Kevin Pike fished Morte Bay in his own boat to land ten tope in three hours. All of the fish were tempted on pollock hook baits the biggest a fine hard fighting fish of 45lb 8oz.
This article appeared in Exmoor Magazine earlier this year but I think worth re-airing it here on North Devon Angling News.
WHAT SWIMS BENEATH
Stand high on the cliffs that border the waters of the Bristol Channel and gaze out over the perpetually moving waters. As an angler you will perhaps ponder upon what swims beneath the waves.
Lundy Island marks the entrance of the Bristol Channel and beyond Lundy the vast Atlantic Ocean. It is thought provoking to look back on the evidence of the past and at what previous generations hauled from the depths. This paints a picture of a sea of plenty and highlights what we have lost through years of overfishing and poor management of our waters.
A few years ago I purchased the book ‘Lynton and Lynmouth’ Glimpses of the past. Within its pages is a fascinating peek into a bygone age of angling.
“In 1908 a party of anglers at Lynmouth boarded the boat Kingfisher skippered by Cecil Bevan and returned to port later that day with a haul of 675lb comprising of 35 conger, two skate, four cod and a Pollock.” A huge haul but what stands out is the capture of the two skate. Whilst many varieties of ray are referred to as skate; true skate have not been landed from North Devon waters for many years. Further reading revealed that Cecil Bevan’s angling expeditions off Lynmouth resulted in skate to 196lb.
These huge barn door sized fish were apparently prolific in the waters of North Devon and must have proved a real challenge to anglers as they used their huge wings to kite in the strong tides that surge back and forth everyday. Remember also that the tackle they used was far less efficient than todays hi tech tackle that has both finesse and strength. There is no reason huge fish cannot reside within our waters today the habitat is still perfect it’s just that commercial fishing pressure wiped them out. There are still areas around the UK where skate are caught and returned by sport fishers to preserve the species.
Porbeagle shark still roam the seas off North Devon they are no longer abundant but can be caught. Back in the 1970’s the Appledore Shark Angling Club fished the waters of Bideford Bay and off Hartland Point. One old photo given to me by Dave Rogers shows a catch of shark made off Ilfracombe. Eighteen-porbeagle shark lined up with the triumphant anglers. Such a sight would be totally unacceptable today but in those days nobody considered it possible to impact upon fish stocks.
In addition to the well-documented porbeagle shark mentioned above I have also discovered pictures of shark caught off Combe Martin in the herring nets. These images discovered on the Combe Martin History Forums Facebook page are reproduced with kind permission of members of the group and show a porbeagle reputed to weigh around 500lb and eight foot long. William Watkins, Roy Watkins and G Mason caught the fish in herring nets off Heddon’s Mouth in 1951. It is unclear whether all the images on the forum are the same shark but it is clear that huge porbeagle hunted the herring shoals during the autumn months beyond the summer season normally associated with this fish.
Another shark that frequents the North Devon coast is the tope. On November 6th 2006 Kevin Legge hooked and landed a specimen of 66lb that set a new British Record. In an uncanny chain of event’s Kevin was to beat his own record four years later on the same date in November with a fish of 66lb 8oz.
There are of course even bigger beasts swimming beneath the surface with whale sightings not uncommon. In July 2011 a fin whale was washed up on Lynmouth foreshore. Scientists carried out extensive research on the huge mammal before it was removed in a costly waste disposal exercise.
The waters off Exmoor and the North Devon coast have indeed been the home of leviathans over the years. Perhaps as climate change takes hold other species will move into these waters. Large shoals of tuna have frequently been sighted off the Cornish coastline. Who knows what sometimes swims within our coastal waters? The mysteries of the sea have intrigued generations and will I hope continue to so. There are no barriers as such within the seas and oceans other than that of climate.
Anyone who lived in Combe Martin during the sixties and early seventies will remember the Fruit and tackle tackle shop owned by the late Johnny Somerville. I found this old picture of a large conger caught sometime during the seventies!
(Above) James Short AKA ‘Shorty’ landed six fish from the beach swim on Beattie’s lake using Sticky Baits Manilla boilies.
Matt Stephenson and his partner Emma Leaper(Above) enjoyed a session on the inlet swim on Beattie’s Lake landing several fine double figure carp .
(Above)Josh Vernon landed 4 fish from the Dam wall on Lodge lake using home made boilie’s. Josh was here with son Charlie.
