There are spaces on Bluefin out of Ilfracombe Tuesday January 30th. The weather looks good at present so an opportunity to get out after the spurdog and conger.
Otters – A controversial issue!
Otters have become a controversial topic within the angling world with the reintroduction of the species into areas where their numbers have dwindled proving disastrous in some instances. I have no expertise in this area so can only give my own views and feelings without any scientific facts. I have seen otters on the rivers around North Devon on many occasions and I am always thrilled when I glimpse them as they hunt the river. Otters have been present on North Devon rivers for many years and have a big place in peoples hearts this is in part due to literature like Henry Williamson’s famous tome “Tarka the Otter” and the film ‘Ring of Bright Water’.
I believe that wild otters are part of North Devon’s natural Eco-system and belong as the damage they do on the river is acceptable. Sadly eel numbers have plummeted as have salmon and sea trout numbers and this undoubtedly forces the otters to look elsewhere for food. When they find a lake stocked with big meaty fish like carp they undoubtedly feel that they have stumbled upon a natural bounty. The fact that a specimen carp can be worth several thousand pounds is of no consequence to the otter. To the fishery owner an otter visit can be devastating which is why responsible fishery owners are investing thousands of pounds in building otter fences around their lakes.
Anglers Paradise are investing many thousands into the building of an otter proof fence to protect the valuable stock within their lakes.
See post below from Anglers Paradise.
PROTECTING ANGLERS PARADISE
Sadly, with the ever increasing threat of Otters being released in the UK, means that all Fisheries need to take action in protecting their stock.
We have commenced work on our Otter Fence which will protect the Anglers Paradise Lakes, it’s a BIG job but we have had to do it for the future of Anglers Paradise.
Otter Fence
Construction on the Otter fence has progressed. The fence now runs from the Trout Lake to Easy Access Lake and beyond, a mammoth project in order to protect our stock from Otters and other predators. Evidence of Otter damage is a constant reminder that the population has soared in recent years.
The fence should hopefully be completed within the next couple of weeks.
Forty-Six Nine – Furzebray Carp!
Paul “Percy” Leamy smashed his personal best whilst fishing at Furzebray Carp Lake setting a new lake record at the same time when he banked Charlotte at a massive 46lb 9oz from Jezzers!!! Fishery owner/ manager Tony Kingdon stated “She was looking in great condition and has held a fantastic weight through the winter, lets hope this mild weather continues and drags them out there winter slumber and onto the food!!! Well done Paul on a fantastic capture”.
Chillcheater – North Devon
Stafford Moor Carp catch
Alex Charlton caught six carp to 18lb 6oz during a twenty-four hour session from the Dam Wall of Stafford Moor’s Beatties lake. The fish were tempted using bait works scent from hell pop up and trimmed Wafters.
Still time for late winter cod
Late January often sees a big a cod or two caught from marks up Channel so it could be well worth getting out on Reel Deal over the next week if the weather calms down as predicted.
Norway Success Beneath the Northern Lights
(Above) Kevin Legge with a fine halibut.
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!
Sea Angling News Round Up.
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.
North Devon Match Group – Result
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 – A variety of opportunities
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.
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.
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.