Charlies Kitchen' – We normally mix it up and do a bit of both (Charlies Breakfast Baguette is highly recommended).
Due to the lakes location, the drive is long, but pretty straightforward. The directions detailed on the website are on point and have got us to the lakes time after time (preferring to embrace adventure rather than rely on a Sat Nav), but tried the fly and survive option in 2017. A quick hop from Stanstead, and you are at the lake, quite surreal really, and something I’ll definitely be doing again!
I must also mention the carp in Lac Vert, and as someone with a love of big commons, I was absolutely chomping at the bit to have a go for one, so did on the 2017 trip! The lake itself, is small, lily fringed, with an island and an area of shallows. After having a little creep around it was apparent that there some absolute chunks in there! After baiting a couple of spots and seeing the fish coming in to feed, I lowered a single rod in a laid it on the floor. After a few mins the spool was a blur and I was rewarded by a 39+ common, absolute magic!
In summary, the complex has everything, huge carp and cats. Well run, well maintained beautiful lakes with a really private feel but with some excellent facilities including shower, gas, fridge and charging points on-site!
The main man Nick knows the lakes inside out, so will give you the low down on lakes mood, what the fish have been coming out to lately and is always on hand if you need anything during your stay.
If you are a potential customer reading this deciding whether to book or not – do it, you will not be disappointed."
Liam Foley
EAH UK Consultant
If you have any questions regards fishing and holidaying on the lakes Liam, would be happy to answer these for you.
"I've been fishing all the lakes for so many years, I can't remember how long, but it's a place you will return again and again. The people are unreal, nothing is a problem for them to help, and the fishing is out of this world – on all of the lakes! To quote those famous words I WILL BE BACK!"
Jay Osborne
"I would like to say a big thank you to Nick, Charlie and John. What a smashing lake and with the prettiest surroundings and great wild life. This has been by far my most memorable trip and can't wait to return. Never in all my years fishing have I ever met such a nice and extremely helpful baliff. Always more then happy to help
and accommodate with whatever is needed. Once again a big big big thank you to you all."
Dazzer Wickson
"Thank you very much for the most amazing fishing holiday ever! Nick will help you as much as you need him to, and Charlie cooks the best breakfast and evening meals you will ever have whilst fishing. Highly recommend this place and defiantly get the food option! And to top it off the catfish pull like nothing you will ever experience before. Can't wait to go back ASAP!"
Jamie Hankinson
"Thanks again for an amazing fishing experience, the trip truly surpassed all my expectations. The venue is beautiful, peaceful and a real pleasure to wake up in. The home cooked food that Charlie provided was top class, I am missing my three meals a day by the bank. I can't recommend the lake highly enough as it really meets all my fishing needs."
Adam Pearce
"After yet another great week on Bleu, me and Ken beat our personal best yet again and this is what brings us back twice a year for the last seven years. When we first fished Vert we caught over 2500lb of Cats and Carp and from that day on we were hooked. Can't wait to get back to the lakes and all the great people at the lakes and the caravan site. Many thanks."
Danny Rose and Kenny Weir
"Just finished a week on Bleu and loved every minute of it, Nick and Charlie are both great and make you feel very welcome. With Nick providing his knowledge and Charlie's cooking it was an amazing week with plenty of fish cheers guys will be in touch soon to re-book for next year!"
Dan Wilson
" Thank you for the best fishing experience ever! We can't wait to come again next year:
Amazing people,
Amazing lakes,
Amazing fish,
Amazing food,
And most of all I'm loving that I'm a fisherman for nearly 25 years now and thought I knew all of all but wow your fish proved me wrong! I can't wait to get back on that bank. One happy fisherman, thank you so much."
Neil Reade
"Three of us have just done a week on 'Exclusive Anglings' Lake Bleu. We had a great time catching 43 cats between us with the best being 110lb. Keeping the rods in the water at night was pretty hard work as the runs just kept coming, and after 3am most nights we hardly had any rods in the water due to needing some sleep. Nick and Charlie visited each day and were extremely helpful, we also did the food package due to being lazy but I would recommend this as the food was awesome every day! To anyone thinking of a trip to France for the cats you would be mad to not consider this place. They also have a carp lake there for your mudpig mates!"
