Experienced Taw rod Roger Bickley has caught his biggest salmon and the best of the season so far. The huge fish measuring 39″ and estimated at 22lb was tempted from a middle Taw beat using a stoats tail variant tied on a size 6 single hook. Roger described the large cock fish as having its flanks shaded in colours of autumn with a large kype indicating that it had been in the river for some time. The fish was undoubtedly stimulated by a slight rise in the water following isolated thunder storms at the weekend. The fish took around twenty minutes to land making several powerful runs that tested Roger’s 12lb leader to the full. After a few minutes of cradling carefully in the rivers flow the mighty fish gave a kick of its tail and swam strongly away. Hopefully this fine fish will be spawning on the redds high on Exmoor before Christmas as anglers sit beside log fires recalling tales of seasons past.
Len Francis also enjoyed success lower down river landing a 4lb grilse from the day-ticket Weir Marsh and Brightly Beats near Umberleigh. Tickets are available from Ivan Huxtable on 01769540835 or call into the Rising Sun at Umberleigh and speak with Jules.
Roger Bickley fishing the Middle Taw
Slight Delay
Combe Martin Sea Angling Clubs Annual Fun Fishing event on Ilfracombe Pier was once again a highly enjoyable event with twenty competitors taking part and plenty of onlookers taking an active interest. Special guests for the event were Libby Ross from IFCA and representing the local coastguard Deputy Station Officer Dave Mannering and Coastguard Rescue officer Jodie Smith.
The event was unfortunately delayed as a result of a delay in the birthing of the Balmoral which was running late after a delay on the Welsh side due to inclement weather. This gave the opportunity for the coastguard officers and Libby to engage with the fishers discussing fish conservation, regulation and safety at sea.
When fishing eventually got underway competitors soon started to get a few bites and swing fish ashore to be admired briefly before being returned to the water. Species caught included tub gurnard, pollock, wrasse, rockling, shore rockling, poor cod,pouting,smelt,grey mullet,rock goby, tompot blenny, and mackerel. Despite the small size of many of the fish caught beaming smiles on young faces made the event well worth while.
Charlie Stanway – Winner of the Event
A little light rain began to fall at the end of the event but not enough to dampen enthusiasm as everyone gathered for the presentation that was kindly carried out by Jodie Smith from the coastguard.
Winner of the top prize was young Charlie Stanway who caught five species for 7 points. Runner up was Sam Davison who caught four species for 7 points. Winner of the over 18’s section was Lyn Wilson with 7 points and runner up Ali Laird with 5 points. The heaviest fish was a 1ln grey mullet caught by Dan Welch. Special thanks go to High Street Tackle who kindly sponsored the event. Prizes were also provided by Combe Martin SAC and North Devon Angling News.
Despite some lumpy sea conditions, Rob Young didn’t waste any time finding the fish on a recent trip to North Devon after making the lengthy trip from South Wales for a 7.00am start with Stefan Jones. The day afloat with Stefan resulted in this remarkable bull huss that was weighed afloat registering somewhere between 14 and 16lb! The following day Rob fished from the coast with local angler Kevin Legge and landed a good bass of around 6lb as well as several other fish.
(Below) Stefan release a hard fighting conger at the side of the boat.
Autumn has to be one of the best times for the carp fisher as temperatures start to drop the carp sense this and start to feed harder in preparation for the cold winter months ahead. The leaves take on their bronzed and golden hues mirroring the flanks of the carp illuminated by the sunlight or beam of the torchlight.
Wayne Grinney with one of his 12 catches from the summerhouse swim on Beatties lake (Wayne had 12 fish out in 12 hours ) using home made boilie’s this one is a 29lb 8oz (below).
Steve Pinn who is a regular at Stafford Moor (he calls it his second home ) caught this fine mirror carp on CC Moore Pacific tuna boilie’s a new personal best of 21lb 6oz . (Below)
(Below )Alexander McDonald who had 21 fish out in 48 hours using DNA baits up to 23lb 3oz.
Another success story from Anglers Paradise :- Latest report from Zenia
PB’S ALL ROUND FOR ONE LUCKY COUPLE!
Husband and Wife, Simon Harrison, 38 and Saskia Harrison 31, came all the way from Ross-On-Wye, Herefordshire, for their 1st ever time to Fish Nirvana’s Day Ticket Xanadu, in the hope of achieving their Personal Bests.
Simon wanted to catch his 1st ever 30 and Saskia wanted to catch an upper double to achieve her PB.
Well, they Both DID IT!! Simon caught the Stunning Xanna at 31lbs 12oz, then Saskia beat her PB Twice, first with a 16lb Common and then beat it again with a 19lb 8oz Mirror!! Simon also caught a 17lb 4oz Common during his session.
All fish were caught on Sticky Baits Manilla, Simon and Saskia were certainly one VERY Happy Couple and rightly so!
Combe Martin SAC hold their Annual Fun Fish tomorrow on Ilfracombe Pier fishing 1.00pm until 4.00pm.
We have special guests from IFCA and the Coastguard and an array of quality prizes from our sponsors High Street Tackle and from COMBE MARTIN SAC and North Devon Angling News.
The top prize is for most species by an angler 18 or under. There will also be a senior prize for most species, a prize for heaviest fish prize and runners up.
Anglers can register two fish of each species each fish scoring one point.
To reduce tangles one rod only please at a time.
ENTRY IS FREE – Just turn up and register.
Full REport and pictures on North Devon Angling News tomorrow night!
John Rose has had a great start to his session this weekend at Furzebray landing Angies Common at 32.04 and Measles at 26.04 both fish falling to Sticky Baits Manilla which is available in the fisheries shop!!
Doug Richardson took top spot in Stafford Moor’s Resident Match with 131lb 1oz of carp on the pole. A few days previously Doug landed 344lb from Woodpecker Lake.
2nd place was Ian Rowney peg 1 with 107lb 3oz fishing 8mm pellet
3rd place was Martyn Johns peg 25 with 74lb 12oz
Section winners were : Colin Cross peg 18 with 33lb 14oz and Mick Coupland peg 34 with 56lb 3oz
Liam Stevens fished the estuary, targetting the wily mullet that frustrate many an angler. Liam eventually tempted his prize; a fine 4lb 7oz specimen using bread flake presented in conjunction with a bubble float. The fish gave a great fight and has inspired Liam to fish for them again.
