I joined fellow Combe Martin SAC members on a trip on Predator 2 out of Ilfracombe. With a promising weather forecast and a good tide Lundy Island was our destination with many options on the days agenda including lure fishing, drifting the sandbanks and anchoring for tope.
It was a civilised 9:30am sailing from Ilfracombe harbour to coincide with the morning tide and it was a cheerful and optimistic group of anglers who watched Ilfracombe slip into the distance as we sailed down the coast passing the spectacular cliffs West of the port. The sea was lively off Morte Point as the ebbing tide pushed over the rocky strata.
Skipper Dan suggested stopping off to drift lures over a wreck a few miles off Baggy Point. We dropped a variety of lures to seek fish over the rusting hulk 100ft or so beneath. Rods were soon hooped over as powerful pollock with olive and silvery flanks seized our offerings in the clear water.
After several drifts the sport slowed as it often does and Lundy Island beckoned far out at the mouth of the Bristol Channel.
Despite a forecast of high temperatures and sunshine the grey cloud still shrouded the sky and Lundy was hidden by a misty haze. We steamed across smooth waters and watched as Lundy slowly appeared as warm sunshine burned away the cloud.
A trip out to Lundy is always special the granite outcrop towering above the sea always seems to have a hint of Jurassic park or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s ‘Lost World’. Those fabulous tales that have enthralled the young at heart.
There were no dinosaurs as we drifted the North of the Island though several puffins bobbed cheerfully upon the water. A large swell caressed the base of towering granite cliffs. The white water, aqua marine and blue sky of a perfect hot summers days lifted the spirits. A few wrasse and the occasional pollock succumbed to our lures but fishing was slow. Dan tried several marks before moving to the tidal race off the North end. Again fish proved hard to find and all soon agreed it was time to move to the sand banks and drop the anchor for a go at the tope.
After several hours steaming about and drifting it was good to relish the silence as the boats engines were cut and the boat settled at anchor. The tide was still running but 1lb of lead was adequate to keep the baits on the sea bed. We all opted for large offerings of fresh pollock or mackerel mounted on large strong hooks. My own choice being Sakuma 8/0 465 Kong hooks crimped to Sakuma 130lb B.S 49 Strand stainless steel wire. On the way out I discussed the pros and cons of wire versus heavy mono when fishing for tope. Dan showed me a couple of his tope rigs that he had based upon carp fishers hair rigs. The use of circle hooks and a 250lb plus mono trace could indeed have an edge over the traditional heavy wire trace from both a number of fish hooked and fish care?
It often takes a while for the scent trail to build but on this occasion it was only ten minutes before I had a powerful take from a tope that shed the hook after a few moments. This signalled a flurry of activity as several rods took on fighting curves as tope ripped into baits. Several were soon boated with Peter Robinson boating a beauty of 37lb. This pattern followed throughout our time at anchor with flurries of activity resulting in eight tope to the boat with several close to thirty pounds.
As late afternoon approached the tide turned and action slowed. Dan suggested we head back and stop off for a short lure session in the racing turbulent waters off Morte Point.
Lundy slowly faded majestically away into a bank of mist as we steamed towards the North Devon coast .
It was early evening when we started to cast our lures close to the maelstrom of Morte race. It wasn’t long before rods were hooped over as silver flanked bass seized the lures along with a few mackerel. The best bass topped five pounds for Peter Robinson and Bruce Elston with several fish in the 3lb to 4lb size range.
After enjoying a thrilling session to end the day it was time to head back to Ilfracombe and the bustling harbour on a warm summers evening. We thanked Dan for a great day afloat and all look forward to the next adventure on Predator 2.
Over three months later and the grayling closed season has passed and summer sea trout are ascending the rivers of the Tamar catchment. The Arundell boasts twenty miles of water amidst lush landscapes of the Devon and Cornish borders. I had arranged a day’s fishing with my good friend Jeff Pearce and had arranged to meet at the Arundell tackle shop for 9:00am.
Traffic at Bideford delayed my journey and it was 9:30am before I arrived and apologised for my lateness. Jeff had enjoyed chatting with fellow fishing guests and James Christoforou who is the venues head of Fishing.
James is a breath of fresh air with an abundance of passion and optimism befitting an angler from a younger generation. James talked of the recent upturn in fishing in the rivers following a good summer spate with good numbers of sea trout showing along with a few salmon. These migratory visitors really are the icing on the cake with abundant wild brown trout and some stunning grayling providing consistent opportunity’s for anglers.
It is always well worth listening carefully to advice from experienced local anglers and James certainly knows the hotels waters intimately explaining to Jeff and I where to fish and suggesting which flies to use and how to fish them.
Jeff is a keen exponent of nymph fishing and engaged in an in depth discussion with James delving into the intricacies of fly design. Like many other anglers I know including myself he carries an extensive selection of fly patterns yet in reality only fishes with a tiny proportion of them. My own interpretation of the discussion is to some extent that there is some basis in certain flies working well on specific rivers. This could be in part be due to anglers following trends and traditions. It is also likely that certain colours are more visible in certain tinges of water colour. The weight of a nymph is undoubtedly vital in ensuring that a fly gets down to where the fish are so the stronger and deeper the pool the heavier the fly needs to be. So the perfect nymph for the Arundell waters is perhaps a tungsten silver headed jig style with black body and sprinkling of silver flashy sparkle.
It was late morning by the time we actually arrived at the waters edge keen to start exploring the deep pools and runs. We both carried two rods one set up with a dry fly and the other with a nymphing set up.
We started fishing on Beat 2 and Bridge Pool where Jeff commenced the days quest drifting his team of nymphs slow and deep as a rather nonchalant duck observed proceedings.
