Some of our amazing supporters at Quay Sports in Barnstaple donated money raised at their 1st Anniversary Fundraiser. They raised an impressive £1122 in ONE day and we’d just like to say a massive thank you to Toby, Harrison, Chris and Mark L and the rest of the store team for continuing to fundraise for Children’s Hospice South West.
Lure enthusiast Danny Watson with thoughts on the latest lures.
Take Advantage Of The Most Exciting IMA Development This Year….
Available to pre order now are the 2 brand new UK Exclusive colours from IMA, ST Ammo and Ghost Minnow…..featuring on the Chappy 100 and Salt Skimmer.
Those who know me or follow our social media posts will know that I have been a huge fan of the Chappy 100 for some time now. I use them myself with a fair bit of success and also recommend them highly to customers.
I consider and also mention to customers that the Chappy has some similar properties to the sometimes highly regarded, often hyped and notoriously difficult to obtain Whiplash Factory Spttin’ Wire – long casting, easy to work and makes a nice fuss on the surface. I spent quite sometime thinking that there was only one thing missing from the Chappy range and after discussing these thoughts in depth with a customer decided that it was time to speak to the distributor about it…..
What was the missing attribute?
I rang the importer and shared with him my passionate feelings that we really needed some Chappy lures with clear flanks or ghost colours or whatever else you like to call them….look at what him and the men in Japan came up with!
Saturday 20 August, Kennick Reservoir- Free Trout Fishing Taster Day (Booking Essential).
National Fishing Month (1-31 August) is all about celebrating the social, wellbeing and environmental benefits of angling.
Angling offers you a chance to get outside, experience nature at its best, get the whole body moving, take a breath and allow your mind the time it needs to reset.
We would like to extend a warm welcome to all new beginners to our sport, and of course any established anglers who would like to come along. Join us at Kennick Reservoir for a ‘Have a Go Session’ with local and experienced Fly- Fishing guides and anglers.
The event is kindly supported by Snowbee and Turrall. As well as tuition, there will be Fly-Tying demonstrations with Brian Ratcliff and Colin Nice, casting Demonstrations with Simon Kidd at Snowbee, fishing gear and accessories available to buy from Turrall (cash only please as no card facilities at Kennick) a raffle, as well as countless tips and tricks to use going forwards. Plus a gift bag from Turrall for participants.
Wellies or old footwear advised as it can be muddy in places. Equipment is available to use on the day but feel free to bring your own if relevant. Bring a Packed lunch (Tea, coffee and biscuits provided).
Raffle tickets available in advance. Raffle prizes include Snowbee Classic Fly Rod, Fly Reel and Fly Line, Rod Kits from Turrall, Kennick Day Permit, Boat Permit. Tickets cost £2.50 each or five for £10.
If you would enjoy the chance to try fishing for the first time or brush up on techniques as well as catching up with some friends over coffee and biscuits then we look forward to seeing you. The kettle is on!
There are three sessions to choose from: 10am-11.30am, 12pm-1.30pm and 2pm-3.30pm.
Tickets are free but booking is essential.
https://www.swlakestrust.org.uk/free-trout-taster-day
South West Lakes Trout Fisheries Report
July 2022
Hot sunny weather conditions have meant that, as the month progressed, water temperatures have started to rise quickly, levels dropped, and fish (rainbows in particular) have generally preferred to move to and feed in deeper water during the heat of the day, when boat fishing has proved to be popular. South West Lakes stress that during these conditions, fish welfare must remain paramount, and care must be taken to limit handling fish, and that catch-and-release must be done promptly to avoid stress.
Fishing:
Kennick – Anglers found, unsurprisingly, that success rates dropped as the month progressed and the water warmed. The monthly rod average was 2.5 fish per rod. The fish were well spread out earlier on, but moved to the deeper waters by the dam, Clampitts Bay, and Boat Bay as the water warmed, and fishing from a boat with a long leader or sinking line resulted in the best sport. Traditional dry fly techniques (black gnats and daddies) worked well in the early mornings during buzzer hatches, but otherwise nymph, lure, and booby patterns accounted for most catches. Graham Roberts (from Totnes) caught six rainbows to 4lb, mainly on lures and nymph patterns; Brian Sedgebeer caught two rainbows to 3lb 4oz fishing from a float tube with a sinking line and slow retrieve, while Malcome Ure caught seven rainbows to over 3lbs in one session.