General:
Although water temperatures dropped slightly (to around 18 ºc) in August, the reservoir fishing across the region proved challenging, particularly with Rainbows. Generally bag numbers and the size of fish caught were down on previous months, with Brown Trout, particularly in the evenings, providing the best sport. The Trout, particularly Rainbows, have been lethargic and not keen to feed, preferring to retire to the cooler, deeper waters of the fisheries. Water levels continue to drop, exposing fresh areas of bank.
Fishing:
Kennick – The Top End, Narrows and Boat Bay proved to be the most productive areas for both boat and bank anglers, with the best sport to be had in the mornings and evenings. The most popular fly patterns included Damsel Nymphs, Diawl Bachs and teams of Buzzers fished at varying depths, with deeper fish taking Boobies and Tadpoles. The occasional fish would rise to small midges and Black Gnats, particularly in the evenings. The best fish caught included a 3lb 12oz Rainbow, caught by Mr R Goss from Exeter, using a Booby and a 3lb 9oz Rainbow, caught by Phil Bryant from Ermington, using a Cruncher. Barry Ware from North Tawton caught a bag of 11 fish whilst fishing from the bank early in the month. The majority of fish stocked and caught during August were Brown Trout.
Siblyback – The majority of catches during August were taken either from Stocky Bay or Two Meadows, with late afternoons and evenings the best time to fish. Although few fish were feeding from the surface, the occasional fish could be tempted to rise to Hopper patterns, sub-surface Montanas and teams of Buzzers as well as deeper-fished weighted dark patterns (Black Tadpoles and Gold-head Nomads in particular) which proved to be the most successful method.
Burrator – The banks at Longstone Peninsula and the South Bank produced the best fishing over the month, with Bobs Bits, Buzzer Emergers and Black Gants all taking rising fish. The majority of fish, however, have again been caught on sub-surface nymphs (Damsel Nymphs, Montanas, Black Crunchers and Black and Peacock Spiders) fished on either sink-tip or intermediate lines, with more fish now being taken on dark lures (Boobies and Tadpoles) fished on sinking lines. Local angler Alan Lawson caught the best fish of the month, a 3lb 3oz Rainbow caught on a drowned Black Gnat.
Stithians – The presence of midges and beetles over the water meant that fish continued to look to the surface for food, with a variety of dry patterns, including Sedges, Hawthorns, various emergers patterns, Muddlers, F-Flies and Black and Peacock Spiders fished in the surface film, all producing results. The majority of fish, however, were taken on nymphs and wet patterns, particularly teams of Buzzers, Caddis pupa, Pheasant Tail Nymphs and Hares Ears. Fish were well spread out over the fishery, with the best locations including Pipe Bay, Sluice, Goonlaze Bank, Pub Bay, Carmenellis Bank and Yellowort Bay. Mr R Lambourne from Lanner caught a number of Rainbows of around 2lb using a dry Deerhair Sedge and Claret Emergers.
Roadford – With fish rising in the mornings and evenings, small dry patterns (Black Gnats and Black Spiders in the surface film) have been fishing well, particularly off the banks (Daveys and Gaddacombe). There are also large numbers of damsel and dragonfly nymphs present and Roadford’s Brown Trout are feasting on these. Damsel and large olive nymphs are producing good results. Boat anglers are enjoying success, either fishing nymphs into the banks or pulling muddlers and lures over the boils.
Colliford – Large Browns are chasing shoals of sticklebacks in the shallows near the dam – pulled lures and muddlers should produce some exciting sport.
Wistlandpound – Anglers averaged just under two fish per rod, with the best fishing in the deeper water by the dam and from the jetty, generally with small nymph patterns.
Chris Hall (August 2017)
Agapi Fruit and Fishing is a unique venue nestled in a tranquil valley near Torrington that offers a fine family fishing experience. The owner Sandra Hood invited Pauline, James and I to sample the fishing and write a short review on the complex.
We followed an intriguing country lane at the end of which we came upon a pleasing lake stretching before us reflecting a blue sky and wispy white clouds.
Glancing into the water I immediately saw dimples on the water as small rudd broke the surface. At the far end of the lake a few carp could be seen cruising slowly, fish of up to around 4lb that would give a pleasing tussle on light tackle.
Sandra greeted us warmly and told us about the fishery and its facilities that include a spacious ready made up bell tent and a two birth caravan where guests can stay over at a modest cost.