The lush green foliage of late June hung over the river its course carved through rocky bed rock over thousands of years. As I often say each river has its own unique character and the River Lyd is undoubtedly one of the West Country’s finest and after recent rainfall to flush sediment its waters seemed to be in sparkling health.
BB that great Countryside Writers Children’s Book ‘The Little Grey Men’ is a classic tome that captures the magic of a rivers journey and the shaded waters of the River Lyd somehow resonated within the pages of the book. This morning could easily have been a day BB describes “ After a soft grey morning, the sun had slowly broken through the clouds, and every blackbird and thrush in Lucking’s Meadow began to warble and tune up; the first opening bars of a great symphony in praise of life”. My ponderings on gnomes dwelling in the shady banks of the River Lyd are undoubtedly deluded for BB states “ For secrecy was of utmost importance, especially in these modern days when discovery would mean the end of everything. Why these little creatures had survived for so long is puzzling, because though they lived in this rural countryside, it was by no means ‘wild’ in the sense that some parts of Devon and Cornwall are wild, and there are, to my knowledge, no gnomes left now in either of these last two localities, though I understand they are still to be found in some parts of Ireland”.
We fished carefully up through deep shady pools that hid their secrets as sunlight broke through the vibrant green canopy of midsummer. We were both using bright indicators to suspend our nymphs to just trip the riverbed. This was not traditional fly fishing and the purist would certainly not approve. We are going through a revolution in fly fishing at the moment as technics from across the wider world are embraced by a younger generation who push the boundaries and break down the barriers between disciplines.
Watching our bright indicators drift slowly through deep calm pools is little different to trotting with a float and what’s wrong with that?
There is no doubt that catching on an upstream dry fly is more satisfying and that delectable moment of deception is one to savour. However life is short and in these modern times if we want a younger generation to embrace the sport then perhaps we have to accept a wider range of tactics and values. It is perhaps possible to draw comparison with today’s cricket scene. The traditionalist will always extol proper Test match cricket; five days of endeavours to be savoured and analysed. A younger generation will perhaps prefer the wham bam thrust of 20/20 cricket that is all over in just a few hours.
Jeff was first to connect and I watched as a sea trout gyrated in the strong current as it was persuaded to the waiting net. The silver flanks glistened as we admired its beauty before slipping it back into the cool waters.
Boosted by this success we both searched intently drifting the nymphs through the pools. I hooked a small brown trout that shook the hook and caught a couple of small parr.
We then took a break to drive a short distance to the fish beat 3 a stretch of river that we had fished back in early March when Jeff had caught a grayling and I had lost one.
We went our separate ways now alternating between pools immersed in our own endeavours to a large extent. When we met up a short while later Jeff was excited to recall the capture of a fine sea trout estimated at around 2lb at had made his reel scream as it battled gamely.
It is often the case that when I fish with Jeff we seem to mirror each other’s catch’s and when one of us enjoys a good first half the other succeeds in the second half. This was certainly my hope as I searched the pools attempting to read the water carefully focussing on those sections that took my fancy.
The deep fast water towards the head of the pools and runs tempted me and I searched these areas in preference to the slower deeper areas.
I undoubtedly missed a couple of fish as my indicator dipped beneath the surface or twitched vigorously with my strike finding no connection.
Then that wonderful moment of connection came and a bar of silver erupted from the water leaping almost to eye level before coming adrift after just a few seconds of adrenalin fuelled excitement.
Ten minutes later I hooked another larger fish that battled hard again leaping from the water before diving deep and under the far bank where I feared the line would catch in the roots of bankside trees. I savoured the bending rod and feel of a good fish in the strong current. I knelt at the water’s edge and guided the sea trout towards the waiting net. Then elation turned to dejection as the hook hold gave and my silver prize disappeared with flick of its tail.
The two glimpses of silver leaping and gyrating on my line are lodged in that deep file of memories in the mind. Merging with the lush green of early summer clear glistening water following a summer spate. The electric blue of kingfisher and the cheerful echoes of chiff-chaff and wren song in a river valley. Damsel flies and dragon flies haunting the river margins. As many of BB’s books commence,
The wonder of the world
Its beauty and its power,
The shapes of things,
Their colours lights and shades,
Look ye also while life lasts.
I caught up with Jeff at the weir pool and told of my losses. We chatted and fished the deep water above the weir together. A few trout dimpled the surface and Jeff switched to dry fly tactics whilst I persisted with the deep nymph tactics and missed a couple of chances.
We had planned to pack up at around 5.00pm but a glance at the time revealed it was now past 6.00pm and after ten or so last casts we reluctantly walked back across the waterside meadows to return home. Already plotting further trips with a youthful enthusiasm that belied our years. The indicator deep fished nymph will certainly be used elsewhere to explore those deeper pools when the fish are not rising.
I always relish my trips to Wimbleball savouring each day at this wonderful fishery located deep in the heart of Exmoor. Early to mid-June is undoubtedly one of the best times to visit with Exmoor’s valleys alive with the vibrancy of early summer. Hedgerows and trees that wonderful verdant green that lasts all too briefly before taking on the darker hues of July and August.
I arrived at the boat launching pontoons shortly after 8.00am and set up a pair of rods and tackle before pouring a coffee from my flask and enjoyed the view whilst I waited for my good friend and fellow Snowbee Ambassador Jeff Pearce to arrive.
It was a mellow cloudy morning with a gentle breeze blowing from the West and there was the chance of sunny spells as the day progressed. Perfect conditions I thought but Jeff cautioned my optimism as catch returns reflected that the fishing had not been easy despite a very high stocking campaign.
