Tarrant Wotton set out on a bitterly cold evening and was rewarded with a fine specimen spurdog scaling 10lb 8oz. With the winds expected to via away from the North East this coming week there is every chance of enjoying some late winter sport before thoughts turn to spring.
When a cold North East Wind blows many fish will be reluctant to feed but brown and rainbow trout are often an exception to this and can provide fine sport at our local stillwater’s. This pleasing 6lb brown trout was tempted at Blakewell by Nick Handel from Singapore.
As the wind swings to the East and temperatures plummet the catching of fish becomes a struggle especially for carp. This doesn’t deter the hardiest anglers who will fish in any weather wrapped up in warm clothing and snug within their bivvys. As always the real bonus is being out by the water witnessing nature in all its glory and if the fishing is quiet then all the more chance of savouring those sunrises and sunsets. Steve Pinn spends many hours fishing Stafford Moor and captures some wonderful images including these stunning shots taken from the bivvy.
Results Feb 2017
1st Dan Redmore flounder 2lb 8 3/4 127.343%
2nd Andy Clements pollack 3lb 11 3/4 92.969%
3rd Nathan Clements dogfish 2lb 2 1/4 71.434%
4th Andrew Clements dogfish 2lb 1/4 67.187%
5th Nathan Clements dogfish1lb 14 1/4 63.126%
(Above) Biggest trout of day to Danny Ford at 5lb 12oz
Wistlandpound Fly Fishing club enjoyed great sport when they visited Exe Valley Fishery for the second heat of their Winter Challenge series. Dave Mock won the competition with a five fish bag of 19lb that included a 4lb rainbow and a tagged trout that earned Dave a tenner. In runner up spot was Danny Ford with five for 18lb 12oz and third David Eldred with five for 18lb 8oz. The biggest trout was a fine rainbow of 5lb 12oz for Danny Ford. The trout averaged 3lb and battled hard in the cold clear water. Overall winner of the winter challenge after 2 heats was David Eldred with 28lb 9oz. The first heat was held at Blakewell Fishery early in January.
Keith Maker with his 20lb 2oz from the Summer house swim on Beattie’s lake using Sticky Baits Manilla boilie’s.
(Above) Keith Maker who had 3 fish out from the summerhouse swim on Beattie’s lake using Sticky Baits Manilla Wafters and carp company caviar and cranberry boilies up to 19lb.
Many thanks to Paul Cozens for the report he posted on their club trip off Ilfracombe. A stunning conger and plenty of spurdog.
Holsworthy Sea Anglers enjoyed a great day afloat with skipper John Barbeary and crewman Paul on the Bluefin out of Ilfracombe. The ten anglers; Andrew Braunton, Robert Gould, Steve Dawe, Adrian Pett, James Pett, Brian Hopcraft, Stuart Lockyer, Graham Verral, Steven McDonald and Paul Cozens. After an hours stop close in for some doggies and a bonus 25lb conger for Adrian Pett they pushed out to the spurdog mark. Over went the mackerel and squid baits and it wasn’t long before they were hauling the spurs aboard along with a few bull huss to 12lb and a very welcome 45lb to 50lb conger for club eel specialist Steve Dawe. The spurdog fishing was frantic with the party losing track of the numbers caught with many of them over 15lb and best one going 17lb to Steve Dawe a new personal best. Steven McDonald had the most spurdog ending up with 14 of them!!
Paul Cozens stated that it was once again a great days fishing aboard Bluefin.
Slade Reservoir was the venue North Devon Tackles latest match and members enjoyed some great silver fish sport on this challenging winter venue. Simon Poynter leading the way with an excellent bag of 26lb 2oz. In runner up spot was Barry Lee with11lb7oz and third Andy Gratton with 9lb 4oz.
Combe Martin SAC member Ross Stanway fished a rock mark near Ilfracombe and hooked a specimen conger weighing 22lb 8.5oz after carefully weighing the eel in a weigh sack it was time for a photo. The eel proved camera shy and took its opportunity upon being released from the weigh sack and in Ross’s words; “Took off like a Bob sleigh team down over the rocks.”
The eel was one of twelve eels caught with four of them over 10lb.
(Above) 10lb eel that posed for the camera!
Ilfracombe shore marks are producing conger, whiting, dogfish and occasional ray. Proceed with caution particular if fishing at Capstone one of North Devon’s most productive marks but also one with many dangers.