Combe Martin SAC members Kevin Legge and Craig McCloughlin joined a party of anglers in Saltstraumen Brygge Fish Camp,Norway. In search of cod, halibut, haddock and coalfish from the shore. They enjoyed success with several halibut, double figure cod and also enjoyed the spectacle of the Northern Lights with temperatures well below zero throughout the trip. Both anglers were kept warm with specialist clothing from Braunton Based company Reeds – Chillcheater.
(Above) Even in Norway Kevin found the inevitable dogfish!
Shore sport seems to have slowed down with the weather undoubtedly deterring a few anglers from venturing out. There are a few whiting, dabs and dogfish being tempted. There is still an excellent chance of catching ray, conger, huss and spurdog from deep water marks.
If the weather permits boat sport should be good off Ilfracombe with Bluefin taking trips out after spurdog and conger.
Bideford 24 hour Rover
Nathan Clements took the top spot in Bideford Angling Clubs twenty four hour rover with a fine pollock of 4lb 3oz.
In runner up spot was Andrew Clements with a pouting 1lb 1 1/2 and in third Antony Smith with a rockling 14 1/2 oz.
In Appledore Shipbuilders Rover Josh Atkinson secured victory with a spotted ray weighing 3lb 10oz.
Results: NDMG 1st Round Championship and Champion of Champions.
1st Overall and champ of champ John Lisle 79lb 8oz
2nd Dave Downton 53lb 13oz
3rd Nathan Underwood 44lb 15oz
4th John Lacy 26lb 6oz
5th Kevin Shears 25lb 1oz
6th Andy Gray 17lb 6oz.
Many thanks to Martin Turner for the report and write up:-
Stafford Moor Fishery hosted our January Championship competition , the gale force winds and driving rain ,meant that fishing was less than comfortable for most! Despite this John fished a great match on the pole and sweetcorn on peg 18 on Oak lake, he landed 27 carp for a convincing victory over second placed Dave who landed 53lb of carp from peg 18 on Woodys lake ,Nathan took 3rd spot also from Woody’s peg 20. John 4th from peg 9 Woodys.Second best weight on Oak and 5th overall was Kevin on peg 14.
Simpson Valley Coarse and Trout Fishery is set in a peaceful valley near Holsworthy amid over 140 acres of farmland. The complex boasts several lakes that hold a variety of species that can be targeted using a wide variety of tactics. I visited the venue with Snowbee tackle representative Jeff Pearce in the hope of contacting one of the venues big pike on fly fishing tactics. Mallard lake has been stocked with a good number of pike the biggest nudging 30lb with several topping 20lb.
Jenny Wren Trout Lake
The pike proved reluctant to play the game so we enjoyed an interlude in our predator hunt and targetted the trout of Jenny Wren Lake where I was delighted to catch my first tiger trout and a stunning rainbow of around 4lb that gave a terrific scrap in the cold water.
We were joined at Jenny Wren’s fishing hut by fishery Manager Andrew Moore who made us a welcome hot cup of coffee. Andrew chatted enthusiastically about Simpson’s Valley and of its fishing and plans for the future. The five lakes on the complex offer pike to thirty pound, carp to 35lb, along with specimen perch, eels, chub,trout and other species. There is a unique opportunity to target rainbow trout using LRF tactics on Skylark lake where catch and release is permitted during the winter months. This style of fishing is an ideal opportunity for young anglers to enjoy great sport without having to master the complexity’s of fly fishing.
Fishery Manager Andrew Moore with a hard fighting rainbow tempted on LRF tactics.
Andrew enjoys a hard fighting rainbow tempted on LRF tactics
We returned to Mallard Lake after our informative chat with Andrew and once again set about tempting a pike with our Fly Tackle. On two occasions I thought I had hooked pike but found that plump rainbow trout of close to four pounds had seized my four inch long pike fly! We will be back again and next time I may well sit it out with a dead-bait. If I don’t get sidetracked by trout or other species.
Ian Laird landed this fine 9lb 7oz small eyed ray whilst fishing a North Devon Rock Mark. He also hooked this dab that had tried to engulf a mackerel and herring cocktail presented on a 6/0 hook to 80lb b.s wire!
Steve Pinn fished Furzebray Carp Lakes Willow lake in stormy conditions and was thrilled to catch his first three carp from the venue the best a fine carp of 21lb 6oz. All the fish were tempted using UBER baits.
Its not North Devon but its is winter and nice to see a good pike. Ben Smeeth of South West Lakes Trust sent me this picture of a fine pike caught at Porth near Newquay. North Devon anglers can always target these toothy winter predators at Lower Slade near Ilfracombe.
Richard Mason visited Porth reservoir near Newquay at the weekend to land this cracking 18.05 Pike on a ledgered smelt near the Dam wall. A size 6 hook and 20lb Fox trace were the successful tactics for Richard.
Boat fishing has been excellent off North Devon with spurdog and conger but if its cod your after its up to Minehead and Watchet you will need to go.
A good weekend on Reel Deal with plenty of fish about including whiting, conger, ray and dogfish both days no cod yesterday. Cod have been scarce some days but plentiful on others. Chris Wadham has taken the lead in the Big Cod Competition sponsored by High Street Tackle Ilfracombe, Ammo Bait and Veals Mail Order with five cod for a total length of 2.32 metres.
The recent calm weather has allowed several of North Devon’s boat owners to venture out and savour the sport on offer. James Gubb Fradgley and Rob Scoines sailed out of Lynmouth and landed spurdog to 17lb, thirty conger to 29lb a blonde ray of 13lb and several bull huss.
(Above)James Gubb with a 29lb conger
James Gubb – blonde ray
Rob Scoines -bull huss
Rob Scoines – spurdog 17lb
(Above ) James Gubb specimen bull huss
Dan Welch and Ross Stanway sailed out of Ilfracombe and also discovered conger, huss and spurdog.
Fly Fishers are enjoying great sport at Blakewell Fishery with both brown and rainbow trout succumbing to flies in the cool clear water. Greg Arlotte & Neil Butler enjoyed success at the venue with rainbows to 6lb and brown trout to 4lb.
