I POPPED over to J&K Tackle in Bicester this week and bumped into Sean Trafford, who has been fishing Vallee Lakes in Normandy, France, with brother Michael and dad Mick, writes ANDY WEBBER.

The trio had just returned from their third trip this year and they have caught some excellent specimens.

The lakes are very weedy and they lost several good fish. In an effort to combat the problem, they put a bench at the front of their swim to stand on and got a higher angle to play the fish.

Sean caught a 41.12.0 carp and a 60lb sturgeon (pictured), Michael had two carp of 44.12.0 and 45.15.0, while Mick caught a 51.11.0 carp and two catfish, the best going 20lb.

All the fish fell to either Mainline New Grange boilies or Mainline Cell and Carp Company caviar and cranberry boilies.