Jonchery
Brévonnes, Northern France
Lake Description
OVERVIEW
Jonchery is an extremely well-known lake for carp fishing in France. It is an established venue and has a reputation, built up over many years, as a water that is professionally managed, with excellent facilities and, because of its very healthy stock of big carp, it is a water that many anglers return to time and time again. It’s not just in the UK either that its reputation is known as this is a water that is very highly regarded throughout Europe. The whole complex is based around a fish farm and because of this you can be sure that the quality of fish in the water is exemplary. The water is run by UK fishery owner Mark Slade and his family, who live on site and there are around 450 carp swimming in its depths to over the magic 60lb mark.
ABOUT THE WATER
Being based around a fish farm for many years, Jonchery has been built up for ease of maintenance and so that the fish could be netted easily. In view of the this the bottom of the lake is flat with no snags or weed. With an average depth of around 1,2m the lake is quick to warm up in spring and, being open to the sunlight, stays warm well into the autumn months, meaning the fish move around for a lot longer than in some waters.
Let’s take a walk around the lake to visit the swims. Swim 1 lies at the northern end of the lake, nearest to the entrance and whilst this is very convenient for the facilities there can be some disturbance from vehicles entering of leaving the venue. Swims 4, 6 and 3 are along one bank and lie in the shade of the afternoon sun so bear this in mind during hot weather. The water shallows up between swims 5 and 3 which is a good place to start earlier in the year as this area does tend to warm up quicker. Swim 7 is actually on the one of the small pools at the end of the lake. The lake bed is soft silt with harder clay patches and the deepest part of the lake is in the bowl around swims 1, 2 and 4 where the water is around 2m deep. Between swims 3 and 5 the water is around 1.2m deep.
Dogs are not allowed.
FISH STOCKS
Jonchery is exceptionally well stocked with around 450 carp. There are some truly beautiful specimens of both mirror and common carp with dozens of 30s and 40s to fish for. The maximum size is around 28kg (approx. 62lb).
THE SWIMS
There are 7 swims available, all of which are accessible by car for dropping off your gear. After this has been done cars are left in the car park near the entrance. There are also wheelbarrows available if you wish to move swims during your stay. Swims 1 and 5 are singles, the others are doubles. Swim 7 can be booked by three anglers so you can book this whole area of the lake exclusively if desired. The swims are clean, well prepared and several are built on pontoons so it’s best to bring some cup hooks to secure your bivvy down.
For Swim 7 (Jonchery 7) click here >>
FACILITIES
There is a separate building with hot running water, showers, toilets and a small kitchen area containing a fridge and freezer. There are ample power sockets for charging equipment and there is also a small dining area. The village of Brévonnes is only a short drive away where there are a couple of restaurants and shops. The good facilities and ease of access would make Jonchery an excellent venue for those who want to take a non-angling partner on the trip.
PRICE
Anglers: 350 Euro/week (Sat - Sat)
non-Anglers: 70 Euro/week (Sat - Sat)
Lake Exclusive: 3000 Euro/week
Food pack: for 150€ per person you can order a food pack for the week, including breakfast and evening meal for the week.
Key points
- The Lake: Jonchery
- Departement: Aube (Champagne)
- Open: March - November, swim 7 till 5/12
- Distance to lake: Le Havre - Jonchery: 417 km Calais - Jonchery: 396 km
- Surface: 12 + 2 ha
- Bottom: Clay with some silt. No obstacles.
- Depth: max. 2 meter
- Max. Anglers: 12
- Stocking: 450 carp between 25 and 65 pounds
- Weed formation: None
- Access: all swims have good access by car
- Price per Angler: 350€ per week
- Price per non-Angler: 70€ per week
- Wifi: Yes
- Lake Exclusive 3000 €/week
