14 Dec 2016

Significant Changes for Underperforming Wimbleball!

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Game Fishing, Sidebar | 0

Wimbleball Reservoir has been a splendid location for trout fishers for many years but sadly its days as a premier trout fishery appear to be over as South West Lakes Trust have today sent out a letter indicating that the fisheries future is to change for the worse.

Dear All

May I take this opportunity to thank you for supporting Wimbleball fishery during the 2016 season.

I am writing to inform you that there will be significant changes next year and wanted to make you aware of these at an early stage before you plan your fishing for next season.

Unfortunately the fishery at Wimbleball has continued to underperform in the face of rising costs and as a charity we cannot continue to operate in this unsustainable way. Therefore in 2017 we will not be stocking the lake while we take the time to review the operation and identify the best way forward. We all know what a great fishery Wimbleball can be and its future remains important to us. However we also believe that it should only operate as a premier rainbow trout fishery if we are able to offer the very best experience to our anglers, so we are going to take this time to make the right decisions, both for the Charity and you, our customers.

During 2017 we will be offering low cost fishing for over wintered Rainbows, Blues and natural Browns. Browns will remain as catch and release to protect the very good natural stocks. In 2016 we stocked Rainbows to 7lbs and some cracking Blues, many of which were not caught and we anticipate there will be plenty of fish to catch in spring and early summer and some terrific brown trout fishing in August and September. There will be one type of ticket available (day permits) at £10.00 for up to 3 Rainbows. Catch and release is optional.

We will not be operating the boats for 2017 so fishing will be from the bank only. Some new areas of bank have been cleared by our Wardens.

The permits will be available online at www.swlakesfishing.co.uk or from the permit room on site.

For clubs and group bookings we would be happy to offer some really good rates for fishing at our other fisheries such as Kennick or Siblyback where we have terrific boat or bank fishing available. For individuals we would also be happy to discuss great rates for buying day tickets in bulk.

Wimbleball will remain a qualifying venue for the Best of the Best competition with the final being held at Kennick on 15th October.

While I appreciate that this will not be welcome news, I trust that you will understand our position and in the meantime I hope you will take advantage of the low cost option for 2017.

If you would like to discuss our plans further please do not hesitate to contact myself, Alex Forster or Ben Smeeth.

Your sincerely

Colin Vallance
Heritage and Environment Director, South West Lakes Trust
Managing Director, Wheal Martyn Trust

13 Dec 2016

IN THE STILL OF THE NIGHT

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Sea Angling, Sidebar | 0

Many thanks to Paul Lorrimore for permission to use his account of recent foray to the dark waters off Ilfracombe aboard ‘Bluefin’

Paul Lorrimore reports on a recent the 6 hour night trip on Board. John Barbeary’s ‘Blue-Fin’ off Ilfracombe with Troy, Pete and Rob.

We steamed a mile down towards Lee bay intending to pass 45 minutes until we could push out to mid channel as the tide slackened off.
From the first drop it was clear the fish were moving in close under the cover of darkness as a smooth hound of around 6-7lb nailed my baited cod feathers.
Pete soon hooked into a good huss sadly lost at the side but would have been a good double.
More huss and smooth hounds came to the rail in short order along with a double figure eel to Pete.

A small pack of spurdog hit the baits next with Troy and Rob picking up a couple along with a further smooth hound to Pete.
John gave us the decision to stay or move out, but as hard as it was to leave the grounds which by any normal standards would have been all you could ask for (John said its rare the fishing would be that frantic in daylight hours so close in) , we bit the bullet and pulled anchor with fingers crossed it was the right thing to do.
After 30 minutes steam we were deep in the channel and setting out our baits again with anticipation.
After 10 minutes with no action apart from a dogfish or two (happy to say we there were very few tonight) the spurs came on and several were boated along with huss and eels.
The next hour and a half had flurries of fish and i managed to pick up a nice but very angry eel of around 33lb which John was ecstatic(not) about me wanting on deck for a photo

The tide pushed in and the wind picked up making us drag anchor a bit to much to stay, so our sleepy crew headed home for a well earned rest

One things for sure, it wont be the last night trip on the Fin if this was anything to go by.