We were fishing from a boat giving the freedom to search for the fish across the lakes 370 acres. After a cheery greeting Jeff and I discussed our plan for the day. It was hoped that the beetles would be on the water as good numbers of fish had been tempted when conditions were right as the trout feasted upon this annual glut of food.
We decided to commence activities in the deeply wooded Upton Arm an area that has a unique atmosphere with its steep wooded banks flanking the water. Far up at the head of the arm all was calm as bird song drifted through the air. We made our first casts searching the water as we drifted slowly.
After fifteen minutes or so we moved to the middle area of the arm and resumed our search. I glimpsed a couple of good sized rainbows and made contact with a wild brown trout that shed the hook after an all too brief tussle.
A second drift brought no action and so we headed for the deep water off the dam that seems to produce fish on a regular basis throughout the year.
I was now using a fast sinking line with my favourite olive damsel on the point and a cormorant on a dropper. I was confident of success and seeing very little surface activity assumed the fish were deep. Jeff however persisted with a floating line and a more subtle imitative approach.
We drifted slowly adjacent to the dam area rope cordon and I scanned the water as I always do with my polarised glasses giving a glimpse into the water through the surface glare.
Two good sized rainbows swam purposely through the clear water. I immediately swapped over from the sinking line and lure set up to a floating line with a foam beetle pattern on the point and a larger foam hopper three feet further back.
I watched the water intently and spied another couple of trout. I placed my flies a few feet in front of the cruising fish. The trout inspected the offering but showed disdain. Jeffs floating beetle proved more appetising and was slurped down by a hard fighting rainbow of around 2lb.
This was exciting fishing and my turn soon came as I dropped my flies in front of a trout that gave a good account on my 5-wt set up before shedding the hook.
It was obvious that the trout were on the look out for surface food as close study of the water revealed plenty of cruising fish.
There are often defining moments in a day’s fishing that can live long in the memory. One such moment came on this day as I watched a good sized rainbow cruising just beneath the surface. I extended my Snowbee Thistledown line and dropped my fly’s five feet in front of the trout.
I watched with anticipation as the trout converged upon my offering. I gave Jeff a running commentary as the trout paused and inspected my offering circling warily before slurping the beetle from the surface in a delightful ring of deception upon the calm water.
I lifted the rod to feel that thrilling moment of connection. The trout powered away the light rod taking on a steep curve and the trusted Snowbee Fly reel singing as line was ripped off at a rate of knots. This was undoubtedly a good fish and considerably larger than my initial estimate as I had seen it take my fly. After several powerful runs the fish dived deep stripping line from the reel as I put as much strain on the 6lb b.s point as I dared.
The 10ft 5-Wt rod was well hooped over as I relished the opportunity to test my tackle as the fish shook its head far below the boat in over 60ft of water. The fish held its position deep down the rod absorbing each lunge as for a few moments it was stalemate. Maximum pressure was applied and slowly the fish came up in the clear water and we glimpsed a deep silver flank. I readied the net; Jeff exclaimed that it was probably a double and I breathed a sigh of relief when the rainbow was safely within the folds of the net.
The fish was in splendid condition with deep flanks and wide spade like tail. I slipped the small barbless hook from its jaws. Held it in the net for several minutes and lifted it from the water for a quick photo before slipping the fish back into the depths.
We fished on a for a while missing several fish before it went quiet and we decided to search elsewhere. We headed to the far end of the lake to search Bessom’s and the shallower water. Several bank anglers were enjoying good sport in the area.
There were no fish visibly rising so I decided to try lure tactics again. Jeff wisely persisted with dry beetle pattern and soon rose a fish. Switching back to my dry fly tactics I too enjoyed success and in the next hour we added three more fish to the days tally missing numerous takes as we failed to connect with the fly that was hard to watch as the brisk breeze rippled the surface.
A lesson learnt was that the fish were undoubtedly looking for beetles on the surface. Whilst there were very few beetles showing the fish were still preoccupied with this food source and would intercept our artificial whilst ignoring lures.
We returned to the boat jetty shortly after 6.00pm reflecting upon a rewarding day afloat on this jewel of water high on Exmoor. It had not been an easy day and that one opportunist cast had made it another day to remember. It is always worth reflecting that it only takes one cast in the right place at the right time.
Due to a forecast of large swells and a strong North West Wind CMSAC have reluctantly decided to reschedule the annual Putsborough Open to Saturday June 21st. Same times etc see poster below : – The decision has been made with the clubs sponsors in mind. Once again we thank the owners at Putsborough for allowing the event to be held.
Always a great night with a friendly vibe and plenty of fish over the past couple of years
Arriving at Winsford in the heart of Exmoor my wife Pauline and I were delighted to find the Village Hall packed with attendees all assembled for this conference focussing on the waters of Exmoor. Amongst the crowd were many familiar faces all of whom I knew shared a passion for rivers. After coffee and cake we took our seats to listen to the speakers the details of which I have added at the end of this feature.
Kate O Sullivan, Chair of the Exmoor Society welcomed us to the venue and gave a brief introduction highlighting the overall concerns relating to our rivers and efforts and collaborations to address the many issues.
Professor Charles Foster delivered an evocative story of a salmons life journey from its birthplace in the headwaters of the Exe to the sea, to its distant feeding grounds of Norway and Greenland and then its epic and miraculous journey back to its home water. The tale was a master class in story telling captivating the audience without a power-point presentation. The story was punctuated by the multiple perils faced by the salmon at each stage of its life long journey. The complexities of a salmons epic journey were the perfect start to the day’s proceedings in effect setting the agenda to follow..