James and I were eager to get fishing as late August evenings pass by all too quickly and it was already past 6.00pm. I had brought along a bait box full of Jolly Green Giant sweetcorn and half a loaf of white sliced bread. No need for modern fancy baits here just simple basics.
James started off float fishing with a single grain of corn and was soon swinging in small golden rudd the float disappearing with pleasing regularity within seconds of it sitting upright in the still water.
I was already focusing on the chance of a carp and tied a size 10 barbless hook to the end of my 3lb line that was loaded on my old Avon Royal Centre Pin. I tossed a few crusts out onto the water and expected the carp to devour them but shoals of rudd were on the bait within seconds. I wondered along the bank rod in hand to a shady corner where several carp were visible. I pinched a generous piece of flake onto the hook and swung it out in front of a cruising carp. The bait disappeared and the line slowly tightened. I felt a pleasing resistance as I set the hook, the carp made a dash for the weedy margin beneath the tree branch’s and after a tense struggle came adrift.
Sandra arrived shortly after with a tasty plateful of ham sandwiches, homemade chutney and a flask of hot water with tea, coffee and cakes.
Pauline chatted at length with Sandra whilst James and I became immersed in the tense and frustrating game of stalking carp. James found a group of carp on the far bank and was soon calling for me to rush over with the net. I got there to find the carp battling beneath the rod tip partially tangling in trailing grass and brambles. My attempt to net the carp resulted in the fish shedding the hook.
I had one further chance in the shady corner as I watched a carp suck in my bread flake just few inches from the bank. I lifted the rod expecting to feel a solid resistance; I instead felt the deflating thin air. Its been a while since I stalked carp and but after this exciting session it will not be long before I am creeping the banks again. I had forgotten just how addictive, and exciting this close up fishing is!
Sandra’s vision is to offer a unique fishing experience the emphasis being on fun. This is not at present a specimen fishing lake though I am sure the carp will soon pack on weight and in two or there years there will be carp present topping ten pounds. The fishing on offer is perfect for a fun family day out in beautiful surroundings. A cosy summerhouse offers shelter with a wooden platform that gives access to the centre of the lake.
Float fishing with sweetcorn bread or maggot will bring constant action ensuring newcomers to the sport get plenty of bites and beautiful golden scaled rudd.
We caught several rudd up to 8oz and there are undoubtedly a few bigger ones. The carp are plentiful and at present range from a couple of pounds up to perhaps 5lb.
The lake is available for exclusive use with adults paying just £5 for a day ticket and children fishing for free. Only one booking per day is taken with groups of up to six around the maximum for the venue. The lake has a very pleasing atmosphere and intimacy that is lost at many crowded commercial fisheries. To get away from it all and escape into the countryside with a bit of fishing I can highly recommend the venue.
In addition to the fishing Sandra is pleased to provide tasty food including Devon Cream teas and cooked breakfasts. In addition to fishing there is also the opportunity to pick your own Fruit in season.
For more details contact – Sandra Hood
Email – [email protected]
Tel – 07776315696
Lower Cranford
St Giles In the Wood
Gt Torrington
Devon
EX38 7LA
Nick Hart at Exe Valley writes : I Just love introducing new people to fly fishing and this weekend I have been looking after The Crawfords … and how well did they catch?! Celebrating Robins 60th birthday, his sons Adrian and Gary treated the 3 of them to a weekend away on Exe Valley. After casting tuition yesterday they got stuck into the fishing and in tough bright windy conditions picked out 4 nice Trout (and a whitebait!) using a washing line with Blobs. Better was to come as today they excelled with Robin fittingly topping the leader board with 4 Trout to 6lb. Their total bag of 10 pulled the scales down to 36lbs … and they lost at least another 6. All fish caught on #14 quill buzzers in the top 2 feet. Very well done guys it has been a pleasure to fish with you this weekend!
Russell Hill and Samantha Fullerton joined NIck Hart on Exmoor’s wild streams chasing the beautiful wild brown trout that abound in these clear waters.
Many thanks to Martin Turner’s weekly updates on North Devon Match Group and Bideford Angling Club Matches
1st Paul Elworthy 19lb 10oz
2nd Neilsen Jeffery 16lb 11oz
3rd Martin Turner 15lb 1oz
4th Andy Gray 13lb 6oz
5th John Lacey 13lb 1oz .
Paul drew a peg on the far bank and made the most of the deeper water with pole and corn for a winning bag of skimmers, Neilsen drew the end peg and fished worms on a small feeder for 2nd, Martins net was made up of roach and rudd.