Fish Care
Fish Care
Les Montautiers
Carp Care
The welfare of our carp is paramount
Below are a few common sense guidelines to which all our guests must adhere
1. Always keep your net within reach of where you intend to play fish
When you have a fish on, it requires your full attention. Slack line caused by any distraction could result in snagged fish and unnecessary mouth damage.
2. Once netted, make sure the fins are folded flat before lifting from the water and when placing on the unhooking mat provided.
Fins are fragile and if caught in nets can be broken easily, damaging the fish for life.
3. Always use a the unhooking mat provided on a flat, shaded, soft, grassy area where possible and always away from rocks and the waters edge. Once netted,
immediately place the fish on the mat.
Placing fish directly onto hard bank can cause serious external and internal injuries and removes protective slime thereby increasing the risk of infection upon their return to the lake.
4. Always have a bucket of lake water by the side of your mat along with your scales, sling and camera.
5. Slings should always be wet before weighing a fish to avoid removing protective slime. By having lake water to hand you can keep the fish wet and prepare it for weighing without leaving it unattended.
Never leave a fish unattended on an unhooking mat.
6. Carp sometimes flap without warning and if unattended, can easily escape your mat and injure themselves on hard ground. Remove your rig from the carps mouth immediately and treat with Gardner Intensive care or medic + where necessary. Each angler MUST have this in there tackle.
7. By preventing further damage and treating the fish you are reducing the risk of infection and ensuring it remains in good condition.
8. When holding fish for photographs:
o Support the carps weight with both hands underneath
o Do not lean or rest the fish on its stomach
o Take care not to interfere with the gills or damage fins
o Never stand to have your picture taken or hold the carp too high above the mat
o Do not over extend the carp towards the camera
o If a carp flaps whilst raised, cradle it towards your body to prevent the fish falling - you may get messy but it will prevent fatal injury
o Always use your sling or unhooking mat to return the fish to the water. Never carry it yourself
o Always remove wristwatches before handling fish
Many thanks for your co-operation in safeguarding our Carp
The owners of Les Montautiers thank you for your cooperation at all times.