The salmons strive to stay alive is so strong from birth to death in a constant evolutionary stream of life that has endured for millennia that is today threatened by mankind’s disregard for the natural world.
Mark Lloyd Chief Executive of the Rivers Trust gave a passionate assessment of the state of the nation’s rivers. In brief too much, too little, too dirty, too hot and too little nature. The situation has accelerated since the 1970’s with extremes of temperature and rainfall. Agriculture, Abstraction and urban pollution from sewage outfalls etc all impacting and overlapping to exacerbate the issues.
Mark then highlighted some of the solutions and how working with nature can help to address.
Professor Alistair Boxall delivered a very concerning and thought provoking presentation highlighting the issue of pharmaceutical pollution of the National Parks. Sampling of water across National Parks showed high levels of pharmaceutical residue including paracetamol, metformin, caffeine, carbamazepine, gabapentin and fexofenadine. All commonly used by many in society and discharged into sewage networks that are not designed to remove them. The long term effects on our rivers are not yet known.
Professor Sir Dieter Helm delivered an economists perspective on a fresh approach to how we address the many issues using a catchment based approach. I found his delivery enlightening and inspiring as he pointed out the uncomfortable truth that we are all collectively to blame. He set out sensible solutions to the issues highlighting that what we do is not sustainable. Food production, sewage infrastructure we create the demand yet we do not want to pay. We need to rethink, design, polluters must pay and those who do not should be rewarded for their endeavours.
Question time was skilfully coordinated by Mark Lloyd who introduced the panel.
The panel face a packed Village Hall
Each panellist introduced themselves highlighting their work.
Dr Rose O’ Neil talked about the vital importance of rivers that flow through National Parks.
Dr David Smith outlined the work of South West Waters dedicated team who look after the regions catchments and rivers. South West Water are large landowners and invest in invasive species control and many fish passage schemes. Upstream Thinking is one of the company’s flagship projects and focuses on the headwaters that are vital to a catchments overall health. David acknowledged the need for future water storage and told of collaboration between Wessex Water and Bristol Water with the planned construction of Cheddar 2 adjacent to the existing Cheddar Reservoir that will help to preserve Wimbleball for the South West region.
James Thomas delivered an extensive and passionate overview of the work being undertaken by the National Trusts Wetlands Team across North Devon. James explained the historic connections of landscapes to water and how working with nature helps to improve water quality, reduce flood risk, act as carbon storage, improves drought resilience, and boosts opportunities for wildlife both increasing abundance and biodiversity.
Toby Diggens talked enthusiastically and with infectious optimism for setting rivers free using descriptive illustrations and art work to portray the long term benefits of restoring natural meandering flow of rivers.
Toby Diggens talks of the benefits of setting rivers free
A Personal Perspective
Walking out of the Village Hall we were inspired by the passion shared by all the speakers to a receptive audience. The fact that so many came together on this beautiful spring day brings hope for the future.
The problems that face our rivers are many and extremely complex. I have long held the belief that rivers are the arteries of the land. As an angler my connection with rivers has been life long and I have witnessed a dramatic and sad decline in my lifetime. I was able to share this story as we embarked upon a strenuous walk that took us to a high viewpoint that enabled us to view the beautiful valley of the river Exe.
Exmoor surely the star of the show…and top of the bill!
I bought the new book from Seven Fables by acclaimed author Robert Macfarlane who asks the question ‘ IS A RIVER ALIVE’ ? I look forward to reading this tome. But in answer to the question if we consider the entire planet a living entity then is it not sensible to consider the rivers as the veins and arteries that carry the planets life blood for water is vital to life on earth.
As we paused for lunch between the conference and our walk. I noted the martins swooping to gather mud from the stream, swifts swooping high above quaint thatched cottages their evocative screams of summer drifting through the valley and swallows those birds that are surely the true harbingers of summer. It was easy to be lulled into a sense that all is good. And yet I looked into the stream a tributary of the Exe and noted the sediment and algae in the stream and how this was far more pronounced below the ford where cars frequently drove through washing mud and oil from their undersides.
Beneath the fordAbove the ford the river runs clear its gravels less tarnished by sediment
A lady walked her dogs that splashed across the river potentially releasing powerful toxins designed to kill the ticks that are now prolific throughout the seasons, a result of infrequent winter frosts. The lack of rain throughout the spring reduces dilution of this toxic mix that enters the river. All is certainly not as it should be and the insidious invisibility is perhaps the greatest concern.
It brings hope that our eyes are slowly opening to the many issues and yet there are still too many in society who are either oblivious or turn the proverbial blind eye for it is convenient not to see.
On a final word many thanks to the Exmoor Society for all the hard work that is involved in hosting and organising such a thought provoking and informative event.
SPEAKERS PROFILES BELOW
Kate O’Sullivan
Chair of the Exmoor Society
Kate O’Sullivan has been chair of The Exmoor Society since September 2022, where she has concentrated on nature recovery. For many years she worked at the BBC as a science documentary producer, making films for the BBC-2 Horizon series and then at BBC Films. Since moving to Exmoor, she has worked on the family’s farm at Old Stowey to improve the pasture, hedges, woodland, and soil. She has a master’s in the history and philosophy of science from Imperial College.
Sarah Bryan
Chief Executive of ENPA
Sarah Bryan is the Chief Executive of the Exmoor National Park Authority. She has worked on Exmoor for more than 25 years, since joining the organisation as a Conservation Officer (Landscape) in 1992. She has used her roles to engage with landowners and land managers, forging strong partnerships with external agencies and partners, and leading key conservation and landscape projects. She has a degree in Environmental Science from the University of East Anglia, a second degree in Landscape Design from Manchester University, and is a Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute.
