James Gubb Fradgley fished off Lynmouth in his own Private Boat and caught a stunning ballan wrasse of 5lb 15oz that sets a new boat record for CMSAC.
A Walk along the Lyn
My favourite place on a wet summers’ day has to be the River East Lyn the river tumbles down the boulder strewn valley. The lush green foliage of the trees and fauna always gives a fresh and vibrant feel.
The river has a wealth of memories for me and I recall the many days I have spent fishing for the river’s salmon and sea trout. Pauline and I walked the river two days running and it was sad to see just the one angler trying his luck. On a summer spate twenty or thirty years ago the river banks would have been full of anglers keen to catch a silver prize from the beer coloured water. These days far less anglers travel to this beautiful river as the runs of salmon and sea trout are but a shadow of those golden days of plenty.
The river is now 100% catch and release and perhaps this does not suit this river where spinner and worm reigns supreme. In the past the rivers fish were abundant and anglers harvest did little to dent the population. The demise of the salmon has also lead to the loss of a vibrant angling community. Having fished the river at the end of its era of abundance I have mixed feelings remembering those anglers I once knew and a sense of pleasure that I was able to cast my line in better days. How I wish that future generations could enjoy the sport we had just a generation ago.
It was very pleasing to see the replacement bridge at the lower part of the river that allows the option of a circular walk from the top of Torrs Road to either Blackpool Bridge or up the Watersmeet.
Today it was sad to see the tea rooms at Watersmeet deserted due to the COVID outbreak. The valley is normally alive with walkers and visitors but today it was far quieter.
Unlocking the mystery of the eel
Unlocking the mystery of the eel
Wistlandpound Reservoir was created in an enduring feat of engineering by building a clay core dam across Bratton Stream during the late 1950’s. It supplies water to a large area of North Devon and has become a popular area for walkers and is used by the Calvert Trust to provide adventure holidays for disabled adults and children. The lake is managed by The South West Lakes Trust who also control angling at the venue which has a long history as a trout fishery.
My good friend Steve Dawe is a keen eel angler and member of the National Anguilla Club and we got talking about waters that contain eels and in particular large eels. I recalled how twenty or more years ago eels had become trapped in the inlet of the local water works and that these eels were of a good size.
Wistlandpound had never to our knowledge been fished for eels and it is a well-known fact amongst eel anglers that venues that have not been fished and have limited access for eels can hold the eels of dreams. The European eel has been known to live to over 100 years so it is possible that any eels trapped within Wistlandpound when the dam was constructed could still be present.
Steve and I spoke with Ben Smeeth who is head of angling at SWLT and after due consideration Ben agreed to an exploratory session to investigate the lakes eel potential.
Steves credentials as an eel angler are well documented so it was a welcome opportunity for me to join Steve and learn more about how to catch specimen eels. Whilst I have caught many eels over the years I have never caught a specimen of over 3lb and this target is now firmly in my sights.
Eventually in mid-June I met up with Steve and struggled to the banks of a depleted Wistlandpound with an array of tackle, bivvies’ and provisions. The weather forecast was a little ominous with a weather warning in place for thunderstorms and possible flash floods! This did little to dent our enthusiasm as eels are reported to become more active during thunderstorms.
With the reservoir at around 60% capacity we had a good choice of accessible bank and selected a swim that gave access to deep water.
Steve gave me useful advice on the rigs to use and how to mount the small dead-baits to give a good chance of hooking an eel. Fortunately, we arrived before the rain and managed to get set up before it arrived in spectacular fashion accompanied by a very long resounding rumble of thunder.
The rain beat down on our shelters and I looked out the rods hoping that a run would not come at this time. After a couple of hour’s, the rain eventually eased and we brewed a hot drink and began chatting about fish and fishing.
Suddenly Steve’s alarm burst into life and he was at his rod in expectation. To our disappointment he failed to connect and reeled in to find that his bait was gone.
We didn’t have long to wait though for within minutes my alarm sounded and I hoked into the culprit. It was no eel but a stunning wild brown trout of around 1lb 8oz.
Within half an hour Steve was in action again and connected this time to bring to the net a stunning wild brown trout that must have been over 3lb. I wondered just how big these wild browns grow to within the lake. I suspect there are a few surprises as there is now an abundance of silvery rudd residing in the lake perfect prey the lakes wild browns to grow to a large size.
Recent seasons have unfortunately been blighted by an abundance of thick green algae making fly Fishing difficult at times. Whilst trout are no longer stocked into the reservoir there is a good head of wild brown trout present and I am sure that Fly Fishing during the autumn could produce the goods as these large browns feed on the lakes abundant fry.
As the evening descended Steve and I talked extensively about our fishing lives and the many places that we have visited and plan to perhaps visit in the future.
As we chatted we frequently cast our eyes upon the rods perched beside the lake their tips pointing into the green water. As the light faded expectation grew as this was surely the eels meal time?
After last hot drinks we both retired to our shelters to catch some sleep. Occasionally an alarm would give a single bleep and I would tense in anticipation. On one occasion I looked out to see a shadow flit away from the rods, an inquisitive fox I believe.