Burrator – Again catches dropped off each week as the month progressed (with weekly rod averages falling from 3.8 to 1.5 fish per angler), and the fish moved out to deeper water. Longstone, Lowry Point, Pig Trough, and Pines Bay proved to be the best locations, and while dry fly techniques worked well in the earlier part of the month (with Beetles, Black Gnats, and Hoppers all catching fish), as the water warmed, nymphs (Montanas, Damsels), blobs, and boobies fished on intermediate or sinking lines proved preferable. Mike Lunney (from Douseland) enjoyed some great sessions, catching bags of six rainbows on two visits, and a bag of three to 2lb 2oz on another.
Siblyback – A mixed bag this month at Siblyback, when some days provided excellent sport and others proved to be challenging. When there was a bit of cloud cover and a surface ripple, fish were keen to rise to Sparkle Hoppers and foam beetles, but otherwise sub-surface tactics with nymphs (Red Diawl Bachs, Buzzers, Damsels, and Montanas) and lures (Cats Whiskers, Blobs, and Orange Fritz) accounted for most fish. Stocky Bay, Two Meadows, and the West Bank proved to be the most productive locations. While no exceptionally large fish were caught during the month, there were some decent bags of fish, including five rainbows each for Andy and Al Lawson (from Plymouth) on dries, and Paul Bancroft (from Plymouth) also caught five rainbows to 2lb.
Stithians – Anglers averaged 2.3 fish per rod over the month, with plenty of rising fish throughout, particularly in the evenings, when Daddies, Beetles, Black Gnats, and Hoppers gave rise to some great sport, and floating line tactics have produced the best catches, even with sub-surface patterns (Spiders, Damsel Nymphs, and Diawl Bachs) on a slow retrieve. The Dam Bank, Goonlaze, Yellowort, and Hollis Bank proved to be the best locations, although other banks also produced fish. Simon Peters (from Cusgarne) caught fourteen rainbows to 2.5lb, starting on dries at 5am to catch seven fish, and switching to the washing line method as the sun rose to catch a further eight. John Henderson (from Falmouth) caught six rainbows and seven browns in one session using a floating line with beetles and a damsel nymph on the point.
Fernworthy – Has produced consistently good sport, with anglers averaging 4.4 fish per rod, and fish looking to the surface to feed in spite of the hot sunny conditions. Floating lines with a variety of dry patterns (Hoppers, Beetles, Sedges, and Black Gnats) worked well, otherwise nymphs (Damsels, Spiders and Montanas) fished just below the surface on a slow retrieve caught fish. South Bank, Lowton Bay, the bank by the Dam, and Permit Hut bank all fished well, although it pays to keep on the move and cover as much water as possible. Alan Green (from Plymouth) caught twelve browns to 1.5lb in one session using Bibio and black dry patterns, with fish often chasing a medium retrieve strip. In another session, Richard Buckingham (from Helston) caught five browns.
Colliford – Anglers enjoyed outstanding sport this month at Colliford, averaging over 6.4 fish per rod. Fish were well spread out around the lake, although Stuffle, Lords Waste Bay, and Menaridian banks recurred repeatedly on catch returns – the recommended tactic is to keep on the move to cover the most water. Floating lines with dry patterns (Black Gnats, Bob’s Bits, Beetles and Sedges) caught well, as did sub-surface spider patterns, buzzers, Hares ears, Soldier Palmers, and Sedgehogs. Tim Laws (from Falmouth) caught a 3lb 4oz brown (in a bag of three fish) – the best fish of the month (and the season so far). Chris Tilyard (from Fraddon) had four excellent sessions, catching three bags of fifteen browns, and one of thirteen, using black spiders and Bob’s Bits fished close to the bank, or pulled wet patterns fished into the wind. Paul Rollings (from Polperro) caught seven browns to 30cm, initially using Soldier Palmers, and then moving on to dry patterns.
Roadford – Floating lines with dry Hopper patterns or sub-surface nymphs (Diawl Bachs, Damsels, or Soldier Palmers) accounted for most fish, with Wortha and Davey’s Bank the most productive locations. Dean Boucher (from Gunnislake) caught fifteen browns to 14” in one session, using Soldier Palmer, Zulu, and Black Tadpole patterns fished on a floating line.
