North Devon Quay Sports Tackle Club held their latest match at Jennetts Reservior.
The seven anglers taking part put together some great bags of silver fish. The deep water at dam end produced the larger stamp of bream and skimmers where further round more roach and small skimmers made up the weights… most fished long pole/ whips today.
I always enjoy joining Wistlandpound Club on the annual trip to Wessex Waters Clatworthy Reservoir which is fished in early April. The fishing at this reservoir in early spring is normally excellent with hard fighting good conditioned rainbow trout generally succumbing to lures fished down deep in the cold water.
On this occasion the competition was to be fished from the bank. Catch reports suggested that fish were being caught on buzzers and dial bachs fished on floating lines with long leaders. Whilst this is a way I love to fish I set up with an intermediate line and an orange blob on the dropper with an olive damsel on the point. We all headed up into the Westcott Bay area to start our search.
Paul Grisley search for spring rainbows
The fishing proved to be more challenging than expected and it took me an hour before I hooked my first rainbow of the day.
I persisted with my tactics allowing the flies to sink for 20 seconds or so before starting an erratic retrieve. I completed my five fish limit by 1.30pm and spent the next couple of hours chatting to fellow club members and taking a few pictures of the action and splendid spring scenery.
A typical five fish limit of spring rainbows
I am always fascinated to see the remains of the signal crayfish that abound around the shores of the lake these unwelcome crustaceans have established a large population within the lake and I suspect the herons stalking the banks may have been feasting upon them when we arrived.
Dave Mock brings a hard fighting rainbow to the net.
Andre Muxworthy added two rainbows to his bag within the last half hour. Andre Muxworthy with a pleasing rainbow
We gathered at the fishing lodge at close of play with all members catching a few rainbows.
Salmon fishing on both the Taw and Torridge has been encouraging with around half a dozen salmon now caught from each river. Barnstaple and District Angling Association river keeper Don Hearn caught a fine spring run salmon from the lower Taw estimated at 13lb 8oz the fish was tempted on an Rowes variant ally’s Shrimp tied by Terry Rowe . A few sea trout have also been caught of up 3lb and several smolts have also been caught which is encouraging for the future.
Wistlandpound is just a short drive from my home in North Devon and provides the opportunity for shorts sessions with the fly Rod in search of the wild brown trout and Rudd that abound in the lake.
As I walked to the water via the wooded path I was delighted to hear the sound of chiff-chaffs calling from the trees a sure sign that spring has truly arrived despite the overcast sky and near gale force south west wind. I arrived at the waters edge with the wind blowing from left to right which made it easy to put out a decent line despite its strength.
I retained the team of flies that had brought some success at Colliford at the end of last month. A small black lure on the point and a black spider on the dropper.
I put out the floating line and paused to allow the fly to sink a little before starting the retrieve. My plan was to cover plenty of water making a step along the bank between each cast. On the third cast I was delighted to feel a strong pull that resulted in a spirited scrap from a wild brown of around 10″.
Half a dozen casts later after missing a few tentative takes I once again felt a strong pull and connected with a good fish that put a decent curve in the rod. After a short tussle I was thrilled to bank a beautiful wild brown of 14″.
This was a truly stunning looking trout that was admired briefly and its image captured.
I continued to search the bank missing several takes and connecting with several more stunning wild browns that were between 10″ and 12″. Each fish was totally different in appearance with some almost silver like a sea trout others golden flanked and crimson spotted. In the short two hour session I brought seven trout to hand each one released carefully ensuring future sport.
I look forward to warmer days with a gentle breeze rippling the lake surface but I doubt the fish will be so eager to grab the fly then.
North Devon’s anglers are looking forward to the Opening of new Day Ticket Carp Fishery at Bulldog Fish Farm Ltd
Richie Eaton was lucky enough to be invited for a nights fishing at the new carp lake which is soon to be opening to the public for day tickets this common being the biggest of a couple fish landed.
I will announce full details of opening as soon as I receive them along with a full report on my own visits to water.
Reel Deal Charters have the big game, Lundy, tope and bass,The 1k tope competition on predator and the Cornish reefs as well as over the Easter holidays we will be running 2 hour local reef (Mini deep sea) and half day (4hr) deep sea trips on predator every day from the 11th April until the 22nd if you looking for things to do with the kids perfect time to get out for a taster session hope to see you all soon all trips available online at www.reeldealcharters.co.uk or call 07850984933 message me and for half term trips go to www.ilfracombeseasafari.co.uk to book.
Jack Lord banked four fish out in 24 hours from the gap swim 4 up on lodge lake all fish caught on Mainline cell boilies.
(Below) Sam White fished on Beatties lake swim 1. Sam had 2 fish out caught on high attract pop ups & Mainline essencial IB Boilies.
(Below) Tim Vick who fished on lodge lake on swim 13 ,Tim had 4 fish out caught using solid bags and wafters.
(Below) Dan Peirce, Ian Sharp, Ian Moore, Adam Berry and also Pete Penfold who had a 30lb stunner out (6 fish in total for Pete) the guys also had a few out from lodge lake.
North Devon Match Groups match at Upper Tamar lake’s was won by Paul Elworthy who put together a net of silvers for 22lb . A hard frost the previous night undoubtedly made the fishing more difficult than normal.
