The Les Quis Complex ( France )

Location :  The Les Quis Complex of lakes is situated South East of Paris , central France.

History :  The Lakes themselves are all well established ex - gravel pits, which were dug out about forty years ago and have been allowed to mature naturally after filling.

Route : As you will be travailing first class on - board a luxury coach, the only route you  need to know is the one to the meeting point were you will be picked up by the coach, which will take you and your tackle to Les Quis. The  meeting place is at the Relyon car park in Folkstone, it is situated just off junction 12 of the M20. and is a 24 hour per day - 7 days a week, secure parking facility were you can leave your car for the duration of your trip to Les Quis.( the price of parking at this facility is £ 3.00 per every 24 hour period )

Description & features :  All three Lakes are mature fishery’s. The Long lake is the largest of the three at approximately 14 acres in size . Next largest is the Old lake which is approximately 10 acres in size .  Finally the Elf lake which is approximately 9  acres in size and the smallest of the three lakes. All three are very picturesque with lush vegetation enclosing most swims, the margins are lined with mature trees and bushes, which is perfect for the Carp. The lakes allow you quiet uninterrupted fishing and are not to large to put the fish out of casting range. The complexes  lakes hold an even distribution of features and the average depth is about eleven feet. The lakes beds are made up from a mixture of sand, gravel, clay and silt, this combination makes them incredibly rich in natural food.

Carp Stocking :  The complex is a very prolific Carp fishery, containing approximately 1300 Carp,  The largest Carp reported from the Lake at present being a 58 lb. Common , the largest Mirror weighed in at 57 lbs, there are a least a twenty different fifty pound plus fish present in the lakes at this point in time.   

Other species : As well as the very large head of Carp the lake has to offer, there is also a wide variety of other  species including, Cats to 112 lbs, Pike to 30 lbs, Zander to 13 lbs Perch and Roach to 4 lbs, Tench, Bream, and Rudd etc.

Facilities : The facilities at the Lakes include a purpose built lodge where you can eat, drink and be merry! The lodge has a commanding view over all three lakes, facilities at the lodge include satellite TV and video, barbecue, toilets, a shower and washroom, onsite fridge were soft drinks and cold beers are plenty,  you simply book down what you have had during the course of the week and it is totalled up for payment at the end of the week. You can also eat at the lodge for the duration of your trip if that is what you prefer.

They serve a full English breakfast and evening meal each day and also through in the odd barbecue on the patio, weather permitting . All the ingredients for the meals are taken over on the coach from England. ( no horse meat at Les Quis ) If  you wish to fend for yourself and not leave the rods, then there is always lead free petrol available at the lodge for your cooker, at no extra charge.

Permits : Your Fishing Permits and medical insurance are covered in the price of your trip to Les Quis.

        Tob and Bernie have excellent insurance cover for all aspects that might be encountered by their clients, please be aware that some of their competitors do not have such extensive cover.     

Restrictions : There are several restrictions you must be aware of when fishing the lakes, three rods only, Barbless hooks, adequate unhooking mats must be used, no sacking of fish, strictly no particles, 15 lb. minimum breaking strain line, 15 lb. maximum breaking strain hooklink material, safety rigs only( running leads) , and no fires.

Swims : There are numerous comfortable swims around each of the lakes, with only six anglers per lake, this allows you to move swim on the lakes, if you fancy a change or see fish showing in an empty swim.

Rigs & Baits : As with most heavily fished waters, the Carp in them have seen most types of rigs and bait. So my advice is to, just use a good quality bait which you have confidence in, teamed up with a barbless safety rig ( keep it simple ), locate the areas where the fish are feeding ( they show them selves very well at Les Quis ) and a combination of these will put you fish on the bank. If you do not wish to take your own bait, you can pre order from a selection of baits which are used at the lake, the brands used this year were, Solar Fish Force 5 with Crabmeat and Lobster Flavour, Nashbaits Squid Mix ( all season ) with Tangerine flavour + intense sweetener and Lee Jackson’s ‘ the French blend ’ with Solar Squid & Octopus flavour, if you wish to use bait supplied by Les Quis, simply order and pay for the bait you require on your trip and it will be waiting for you ready to use on arrival at the lakes.

Conclusion :The Les Quis complex is well laid out and very professionally run trip, with good facilities and easy access to the majority of the swims. You have every chance of achieving  multiple catches of large fish, if your approach is correct. The fishery is suitable for all types of Carp angler, from the novice to the more experienced angler. There is always a bailiff or helper on hand to offer advice to the less experienced angler, they will only be to happy to help you out, as they know the lakes like the back of their hand and all are accomplished Carp anglers.

       If you require more information on Les Quis or there is a point that I have not covered in this, Fishery Focus,  then ring TOB on 0181 857 7020 or Fax him on 0181 851 8868.    

      Finally I will give you some facts and figures on the lakes from this season, so you can judge for your self if it is worth a visit. So far this year Les Quis has produced 34 ( 50 lb. + Carp ), 142 ( 40 lb. + Carp ), 733 ( 30 lb. + Carp), 1931 ( 20 + Carp ) and 1189 double figure Carp, a total of 4029 Carp landed.

 Tob and Bernie have planes to introduce a fourth lake next year and will be stocking it with the introduction of 600 new fish.

 If you are interested in booking a trip to Les Quis , the price for a weeks fishing in when I fished it in 1999 was £395.00 so may be dearer now. The prices might be slightly higher than some of their competitors, but I can assure you, at the end of the day that you only get what you pay for.     On their advertising you will see quoted ( the best chance in France ! ) I would not disagree with that statement.

                                       Good Luck and I hope you catch that wacker we are all after

                                                                      Big  Ron Woodward