Professor Alistair Boxall
Professor, Environmental Science
Alistair is a Professor in Environmental Science in the Environment Department and Director of the NERC-funded ECORISC Centre for Doctoral Training. Alistair’s research focuses on understanding emerging and future ecological and health risks posed by chemical contaminants in the natural environment. Alistair is a past member of the Defra Advisory Committee on Hazardous Substances and past Chair of the Pharmaceutical Advisory Group of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. He regularly advises national and international organisations on issues relating to chemical impacts on the environment and has published extensively on the detection, fate, effects and risks of emerging contaminants (including pharmaceuticals, nanomaterials and transformation products) in the natural environment.
Professor Sir Dieter Helm
Professor of Economic Policy at the University of Oxford
Dieter Helm is a Professor of Economic Policy at the University of Oxford and Fellow in Economics at New College, Oxford. From 2012 to 2020, he was Independent Chair of the Natural Capital Committee, providing advice to the government on the sustainable use of natural capital. Dieter provides extensive expert advice to UK and European governments, regulators and companies on his three specialist areas: Energy & Climate; Regulation, Utilities & Infrastructure; and Natural Capital & the Environment. In his book ‘Legacy: How to Build the Sustainable Economy’, Dieter looks at what the sustainable economy would look like and what it would take to live within our environmental means. Dieter is a Vice President of the Exmoor Society, a Vice President of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust, and Honorary Fellow, Brasenose College, Oxford.
Toby Diggens
Landscape Architect
Toby is the founder of Digg & Co. Studio, an ecological landscape practice which focuses on large-scale nature recovery projects and ecosystem and landscape master planning. He is also on the committee of the River Exe’s dedicated habitat and in-river restoration and improvement group – RETA (River Exe and Tributaries Association). Toby and his team oversee and design projects where ecological uplift, enhancement and revival are core principles. Their work spans river restoration, farm and estate designs and urban projects which prioritise wild self-willed systems to proliferate with people at their heart. He lives near Exmoor, where he and his wife Bella holistically graze 500 acres of mixed natural farmland and wilderness with their herd of pedigree Red Devon’s.
Professor Charles Foster
Writer and academic
Charles Foster’s books include Being a Beast (a New York Times Bestseller), Being a Human, Cry of the Wild, and The Screaming Sky. He is a Fellow of Exeter College, Oxford.
Mark Lloyd
CEO, The Rivers Trust
Mark Lloyd read Geography at St. Catherine’s College, Oxford and then completed a Master’s in Environmental Water Management at Cranfield. He founded Thames21 in 1994, a charity cleaning up London’s rivers, which he led for 11 years. He has since been CEO of a number of angling and conservation organisations before taking up his current role in 2019 as Chief Executive of The Rivers Trust, the umbrella body for the rivers trust movement, which comprises 67 independent charities in the UK and Ireland employing over 550 staff. The Rivers Trusts work in partnership to restore wild, healthy, natural rivers, valued by all.
Dr Rose O’Neill
CEO, Campaign for National Parks
Dr Rose O’Neill is Chief Executive of the Campaign for National Parks, the independent charity dedicated to the National Parks of England and Wales. Founded in 1936, Campaign for National Parks brings together a campaigning collective of organisations, including the Exmoor Society, and individuals from all walks of life united in a common cause: nature-rich National Parks for everyone. In previous roles, Rose was principal social scientist at Natural England and headed the rivers programme at WWF-UK. Rose has a Master’s in geology and a PhD in environmental science. Rose lives just outside the South Downs National Park and loves exploring its chalk streams with her young family. She is a trustee of Wessex Rivers Trust and a member of Natural England’s Landscape Advisory Panel.
Dr David Smith
South West Water
David is South West Water’s Natural Resources Team Manager. The team of over 20 leads SWW’s work on species, habitats, biosecurity and Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS), fish and eels. It also delivers Upstream Thinking, SWW’s flagship catchment management programme. David has worked in the water industry since 2010, leading on peatland restoration, catchment management, and biodiversity, and he previously worked as a farm advisor and an ecologist for National Parks and led the Exmoor Mires restoration Partnership. David is an ecologist from a farming and horticulture background, with a D.Phil in peatland regeneration in Northern Ireland. He has co-authored publications with research partners at Exeter, Bristol, and other UK Universities on peatland restoration hydrology, water quality, greenhouse gas modification, and vegetation changes.
James Thomas
National Trust, North Devon Riverlands Team
The Riverlands Team are working across four portfolios at Arlington Court, West Exmoor, Hartland, and Woolacombe. They are restoring significant areas of wetland habitat across North Devon. This is being done by identifying areas where drainage and modification of watercourses have had a detrimental impact on the environment, and working closely with natural processes to allow the hydrology of the land to function more naturally. Working with partners at a landscape scale, a multitude of opportunities are being explored to maximise gains; from simple measures such as creating new ponds and scrapes to increase open water, strategically blocking land drains and drainage ditches to expand wetland habitat, all the way through to wet woodland creation and floodplain reconnection and resetting the land through innovative ‘stage 0’ style techniques. These measures will all combine to hold water across a wide area for longer, thereby improving water quality, reducing flood risk, acting as carbon storage, improving drought resilience, and boosting opportunities for wildlife, increasing abundance and biodiversity.
I have drifted through my angling life fishing here and there for a wide range of species that has resulted in me visiting many venues both home and abroad. Whilst my motivation particularly these days revolves around enjoyment it can also be driven by chasing targets.
