5 Sep 2024

A Long Drift of Expectation

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

The calm waters merged into the misty grey of the morning light. Archie cut Reel Deals engines and readied the shark rods as we began a long drift of expectation.

The five of us sent down jigs and feathers to catch fresh bait. Archie baited the circle hooks that were suspended beneath brightly coloured drinks bottles that would bob optimistically upon the ocean.

Mackerel, scad and pollock were swung on board as we drifted. We drew numbers, Peter Robinson drawing number one, Bruce Elston, number 2, Kieran (from Wales) number 3, I was number four so knew from the off that I would only do battle if we had a good day with the sharks. Toby was number five cementing the fact that it was not his day! A broken rod, lost sunglasses sealing that old comes in three saying! Fortunately Toby is a resilient sole who carries an infectious smile throughout.

Archie Porter was Skipper for the day as Reel Deal founder and owner Dan Hawkins was down South chasing tuna, skippering with Happy Days Adventure Fishing.

Archie has gained valuable experience working with Dan on Reel Deal and skippering Predator 2 before it was bought by Daniel Welch who is now embarking on his own journey with the boat.

With the rubby-dubby sending out a stream of particles and scent it was now time for a brew and to drift with wind and tide.

We were drifting over rocky reefs and we all used various jigs and lures to tempt hard fighting pollock from the clear water. Scad and the occasional jumbo sized mackerel were added to the bait stash with fresh baits added to the shark set ups from time to time.

I love the expectation of shark fishing the mystery of what lies beneath and what could be? Banter and chat flowed freely with tales of fish and the wider world. Topics from toxic politics, music, life and recipes.

Whilst the sea was mirror calm a rolling swell lifted the boat gently as the immense power of the Atlantic ocean stirred. As the mist lifted we glimpsed white water as the swells crashed into the wild and rugged North Cornish Coast.

Somewhere on the cliffs Hawkers Hut nestles high up overlooking this treacherous coastline. Robert Stephen Hawker was an eccentric clergyman who lived between 1803 and 1875. Hawker is said to have spent many hours in the hut writing poems and smoking opium. He is perhaps best remembered for his compassionate desire to provide Christian burials to shipwrecked seamen washed up on the shores. He also wrote the famous Cornish song, The Song of the Western Men” with its chorus line “ And Shall Trelawny die? / Here’s twenty thousand Cornish men / will know the reason why!’. A song that is sung by Cornish Male voice choirs with great passion. The hut is now preserved by the National Trust and is well worth a visit.

The day drifted past and after tempting several pollock I decided to change tactics. I baited two size 4 Sakuma Chinu hooks with slivers of fresh mackerel. Down into the clear water to be bounced along the rocky sea bed.

The rods sensitive tip jagged sharply and a small black bream was briefly admired before being released. Toby Bassett always keen to chase different species followed suit and soon caught three handsome bream two of which were keepers.

There was a moment of drama when a shark float bobbed and disappeared a large swirl preceding close by. The gulls and fulmars that had been bobbing in the rubby-dubby slick took off. Peter grabbed the rod apprehensively but nothing happened! Was it a wary shark, a tope or cuttle fish? The bait was damaged but the evidence inconclusive.

As the day drifted into afternoon a breeze came from the North West. We relished the blue sky and warm sunshine, the shark floats spread out perfectly in the slick and expectations grew, conditions were perfect.

Something large intercepted my tiny mackerel baits and put a serious bend in the rod before biting through the trace.

At the bow of the boat Bruce hooked a powerful tope as he bounced a large scad bait just off the seabed. A good tope of over thirty pounds appeared in the clear water and came off as Archie grabbed the leader.

A few minutes later Bruce was in action again this time bringing the tope to the boat where it was expertly netted by Archie. At 38lb it was a new personal best for Bruce.

In the mean time I hooked two more tope on my small hooks and inevitably suffered bite offs. I couldn’t resist the chance of a tope and tied on a short leader, a 150lb b.s trace a 6/0 Sakuma Kong hook and sent down a side of mackerel. A few minutes later I was locked in battle the spinning rod taking on an impressive battle curve. I piled on the pressure determined to get the tope to the boat without severing the hook-length or wrapping in the mainline. A tope of over twenty pounds was soon secured safely and its image secured.

The action packed flurry of tope sport brought the day to an end all too soon. Reel Deal bounced comfortably over the lively sea past Hartland, Baggy and Morte Point the wild cliffs and coast as always pleasing to the eye. The occasional gannet was circling searching for fish.

We pondered on the lack of porbeagle, earlier in the year there had been some good days with multiple catches of shark. September is often a prime month and it is likely that they will show in numbers later in the month if of course the bait fish are there. Last year tuna arrived off the coast in late September will they arrive again? The only way of answering these questions is of course to drift in expectation.

