[caption id="attachment_1528" align="aligncenter" width="800"] First mesh Pike measured and released, we're happy! And that's just the beginning[/caption].

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For a number of years now, Lac Saint Michel, a place that makes many Pike anglers across France fantasize, has become a meeting and sharing place for the Rencontres Halieutiques Bretonnes. This fishing competition, organized by Fédé 29 and local AAPPMAs, authorizes all methods of dynamic predator fishing: lures, flies, pulls, dead baits, etc., and takes place on the water (in kayaks, float tubes or electric-powered boats) and in teams of two. This year's event attracted some 80 competitors on May 26. And for as long as I'd wanted to compete in it, I took part in this edition with Christophe Thepaut, forming a Rodhouse/Delalande team.

Lac Saint Michel represents a true fishing destination known throughout France for the presence of its many more than metered Pikes, its large rainbow Trouts (released regularly), its peaty Irish landscape, and the atmosphere given off by the remnant of France's first nuclear power plant at the origin of this reservoir. Classified as a Grand Lac Intérieur (Great Inland Lake) with its 450 hectares nestling in the heart of the Monts d'Arrée, heritage management of the Pike population and appropriate regulations make for superb fishing! But believe me, the fish, though plentiful, have to be earned, and this lake isn't delivered so easily ... perseverance is required!

Arriving at 7:15am, we start preparing the boat under swarms of little beasts that devour your face and drive you mad ... "Varicella style" guaranteed! I take out the various components of my little vintage zodiac, which has the advantage of fitting in the boot of my little car, and off we go for an inflation session! Early in the morning, it feels great! My boat looks small and shabby next to those on site ... and inevitably provokes a few smiles. It makes us smile too!

Then organize the boat: when you don't have room, you plan for the minimum! For my part, I'm taking two rods on board: RCLB 70XL from Rainshadow and SJ706-1 Delta from North Fork Composites, both cast for Pike. Christophe, meanwhile, takes two light rods on board to target Trout and Perch. Two or three boxes of lures, deepers, a small Lowrance depth finder and a snack complete the load. After a small coffee and some croissants, Boot begins the briefing before launching the 8-hour non-stop fishing competition!

[caption id="attachment_1526" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Trout party! One of the best dry landings of the day! Quotas quickly filled, Christophe is a chef!

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At 9:00 am, the bell rings for departure. Neither Christophe nor I claim to know this lake ... so complex to apprehend, but we've both already spent many hours on these waters and have a well-honed strategy before starting the event! So we headed for a well-known peat bog to quickly fill our 2-trout quota. My little zod' splits the surface of the water and we're the first to arrive in the area. Christophe is in his element and it's not long before he brings in 1, then 2, then 3, then 4 Trout! They're supercharged! We landed 2 beautiful fish measuring 56 and 58cm. Meanwhile, I was already trying to open up the Pike quota (between 2 splicing sessions) but without success ...

[caption id="attachment_1523" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] First mesh Pike! Not a monster, but a healthy fish, the beginning of hope![/caption]

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It's now 9:50 and we don't think we can really improve on the Trout score ... So we begin the second stage of the plan: devoting ourselves to the Pikes. Here we are, heading for an area on the edge of the lake that I know well from having caught a few Pikes in the past. The wind is favorable and the drift is clean. I quickly get the ball rolling with a small 66cm Pike on a shad teez (how good is this lure!). Christophe, on the Zander / Pike-perch, gets his first rejection at the boat, but ends up hooking a 66cm fish. We're happy! 2 Pikes validated out of a quota of 3 before 11am, we're starting to believe it! With a little more insistence, I end up catching a zizi broc' but clearly too small to count ...

[caption id="attachment_1524" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Second Pike mesh, on course for victory! Don't give up![/caption]

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12:00, we have 2 out of 3 species and almost 2 quotas filled. Lake St Mich' is also home to a fine population of Perch, and catching all 3 species earns a not inconsiderable point bonus. We then move on to stage 3 of our strategy! We head for a bay that Christophe knows well for its Perch. While we keep drifting in search of them, I continue fishing for Pike. After a good dry spell, Christophe just manages to land a Perch! Yes!!! Mission accomplished! We're delighted! But we don't give up and chase after that third Pike, dreaming of the big fish ...

[caption id="attachment_1525" align="aligncenter" width="800"] A greedy zizi broc' ^^ caught under the boat and dropped straight into the shoeing! Poor baby ... that'll teach him to bite off more than he can chew![/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_1527" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] The podium! I won't mention all the names, as I don't know them all ... But I will point out that the big fish is awarded to the catch of a beautiful 1m02 Pike all the same![/caption]

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