There are certain fish that have those defining landmark weights and with several species a double figure fish without doubt is that target. The merits can change over the years as species growth rates change but old school anglers like myself have grown up with these ingrained definitions.
Thirty years or more ago I fished a well known lake in Hampshire hoping for a double figure bream and caught a personal best of 8lb 14oz. A double figure bream is an impressive looking fish and whilst many carp anglers have little regard for them I have always considered big bream enigmatic fish.
Last year I fished a couple of sessions at Lower Tamar Lake targeting a double as they are relatively abundant in this mature shallow lake on the Devon and Cornwall border. Last year I failed to tempt a single fish despite fishing close to my good friend Bruce Elston who caught five big bream to 13lb plus fishing in the next swim. The follow up solo trip a couple of weeks later was a blank.
In specimen angling terms a couple of twenty four hour sessions is not a lot of effort but the fact that I hadn’t caught that double niggled me. My problem in fishing is that I chase fish in too many waters. Bass from the shore, tope on boats, shark, salmon, stillwater trout, wild trout from small streams, carp, catfish, LRF fishing, beach fishing, rock fishing, perch fishing, eels and so the list goes on.
Late April and there are a few bream coming from the lake and so Bruce and I set out to once again target them. Bruce arrives before me and chats with Bob the bailiff who kindly changes his plan offering us the chance to fish one of the few swims on the lake that has adjacent swims.
It’s a warm sunny day with a light south west breeze blowing from behind. We both spod out a bed of bait consisting of sweetcorn, pellets and dead maggots. I elect to fish with Remix Secret wafters recommended to me by Chris Connaughton of Barnstaple Bait and Tackle.
The traps set its time to sit back and absorb the surroundings over a fresh brew of coffee. The sun is slowly sinking behind in the western sky, the field behind is a mass of seeded dandelions and long grass. Birdsong fills the ebbing spring day, chiff chaffs, wrens and water birds all contributing to natures random ensemble of random melody. Swallows, fresh arrivals from distant lands swoop above the lake. Grebes glide across stillwater’s. It’s a fresh and vibrant time in natures calendar and to be here in expectation is bliss.
It is great to share the day with a good friend and we chat of life and of fishing past and present. There is undoubtedly something special about a longer session and the connection with the daily turning of the world and natures timeless essence.
The light fades as the sun sinks beneath the hill and the many colours start to fade to black and grey. The first stars slowly appear twinkling in a cloudless sky as the night shift takes over. Large horseshoe bats gyrating over the water feasting upon unseen midges and other insects. A tawny owl hoots from nearby trees, the occasional fish dimples the calm lake.
Bruce’s thrill alarm breaks the spell and I dash to the adjacent swim to witness an eel writhing into the waiting net. The dangers of using maggots…Fortunately the fish is lip hooked and the barbless hook slips easily from the eel, a species that is sadly in decline.
Shorty after this a bream of 8lb 14oz signals that we are in the right area, or at least Bruce is; This is followed 30 minutes or so later by a superb looking bream of 10lb 7oz once again for Bruce.
I settle into my sleeping bag willing my bite alarm to emit its thrill call but its all calm and still as I slowly drift off into a shallow sleep.
I wake as the sky starts to take on a pinkish glow the sun slowly rising from the east as another day begins with colours once again developing. The dawn chorus of late spring and early summer is one of life’s precious delights. Sadly and perhaps imperceptibly its vibrancy and fullness is fading as the worlds rich ecosystems are slowly destroyed by much of mankind’s stupidity and indifference.
As the light levels rise so my hopes of success fade and I contemplate my lack of connection. My doubts grow as to rigs, bait and location?
Then at 6:30am bleep, bleep and a slowly dancing bobbin. I lift the rod and feel a slow ponderous weight wallowing out in the lake. The line cuts the waters surface and I watch anxiously as my prize is drawn slowly towards the water’s edge and the waiting net.
I know it’s a bream by its languid performance at the lines end, but is it that elusive double?
A deep bronze flank appears, the bream slips over the rim of the capacious net. I look down at my prize and feel confident that I have eventually exceeded my target.
I secure the net and wake Bruce, from his deep slumber next door. The scales confirm 10lb 12oz. It’s great to share these moments in life. Then as we celebrate the alarm on the middle rod sounds and once again I coax a bream to the waiting net. At 9lb 12oz its another beauty and the fact that it fails to make that double figure target is less relevant as the mark has now been ticked off.
The story doesn’t end there though for Bruce’s alarm interrupts and I dash over with my brace of bream awaiting a photo safely in the net. I wield Bruce’s net as a huge slab rolls over its rim, 13lb 7oz a new personal best for Bruce. If Carling did fishing trips quips Bruce! Another bream of 11lb 8oz later adds to Bruce’s tally along with a small carp and another eel.
I Slowly pack up a couple of hours later content in my success and ponder upon that short sequence of action when all came right as a shoal of bream drifted over my hook baits. The line between success and failure is indeed slender in both fishing and life.
The River Taw Fisheries and Conservation Association held their AGM at The Fox and Hounds Country Hotel last Friday. Chairman Andy Grey reported on a disappointing season in 2024 with salmon catches the lowest since 1952. The Environment Agency statistics showed a consistent number of rod hours over recent seasons with an estimated 0.18 salmon per licence holder if my notes are correct. A month into a new season and no salmon have been recorded from the Taw. The Torridge has done rather better with three salmon recorded.
The environment was as always at the top of the agenda with the association working extremely hard with the North Devon Catchment Partnership to help raise funding for habitat improvement and enhanced water quality.