Tony Corbett
"Returned to fish Bleu again this year on 'Fly and Survive' package. Once again, great fishing on a brilliant lake. 13 big cats up to 84lbs for me, plus a few carp. The mate who joined me had never been catfishing but managed to beat me with fish up to 85lbs. We also had a few hours on Vert as it was free and we had three carp out on crust, 35, 38 and 39lbs. Big thanks to Nick and Charlie for looking after us, everything from airport transfers, meals and all the running around they do, was as smooth as ever. I will be back soon to tackle Rouge, as that lake looks amazing!"
Lee Akhurst
"As a group of three Carp and Cat anglers we've been returning up to twice a year to Exclusive Angling Holidays for the last 14 years. We have experienced many fisheries in France and the UK over the years but wherever we go we always end up comparing that venue to Rouge and Bleu! There's just something special about these lakes, the fishing is great and we have all had numerous PB's over the years (most recent was 108lb cat), but that not just it!
It's also about the surroundings and the whole experience of the package that Charlie and Nick provide. As hosts they're simply amazing, they can't do enough for you. Whether its Charlie's cooking skills or Nick's advice, they both make constant efforts to improve the lakes and facilities, you couldn't ask for more, but if you want to be left alone they'll do that too. Just counting the days until we're there again to experience the recent improvements for 2018... can't wait"
Tony Kyte
"After arriving with nearly 20kg of mackeral, and feeling very confident of catching more or less straight away with a bait that has never let us down on Bleu, it was back to the drawing board when nothing happened for the first 48 hours.
Nick was on hand as always with advise, a pep talk and some end tackle for us to live bait, something we had never previously done much of. So with new traps set we sat back with a new confidence and we didn't have to wait long for signs of activity. The excitement of seeing a branch being pulled down towards the water when the live bait is panicking and the sound of a cat breaking the water to attack it, is edge of the seat stuff. We finished with 10 cats for the week and a PB of 104lbs. Thanks Nick and Charlie!"
Chris Obrien
"Great lake, great fishing, great people, great wildlife. Need I say more? Ok then!
We had the worst journey down to lake Bleu possible. Our car broke down (majorly) 200 km from the lake. We had to get brought the rest of the way on two different low loaders. It was close to midnight when Nick met us at the gate. We were exhausted and I was concerned that we were messing Nick and Charlie about from the get go. This certainly wasn't the case, Nick chose to stay at the lake with us for a further hour to ensure he'd chatted about the best tactics, baits and hotspots.
The rest of the week we were fed very well, with very good food by Charlie and her Mum. If it hadn't have been for Charlie's interpreting, my week would have been a nightmare arranging everything for the car breakdown. Nothing was too much trouble.
The fishing was everything we expected and more. The cats in here go like the clappers! And it was great to go back to true predator tactics, very productive too. If your looking for an uninterrupted, mature, exclusive true predator water, look no further. You will not be disappointed.
See you again soon Hopefully to fish Lake Rouge, it looks ace!"
Roger Ackers & Co
"Having visited Exclusive Angling's Lake Bleu on two separate occasions, I can honestly recommend it to any catfish angler. Nick and Charlie always give you a warm welcome and are willing to assist with all your needs, be it food, bait tackle or how to fish the lakes. Their hospitality is second to none.
The location of the lakes are perfect. Near enough to civilisation to be able to purchase the essentials you need, but far enough to be in the middle of nowhere. The lakes are quiet and tranquil, with lots of wildlife to watch if you can sit still long enough.
And finally, the fishing... the catfish are on steroids! These must be some of the hardest fighting fish in stillwater. On my first trip, I personally caught 19 catfish up to 106-11 and the weather was lovely, followed by a second trip where I landed 10 catfish between 50 and 75lb and we have frosts most mornings. It seems no matter the weather, the catfish still feed.
If you want a fishing holiday with big hard fighting fish, all on a beautiful exclusive lake with great hosts, look no further. I for one hope to be back soon."
Adrian Hills
Catfish Conservation Group Membership Sectretary, Treasurer & CCG Products Officer