1 Sep 2024

CMSAC – FUN FISH 2024

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

Hard to believe that its Autumn and yet another CMSAC Fun Fish is over. Twenty three anglers braved the initially inclement weather to join the fun of fishing. The forecast gave a warm calm morning with the slight chance of a shower! Wrong; the fishing that commenced at 10:30am was greeted by heavy rain, grey sky and a gusty east wind. Many like myself had looked at the forecast and not even packed a waterproof! After forty odd years of fishing I really should know better!

Despite the weather there were broad smiles as anglers of all ages cast their lines into the harbour from the landing stages of the old pier. The Fun Fishing Competition was run on a simple points basis with 3 points for the first of each species, 2 for the second and 1 for the third. There were also prizes for heaviest fish, longest fish and family with most points.

*Mat Mander and Club Secretary Nick Philips*

Combe Martin Sea Angling Club give grateful thanks to the events sponsors, High Street Tackle, Barnstaple Bait and Tackle and Ilfracombe Aquarium. Our guest Mat Mander Chief Officer of Devon and Severn Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority once again made the long journey from South Devon to join us all on the pier. Mat gave valuable advice to young anglers and was on hand to take any questions about the sterling work undertaken by D & S IFCA.

https://www.devonandsevernifca.gov.uk

There were good numbers of fish caught from the start with ballan wrasse, pouting, poor cod, pollock and small red bream among the catch’s. The stars of the day were the young anglers who delighted in catching the fish with some catching their first ever fish!

I was asked by several about what tackle and tactics to employ for starting off and my advice is to start off with a cheap LRF outfit and target the small fish that abound close to pier. It is possible to get set up with a serviceable outfit for less than £100. I will try and put together a short feature on this in the near future.

Our local tackle shops High Street Tackle and Barnstaple Bait & Tackle are great places to call in for advice with a wide range of suitable tackle and bait in stock.

The exciting thing about the fun fish is seeing what each year produces. This year the appearance of small red bream was a first for the event. There were no mackerel or garfish caught which was a surprise as this summer has been quite good. One year a big fish will undoubtedly show!

Ilfracombe Aquarium donated a family entry to the event and were delighted to receive red bream and corkwing wrasse to house in the aquarium.

Hopefully Nick and I will be dashing around the pier again next Sea-Ilfracombe Festival with camera and clip board. Thank you to all who joined in to make this year another success.

*An Array of prizes from High Street Tackle & Barnstaple Bait and Tackle.*

Winning Family – Stanway Family – 46 points

Heaviest Fish – Jake Stanway – Ballan Wrasse 9oz

Longest Fish – Ted Childs – Corkwing wrasse – 20.5 cm

Winning Angler Ben Clark – 32 points

Runners up –

Ross Stanway – 29 points

Solly welch – 23 Points

Ted Childs – 20 Points

George Gove – 18 Points

Jake Stanway – 17 Points

Dave Welch – 14 points

Finlay Stanway – 13 points

Ollie Hunter – 11 points

Callum Gove – 11 points

Bella Mitchell – 11 Points

Beth Hunter – 9 Points

Archie Cameron – 8 points

Louis Cameron – 8 Points

Aaron Birchall – 3 points

Jack Philips – 3 points

Lila Mitchell – 3 points

Species Caught : – 12

Pollock

Pouting

Poor Cod

Ballan wrasse

Corkwing wrasse

Red Bream

Whiting

Shore rockling

Rock goby

Tompot-blenny

Shanny

Number of fish – 96 Fish – 23 Anglers

31 Aug 2024

A Luring Day on Predator 2 – Ilfracombe

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

Ilfracombe Harbour an oasis of calm as a glow appears to the East as the sun starts to climb from its overnight absence. The sounds of voices drift across the calm waters of the harbour as boats are readied for the day ahead.

Dan Welch and Ross Stanway are already on board Predator 2 readying the boat for another mates trip to continue the exploration of the Bristol Channels potential.

As I arrive at the Quay I speak to three anglers sat waiting to board Dan Hawkins Reel Deal. They have driven overnight from Oxford and are hoping to connect with the porbeagle that prowl the waters at the mouth of the Bristol Channel.

We are heading out to fish with lures hopping from wreck to reef and watching for signs of feeding birds that could indicate shoals of silver bass. Dan Hawkins on Reel Deal had found some quality bass the previous day whilst travelling back from an unsuccessful foray to the shaking grounds.

Todays friends group consisted of Skipper Dan Welch, Ross Stanway, Shaun Quartly, Shane Murch, Paul Lorrimore, Callun Gove and myself. Dan is keen to continue to explore the lure fishing potential and today we are heading West to fish marks off Baggy Point and Bideford Bay.

