7 Feb 2022

A SAD LOSS – Mike Williams – Bratton Water

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Fly Fishers from North Devon and beyond will be saddened by the passing of Mike Williams at Bratton Water Fly Fishery. Mike and Jan have given a warm welcome to anglers visiting their picturesque water over many seasons. The fishery is still open and offers excellent sport with both brown trout and rainbow trout.

I knew Mike for many years and always enjoyed visiting the fishery to be greeted  with his warm and cheery demeanour. His long term health issues were endured  with great strength and dignity.

 

 

7 Feb 2022

FINE BRACE OF COMMONS

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Persistence paid off for Gerald Gough who  fished Jennets  reservoir to bank a fine brace of common carp weighing 26lb 8oz and 18lb 12oz. The fish were taken after six blank sessions so far this year. The fish were tempted on boilies fished in conjunction with a PVA stringer and no groundbait.

7 Feb 2022

Sea Angling Weekend Competition Round up

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Sea anglers faced a stormy weekend that impacted heavily upon local shore competitions. Bideford Angling Club and Appledore Shipbuilders both had fixtures on Sunday where members braved the strong winds and heavy rain to no avail with nil fish registered in either competition.

Combe Martin SAC members fished a weekend long competition that enabled members to embrace Saturdays more favourable conditions. Kevin Legge took the top two places in the match with bull huss of 9lb 12oz and 8lb 10oz. I took third place with a winter mullet of 2lb 12oz.

It is clear that thick lipped grey mullet are present in waters around the South-West throughout the year. When I first started fishing for mullet over forty years ago these fish were considered to be a fish of the warmer months. It is now apparent that they can be caught in every month of the year throughout the South-West.

Targeting winter mullet in the cold light of dawn.

4 Feb 2022

Forty-one pounds twelve ounces of Furzebray Carp!

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Steve Pinn recently joined the Barrs Angling consultant team and on his first trip out using Barr products he managed his first Devon forty. Here is what Steve had to say;

“I found myself amongst some perfect conditions for a bite so decided to stay on at Furzebray’s Island lake for an extra night……a move I will never regret!

I had already had a 28Ib fish early doors, which I was happy with, but it was on the final morning when what I thought were liners from swans turned into meltdown from this chunk.

After a bit of a battle in the weed this “A-team” fish was in the net, a fish known as ‘Dropscale’ at 41Ib 12oz”.

Steve went for full on attraction for this session with his white 10mm Toffee Creme pop up surrounded by nothing but liquids. A thick mix of the Barrs Angling Active CSL and CR Nutmino was topped up regularly with the spoon and certainly did the job in tempting the fish to the area. 

Congratulations on your first Devon 40 Steve.

2 Feb 2022

SOUTH WEST FLY FAIR

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The South West Fly Fair makes a welcome return on Sunday 6 March after the 2021 event was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The fair, at Roadford Lake between Launceston and Okehampton, is sponsored by Chevron Hackles and hosted by South West Lakes. The event is a highlight in the Westcountry’s angling calendar ahead of the new fishing season.

It will be opened at 10am by the fair’s patron and one of the country’s most respected fly-fishing gurus, Charles Jardine.

Throughout the day there will be fly tying demonstrations from local and national experts, with a chance to ‘have a go’, as well as the opportunity to pick up useful tips and valuable advice.

Other activities include casting demonstrations, fly casting lessons and clinics for both newcomers to the sport and experienced anglers feeling a little rusty after the closed season.

There will be trout cooking demonstrations by Gary Champion and the opportunity to meet members of fly fishing clubs based at lakes across the South West as well as find out more about coaching and tuition available in the region.

Trade stands will be selling new and used tackle and equipment and a bar and refreshments will be available.

The event runs from 10am to 4pm and promises to be a fun and informative family day out with plenty of activities for all ages including exploring pond life and arts and crafts.

Book in advance to avoid disappointment. Entry is £5 for adults and free for under 18s. Entry includes car parking and a raffle ticket for an all water permit worth £530. Tickets are available from www.swlakestrust.org.uk/trout-fishing

For every season ticket purchased on the day South West Lakes will fund a taster session for a new entrant to fly fishing.

30 Jan 2022

BAIT DISASTERS

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On arrival home from fishing my first trip is generally to the shed to return unused bait to the freezer. I take my bait to the shore in a freezer bag so if its not too mild some of it can be placed back in a semi frozen state. I had carried out this ritual after last week’s competition.

The freezer bag and a couple of old traces lay on the floor when I prepared for my next session close to a week later. It seemed slightly iffy as I picked up last weeks trace and went to lift last week’s bait wrappers. I winced as my fingers felt a soft and slimy week old bluey! Its pungent aroma was certainly far from pleasing.

This isn’t my first bait disaster and probably won’t be the last. Smelly old mackerel, squid and peeler crabs have all caused offence in the past.

Amongst my worsts disasters came a few years ago whilst fishing the Hampshire Avon. My good friend Rupert and I returned from the river after a long day with rain beating down. It was good to be heading back for a good meal. Several pints of maggots sat in a bucket in the back of the car but they would be fine until morning!

We had overlooked the fact that the bucket had got wet. Next morning upon opening the boot we found maggots everywhere! We mopped up what we could the following day and went fishing. On arriving back home I removed the spare tyre to find hundreds of maggots in the well. A good old hoover and I hoped all was good; bloody maggots infiltrated the entire car burying into the carpets and every nook and cranny. For weeks after every warm day saw a hatch of flies within the car! Pauline was far from amused!