Just before light some type of bird gave a repeated cry that echoed around the lake in a strange almost stereo like mode. I spoke to Steve later who thought it could have been a type of hawk. Thinking back, I should have recorded it on my phone.
I snoozed intermittently as a grey and misty day dawned. I took a look at the weather forecast that told of heavy rain from 8.00am. The rods remained poised at the waters edge but by now our expectations of catching the mysterious eel had faded. After a rushed brew and breakfast we packed away our gear to escape before the rain. The question remains unanswered for now. The problem is that life is short and big eels can take time to find.
Fortunately there are plenty of other SWLT waters that have proven big eel potential. Upper Tamar lake, Lower Tamar, Melbury and Jennets all hold eels of over 4lb with far bigger eels likely to be lurking in the mysterious depths.
REPORTING POLLUTION INCIDENTS TO THE EA – 0800 807060
REPORTING POLLUTION INCIDENTS TO THE EA
Anglers are reminded that reporting incidents to the EA is an individual responsibility. It is particularly important in times of drought or low flows.
If you come across an incident that includes any of the following:
- damage or danger to the natural environment
- pollution to water or land
- poaching or illegal fishing
- dead fish or fish gasping for air
- main rivers blocked by a vehicle or fallen tree causing risk of flooding
- flooding from any river, stream, canal, natural spring or the sea
- illegal removals from watercourses
- unusual changes in river flow
- collapsed or badly damaged river or canal banks
You should call the EA Incident Hotline on: 0800 807060 – without delay. Time may be of the essence.
Your report will be made in complete confidence. Save the number into your mobile phone and pass it on to others.
If you make a call to this number it is recorded and the EA are duty bound to act on it. Do not hesitate or prevaricate.
Is there a better place to be in mid summer than beside a Devon River with the countryside at its lush green peak?
Theres something special about being out on the river bank early in the morning before the mist has been burnt away by the summer sun. I wish I had dragged myself out of bed a bit earlier but Im not good at rising at silly o clock. It was around 6:30 when I cast a fly across the river. Twenty yards down the run and the line tightened slightly as if it had brushed a leaf but I knew it was more than that, this was confirmed a second or two later as the line zipped tight and for a moment the rod was bent to the the pull of life on the line. Before I could gauge the size the line fell slack as the hook hold failed.
The water was still a little murky following recent heavy showers but this early success ensured that I fished the entire session with expectation. There are a few salmon around as Simon Hillcox had tempted a fresh run fish a couple of days previous from a beat higher up river. (Below)
Is there a better place to be in mid summer than beside a Devon River with the countryside at its lush green peak?
Kingfishers flashed past, bright yellow wagtails flitted two and fro. In the rivers margins tiny pin fry massed in the margins and hundreds of tiny toads climbed from the river the steep banks must be like Everest to these vulnerable youngsters.
As the sun climbed higher in the sky I knew that my best chance of a silver tourist had ebbed away. Before leaving the river I sat on the Fishermans bench to absorb the surroundings. Damsel flies flitted above the lush green grass fluffy white clouds drifted across a blue sky and suns warmth felt good.
Brace of thirties from Paradise
Ashley Bunning Grounds Supervisor at Anglers Paradise fished after work and had surprising luck, in two sessions he managed to catch Tadpole at 30lb 8oz and Cheeks at 32lb 4oz from the Spessy Carp Lake. Ashley caught both fish on Nash Citrus pop ups over a bed of sweetcorn.
Bideford Monthly Coarse Match
Results: BDAC Coarse Section Monthly Competition.
1st Keith Mountjoy 20lb 10oz
2nd Tyler Scott 19lb 3oz
3rd Matt Cross 12lb 10oz
4th Martin Turner 11lb 12oz
5th Martin Rushton 10lb 3oz
6th Steve Bailey 9lb 1oz
17 anglers fished , Tarka Swims , George’s lake was used for this months match, the forecast rain held off but humid conditions led to a tough day . Keith drew peg 16 and had a nice net of mainly bream and skimmers, on soft pellet on 11metre pole for victory over the consistent Tyler on peg 18, Matt managed to land 5 carp and lose 5 on peg 2 for 3rd spot.
Boat Sport Off Ilfracombe
Anglers are enjoying some great sport off Ilfracombe from both Charter Boats and private boats. Bass, pollock and mackerel are being tempted on lures with bottom baits tempting tope and Huss.
Bideford Angling Club – Mid Week Match
Midweek Evening Series No.1
Tarka Swims Results
1st Keith Copland 14lb 9oz
2nd Tyler Scott 13lb 8oz
3rd Stuart Sharp 13lb 7oz
4th Richard Jefferies 12lb 4oz
5th Martin Turner 9lb 13oz
6th Steve Ashton 8lb 7oz
13 fished . Keith takes an early lead in the summer league with a pole caught carp net on corn off peg 24, Junior member Tyler’s 2nd place bag was mostly of bream , pole on peg 16. Stuart’s 3rd place net fell to pole and running line tactics on peg 19, conditions were extremely wet although mild. Lets hope for better weather in future rounds,
Gilty secrets
Ian Laird caught this beautiful gilt head bream from a local estuary. These hard fighting fish have established themselves across the West Country over recent decades and are one of the hardest fighting fish in UK waters.