There is a still a bit of chop on the sea, residue from the previous days stronger winds. We were all full of hope and optimism for the adventure that lay ahead as we bounced over water watching the spectacular sunrise above towering cliffs up channel from Ilfracombe.

We passed the familiar rock outcrops of Bull Point and Morte Point before reaching the first mark a good distance off Baggy Point. By now the sun was higher in the sky its warm rays illuminating the seascape.

We all tied on the lures that we had confidence in sending them down into the deep clear water to connect with the fish that lurk around the rusting wreck.

There are surprisingly many wrecks scattered around the Bristol Channel, symptoms I guess from an era when navigational equipment and modern safety was less advanced. Wrecks provide shelter and food for many fish and I ponder if we could create artificial reefs to improve upon fish populations. Perhaps the new seaweed farms, and off- shore windfarms will create some protected habitat that will benefit fish populations?

Within seconds of the lures reaching their destination rods hooped over as hard fighting pollock smashed into the lures diving for sanctuary within the rusting hulk. The first drift produced some stunning pollock to around 4lb and bass to 3lb.

There is a great deal of skill involved in manoeuvring a boat into position so that the anglers lures can be presented to the fish. The wreck or reef is shown on the boats navigation system, but the strength and direction of tide has to be factored in with the wind direction as to the boats starting position that is calculated to give maximum time drifting over the structure.

It is noticeable that each drift tends to bring diminishing returns as the fish seem to wise up quickly. Changing lures sometimes seems to bring increased success though I’m not sure if this is my perception or simply luck on the day? I change to a Seadra slow jig decorated with a stunning mackerel flank. It looks good to me and I work the lure with confidence catching several bass and pollock.

Ross Stanway hooks a very powerful fish that powers off testing his light spinning tackle to the limit. Dan assisted by following the fish whilst we all pulled in our lines to watch the drama unfold. We all speculated upon what Ross has hooked hoping that we would at the very least get a glimpse before the gossamer thin braid parted. My guess was a tope as Shaun had had a pollock bitten in half by a hungry tope a few minutes before the fish appearing with the pollock within its jaws before swimming free after shaking its head to tear the fish in half.

We all peered into the clear aqua water, suddenly a shape appeared below the boat. A sleek and powerful tope of around thirty pounds hooked foul hooked in the tail! Dan scooped the fish into the net and swung the fish aboard. Ross wrestled with the powerful fish and held it aloft for a quick photo before dropping it back over the side where it disappeared back into the mysterious depths with a flick of its tail.

After a couple more drifts sport eased off and Dan suggested a move to a rocky pinnacle in Bideford Bay. Half an hour steam away we chatted and watched for birds working that could indicate bait fish.

There is always anticipation on arriving at each new mark asking the question with our lures. Sadly this mark proved to be a pouting haven with these plump fish seizing our lures. Whilst these fish have little sporting value they are a valuable source of food for many predatory fish and their flanks of pearl and beige have a rich beauty in life. Sadly they often perish as their swim bladders are unable to cope with the pressure change as they are brought to the surface. They can be kept for bait or at worst provide a welcome meal for the sea birds that always follow fishing boats.

The light breeze from earlier in the day had by now dropped off leaving the sea a tranquil calm that seems so rare this summer. A commotion a few hundred yards away caught our attention. Was that a huge tail slashing the water amongst a pod of dolphins? A thresher shark perhaps? There have been several sightings recently.

We moved closer, the dolphins swam gracefully rolling in the calm sea. We put out lures hoping for a bass whilst we enjoyed the marvellous spectacle of the dolphins.

After the hectic sport at the start of the day we were now struggling to find feeding fish. We headed back to the wreck where we had started the day. Part way across Bideford Bay we spotted a mass of birds a sure indication along with a couple of fishing boats that bass were in the area.

Indications on the fish finder confirmed the presence of fish and so we sent down our lures. I hooked a hard fighting bass of around 5lb and several other smaller fish were added to the days tally before the birds dispersed and the fish disappeared.

By now a brisk east wind was sweeping down the Bristol Channel creating white caps on the waves. Judging by the Beaufort scale it was indeed a fresh breeze.

The Beaufort Scale is an empirical measure that relates wind speed to observed conditions at sea or on land. Its full name is the Beaufort wind force scale.

Fresh Breeze

29-38

19-24

17-21

Small trees in leaf begin to sway; crested wavelets form on inland waters. Moderate waves, many white horses

2.0

2.5

The Beaufort Scale like the shipping forecast holds a certain resonance and connection with maritime history. That provides me with sense of historical enchantment and fascination with Great Britain’s connection the sea.

