2 Oct 2025

Combe Martin SAC – Lure League Update

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

There are just over three weeks left of Combe Martin SAC’s Lure Fishing league that has been hotly contested this year by a dedicated band of enthusiasts. Whilst numbers of bass are likely to be less now is perhaps the time to catch that elusive double figure specimen.

Mark Drewer is the current leader with five bass for 351 cm with Seth Tuson in runner up spot with 347.5cm

Jamie Stewards latest 72cm catch below brings his five fish total to 344cm.

1st – Mark Drewer – 351 cm

2nd – Seth Tuson – 347.5

3rd – Jamie Steward – 344 cm

4th – Wayne Thomas – 318cm

5th – Daniel Welch – 302cm

2 Oct 2025

Hints of Gold and Autumn hues as the Salmon and Trout season ends with a flourish

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Article, Articles, At the Waters Edge, Game Fishing, Sidebar, Uncategorised | 0

The salmon and trout fishing season on North Devon’s rivers has closed with a flourish as September rains have rejuvenated the rivers to bring a very welcome flush of cleaner oxygenated water. Since late Spring the rivers have languished with low levels and high temperatures resulting in fishing being suspended for an unprecedented number of weeks.

September rod catches for salmon and sea trout on both the Taw and Torridge undoubtedly make up a significant percentage of the years total with an estimated thirty to forty salmon caught on both rivers throughout the month. This has been great news and a positive end to the season.

Ian Blewett secretary of the River Taw Fisheries and Conservation Association closed his season in style tempting four salmon from the Taw during the final days of the season.

The historic Little Warham Fishery is changing hands after close to ten years in the custodianship of Anthony Wilmington and Amanda Milner. Anthony and his family are moving to a new location in the Torridge Valley where their deep roots with the river and its fish will continue. In a fitting close to an era Anthony tempted the biggest salmon from the Torridge this year estimated at over 20lb his second fish in a week as the river fined down following the big spate. Tony Bennett and James Crawford also enjoyed success during closing week of the season at Little Warham.

Amanda sent me this lovely account of the final day at Little Warham :-

The fishing was excellent and everyone enjoyed themselves. Lunchtime at the hut was full of reminiscing, and little Brook (now seven!) closed our time at Little Warham with the very last cast of the day.

As you can imagine, it was quite emotional for us both, reflecting on everything we’ve experienced here. From arriving to a house untouched for 50 years, to developing the holiday lets, to all the riverbank conservation and restoration Anthony has carried out — it’s been quite a journey. The fishing has been the icing on the cake, along with the lifelong friends we’ve made. All of this has deepened our connection to North Devon and to the Torridge.

What means the most to us is knowing we leave behind a lasting legacy at Little Warham — not only through the restored banks and healthier waters, but also in the spirit of community and friendship that has grown here. It feels good to know that the work and care invested will continue to benefit others long after our chapter closes.

Our next venture will carry those roots forward. We’ll continue offering holiday lets, while Anthony expands his passion for guiding and tuition on both the Taw and the Torridge — opening the sport up to less able anglers as well. He’ll also be available for consultancy and support to riparian owners, drawing on his hands-on experience with the riverbank restoration and specialist tree operations. And of course, we’ll remain active in campaigning against river pollution, with the support of Fish Legal.

I said to Anthony that he couldn’t have wished for a better fish to mark his last week here — the biggest of the season on the Torridge. Really, you couldn’t ask for more.

Below is a link to my report on visiting Little Warham in 2027.

LITTLE WARHAM FISHERY

Seth Tuson tempted a fine sea trout from a beat lower down the Torridge.

My own river season ended with two sessions in the closing week. The first to a Middle River Torridge beat that I have fished regularly over the past fifteen or so years. The conditions appeared to be perfect with the river carrying a healthy tinge of colour as it fined down following the long awaited spate. It was a delight to drift the fly across familiar lies and I expected a pull at any moment. It wasn’t to be however and I couldn’t help but reflect upon previous September days when I had caught salmon and seen plenty of fish showing. It seems that salmon fishing these days is very much like the National Lottery. You have to buy a ticket to have a chance but winning is so often just a dream.

I closed the season searching the Upper reaches of a Taw tributary where I found feisty wild brown trout with flanks of bronze and olive hues decorated with crimson spots. These jewelled delights have been at my lines end since I was a child and still bring that same sense of joy.

27 Sep 2025

AUTUMN LURE SPORT ON PREDATOR 2

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

Daniel Welch of Predator has been putting anglers amongst some fine bass and pollock over recent weeks. If weather permits October could see some of the biggest bass of the season boated.

27 Sep 2025

Bulldog Fishery latest news

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

Below – The latest thirty to be caught at Bulldog.

The trout lake is now fishing well with big browns and hard fighting rainbows relishing the lower water temperatures and increased oxygen levels of Autumn. A few happy customers below..

27 Sep 2025

Looe Basher 25

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Articles, At the Waters Edge, Sea Angling, Sidebar | 0

My sea angling journey started many years ago fishing from the Banjo Pier in Looe, South Cornwall so each year when we return to join what has become known as the Looe Basher group many memories are rekindled. I was booked onto the Reef Fishing trip on the Friday of the week which turned out to be a lucky break as two days of the six booked for the group ended up being cancelled due to inclement weather.

The Looe Basher is organised with military precision by Lee Armishaw of Watersmeet Publications who navigates many hurdles to put together this highly enjoyable convergance of friends each Autumn.

