The weather was forecast unsettled , and sure enough it was raining lol
However with 13 fishing it was going to be enjoyable with 3 sections and a winner ,so after everything is sorted 1 person couldnt make it ,so rethink lol easy enough to do and 12 of us when into the bag,
the morning was very slow for me as was the whole day and for a few others ,this is the 3rd match that has been like this and the question has to be asked ?
South West Lakes Trusts head of Coarse Fishing Ben Smeeth is leaving the trust after close to twenty years of sterling service. Ben will be missed by many in the angling community having contributed to a thriving Coarse fishing portfolio that includes several of North Devon’s favourite angling venues.
Ben Smeeth pictured at Upper Tamar Lake
“After nearly 20 years with the Trust it is time for a new challenge. I have made many friends and have worked with some fantastic colleagues during that time and am very grateful for the opportunities I have been given within the organisation. I feel very lucky to have worked on and around the amazing lakes for so long and I am very proud of the achievements that have been made. I am leaving to take up a fishery manager role with another organisation but leave with a heavy heart. I wish everyone at SW Lakes and everyone I have come to know during my time here a very happy, safe and prosperous future.
Ben Smeeth – Visitor Experience Manager North / Head of Coarse Fishing.”
13 members fished in Appledore Shipbuilders August Rover.
Michael Hammett took the honours with a fine specimen Smoothound of 13lb 10 1/4ozs. He also came second with another specimen Smoothound of 11lb 2ozs. 3rd was Keiran Jewell with another Nice Smoothound of 9lb 10ozs.
Karl Yates has been back on Upper Tamar after his 14 fish haul to 33lb last week. This time another 7 fish in two sessions up to just under 20lb but some real beauties!
Bideford and District Angling Club versus Plymouth and District Coarse Angling Club,
Tarka Swims,.
Results Individuals :
1st Kevin Shears 37lb
2nd Les Polden 34lb 4oz
3rd Keith Mountjoy 29lb 11oz
4th Nathan Underwood 25lb 1oz
5th Graham Johnson 22lb 11oz
6th Colin Cherrington 19lb 12oz .
Team results BDAC 230lb 4oz PDCAC 63lb 4oz Over both legs 264lb to 93lb .
The second leg of this annual 12 aside competition was held on George’s Lake , we got a brief soaking whilst setting up but the day improved for the 5 hour contest, Kevin led Bideford to a resounding victory, with an impressive net of mainly skimmer bream caught on the pole on peg 7 . Bideford filled the top 4 berths, 2nd place was Les with another pole caught net on peg 11 . Plymouth’s best, Graham Johnson took 5th spot with a feeder caught net of carp on peg 8. We thank the lads from Plymouth and hope to see them all again next time.
The East Lyn River is one of my favourite locations a beautiful river that holds an array of personal angling memories accumulated over forty years. I arranged to catch up with North Devon’s new Environment Agency Fishery Officer Callum Underhill so this venue seemed a logical location to meet up and exchange notes.
Callum is filling the shoes of Paul Carter who retired from the Environment Agency after more than three decades patrolling and safeguarding North Devons waters. It was immediately apparent that Callum brings a great deal of dedication and passion to the role that involves a vast patch of North Devon with the Rivers Taw, Torridge and Lyn at the heart of operations.
A keen coarse angler originating from Somerset he is keen to expand his angling forays to include both Fly Fishing and Sea Angling. Before moving to the South West Callum worked as a fishery officer in the Midlands.
We walked the Lyn exchanging many fishy tales and lamenting the decline in salmon and sea trout stocks across the region. In particular we discussed the fabulous East Lyn and its excellent wild brown trout fishing that is available at a very reasonable £5.00 per day. This season has also seen several salmon caught and released close to 10lb.
We discussed a vast range of issues relating to North Devon including law enforcement, pollution, Climate change, regulations, Rod Licences and bylaws. We also discussed coastal issues and the work of IFCA and the overlap in responsibilities. Callum has a vast knowledge of the issues and the politics behind them and will I am sure prove a vital asset to North Devon assisting both anglers and conservation interests.
Anglers are encouraged to report any concerns regarding illegal fishing activity, poaching or pollution to the Environment Agency
Incident hotline
Telephone: 0800 80 70 60
24-hour service
Penzance situated at the far West of the UK offers a gateway to the rich waters of the Atlantic and the small fleet of charter boats that depart from the port put anglers onto some of the best blue shark fishing available off the UK.