Members raised their concerns regarding water abstraction and pollution incidents with the EA officers. It was very apparent that the Environment Agency is understaffed with hard working ground staff covering a very wide geographical area. Agricultural practices and sewage overflows are undoubtedly the main concerns and progress is being made in combatting the issues via education and fines for breaches of consents. The Environment Agency officers present emphasised the importance of reporting any pollution concerns via the EA hotline number 0800 807060. Anglers are very much the eyes of the river and play a vital role in raising awareness.
The number of Environment Agency Fishery officers in Devon now stands at two a reduction from over twenty employed recalled one North Devon water bailiff present at the meeting. Whilst the issues facing rivers have changed to some extent over the decades and focus has moved more towards environmental protection it is obvious that political priority is not on the health of rivers. Observations of local sewage infrastructure indicated that there has been no significant upgrade in the capacity of some rural sites despite extensive housing development. South Molton being a good example of this.
The dedication of local environment officers including Sam Fenner and Harry Chance was noted with those present at the meeting eager to share their observations on the river and its many issues. There is a great deal of work being undertaken to work with farmers to ensure compliance and improved working practices to reduce soil run off and silage spills.
The association are working with scientists to gather vital data using EDNA technology to help build a picture of migratory fish locations including shad, salmon, sea trout, eels and lamprey. This will enable targeted investment over the coming years.
The Torridge Rivers Association held their AGM at the Half Moon Inn at Sheepwash the previous week where the environment was also high on the agenda. The main focus was the associations salmon hatchery that has successfully raised 33,000 swim up fry. These fry have now been stocked out into strategic areas of the Torridge river system.
The RTFCA welcomes new members and has launched a Facebook page and new website to help promote and engage. https://www.rtfca.co.uk
THE STORY OF THE RIVER TEIGN RESTORATION PROJECT AND OTHER ASPECTS OF THE CATCHMENT
NEIL YEANDLE with photographs by Mike Rego
Rivers inspire with their unique histories as they flow through our green and pleasant lands and it is anglers who are amongst those with the deepest connection and passion. This is evident throughout the pages of the Teign book written by Neil Yeandle who has produced a very comprehensive and informative book on this fascinating and beguiling river.
Neil is a lifelong angler whose connection with the Teign commenced when he moved to the West Country in 1988. He became a member of the Lower Teign Fishing Association in 2001.
‘As a keen sea trout angler, he soon fell in love with the Teign, although night time angling and work were never a great combination. After setting up a business Partnership, and later his own company in 1988, he was fortunate enough to be able to retire in 2011, leaving him more time to pursue his passion for angling. Neil has served on the Lower Teign Fishing Association for many years and as secretary of the Teign Angling and Conservation Association since 2013. He volunteered to write a book as part of the River Teign restoration Project and this is the fruits of his labour.’
Passion and dedication to the river Teign the environment and of course its fish are apparent throughout the pages of this book. I was encouraged to write a review of this book by Roger Furniss, Chairman of The Teign Angling and Conservation Association. I feel honoured to have been given this opportunity and as an avid collector of fishing books it was a task I relished.
The Teign book is far more than a fishing book for it delights and informs readers with an evocative story of the river and its tributaries. The full life and extraordinary cycle of salmon and sea trout is explained in detail and enhanced with the colourful illustrations of Robin Ade . The fascinating natural history and man-kinds impact over the centuries is fully documented as the Teign plunges from the rugged heights of Dartmoor to the estuary at Teignmouth.
The book contains a wealth of photographs taken by Mike Rego and many others donated by many interested parties. These images are a valuable addition to a rich and informative text.
I have yet to fish the River Teign though I have developed a close interest in the river after reading of its fish in several books and articles over the years. My wife and I have also walked the banks of the Upper Teign as it flows through the deep wooded gorge below Castle Drogo and stayed close to the river during a short break at Chagford during the summer of 2024. I glimpsed good sized trout lurking in the sunlit waters that had that beer stained colour that always adds a sense of depth and mystery.
The steep and wooded gorge below Castle Drogo
I also enjoyed some success whilst fishing at Fernworthy Reservoir at the head of the South Teign.
I have long held the belief that each river has a distinct and unique character undoubtedly influenced by its history and geological location. This belief was fully endorsed as I devoured the contents of this comprehensive account of the Teign. The stories and accounts of angling trips entwined with folklore and superstition add an entertaining and intriguing dimension to the book.
The fact that a rivers life spans millions of years is told within the pages and it becomes increasingly apparent how mankind’s hand has impacted in recent history. The key purpose of the Teign Restoration project is to raise awareness and engagement with the public in regard to the catastrophic decline of salmon and sea trout.
The sad story of salmon decline in the book is one that is replicated across the West Country and the Teign’s anglers have certainly shown determination to do all that they can to try and reverse this decline. The gathering of vital data over several years via walkover surveys, redd surveys, electro fishing surveys, river fly surveys, tagging projects, piscivorous bird surveys, in river works and temperature logging has provided an in depth knowledge of the rivers vital habitats and interconnected eco system. This data is used to channel effort into habitat improvement ensuring that work is invested wisely.
In addition to all of this work a salmon play, Our River Poetry competition and an exhibition at Castle Drogo have helped to engage with an audience far beyond the angling community.
The book is a celebration of hope for the future and how anglers and conservation bodies can work together. The Teign is a beautiful river its journey from source to sea through a vibrant landscape deserves to be told and this book gives a fascinating insight into a river as a living part of the land in which we live. After reading the book I am inspired to explore the rivers valley and maybe even search for those stunning fish that haunt its mysterious shaded pools.
Heavy frost bright sunshine and an Easterly wind Everything you DON’T want for a days fly fishing… However, the anglers that fished the postponed February fly comp today took on the challenge!