I joined six other anglers on Dan Margetts, Sowenna and we sailed out of Looe on a grey morning eager to connect with the many species that dwell on the offshore reefs. The previous days highlight had been the sighting of a fin whale breaching close to the boat.

I hope to cover the trip in a future Sea Angler Feature so will not go into too much detail. But the trip resulted in some stunning fish that brought much colour to the grey Autumn day. Two of us boated nine species each on the day with a total of at least a dozen species to the boat including three comber.

The week concluded with a gathering and a delicious meal in the Golden Guinea where the annual ‘Evans Top Rod award’ was presented to Dickie Howell who landed ten species in a single session and assisted Dan Margetts with crewing. ‘The Evans Top Rod engraved Tankard is presented in fond memory of Peter Evans who was a regular attendee of the Looe Basher. He brought a warm presence, optimism and humour to the event and is greatly missed following his passing earlier this year.

Jack Perks was also congratulated in catching a comber to bring his tally of Uk species to 100!

26 Sep 2025

South West Lakes Trust Trout Fisheries Report September 2025

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

A welcome drop in temperatures, along with some rain helped to freshen the reservoir waters, although at some fisheries many fish preferred to stay in the deeper water, where boat anglers fared slightly better than their counterparts on the bank.

Fishing:

Kennick – In spite of the cooler temperatures, the fishing proved challenging at Kennick, with anglers averaging 1.7 fish per visit. The best locations included Sycamore Wall, Poplar Bay and Bracken Point, with boat anglers catching fish in Clampitts Bay and the deeper central water. An intermediate line or floating line with a sink-tip, or a sinking line proved to be the most successful tactic, fishing either nymphs and wets (Diawl Bachs, Montanas, Buzzers and Damsels) or lure patterns (Tadpoles and Boobies). Graham Roberts (from Totnes) and his boat partner caught thirteen rainbows to 3lb 12oz, with two others over 3lb, using fast sinkers and lure patterns (having previously had no success fishing on the top). Richard Berresford caught six rainbows to 2lb 10oz using a Tequila Booby fished deep with a slow figure-of-eight retrieve with pauses from a boat, and two rainbows to 3lb using a mini snake pattern on an intermediate line on a further visit. Water levels are down to 45% capacity at the time of writing.

Burrator – The fishing at Burrator improved this month, with anglers averaging 3.9 per visit, with fish being caught all over the reservoir (including Longstone, Pig Trough, Discovery Bay, Bennett’s and Sheepstor). With fish coming to the surface to feed, floating lines with dry patterns (Foam Daddies, Bob’s Bits, Sedges and Hoppers) produced some good sport, while deeper feeders were caught on intermediate lines using nymph (Buzzers, Damsels, Montanas) and lure (Tequila Blob, Yellow Streamer, Cormorant, FAB, Black and Green Blob) patterns, fished with a variety of retrieval methods. Gordon McLeod (from Tavistock) caught eleven rainbows to 2lb using a Tequila Blob fishing early in the morning. Daniel Forrester (from Hatherleigh) also caught eleven rainbows to 2lb between Sheepstor Bank and Pig Trough Bank – in spite of plenty of surface activity, he could only interest his fish with deeper lure patterns (particularly Candy Floss Boobie). Water levels are now down to 40% capacity.

Stithians – The fishing improved as the month progressed, with lightweight floating lines together with dry patterns (Hares Ear Parachute, Midge Hopper, Elk Hair Sedge, Daddies and Beetles) producing some excellent surface sport. Deeper feeders took a selection of nymph patterns (mainly Damsel Nymphs) and lures (FAB, Cruncher Apache, Minkie and Orange Blob). Popular locations included Goonlaze, Ray’s Beech, Pipe Bay, Hollis, Oub Bay and Sluice Bank). Levels are down to 60% capacity at time of writing.

Colliford – The sport improved dramatically during the month, with anglers averaging 4.1 fish per visit. The best locations included the Middle Car Park, Lord’s Waste, The East Bank and the bank near the dam. Plenty of Sedge and Midge hatches meant that the browns were keen to feed off or just under the surface, taking Bibio Hoppers, Bob’s Bits, Black and Peacock Spiders, Black cdc Emergers, Zulus and Soldier Palmers. Water levels are now at 54% capacity.

Fernworthy – In spite of a fairly consistent hatch just before dusk, the fishing proved to be fairly challenging at Fernworthy, with anglers averaging less than a fish per visit. The South Bank proved to be the most popular, with some fish taking both dry patterns (Black Parachute, Tup’s, dry Sedge and cdc Hopper), and sub-surface Muddlers, Silver Invictas and Kate McLaren. Water levels are still quite high, at 78% capacity.

Roadford – The fishing at Roadford improved as the month progressed, with a weekly rod average increasing to 5.8 fish per angler. Popular locations included Davey’s Bank, Wortha and Goodacre, where Soldier Palmers, Spiders, Brown Hares Ear Nymphs and Diawl Bachs fished on floating lines proved to be the most successful, with a few fish also taking Black Tadpoles. Dean Boucher (from Gunnislake) caught eleven browns to 16” using pulled Soldier Palmers and Black Tadpoles on a floating line in one visit, and on another, thirteen fish to 1lb using the same tactics. Levels are now down to 65% at time of writing.

Please see the Trust’s website (www.swlakestrust.org.uk/trout-fishing) for more information on buying tickets, boat availability and booking, and forthcoming events.

Chris Hall (September 2025)