On this sunny afternoon in June, a group of fishermen park their cars at the La Boire du Bois-de-Plante site in Saint-Pierre-des-Corps. Dominique Ribreau, president of the Indre-et-Loire Fishing Federation, and Olivier Treille, administrator for the federation, look for a shady spot.
The La Boire lake belongs to the City of Saint-Pierre-des-Corps and does not require a fishing license. However, you must have an access card to be able to fish there. Despite its proximity to the industrial zone of Saint-Pierre, the site immerses us in nature, so much so that we forget the surrounding road traffic.
22.000
This is the number of people with a fishing license in Indre-et-Loire.
A demanding installation
Once the spot at the water’s edge is found, the fishermen unload their boxes to prepare the fishing equipment. Olivier and Dominique have the complete gear for a successful fishing session: carbon fishing rods, stations, reels to unbox, keepnet and, finally, the bait.
After carefully adapting the fishing stations to the terrain, Dominique begins to assemble the rods and install the line. Meanwhile, Olivier prepares the groundbait, a mixture of breadcrumbs and corn derivative. Once shaped into a ball, this paste will attract fish to a specific area, the basis of pole fishing.
The station offers both a seat for the fisherman, but also serves as storage. It contains lines (float, hook, lead) as well as probes to measure the depth of the water.
© (Photo NR, Julien Pruvost)
The first crucian carp of the day
Once the bottom of the body of water is taken, it’s time to fish. Patience and concentration are the watchwords of the discipline. Olivier throws a few balls of groundbait at the level of the two hooks and a few minutes later, Dominique’s float disappears under the water.
This is the signal: the president of the federation gently brings back his long cane by sliding it on its unblocking roller. At the end of the line, a crucian carp. Dominique explains that: “Since global warming, this fish is much more present in the region. The species are changing in the area with the rise in temperatures.”
To remove the hook from the fish without causing it pain, Dominique uses a disgorger to remove it delicately.
Dominique Ribreau uses a disgorger to remove the crucian carp’s hook.
© Photo NR, Julien Pruvost
Since it’s an afternoon no-kill (1), the crucian carp is placed in the keepnet, a net that keeps the fish captive for the duration of the fishing session, before releasing them into the water at the end of the day. This first catch is only the beginning of a long series. Olivier estimates that “If we manage to catch a hundred fish together, it will be a good day”.
“It remains a hobby”
Throughout the day, the atmosphere is very calm. The silence of the fishermen gives way to the song of the birds, who observe these long rods from the other side of the bank. “When we wait, we think about how the fish might bite and also how we are going to lift the rod. We can also discuss fishing if there are several of us. The goal is that it remains a hobby! »comments Olivier.
Fishing is all about patience and anticipation. The slightest twitch on the surface of the water is information interpreted by the fishermen.
© (Photo NR, Julien Pruvost)
Fishing days can also start quite early in the morning. “We can arrive early, then have a bite to eat with friends or family”explains Dominique. The goal is to have a good time, while sharing a common passion.
The Indre-et-Loire Fishing Federation organizes activities and events all summer long. For example: “Tease your nanar”, July 11 on the island of Métairie in La Ville-aux-Dames. To find out more: fedepeche37.fr
(1) “No-kill” is a fishing practice consisting of releasing caught fish.