I arrived at Penzance on the eve of what has become an annual trip. The sun was shining on arrival with the bright blue agapanthus and palm trees swaying in a warm summer breeze. Timing a trip with the break of the school holidays was probably not the wisest of moves as the resort was teaming with visitors. I am not a lover of driving longish distances before and after fishing so I had booked a room at a sea front guest house.
First priority was to have a short session after the grey mullet that thrive in the local harbours. Newlyn with its busy fishing harbour always holds a certain appeal with the hustle and bustle of a working port. Float fished cod flesh soon brought plenty of bites that proved frustratingly difficult to connect with. Several good sized mullet were observed swimming close into the harbourside. Positioning my bait close in I was able to watch as they nudged the bait suspiciously. After a couple of hours of enjoyable and frustrating fishing the float sank for the umpteenth time and I felt that delightful connection. A small mullet of around 1lb 8oz was safely netted.
The shark fishing day started early at 4.55am on a sour note. A whats-App ping on the phone brings news that the trip organisers car had gone into limp mode and he would not be joining us.
At 6:45am I arrived at the harbourside ready for the 7.00 am departure. Bruce, Dan and John were all ready and eager for the day ahead. Kieran gave us all a cheery greeting. I asked how the previous days fishing had been and was told it had been a chilled day with seven shark to the boat. The result of a combination of recent weather conditions and big spring tides.
The boat set out bouncing over a calm sea. Pods of dolphins entertained us throughout the trip to the shark grounds leaping from the water often seemingly in synchronized formation. On this occasion my efforts to capture an image failed miserably.
We chatted of fish and fishing as the land slowly faded into obscurity. Far off the land gannets and other sea birds glided as they hunted the ocean.
Eventually the engine note changed as Kieran eased the boat to a halt somewhere far out in the deep blue yonder. Bruce, Dan and I were keen to see the baits go out beneath the optimistically bobbing floats. A glance at John told the story of that the age old curse of the sea. Pale and drained of life it was not to be a good day as mal de mer took its toll on John who had a miserable day.
The aroma of rubby-dubby probably didn’t help as the sacks were filled with a fishy cocktail of fish, bran and oils. Within minutes an oily slick appeared in the wake of the boat. The bright pop bottle floats suspending fresh whiting at varying depths.
Bruce Elston keeps the bait coming
We drew the customary straws and I was pleased to get number 1. John had declined an offer of first shark. Baited feathers were sent down the sea bed to catch a steady supply of fresh whiting for bait. After half an hour a shark took the distant bait and I tightened into the first shark of the day. A few minutes later a blue of around 60lb was at the side of the boat the circle hook neatly in the scissors.
Enjoying the battle
A pleasing blue to start the day
A day’s sharking is always exciting with a constant suspense awaiting the scream of a reel or disappearance of a float. In the vast rolling ocean, the mystery of what lurks beneath the surface entrances. As the day unfolds there are short bursts of activity and on two occasions we have double hook ups that give a few anxious moments.
Dan Miles Redmore takes the strain
A quick picture in the water
Bruce sets the circle hook
75lb of blues power
In Penzance terms today was a slow day with eleven blues to around 75lb brought to the side of the boat. The days of bringing these fish on board has passed with all fish unhooked quickly at the side of the boat. These beautiful fish look awesome in the clear water and its great to see them swim strongly away after unhooking to disappear into the aqua blue water of the Atlantic.
We lingered for a while hoping for one more shark but as always eventually it’s time to call it a day. We motor back to Penzance glimpsing dolphins once again in the wake of the boat. Gannet’s dive into the water undoubtedly feasting upon mackerel. I always find the vast sky and rolling waters fascinating and so alive.
As we approach the harbour Bite Adventures bounces across the waves on its twin hull and a party of anglers give us a cheery wave.
Penzance is bustling with summer tourists as staycations boom. Were already plotting next year’s voyages to the deeps.
Mole Pollution Incident July 2019 – EA Prosecution
In the recent prosecution brought by the Environment Agency the guilty pleas were appropriate and not unexpected. The fines however, appear derisory – £2,000 and £667 against a fish kill of around 16,400. These fines don’t reflect the severity of the incident, the damage done to our fish stocks and the ecology of the Mole. Where is the deterrent message to the farming community at a time of poor water quality in our rivers which remain under continuing threat from unsafe farming practices?
See link to EA press release below
We are pleased that the EA carried out a successful prosecution, but extremely disappointed with the final outcome.
The East Lyn River is one of my favourite locations a beautiful river that holds an array of personal angling memories accumulated over forty years. I arranged to catch up with North Devon’s new Environment Agency Fishery Officer Callum Underhill so this venue seemed a logical location to meet up and exchange notes.
