Guestbook
George & Sarah (Riverside Cottage (20th - 27th June 2020)
Just returned from our third stay at Riverside Cottage. It's been another wonderful and relaxing experience - so much so, we extended our stay. We keep saying that if we had a holiday cottage, this is how we'd set things up. You've done a great job. The position is scenic and convenient for town. All the shops and restaurants we visited were open and trading normally and we marvelled at the cleanliness of Monpon and the charm of its inhabitants. We can honestly say this is the first time this year we’ve been able to relax and forget about everything. Did a bit of fishing at the back of the cottage; had entertaining sport but nothing of any note until our last day when I got something big. Played it on light tackle for what seemed an eternity, only for it to come off the hook before I could see what it was. That’ll teach me to use barbless….. So there’re some interesting fish around and I intend to visit again and chance my arm. We Nikki and Greg have been great with the way you’ve reassured everyone through what has been a tricky time with Covid, thanks for that and another memorable holiday. We hope to see you again soon.
Kris & Glen (Spec Lake 8th - 15th September 2018)
Thanks Greg & Nikki, we had a great time at Martins’ Lakes and would highly recommend the lake to anyone. Food was lovely, fishing was great and there’s nothing we went without. Great company, great area, what else is there to say... We will visit again for round two
Jane, Andrew, Ben & Emily & Chris (18th - 25th August 2018)
Wow! 34C temperatures, thank goodness for the wonderful pool! Thank you so much for all your hard work, the food is sooo good Nikki, thank you so much. Especially for Chris' birthday cake which was delicious :) We have been lucky enough to see all sorts of wildlife this week and enjoyed some fishing at the Gite Lake. You have a gem here and we will be back, thank you so much for a wonderful, peaceful, restful break from the rest of the 'rat race'!
Nick, Kate & Loki (26th May - 2nd June 2018)
We stayed here at the end of May 2018 into the beginning of June and cannot recommend Martins' Lakes enough. From the minute we arrived in the pouring down rain to the day we departed in the glorious sunshine Nikki and Greg were the perfect hosts. Unobtrusive but there for anything you needed. Greg was always on hand for any fishing queries and knows the best bait and spots to fish to help get that catch. As a group of 7 plus 1 dog we had hired the gite and the Jungle Lake for the more experienced anglers in our party.... both are absolutely stunning. Lots of fun to be had on the gite lake and even a non angler like myself managed to catch. We also booked a meal for 1 night from Nikki. Oh my.... so tasty and enough to feed a small army. Definitely recommended. The gite was fantastic - everything you needed was available. Utensils, washing up liquid, tea towels and the best bit for us was watching the sun set on the gite decking area with a BBQ on the go, playing cards and listening to the various wildlife that is literally yards away from you. I really cannot recommend this place enough, Beautiful scenery, amazing fishing and absolutely lovely hosts. Thank you Nikki and Greg for a truly amazing holiday and we will be back soon. Much love. Kate, Nick and Loki
Iain, Si & Debs, Eddie & Lynn (5th - 19th August 2017)
Thanks Greg & Nikki for another great holiday. Everyone had great fishing results & Nikki a big thanks for our curry night, you make a mean onion bhaji and could we please book a re-inforced chair "ha, ha, ha" for next year x Iain, Si, Debs, Eddie & Lynn
Justin & Sam, Ronnie & Sarah, Drew & Liv (29th Jul - 5th Aug 2017)
Thank you for a wonderful we Fishing for the boys, sun, markets, lakes & vino for the ladies. Swimming and animal feeding for the children - Perfect for all! Thank you x
George & Sarah (24th June - 1st July 2017)
Great fishing - best ever according to George and lovely accommodation (gite). Great food, chocolate brownies are exceptional! Lovely warm welcome and thanks to Greg too for the fishing tips. George & Sarah
David & Theresa Lancaster (3rd - 7th April 2017)
A wonderful week, fishing excellent - biggest 35.5lbs Weather good - dry and sunny Food amazing! Look forward to returning next year. Thanks so much for a lovely holiday 'The Lancs'
Dennis, Viv, Ashley, Laura & Sven (23rd July - 6th Aug 2016)
Great welcome from Nikki & Greg, the gite is better than pics, the view is stunning. The swimming pool is a great addition, the family loved it. Fishing gite lake too easy, you can catch all day - kids, wife & girlfriends can have fun on this lake. The towns and villages are all worth a visit. The Specimen Lake proved hard for us but did manage a few 30s and a couple of 20s. Great family holiday.
Dennis, Viv, Ashley & Laura, & Sven
Mez & Debbie (21st May - 4th June 2016)
Awesome stay again! Gite Lake fished very well, all methods catch but my favourite method was waggler, 16 hook and treble maggot. You never know what you'll get - skimmer, 2lb bream or double figure carp. Great places to visit: Chateau Commarque, Tourtoirac Grotto, Vessuna Roman Villa, Sarlat, St Emilion, St Foy La Grande market. Nikki & Greg are great hosts. We weren't affected by any of the fuel or weather problems that have been reported recently on the TV, they are all much further up north :) Mez & Debbie High River, Alberta, Canada.