13 Dec 2016

Appledore Shipbuilders & Triple Hook Club Christmas Results

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Sea Angling, Sidebar | 0

15439953_10157868399360322_6872958045622734398_n — *Appledore Shipbuilders- Christmas Competition Image supplied by – Stuart Arnett-Clark‎*

Thirty-six anglers fished in Appledore Shipbuilders Christmas Competition on the Taw estuary and caught sixty-seven flounder most of which were returned alive to the water. Steven Kitto landed the winning fish scaling 1lb 135/8oz. In runner up spot was Liam Sumenar with a flattie of 1lb 121/2oz and in third James Atkinson with a flounder of 1lb 111/4oz.

In Triple Hook Clubs Ladies and Junior Open seventeen took part with Marilyn Wotton securing first in the ladies section with a fine flounder of 1lb 125/8oz second in the ladies section was Yasmin Beer with a flounder of 1lb 101/4oz. In the junior section it was Lily Gullin who took top spot with a flounder of 1lb 141/2oz. Yasmin Beer took second with her flounder of1lb 101/4oz and Levi Beer third with a flounder of 1lb 2oz.

12 Dec 2016

Bideford Christmas – Competition Result

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Sea Angling, Sidebar | 0

There was an impressive entry in this Bideford and District Angling Clubs Christmas Match on the Torridge Estuary with 69 entrants casting their lines in search of flounder. Bideford give many thanks to their generous sponsors :-D+S Electric,Anglers Heaven,Summerlands Tackle,Honeys Butchers,The Bell Parkham,M.Watts and Sons,Ray Toms David Grigg+sons,Bideford Angling club,Kyile Blackmore and Ian Hooper.

Paul Downing+Lisa Downing worked extremely hard getting all the prizes together and thanks to Phil Vanstone for gathering the draw prizes and lovely food

Seniors

1st Lee Newcombe – Flounder 1lb 31/4oz
2nd Martin Johns – Flounder 1lb 23/4oz
3rd Howard Lewis – Bass 3lb 13oz

Juniors

1st Sam ray – Flounder 1lb 1/4oz
2nd Alyssa Williams – Flounder 141/4oz
3rd Tommy Taylor – 13oz

12 Dec 2016

Bideford Coarse section Christmas competition.

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Match Fishing, Sidebar | 0

Every fish counts in match fishing and Bideford Club members struggled to catch any fish at all in their Christmas competition at Tarka Swims.

Bideford Coarse section Christmas competition.

Tarka Swims Winner on the day and golden peg Antony Bentley 2nd John Lovell joint 3rd John Lisle/ Ian Owen. Very tough day but all competitors left with prizes. Antony caught several small roach on pole fished maggot, John Lovell had a similar catch, 2 carp were hooked but lost.The lake is due to receive some restocking this Wednesday so the future of this wonderful club asset is assured.

12 Dec 2016

Perch on the lure

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Coarse Fishing, Sidebar | 0

Local perch fanatics John Deprieelle and Martin Cox enjoyed a days perch fishing from the boat at Upper Tamar last week. John sent in this report to South West Lakes Trust:

‘It was a pretty windy day with high gusts and I almost called off but as it was the first warm day after a sharp frost it had to be worth a go. The water temp was really low which can make things difficult (can you hear the excuses building up?) but after an hour or so the first fish of the day was in the net. The choice of lures was a lot smaller than I would normally use and we had to switch to drop shotting on a very slow retrieve to get bites as the fish were hugging the bottom and in really deep water. After searching out most of the lake we got a slow but steady rhythm and ended the day with a bag full of small fish, lots of nips and plucks and 2 really good fish up to 3lb 6oz. A lot of effort from dawn to dusk but well worth the reward for these stunning hard fighting perch’.

12 Dec 2016

Blakewell In Fine Form

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Game Fishing, Sidebar | 0

Blakewell Fishery continues its fine winter form for rainbow trout with Michael Featherstone travelling from Axeminster to land a fine brace weighing 10lb 4oz and 9lb 4oz.

