Le Rocher - main page

Etang le Rocher is a beautiful 100 year old French Estate Lake. It is bordered by mature trees and traditional French poplars. There is a club house, english toilets, and warm showers. Current record : 63.4lb.

Paul the Bailiff and fishery manager.

Those who have been to Le Rocher before will notice some changes. For a start the swims have changed names. Although there are 7 swims, the fishery now has a 5 angler limit. This gives more space to all and puts less pressure on the carp. These changes as well as other improvements are being made due to a change of ownership. Rest assured that I am still here to help and my wife Donna will still be cooking you great dinners.

Arriving at the lake with pre-conceived ideas which are usually someone else's from some forum can be a mistake. Instead take it from me , find your own way and don't be a sheep. It is true that many carp are taken from the far margins but never overlook the center of the lake or near margins, in fact in 2010 The Rock and the Point swim produced most of their fish by anglers fishing the center area (about 50 yards out). The center is now a serious option which is not surprising as that is where the carp find much of their natural food. Large bloodworm beds proliferate and you may even see a carp with gill markings (silt burns) These silt burns show that the carp has recently had its head buried in silt hunting for the bloodworm.

Le Rocher swims...

All alone

All alone, is a daytime short session swim with no bivvy. Used mainly for anglers who fancy a break from their own swim. It is quite shallow but does produce fish in the right conditions. The right conditions are a strong and mild southerly wind. This swim is closed when the fish are spawning. This of course, is for the protection of the carp as they do like to do their bussiness in their. A subtle approach will pay off, 2 rods are all you will need in the bay and you must be quiet for the best results. If anglers in this swim fish in a noisy manner then this will have a direct impact on the catch results in The Point.

The Point

The Point swim, which sits beside a peninsula which forms the bay to All alone can be a top swim especially in a southerly wind which will push towards the bay end of the lake. The far margin and the tip of the peninsula(point) to the right are the best spots and the carp follow this patrol route as they enter or leave the bay.

The Rock

A very productive swim most of the time but as with The Point its especially good in a southerly. As its name suggests the best spot is a rock which sits along the far margin. Although the rock acts as a marker only the area out in front of it has a nice smooth bottom that the carp seem to like. The center of the lake in this area also produces as does the 25 yard mark.

The Boards (Double)

Many anglers arrive and expect the boards to be the top swim. This is simply not the case. It is the sunniest swim but that doesn't make it the best swim. Choices in this swim are numerous, especially if you have the boards to yourself! This swim produced the biggets fish of 2011, a common carp named, The Perfect Common at a top weight of 62.9lb. I expect this common to make 70lb in a year or 2!

next page

View the rules

Visit the website