John Robertson 2015
Fished the Jungle Lake which was AWESOME, had around 40 fish for my week and most were in the double figures Greg was very helpful and always willing to give some great advice, meals provided by Nikki were first class, they both made me feel very welcome Many Thanks
Dave & Joan, Brian & Joyce ( 8th - 20th Aug 2015)
This is our third visit in four years and we were as delighted with this visit as our first. Nikki & Greg's hospitality has forged a close relationship which is valued by us all. Each time we come, we are reminded how very relaxing we find Martins' Lakes and leave with our batteries re-charged! The fish once again have proved plentiful on the Gite Lake; the Specimen Lake, as expected, offered good sport with the best catch this trip being a 35lbs 12oz carp. Greg's unwavering enthusiasm and support are valued greatly. Thank you so much for making our holidays so successful, and we wish you and your family continued success.
Dave, Joan, Brian & Joyce
Shaun, Lianne, Jake & Ben (18th July - 1st August 2015)
Fantastic holiday, this place has it all - great views, amazing gite, lovely pool and the fishing is unbelievable. I beat my personal best four times and had fish on Specimen Lake from 13lbs up to 39lbs. Before this holiday, my pb was 14lbs but I don't think I would have had as many fish if it wasn't for Greg's advice and the coaching he gave me was invaluable. Best advice I could give anyone, it to take a few hours lessons with Greg to get you on the right track. Places we visited included St Emilion which is a lovely place, especially if you like wine! Aubeterre is also worth a visit and Lake Jemaye was also lovely, as was Bergerac. Wildlife here is also fantastic - deer in the garden which the kids loved watching.
Shaun, Lianne, Jake & Ben
Shirley, Terry, Howard & Lisa (20 - 26 June 2015)
A week of glorious sunshine for us ladies, rest and recreation with a few litres of wine thrown in. Beautiful gite and surroundings, I wish I hadn't scared the boar, I would have liked to have seen him again! Shirley
The most relaxing holiday for as long as I can remember, sunshine, sunbathing, dipping in the pool and a cheeky little carp to boot! Lisa
What an amazing week!! Your lakes & gite are beautiful, we will be back next year for cats and 40+ carp. Howard
Great weather, great fishing and great hosts. Unbelievable pbs on the carp front!!! Will be back next year. Terry
George & Sarah (Riverside Cottage 15th - 22nd June 2019)
Riverside Cottage is perfectly located on the banks of the River L’isle. The accommodation is light, bright, comfortable and homely, with a well-equipped kitchen, two bathrooms, one en-suite, and a lovely living room with windows which open directly onto the patio and garden. With lovely views across the river. There is also a utility room, which is perfect for storing fishing tackle. Montpon town centre is a short walk from the property, and is a small, friendly town, with cafes, bars, and restaurants, which cater for all budgets. Market Day is on Wednesday and there is a great choice of local produce. On the opposite river bank, there is a lovely park, where you can take a relaxed stroll along the river or take a more picturesque route into the town centre. You can fish from the bottom of the garden and there is good sport to be had with roach, chub, rudd and bream. No records broken but I did loose a very good fish - certainly heavier than the ones in the photo's. Once I got them feeding, it was prolific. I was brought up on the Trent, so enjoy fishing water with a flow and this was the best river fishing I've ever had. We had a fabulous holiday at Riverside Cottage and have just booked for next year. In the event that you have any queries, Nikki responds promptly to emails or calls. You can be assured of a relaxed break at Riverside Cottage.
Alan & Maddie Yates, Andrew & Melanie, Clare & Robyn (25th August - 1st September 2018)
Alan didn't think he'd make it back to Martins' Lakes after illness but thanks to family we made it. Super enjoyable week with plenty of carp. Alan's best was a 38lbs 12oz common & Andrew's was a 38lbs 4oz mirror. Girls got in on the act with carp and bream from the Gite Lake. Once again, thank you Greg and Nikki for a wonderful week.
Caroline, John, Jane & David (16th - 30th June 2018)
Our third visit and lovely as always, we’ve already booked for next June. Fishing, sunshine perfection, fabulous wildlife too.
David & Theresa, Josh, Margaret (7th - 13th April 2018)
An absolutely fabulous week - fishing a complete success, David's biggest was 38lbs 5oz of a total of 32 fish in 6 days. Weather mixed. Nikki's food was wonderful & the wildlife was spectacular - kingfishers, hoopoo, deer and lots of tuneful frogs! Peace & quiet and good company made for a great holiday, thanks so much.
Keith, Lorna, Kayleigh & Roy, Brenda & Rob (19th Aug - 2nd Sept 2017)
Beware "We're back!" Not sure how many times we've stayed here but it's not been for four years! The place is just as fantastic as we remember it and Nikki & Greg perfect hosts as always. Loads of carp to 36.5lbs including 3 x 30lbs+ commons, biggest 36lbs 2oz.
