Mike Squires Memorial Competition Results.
Bass competition
Nathan Clements took top spot in this Open match fished on Westward Ho! beach in memory of popular club member Mike Squires.
1st Nathan Clements 4lb
2nd Nathan Clements 3lb 2 1/2oz
3rd Antony Smith 2lb 14oz
£35.05 was collected in donations for cancer research.
Having read the recent book, The Catch By Mark Wormald I was keen to obtain a copy of West Country Fly Fishing by Anne Voss Bark. This book is referred to frequently in Wormald’s tome that reflects upon Ted Hughes his life and poetry much of which is West Country linked. My good friends Keith & Sandy Armishaw are owners of one of the countries top specialist angling book shops with a vast range of angling and countryside books. So it was a good excuse to call around for a catch up and browse through a vast selection of angling books.
I have not yet read West Country Fly Fishing but glancing through its pages and illustrations I am immediately struck by the richness of angling just 40 years ago and references to a previous golden era of fishing. It is tragic that our rivers have declined over the decades especially the once prolific runs of salmon and sea trout. Just forty years ago salmon were taken for the table as a matter of course. Today catch and release is the accepted normal as catches dwindle and anglers are determined to preserve the remaining stocks.
The many volumes of angling literature upon the shelves at River Reads are an invaluable insight into anglings rich history and very well worth visiting.
There is an extra dimension to lure fishing after dark with the visual senses restricted sound and feel take over. The savage jolt as a big bass hits the lure and rips line from a tight drag is electrifying. My latest excursion resulted in several bass the best a beauty of 7lb 7oz ( 69 cm) that increases my lead in the Combe Martin SAC Lure competition. A Mega-bass Spindle worm once again the successful pattern
1st Wayne Thomas 3 bass 203.5cm
2nd Daniel Welch. 3 bass 195cm
3rd Solly Welch 3 bass 173cm
Biggest bass – Wayne Thomas 69cm
A trout fishing taster day took place on Saturday 20 August as part of National Fishing Month.
The free event, kindly supported by Snowbee and Turrall, was based at Kennick reservoir and offered the chance for those interested in taking up the sport to have a go themselves with experienced anglers on hand to offer tuition as well as fly-tying demonstrations. It was also the perfect opportunity for anglers to come along and pick up some new techniques and tips and have a cup of tea and chat.
National Fishing Month (1st-31st August) celebrates the social, well-being and environmental benefits of angling and the uptake of places for the taster day was very encouraging with the event selling out quickly. The weather was kind and there was some useful cloud coverage and breeze at times. Participants were booked into one of three sessions throughout the day and were assigned to a coach who offered tuition and guidance. It was a great atmosphere, lots of laughs and a really good opportunity to experience fly-fishing in an informal and friendly setting.
Back at the lodge, there were fly-tying demonstrations to watch, a sale of fishing equipment and plenty of tea, coffee and biscuits and the chance to enter a raffle to win various angling items and permits. Thanks to the team from Turrall for their support with the day, in particular their contribution to the raffle and generous gift bags. Well done to the winners who will be contacted shortly.
We had some great feedback on the day and it was really good to see so many people enjoying the fishing as well as hearing future plans to continue the hobby going forward. We have also been asked to run more days like this so watch this space! A particular mention should go to the junior anglers who put in a lot of effort and showed some very promising talent- keep it up!
We would like to extend our gratitude to those who came along or helped on the day, without whom events like this would not be possible so a special thank you to: Simon Kidd (Snowbee), John Hern, Brian Ratcliff, Colin Nice, Andy Watson, Heather Lamacraft, Mike Kent, Geoff Stephens, Harry Chance and Laurence Skinner who gave us their time and expertise throughout the day and of course to Mark for his help and organisation.
Tight lines and hope to see you out on the water soon.
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Combe Martin SAC Fun Fishing event is on September 4th details below. Would be great to see you on the day.
Bideford & District Angling Club 5th feeder match results date 21st August. Tarka Swims 11 anglers fished and the weights were good again.
First place with a nice net of fish went to Nigel Spurr on peg 6 with 19lbs 1oz he fished corn over micros to the island 2nd place was Keith Copland with 18lbs 14oz on peg 9 fishing maggots over micros 3rd place was Stephen Paul Sheller on peg 2 with 18lbs 13oz fishing wafters over micros 4th place was Richard Jefferies on peg 19 with 18lbs 4oz fishing maggots with ground bait next feeder match is on 18th September. 
11 angler’s fished the competition with some good fish caught.
10 fish weighed
1st Richard Jefferies Conger 22lb 8oz 112.500%
2nd Andrew Clements Thornback Ray 9lb 12 1/2oz
3rd Graham Snow Thick-lipped Mullet 4lb
Bideford Angling Club are hosting an Open bass competition at Westward Ho! Beach on Friday, August 26th.
There will be cash prizes with donations to cancer research. The event is held in fond memory of long standing club Mike Squires senior.
An early morning session produced just the one take in weedy waters on a flooding tide. The bass of 68cm was tempted on a weightless mega-bass spindle worm and propels Wayne Thomas into a narrow lead in Combe Martins SAC’s Lure fishing competition sponsored by High Street Tackle.