11 Dec 2016

STUNNING BRATTON BROWNS

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Game Fishing, Sidebar, Uncategorised | 0

dscn4894 — *Members on the way to the water.*

Wistlandpound Fly Fishing Club members enjoyed a brown trout bonanza at Bratton Water Trout Fishery where they assembled for their Christmas Competition. All but one of the members who took part successfully completed a four fish bag limit with the trout averaging over three pounds in weight. The first hour of the competition saw the trout on a feeding frenzy with most members catching their days allocation within this golden hour.

The brown trout within the fishery are stunning looking fish each one carrying a distinctive pattern of dark and crimson spots upon their flanks of gold, bronze and buttermilk. Each fish is so much more distinctive than the rainbow trout and in my view deserves a far grander title than brown trout.

Members used a wide range of patterns to tempt their fish with damsel nymphs and small gold-head nymphs all successful.

Winner of the competition was Roger Bray who caught stunning browns of 5lb 4oz, 5lb, 4lb and 3lb 12oz for a total of 18lb.

Runner up in the competition was Matt KIngdon with a four fish bag of 14lb 4oz that included the days biggest trout scaling 6lb 4oz.

Full results

1st Roger Bray 18lb 2nd Matt Kingdon 14lb 4oz 3rd David Eldred 13lb 4oz 4th Wayne Thomas 12lb 5th -Colin Combe 11lb 4oz

6th – Nigel Bird 11lb 7th Andre Muxworthy 10lb 4oz

The event was fished in calm conditions with glimpses of winter sunshine. This intimate lake is nestled within a peaceful valley providing an ideal location for a winters day of trout fishing, After catching their bags of trout members retired to the fishing hut to chat of future plans for the coming year as they drained their flasks of hot tea and coffee.

My own twelve pound bag of stunning trout( Above) would delight from any fishery throughout the country. The lake is certainly well worth a visit over the Christmas period if you fancy tangling with some hard fighting trout; an ideal time to test out those fishing related Christmas gifts.

8 Dec 2016

News from the coast

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Sea Angling, Sidebar | 0

Daniel Welch fished a local rock mark to land a specimen conger eel scaling 20lb 12oz. The eel was one of several and was significant in that it had a bite mark that had partially severed its tail. Likely candidates are seals, tope or shark?

While most sea anglers are targetting big fish from the coast with baits Jeremy Johnson and Antony Jestin followed a hunch and set out with their lure rods and enjoyed some fine sport landing nine bass between 2lb and 2lb 8oz. Nothing big but a great catch at this time of the year when most anglers have put such tackle away. In these times of changing climate it is vital that anglers experiment and try to think outside of the conventional. Fish according to the prevailing conditions, challenge normality and experiment.

8 Dec 2016

ILFRACOMBES HIGH STREET TACKLES IMPRESSIVE LURE STOCK

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Article, Articles, Coarse Fishing, Sea Angling, Sidebar | 0

How time flies I thought when Danny Watson at Ilfracombe’s High Street Tackle told me that he and his partner Pauline Chard had been running the shop for three years. In that time they have built up an impressive range of stock covering all disciplines of angling. Danny has a particular passion for lures which is reflected in the range of lures carried in the shop with top brands represented including Fiiish Black minnow, Delande, IMO, HTO and several GT Ice cream surface lures. I was discussing lure fishing in depth with Danny and the application of lures outside of the traditionally accepted season. Strangely this was highlighted when I received reports of a good catch of bass from a North Devon mark using lures.

In addition to lures the shop also has an impressive selection of rods and reels by top brands including Penn and Tronix. Looking along the rod racks it is amazing what is available these days at a very modest cost with plenty of rods retailing for less than £50.

They also have a good stock of frozen bait including AMMO. Next Summer High Street Tackle are proud to be supporting Combe Martin Sea Angling Clubs Fun Fishing Event in conjunction with the SEA-ILFRACOMBE FESTIVAL.

In the run up to Christmas High Street Tackle certainly has plenty to offer with a wealth of stocking fillers to please any angler.

Author Archives: Wayne Thomas