Food package on the Spec Lake was just amazing, thanks Nikki x Great holiday, loved every minute. Certainly won't be another 4 years until we're back. Keith, Lorna, Kayleigh & Brenda, Roy & Rob
Barry Lane Aug 2017
Thank you for an excellent weeks fishing had 10 carp all between 20lb and 40lb 1 pike at 14lb would fully recommend this lake .Greg and and Nikki brilliant hosts couldn't do enough to help you. Greg loves the banter the banter. Nikki's food package is pukka always left you with a food belly.Hope to see you next year
Gary, Sonia, Katie & Izzy (22nd - 29th July 2017)
Had another lovely stay, Greg & Nikki are extremely friendly and welcoming, our youngest brought a friend this time and they made her feel very welcome. We've been coming since 2012 and wouldn't go anywhere else in France for fishing. Thank you x Gary, Sonia, Katie & Izzy
Wayne, Neil & Rich (10th - 17th June 2017)
Had a great week, good fishing with the best being 38lbs. Good weather and accommodation. All in all, a good trip, Wayne, Rich & Neil
Steve Quayle 2016
24/9/16 to 1/10/16 The weather was hot may be just a little too hot, little to no fish coming out in the day time. I was in a party of 4 sadly one returned home early because he wasn't well, Greg even transported him to the airport. A 40 came out top of my head about 10 30lb's one of them being mine at 38lb a hand full of 20's and a few 10-15 lbs I got tug off by a CAT just managed to see it's whiskers (what do you expect of 15 lb line with a cat) I also lost one or two mainly because of some blanket weed, the carp know how to use it best. The best part of this fishing trip for me was the food, Nikki is a super cook. I fished a few places in France and would like to transport her to them to show them how to do a food package, everything was freshly baked or cooked, helps that the have their own chickens and bees up at their house having an allotment myself with Chicks and bee it was like being home from home, nothing beats a fresh egg in the morning. They also read my Just giving page and sent me this... We looked at your fundraising link for Claire's house, and if it's not too late we would like to donate a prize for your raffle. We will give a one week fishing holiday for two fishermen on the Specimen Lake, Drive & Survive, to be taken before the end of 2017. Which I would like to thank them so much for. Regards, Steve Quayle
Dennis & Linda (summer 2015)
More than one third of the days fished have been Red Letter Days producing a PB Common of 42lb 6oz, plus another of 42lb 5oz, a PB Mirror of 42lb 7oz, plus another of 41lb 12oz and a Catfish of 70lb 14oz. Plus of course regular catches of carp in the 20-30lb+ range. So thank you very much and we are looking forward to the 2016 season already at Marvellous Martins’ Lakes. Best Wishes. Dennis & Linda
Wes & Hayley (19 - 26th Sept 2015)
Fantastic stay, loads to do, visit to St Emilion lovely. Fishing in Specimen Lake was good, didn't catch any of the bigger ones, biggest was 31lbs. Greg & Nikki were very helpful and some great advice, until next time! Thanks
Allan, Julie & family (1 - 8 Aug 2015)
What a place! An angler's Eldorado. The view from the terrace is amazing, the wildlife - always something to see. The pool is so refreshing after the hot days! I have fished for 55 years and on an evening session produced a bite every single cast - never done that before, been close, but was magic. Also had a day on the Specimen Lake - first serious carp expedition, had 7 fish - 24.5, 16.00, 34.00, 19.00, 20.5, 21.5 & 26.5lbs. My previous PB of 18.5lbs was obliterated! Thank you for a fabulous week!! Allan, Julie & 3 daughters
Clayton Guest & family (27 June - 4 July 2015)
The gite lake is great, fish caught every cast, it was nice sometimes to just throw dog biscuit into the water and watch the fish come up close. Fantastic to either sit or walk round the lake, it was so peaceful. Specimen Lake was amazing, both day and night, no way could you fish 3 rods (it felt like they were just jumping onto the hook). The biggest carp I had was 43lbs & put up a really big fight. The gite is outstanding, it is like home from home, with everything you need. Outside is wonderful, the outbuildings are a sight to behold. Sitting in the shade or in the pool, you can enjoy the scenic setting and sometimes watch a deer. At night, it is so perfect with no lighting spoiling the sky, you can enjoy looking up at the stars. As for Greg & Nikki, thank you for making us feel so welcome. You both are such perfect hosts, you could not do anymore to make our stay so memorable. We have had such a good time, we have already booked for next year, but this time for two weeks, one week was not enough. All the best to you both and good luck, looking forward to seeing you again next year, only another 51 weeks and counting! Clayton, Angela, Steven & Giosia
Mark (26 May 2015)
Plentiful food and wine, and comfortable Gite. I opted for the comfort and convenience of the Chalet Peg.
Ended up with 17 Carp for the week, lost a further 6 for a variety of reasons, topping out at a 45lb 1oz Mirror Carp.