Article – Juvanze Lakes

Juvanze lakes is situated within the heart of the Champagne-Ardenne region of France.

There are 2 lakes on the complex Lake Juvanze and Juvanze Blue, both 5 acres in size and both contain 5 swims with 2 being doubles.

All the swims are large enough for the largest bivvy, all have gravel stages entering the water for safe return of fish / access for bait boats. Facilities at Juvanze lakes are second to none with the following features:-

Clean fresh water toilet / shower rooms

Electricity and UK plug points available 24/7.

Sociable patio area overlooking the lake with access to fridge freezer to keep the beers and bait chilled.

Access to cooking facilities if drive and survive.

Full delicious Meal packages available with great reviews.

24hr bailiff available for help if required.

all unhooking mats, weigh slings and landing nets are provided.

access to all swims by vehicle for drop off of equipment.

Lake Juvanze – Mature gravel pitt stocked in 2007 and contains approximately 200 carp with at least 10 x 50lbs+ and 2 x 60lbs+ carp. The lake has matured well over the years with many features including bars, lilly beds, weed beds, small island and tree lined overhanging margins where carp regulary seek shade from the sun. All the swims are cleverly spaced to allow many options whilst maximising space and fair percentage of water. The fish really are special in this lake with dark coloration and each have a unique character my personal favourite and gem of the lake being Dolly now over 60 lbs and tricky to catch.

Juvanze Blue – Sandy gravel pitt stocked in 2011 and contains a good head of carp with at least 7 x 50lbs+ and 1 x 60lbs+ carp. The lake has many features including gravel bars, clay patches, and tree lined margins. All swims are large gravel and well spaced, big hits are regular on this lake with many anglers achieving individual 20+ catches per week if you work hard enough. With regular 40lbs+ fish gracing the bank this really is an ideal first France trip water for plenty of action. current lake records include a Common at 55lbs and Mirror at 63lbs and they are still growing fast.

___ ON SESSION ___

My latest session on 5th June started with a relaxed and traffic free journey from Newport, South Wales. We travelled throughout the night

and arrived at the lakes at 12:30pm and happily greeted with an ice cold beer.

The lakes are set in a nature reserve, and thankfully no traffic or trains to be heard of just song birds. I was quite fortunate with the draw and came out 4th and quickly opted for my target lake and target swim peg 5 on Lake Juvanze.

I already knew where to fish as now know this lake well being my 5th session on the lake but still opted to ‘camo up’ and walk the overhanging margins creeping and spying into the depths for signs of fish movement. It didn’t take long to spot some sizeable mirrors and a common that would easily go 50+ so a quick free offerings and lightly baited spots then i was back to the swim to prep the rods.

The rods was carefully placed and camp setup with minimal disturbance. Top tip – Leave the camping peg mallet at home when fishing small waters or you may become a camper ! pegs with a screw thread can easily be teased into gravel swims with minimal noise.

The Rig and Bait – as the water temperature was a stable 22 celsius i opted to larger grade pellet size 6mm and 10mm to vary the breakdown times and a variety of small particles to encourage feeding (maise, hemp and small tigers). As for boilies a mixture of the lake specials (fishmeal, deep red coloured bait) and the trusted Baitcraft T1 (HNV fishmeal, deep red colouration) was selected.

My chosen rig being a 8″ Korda N-Trap 20lbs hook link, a size 7 Nash Fang Twister, Snowman bait (15mm baitcraft T1 hard hooker bottom bait pre glugged in baitcraft cow cola with a Nash Coconut Creme 10mm popup) presented blow back style. A particular favourite rig and bait presentation of mine.

The Fish – Fishing was slow and tricky due to high temperatures of 37 celsius in daytime and a sticky 24 celsius at night, the fish were very active at night with many would be hippos crashing all over the lake.

I was fortunate to tease 8 carp out on the faithful rig with respective weights of Mirrors at 41.08lbs, 48lbs, 47lbs, 43lbs, 37lbs, and commons at 32lbs, 40.08lbs, 34lbs. With x2 fish dropped due to hook pulls in weed beds.

A notable bite time on my particular swim was my third rod under the overhanging canopy where I would get a screaming run at 3pm each afternoon, mostly if the bait was left for 24hrs or more within the water.

If your looking for a sociable lake for up to 5 anglers with a chance of a 60lbs+ carp you really can’t go wrong with either lake ! If many runs per week is favourable then I would head for Juvanze Blue or looking for something more mature and special head for Lake Juvanze where the real beauties lie.

The bailiff Jack and owner Jeff are experienced carpers and friendly guys and they will endeavour to make your stay and fishing as enjoyable as possible. If you find you are struggling to catch please ask them for assistance or tips as they know the lakes better than anyone and can soon get you on them.

For full information with regards to booking information, and rules visit Juvanze lakes website, the Facebook page or contact Jeff directly on 07810292802. If you require any more information regarding tips or anything I have failed to mention please contact me directly as always happy to help.

And remember…… Angling is an adventure not just a catch report !