Veals Mail Order Managing director Harry Brake has undertaken several trips to North Devon in search of the elusive spurdog and was rewarded with a fine personal best scaling 13lb 10oz. The fish was tempted with mackerel head and guts whipped on to a pair of Varivas 6/0 Big Mouth Extras, 25lb Varivas yellow sport.
During the 15 years that I have been involved with Exe Valley Fishery, firstly as an instructor and then as the manager, the only option available has been to catch & kill any Trout caught.
However times are changing rapidly and increasingly I talk with anglers who don’t want to dispatch fish and fill their freezers. I also meet plenty of anglers who are put off by the thought of reaching their limit and then having to head home prematurely, cutting short their enjoyment & experience.
Therefore after a number of successful catch & release events, such as this one in December 2016, I have decided to introduce a new trial permit.
The Catch & Release options will start on Tuesday 7th February 2017 and will be available until Sunday 9th April 2017. During this time we will listen to your thoughts and welcome feedback. If the fishery is well supported during these changes the options will be made available throughout the year, other than during periods of high water temperatures. Full details will be available at the fishery regarding the rules applied to catch & release. The key points include:
– Catch & Release available on Anchor Lake only
– Rubber mesh nets only (we can loan nets)
– Barbless flies only (not debarbed – barbless flies will be available for purchase in the shop)
– Fish to be released must not be removed from the water.
– No Boobies.
– Kill tickets – Fish limit must be killed prior to Catch & Release.
Catch & Release Permit Options & Prices (07.02.17 to 09.04.17)
10 Fish Catch & Release Only – £25
2 Fish Kill & 2 Fish Release – £30
3 Fish Kill & 3 Fish Release – £35
4 Fish Kill & 4 Fish Release – £40
5 Fish Kill & 5 Fish Release – £45
Although there is an increase in permit prices, the first for several seasons, the new structure with the inclusion of catch & release offers some of the best value small stillwater fishing in the West Country if not the UK.
There is still time to land a spurdog from the shoreline this winter with several landed during the past week by anglers targetting the species. James Atkinson landed a brace of spurs weighing 10lb 7oz and 8lb 4.5oz both fish were tempted using a squid mackerel and herring cocktail.
Jon Patten also enjoyed success landing a brace of spurs weighing 11lb 1oz and 12lb 10oz using large mackerel baits.
Perch are undoubtedly a joy to catch in many ways with their striking colours, defiant spiky fins and willingness to feed throughout the colder months. The waters of North Devon have large perch in good numbers but never take this for granted for there was a time when a devastating disease depleted stocks of perch all across the country. I can remember perch being plentiful in many Devon waters and then becoming almost non existent for several years. Big perch also tend to be subject to boom and bust with a water producing some massive specimens for two or three seasons before that particular year class dies out. I well remember targeting large perch in Melbury reservoir and landing several to 3lb 14oz. This was exciting fishing but from what I can gather the large perch at this venue have all but disappeared. Of coarse where big perch have flourished once they can once again and all it needs if someone to give it a try.
(Above) Chris Lambert Upper Tamar perch
Upper and Lower Tamar both contain large populations of specimen perch with every chance of 4lb plus specimens. Many smaller still waters also contain specimen perch including, Legge Farm, Oaktree, Riverton, Slade Reservoir, Stafford Moor, Anglers Paradise, Furzebray, Spires Lakes, Jennets and many others.
Another delight of perch fishing is the variety of successful methods that can be employed including livebaiting, baitfishing and lure fishing.
A keen perch fisher is North Devon based Dan Spearman who tempted these beauty’s to 2lb 13oz from an undisclosed local still-water.
If you want to learn more about perch fishing I suggest yo track down the excellent book dedicated to the species entitled “The Biggest Fish of All” The Perch Fishers.
Steve Pinn sent me this stunning image of mid double carp caught from Stafford Moors Beatties Lake. Steve also landed a 21lb 12oz mirror but size isn’t everything with this stunning fish a pleasing capture for any carp fisher!
Kevin Wilton was North Devon Tackle Clubs club champion and received his award at the club first presentation night at Cedars Inn. Norman Martin was runner up and silverfish champion,Simon Poynter won biggest fish/best specimen cup with 17lb 9oz carp,and he also picked up overall weight cup.
The clubs first match of the season is at Slade this on Sunday 5th February.
Dave King on his second trip to Simpsons Valley smashed his previous personal best pike of 12lbs to take a huge and new lake record pike of 24lb 8oz.
Float fished sprat did the trick for Dave in the shallows.
James Atkinson enjoyed success when targetting spurdog tempting a specimen of 10lb 13.5oz using squid, mackerel and herring cocktail.
Late winter is a good time to target specimen ray as Combe Martin SAC member discovered when he hooked this specimen small eyed ray of 10lb 4oz. (below)
Sixteen anglers braved heavy rain to enjoy top rate sport at Blakewell Fishery where they landed ninety-six trout a mixture of hard fighting browns and rainbows. The six fish bags averaged 14lb 8oz.
1st Nick Martin
2nd John Sheppard
3rd Paul Grisley
Championship No 1 Champion of champions
1st Kevin Shears 69lb
2nd Neilsen Jeffery 59lb 4oz
3rd Martin Turner 54lb 14oz
4th Nathan Underwood 50lb 15oz
5th Ian ‘Cosmic’ Croxton 44lb 4oz
A very wet day !! Match held on Oak pool Stafford Moor , fished very well smallish carp dominated the catches , long pole fished corn or maggot proved the best tactics .
Match next weekend on the bottom pond at Oaktree