Oakview Lake: By Steve Guy

On a recent visit to France I was asked by David Keep of Angling Lines to drop in and take a look around a new venue that they have just added to their ever growing portfolio of quality carp waters. The water in question goes by the name of Oakview Lake, it is a relatively new water set in the Mayenne region, about 50km from Le Mans. The closest village to the lake is Villiers Charlemagne, which has some small shops, and within 7km you can find a very good supermarket (Super U).

First impressions were very positive, Martin and Shirley have obviously worked very hard to create what is to become a superb venue and I think they both have very high standards from what they expect their venue to offer the discerning angler. The lake itself is around 3 acres, with an island in the middle, depths are fairly consistent at about three feet, however there is a channel which runs up the left hand side of the island which drops off by a foot or so, and the far left hand corner ends up the deepest section of the lake at around five to six feet. I’m sure if you were to go and you asked Martin nicely he would be only too happy to show you some pictures of the lake bottom after it had been de-silted, during the autumn of 2007.

The Lake

The lake itself is very pretty, and is bordered by many mature trees, as well as several imposing old Oak trees, that give the venue its name. The lake bottom is clay, at the time of my visit the water was very coloured, making it impossible to spot fish in the water. However, they were quite happy to show themselves by “boshing” all around the lake when the mood took them. The lake was stocked March 2008 with around sixty fish to 27lbs, and a further stocking is taking place this autumn of around 40-60 fish ranging from low twenties to mid thirties.

 

 

The Lake

The banks of the lake are flat, grassy and wide and would be perfect should you choose to bivvy up. I would say that three to four anglers could fish happily, with margins, mid water and the island available to all.

Also available to fish is a small stock pool, which is crammed full of single figure carp, this would give some superb sport for any younger member of your family who was keen to experience the joy of catching carp. No need for complicated rigs and buzzers here, just straight forward float fishing and sweet corn should see you catching one a chuck.

The Lake

The grounds around the pool play host to lots of wildlife, and on our visit we were fortunate to see red squirrel, several buzzards over the lake, and also small deer taking a drink from the margins. It is a very peaceful location with your own private entrance down to the bungalow and lake, which is accessed from a small lane, so no worries about lots of noisy traffic in the locality.

 

View From The Veranda

Accomodation & Facilities
The bungalow that Martin and Shirley have built is superbly appointed, it is set less than fifty yards from the lake, and I think you would go a long way to find a better standard of accommodation. A lovely lounge/dining area with an extending table and six chairs, two sofas (one which converts into a double bed), plenty of games and books to while away an hour or two, sky tv and dvd player (with a list of DVDs as long as your arm that you can borrow from Martin), a fully equipped kitchen area , two bedrooms both with two single beds and also wardrobes, a fantastic shower room and a separate toilet. Add to this the stunning covered veranda complete with barbeque and outside dining table and chairs for those al fresco summer evenings and you couldn’t want for more. There is even two sun loungers for when it all gets a bit too much and you just want to relax in the sun with a cold beer.

The Bungalow	The Bungalow	The Bungalow
Kitchen	Lounge	Dining Area
One Bedroom	Toilet

A short walk down the drive and you come to the tackle store, in here you will find a separate toilet, sink, bait freezer and good sized area for storing any tackle you don’t want with you, or hanging waterproofs (should the need arise). One thing you don’t need to worry about is landing nets, unhooking mats and weigh slings, as a set of four are conveniently stored for your use outside the tackle room. Yet again, another example of Martin doing the right thing for the angler and the fishery, a simple idea that benefits all, no stinking wet nets and mats to take home and no danger to the fishery with cross-contamination.

Mats, Slings and Nets supplied

Summary
In summary I think that Oakview Lake has the potential to be a real gem for Angling Lines, and would offer a superb option for those that put high standards of accommodation on a par with the fishing that is on offer. Ok, so it’s not a forties venue yet, but, I could see two couples or a family really enjoying the bungalow and its facilities, whilst enjoying some good fishing during the day. I would certainly put Oakview Lake on a shortlist of venues to watch for in 2009, as once the next stocking goes in, and the fish start to get on the bait, some big hits are surely on the cards.

 

Steve Guy