Many of my childhood days were spent beside the River Umber that flows through the village of Combe Martin. It was from this river that I caught my first freshwater fish a small wild brown trout of just a few ounces. The river also produced good numbers of eels that would seize a worm intended for the trout. During the 1970’s wild brown trout thrived within this small river and I caught hundreds of buttercup flanked trout with bright crimson spots. The prolonged drought of 1976 had a severe impact upon the river and many trout perished as some stretches of the river dried up. The river made a partial recovery but was hit by several pollutions that decimated stocks further.
I have never lost sight of this tiny river walking its banks from time to time on a stroll down memory lane. I haven’t fished it since the late seventies but still relish the memories of those trout and the adventures I had beside the river. On my last few visits I have failed to spot any trout and feared that the population had all but died out.
I recently read of a scheme to monitor the water quality in the River Umber and saw a report of fish being seen in the river. With the present drought I was worried that the river had dried up so Pauline and I took a walk beside the dwindling water. Some of those childhood haunts had changed little with familiar trees and walls still present.
The water flow was alarmingly low but it was at least still flowing. The water was clear though there were a few silty deposits. I noted one of the water monitoring stations and was pleased to see this indication that some still care about the river.
To my delight as I peered into the water I glimpsed two trout ancestors of those wild trout that brought me so much childhood joy.
Thomas Cooper is an up and coming Junior angler who has caught several smoothound and a ray during recent visits to North Devons beaches,
Young Solly Welch aged 8 fished with his father Daniel from their Private boat and caught three fine bass on lures bought from High Street Tackle. The bass of 57cm and two of 58cm put Solly into second place in Combe Martin SAC’s lure fishing competition sponsored by High Street Tackle.
Combe Martin SAC Lure Fishing Competition
1st Daniel Welch three bass – 195cm
2nd Solly Welch three bass 158cm.
3rd James Corner – 2 bass 122cm
As I write this drizzle is freshening the land but will do little to replenish local rivers and reservoirs that are showing the signs of an extensive drought. If the dry weather continues our news screens will be filled with drought fears and water companies will undoubtedly be forced to contemplate imposing hose pipe bans. If we do not get substantial rain this will be inevitable but all too late I fear. Water is a precious commodity for both ourselves and the environment. As anglers we see the dwindling rivers and most of us have ceased fishing many rivers as fish are threatened with low oxygen levels and increasing risks from pollution.
On my trips to the waters edge I have been alarmed by what I perceive as a significant lack of swallows, swifts and martins. Whilst at Wistlandpound recently I failed to spot any swallows. The swallows are often seen swooping low over water feasting upon fly’s emerging from the lake. The evening rises of years ago are few and far between now as I fear a dramatic reduction in insect life.
The impact of climate change is widely apparent compounded further by mankinds intensive use of the land fuelled by an ever increasing population. There is hope in the growing awareness of natures decline but I fear it is all too late. I hope that I am wrong but the decline I have witnessed in my life is dramatic and life is short in real terms.
” Life’s a long song but the tune ends too soon for us all”
I attach a copy of correspondence from South Molton & District Angling Club. This highlights typical issues that impact upon local rivers and how anglers are at the forefront of raising concern.
Dear all
The below report is full of statistics that makes grim reading. Statistics are of course complex and influenced by many factors that make them difficult to analyse. Data is vital in gaining knowledge yet there is seldom a level playing field. There are those who will want to ban angling completely in an effort to protect salmon stocks. In my view this would be counterproductive as anglers care deeply about the rivers and the salmon. Take away the anglers and who will care? Who will be there to observe the unfolding disaster?
The latest news on salmon stocks makes for grim reading see below from Mike Moser of the Nature Recovery Group.
Paul Martin banked 12 fish including this stunning 29lb 14oz common from big fish corner on Beatties Lake which is now Pauls new personal best. Paul was fishing with crushed boilies and pellets.
Dan Welch continues to lure the bass whilst fishing from his own boat out of Ilfracombe. This bass measured 68cm and extends Dans lead in Combe Martin SACs Lure fishing competition sponsored by High Street Tackle.
Lure Competition Standings :-
1st – 3 bass – Dan Welch 195cm
2nd – 2 bass – James Corner 122cm
3rd – 2 Bass – Wayne Thomas 115cm
4th – 2 bass – David Jenkins 108cm