Maps,Navigation and GPS

Not really a fishing topic this, but one about something that I find useful when travelling to a new venue.

I’ve already written on a couple of occasions about GPS units and how much I like them as navigational aids in France. In fact I’ve used the Tomtom One now for a number of years and would be lost without it. Most of the units on the market are of the street navigator type, which are perfect for getting from A to B and finding ones way around a city, but they give very little  or no information about the type of terrain one is on and many don’t have any info at all on lakes, tracks to lakes etc. For this an Ordinance Survey topographical map is the best tool.

Now topographical GPS devices do exit also, aimed at hikers and offroaders they are like an electronic geo-referenced Ordinance Survey map. They give you your exact position and allow you to install very detailed maps of your chosen area. But, and this is a big BUT, they are extremely dear for the best ones. The Garmin Dakota 20 or Twonav Aventura are in the 400-600€ bracket and that is without the 25:000 scale  maps that cost over 100€ each. This for me was a real deal breaker…I just can’t afford that amount on a gadget.
However recently I have found a great plugin on a French GPS site that allows you to turn your Tomtom into a great off road/fishing tool. The plugin is called “ttmaps”.

Driving in France

Below is an extract from the AA website with tips for those wanting to drive in France. I recently had a lad of 17, who although he had a UK licence was inquiring about driving abroad. Below are the rules for most of Western Europe and were update last in July 2009.

France Touring Tips

This information should be read in conjunction with our general advice for motoring in Europe.
1.Drinking and driving: If the level of alcohol in the bloodstream is 0.05 per cent or more (0.02% for bus/coach drivers), severe penalties include fine, imprisonment and / or confiscation of the driving licence.
Saliva drug tests will be used to detect drivers under the influence of drugs – severe penalties as above.
2. Driving licence: Minimum age at which a UK licence holder may drive a temporarily imported car 18, motorcycle (up to 80cc) 16, motorcycle (over 80cc) 18.
3. Fines: On-the-spot fines or ‘deposits’ are severe. An official receipt should be issued. Vehicles parking contrary to regulations may be towed away and impounded.
4. Fuel: Unleaded petrol (95 & 98 octane), diesel (Gazole) and LPG available. No leaded petrol (lead replacement petrol “Super carburant” available or lead substitute additive). Petrol in a can is permitted but forbidden by ferry and Eurotunnel operators.

Men Behaving Badly !

For more info check the website: http://www.croixblanchelakes.com

by Gareth Watkins

Hi all
What is and isn’t acceptable behaviour on the bank when you are on a carp fishing holiday in France ?

This issue of lack of respect to the venues, the owners and the other anglers on the bank is an issue that comes up on a regular basis. Ok don’t get me wrong I enjoy a drink and a social as much as the next bloke, this is one of the reasons I go carp fishing. I like to catch my share but I’m not a dead keen, must catch at all costs and to hell with the rest, type carp fisher. It does seem though that your ‘Costa del Sol, Ibiza type ‘Couldn’t give monkeys’ type attitude is fairly frequent and can spoil a good week on the venue.
What then are the main rules that it is unacceptable to break? We get complaints from disgruntled lake owners and annoyed anglers alike.

Too drunk to Fish: As I said above I too like a beer and a glass of wine or three when out on the bank, but there must be limits! Most lake rules stipulate that if you can’t remain in control of your rods then they should be reeled in. I’ve seen cases where it’s been more like the Eurovision song contest once the whisky starts to flow.
Finally sleeping through a run because you’ve had a skin full is dangerous for the fish and unfair for the other anglers on the bank.