After an exceptionally dry April and May local rivers have been at uncomfortably low levels with migratory fish reluctant or unable to progress upriver. As a result both salmon and sea trout fishing had virtually ground to a halt. The recent rainfall though often very localized brought a significant rise to the River Torridge that has brought several salmon into the system with salmon caught from beats throughout the river. Richard Jewell was among those successful landing a fresh run grilse with sea liced flanks. I fished a mid river Beat of the Torridge and whilst I failed to connect with a salmon I did catch a pleasing brown trout of almost around 1lb.
Torridge brown trout
Taw regular Len Francis was one of the first to benefit from a slight rise in the Taw landing a salmon from a mid river beat. Heavy rain is falling as I type this so hopefully the rivers will rise further bringing a good run of fish over coming days.
Chrissy Waring and husband Geoff Waring 2 of the ‘Carp busters’ landed 50 fish up to 30lb 6oz in 48 hours ! They used the ever popular frozen mainline cell from the beach swim on Stafford Moor’s Beattie’s Lake. The cooler damp weather should ensure good sport over the coming days.
Thomas Atkinson earned top spot in Appledore Shipbuilders boat match landing a bull huss scaling 13lb 2oz. Andrew Atkinson took second and third with a bull huss of 11lb 14oz and a colorful cuckoo wrasse of 151/2oz. After a week of brisk West to North West Winds boats have been able to venture out and with the algae bloom now clearing I am hearing reports of few mackerel from boats between Hartland and Minehead.
Bratton Water is nestled in a sheltered valley beside Bratton Stream and offers fine sport with free rising brown and rainbow trout. Eddy Hazeldon enjoyed a four-hour session at the water with his sixteen-year-old daughter Charlotte and landed a brace of trout each averaging 3lb.
Long time member of Wistlandpound Fly Fishing Club Bob Gooding fished the water to land a stunning brown trout of 8lb.
Small imitative patterns tend to work well at this water with dry flies always worth a try especially during warm summer evening’s.
Bideford & District Angling Club members have been enjoying summer evenings fishing their mid week matches on home water Tarka Swims. Kevin Shears won the latest on June 15th with a 12lb 4oz net of carp. Martin Turner was runner up with 10lb 4oz and David Bailey third with 4lb 9oz in forth was John Lovell with 3lb 10oz.
Whilst many will be grumbling about recent rain in localized areas salmon and sea trout anglers will have a little hope in their hearts. After an exceptionally dry April and May local rivers have been at uncomfortably low levels with migratory fish reluctant or unable to progress upriver. Both salmon and sea trout fishing have virtually ground to a halt. A quick look at the Environment Agency gauging stations indicates a substantial rise in the Upper and middle Torridge that should give encouragement that a few fish will move over Beam Weir. The initial flush of water after a prolonged drought is often very dirty and this can deter fish from moving into the system. As the water clears fish should run giving anglers a chance of sport. Ideally we need a sustained period of rain to maintain the river level for a few weeks.
The Taw does not seem to have benefited to the same extent as the Torridge but even here a small rise could bring a few sea trout and salmon into the Lower reaches.
The Lyn seems to missed out on the rainfall and is still exceptionally low.
Summer should herald the arrival of mackerel along the North Devon coast a migration that once seemed as routine as the arrival of the swallows, martins and swifts. So far this year numbers have been very patchy as they were last year when many local boats suspended the traditional tourist trips in search of the species in embarrassment at a lack of fish.
This apparent decline in stocks is cause for grave concern for the mackerel are an essential part of the food chain. In addition to bass, tope, shark and other predatory sea fish the mackerel is also food for gannets and dolphins creatures the sighting of which often provide the highlight of a day on the water.
Catches of mackerel are not always entirely representative of stocks as water clarity can impact on the mackerel being able to see the lures. Populations can also vary greatly from local regions and I well remember just two years ago when huge catches were being made from many marks on the South Coast. I will never forget one evening when walking beside the water in Penzance seeing vast shoals of mackerel harassing whitebait within the harbour. The site of thousands of mackerel shimmering in the night and sound of water boiling as they feasted will live with me till I die.
I remember well looking out over a calm summer sea back in the seventies to see mackerel shoals erupting from the water.
It is easy to blame overfishing on the mackerel’s demise and the plundering of stocks by ocean going factory ships has without doubt caused mass casualties. Another factor could be global warming with reports of mackerel being abundant far further North than historically documented.
We once took the humble mackerel for granted but it is one of our most beautiful fish and a symbol of the health of our waters. Its demise could be a barometer of the health of our coastal waters. Where should we look for its salvation? Does the European Union offer the fish protection? Do we trust the UK government to put the survival of the mackerel high on its agenda?
It would be a tragedy for sea angling if the mackerel were to disappear from our waters. The ease of catching has spawned many an angler; from glimmering twisting fish upon a string of feathers to the pleasing plunge of a brightly tipped float followed by the pulsing fight of a mackerel on light tackle. We once commented if only mackerel grew larger they would be the most sort after fish in the sea. Today we may well comment; “If only we could catch a mackerel!”
And finally is there a better tasting fish fresh from the sea; fried in butter with a sprinkling of pepper?
Zyg Gregorek continued his winning streak at his own water and sent me this report… Our June 5’C’S Syndicate match held on the match lake saw my creaky split cane tackle called into action once again catching this nice 14lb 12ozs Mirror Carp. The winnings were once again donated to charity. A different fish smaller than the last one, you can see from the marks the fish had been engaged in amorous activities (that’s why it lost some weight) so I had to give it a kiss before putting it back.
Dennis Toleman secured victory in Triple Hook Clubs Stafford Moor Saturday cup on Woody’s Lake with his first ever ton up haul of 120lb 12oz. The fish were all carp to 9lb 8oz. In runner up spot was Peter Sherbourne with 80lb and third Tony Burslem with 77lb.
Wednesday Open 1st Steve Shaw 137lb 2nd Joe Duckworth 112lb 5oz 3rd Nicky Miller 72lb 2oz
Friday Residents Open – 1st Joe Duckworth 127lb 9oz 2nd Stewart Kennedy 113lb 15oz 3rd – Steve Glenan 99lb 10oz.
Bideford Angling Clubs June Coarse Match at Tarka Swims was secured by Martin Turner with 28lb 4oz. Matt Cross took the runner up spot with 18lb 7oz and Craig Lamey third with 18lb and Steve bailey forth with 8lb 12oz.
Matt CrossCraig Lamey
Results Coarse section June Comp Tarka Swims 1st Martin Turner 28lb 4oz 2nd Matt Clare Cross 18lb 7oz 3rd Craig Crash Lamey 18lb 4th Steve Bailey 8lb 12oz 11 fished
Think we have very slow connection they are in order me 28 4 matt cross (white cap) 18 7 Craig Lamey 18 4 (my lucky straw hat !!