First to hook up on one of Bulldogs finest hard fighting rainbows was none other than Mr Denis Ives, a mer 12 seconds after the starting horn! This puts Denis in second place on the wall of Fame for fastest hook up in a comp!
Many fish were hooked and landed throughout the morning with some truly heartfelt moments with some of the bigger stock lost at the net! It was certainly the case for Ian! Losing what can only be described as a colossal Tiger trout at the net.There were a few choice words shouted in anger that won’t be repeated here! But as they say, every cloud has a silver lining and with the next rotation on the lake, Ian landed 2 fish in quick succession. One of which being a 6lb12oz rainbow!
Then a big cheer came from the opposite side of the lake, Graham Turner had landed a Tiger weighing in at 5lb9oz!
Although tough conditions the anglers persevered throughout the morning and rods kept bending. After the lunch break where Nigel and Tom could be heard bickering about who makes the best roast potatoes (we all know it’s Tom ) it was time to get the lines back out.
Numerous fish could be seen chasing the fly but not committing! But thankfully the fishing Gods were smiling on us and more fish were soon bagged. Lee Newton was the first to fill his 6 fish limit, shortly followed by Rod!
Eventually the final horn blew and it was time for the all important weigh in! Results as follows:
1st – Rod Daniel 6fish- 27lb2oz
2nd – Denis Ives 6fish-22lb2oz
3rd – Lee Newton 6 fish – 19lb
Biggest fish of the day:
Rod Daniel -7lb brown trout
As always Tom was on hand with his filleting knife to raise what we can for the vets charity by means of a gut/filleting service! Thank you to everyone that kindly made a donation!
A great day with a great bunch of anglers
Ps if anyone finds Will Cory wondering around looking lost it’s because he can’t find what peg he’s supposed to be fishing, please return him to one of the Lee’s ASAP
The Exmoor landscape glistened with frost as the sun climbed in the clear sky. I negotiated the icy roads on my way to Wimbleball on the last day of metrological winter.
A veil of white mist hid the reservoir from view as I approached with not a breath of wind.
Several anglers were already at the water’s edge and had enjoyed early success. I was meeting with my good friend Jeff Pearce who had assisted with the launching of several boats offering advice based on the previous days opening.
I had already set up my Snowbee Diamond 2 Fly Rod #7 4-Piece – 10′, in combination with a 7wt, Intermediate line with black lure on the point and small diawl bach on a dropper. This was my go to set up early season and I was to use this throughout the day. I had a few casts in the boat bay whilst Jeff continued to assist arriving anglers with the boats.
The mist was lifting quickly as late winter sunshine quickly warmed the air. The lake was mirror calm only the departing boats rippling the waters. I captured a few images of the scene and poured a coffee. It was good to be back at this jewel in the crown of West Country Fly Fishing.
This was day two of a new season and anglers the previous day had enjoyed most success fishing from the bank. The most successful flies were undoubtedly black and green perpetuated by the fact that most anglers choose this pattern early season.
Jeff and I had a cunning plan to utilise our boat to move around beaching the boat at promising areas and fish from the bank. Our first point of call was Bessom’s an area that gives access to reasonably deep water. I was full of optimism and belief but the first hour passed without any connection to the lakes residents.
Jeff was first to connect tempting a typical hard fighting rainbow on a black booby fished deep and slow. Despite lack of success I persisted casting out and working my lure back slowly inch at a time with the occasional speedy twitch and pause.
Persistence and belief generally pay off and suddenly the line zipped tight and I enjoyed the delectable throbbing of life transmitted through the line the rod absorbing the feisty rainbows attempts to shed the hook.
We spent another hour or so catching another six rainbows the best around 3lb 8oz. Whilst we could have stayed and caught steadily we decided upon a change of scenery moving to Cowmoor and an area of bank that has been cleared to allow easier access and plenty of room for the back cast.
It didn’t take long before the rods were bending and reels singing as rainbows hit our lures treating us to acrobatic antics as the fish leapt cartwheeling on our lines end. Jeff had by now changed over to a similar set up to me and tempted fish on a regular basis. We ended the day on fourteen trout averaging 2lb 8oz the best probably 3lb 8oz. Jeff lost what felt like a big fish of which many have been stocked the best topping 10lb.
The day will be remembered for the warmth of the sun the beautiful scenery, good company and of course those hard fighting full tailed Wimbleball rainbows. In many ways it was another perfect day that ended all too soon.
Opening Day Report from Wimbleball Fishery.
Seven boats and twenty-nine bank anglers attended opening day on Thursday. Some great catches were had, pictured was Simon Peters, from the bank at Cow Moor the fish were cruising the bank, you’d get 1 or 2 quick succession then it would go quiet for a while, ended up with 15 fish between two anglers, including pictured one around 5lb.
Peter Duckett had 3 right off from by the flagpole.
Anthony Cartwright had a great day on Friday fishing the bank from Ruggs, catching 16 fish on a mixture of floating lines with lures to shooting heads and boobies. Picture of decent fish in margin by rod, not far off 10lb.
Kieron Jenkins with the best of a 21 fish total from the boat saturday, with most fish coming from Bessoms with some lovely overwintered fish from around the Pontoon.
Best method was fishing di7 and two boobies (pink and black) slowly at depth. Plenty of positive vibes from anglers, bank seemed to outfish the boats weather was so different from previous seasons and the cold temperatures with bright sunshine put the fish down a bit but some still caught on floating lines and diawl bachs! Get those online returns in, as at the end of the month Wimbleball admin will pick a random catch return for a free take 2 fish then catch and release ticket.
