Our rivers are in my view the arteries of the land and it is our responsibility to do all that we can to safeguard them. As anglers we spend many hours both beside and in the water and have the opportunity to spot signs of pollution or activities that could have a negative impact. The Environment Agency are the main body responsible for dealing with issues and it is to them that we must report our concerns. The more we report the more chance of issues being addressed. I have heard comment from some that there is no point reporting things as nothing gets done. This attitude has no benefit for it just reinforces the belief. Speak up raise awareness of issues and then if its not dealt with raise the fact with your local MP or other body. We have a voice they are our rivers and deserve to be cherished.
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.
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?
Is there a better place to be than beside a Devon River in summer?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tope caught on Reel Deal
Bull Huss on Bluefin
Pollock – Bluefin
Tope – Reel Dealbass – Bluefin
Dave Welch – 6lb +Pollock Private Boat off Ilfracombe
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,
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.
Blakewell Fishery is reestablishing its reputation as at the place to catch a double figure rainbow trout with big trout regularly being tempted by visitors to the pleasant Stillwater.
Mike Featherstone with a beautiful 14lb rainbow caught on a pheasant Tail nymph .
Kevin Pike has set a new Appledore Shipbuilders Angling Club record boating a huge tope of 70lb whilst fishing off the North Devon Coast. Kevin was fishing from his own private boat with fellow club member Mike Toogood who also enjoyed success boating another huge tope of 68lb 8oz. The capture of two tope of this size in one session is an amazing feat that will be remembered for years to come as a red letter day proving the oft said saying that it’s all about being in the right place at the right time.
Salmon and sea trout anglers across the region have had their spirits lifted following the recent heavy rain hopeful that the salmon and sea trout waiting in the estuaries will forge upriver offering the chance to enjoy that thrilling encounter with the most iconic of silver flanked fish.
I headed for the River Torridge to find the river at a perfect height but with the water a turbid brown and full of sediment I was not hopeful. Salmon fishing is a frustrating game with those perfect conditions often only fleeting. There will be a moment as the water clears following a spate and runs the colour of ale when the fresh run salmon rise freely to the fly as it swings across the river.
Salmon run up river as they smell the freshwater influx following a spate. The initial rush of water is often foul after a prolonged dry spell so the fish will often pause until the water quality improves. The fish that run up river are often intent on their journey and ignore the anglers offerings. There comes a time though as the fish rest for a moment when they can snatch at that tantalising creature that flutters across the current. The reasons salmon take a fly or lure have been debated by anglers far wiser than I. The fact is that they sometimes do and if you have faith and persist that delightful moment of connection will come.
Despite the imperfect conditions I fished carefully down through the river absorbing the vibrant surroundings of early summer. Relishing the constantly flowing river, the glimpse of electric blue as a kingfisher darted past. The birdsong resonating all around and the abundant wildflowers that thrive along the river bank. I also noted that all is not well in our world as I gazed at the ash trees suffering from the onset of ash die back. It is estimated that up to 95% of ash trees will succumb around 25% of our woodland!
Grey skies and ash die back
Hopefully I will report on a salmon or two over the coming days for there are plenty of salmon in the river they have been leaping in the estuary for weeks and have been seen forging up over the weirs.