Connection with fish seemed harder to find now as the flood tide pushed against the wind. Natures roulette spins continually and we fished the shallow waters off Morte Point in our last roll of the dice. Shaun foul hooked a specimen mullet that fought hard in the tide. Dan tempted a ballan wrasse before declaring time to head back to Ilfracombe.

Ilfracombe on a warm summers day at Summers end was a stark contrast to the peace and tranquillity of the early dawn. Hundreds of tourists rested on the beach, strolled around the shops, licked ice creams and savoured those last few days of the tourist season. How quick this summer has flown. Our son James plays his last game of league cricket as I type this, it is hard to believe, its seems such a short time since he was wielding his bat for the first game of the season.

September brings much expectation for the sea angler of North Devon with so much promise if natures roulette wheel obliges and we play our hands wisely.

29 Aug 2024

END OF AN ERA – SUMMERLANDS TACKLE TO CLOSE

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Articles, At the Waters Edge, Carp Fishing, Casting around North Devon, Coarse Fishing, Game Fishing, Lure Fishing, Match Fishing, Sea Angling, Sidebar | 0

I was saddened to learn earlier this week that Summerlands Tackle Shop at Westward Ho! is closing soon a big surprise, it seems that they have always been there. No longer will we be able to pop into Summerlands whilst visiting Westward Ho! In fact Summerlands was generally the main reason for us to visit Westward Ho!

Nick Laws founded Summerlands Tackle back in 1985 close to forty years ago and for as long as I can remember there has always been a cheery welcome from the family run business. Nick has lived in and around Westward Ho! all his life and has fished the local shore since his childhood days when he would fish the beach with his father taking home the occasional bass for his mother to cook.

*Nick Laws and his father fishing for bass at Westward Ho!*

*One of Nicks first fish a tasty bass to take home.*

Summerlands became the social hub of the local angling community with anglers of all disciplines meeting to swap tales over a coffee and the occasional slice of cake. Local tackle shops are at the core of anglings social network and many a friendship and trip to the water’s edge has been forged.

In recent years Nick and Louise have taken a back seat with the business their daughter Heather and her husband Simon taking the reign’s and keeping it very much in the family.

*Simon McCarthy with a smoothound from a few years back.*

On hearing the news that Summerlands was closing I headed down to wish the family well for the future. The quick visit soon became a couple of hours as other local anglers called into the shop chatting about the good times they had enjoyed over the years. Heather told me that she was heartened by the warmth that had been evident from the well -wishers who had called into the shop having heard the news.

I asked Heather if she had a message for customers and this is the piece she carefully prepared for the shops social media page.

“So as our family now moves on and explores new possibilities and the founders of Summerlands get their well earnt retirement. All that is for us to say is THANK YOU. It has always been about you the customer and you are the part we are saddest about leaving. The friendships we have made with customers and also within the trade we will always cherish and it has been an absolute honour to serve you and work with you over the last four decades. We hope to see you to say goodbye and celebrate our final chapter with you as we close the book on the best fishing tackle shop adventure ever. Tight lines always we will miss you the Summerlands Tackle family over and out.”

*Many local anglers are featured on the shops photo gallery bringing back many happy memories. Heather welcomes anglers to come and collect their photos from the gallery.*

Much has changed in the world of angling and beyond in the past forty years and we reflected upon this as we chatted. Nick reminisced fondly about fishing forays to Ireland where he had enjoyed fishing those famous surf beaches for bass. The tackle of the day was very basic in comparison to many of the state of the art rods sold in Summerlands over the past decades.

*Nick holds a fishing rod and reel from his formative years as a life long angler.*

Over the coming weeks starting on Saturday 31^st August there will be an EVERTHING MUST GO SALE.

On a personal note I wish all those at Summerlands the best for the future and would like to thank them for their support with North Devon Angling News since 2016. The closing of Summerlands will leave a void in the local angling scene but we are fortunate that we have several excellent tackle shops across North Devon.

27 Aug 2024

FUN FISHING 2024

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

Combe Martin SAC are hosting their annual Fun Fishing event on Ilfracombe Pier on Sunday September 1st 10:30am util 12:30pm.

We will have Matt Mander from the D & S IFCA at the event to answer all those questions surrounding management of our coastal waters. We also hope to have attendance from the RNLI and Coastguard. There will be prizes from our local sponsors and the chance to chat with CMSAC Club members. The fun competition is a species competition with all ages and abilities welcome under 16’s must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

As this coincides with the Sea Ilfracombe Festival there is plenty to do in Ilfracombe after the fishing with live music and street stalls and other activities.

Hope to see you there.

http://www.bristolchannelboatfishing.com/

26 Aug 2024

RICHARD WILSONS – FISH RISE

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

Many thanks to Richard Wilson for sharing his thoughts. No fishing this month but an issue that impacts on us all.

Green Energy: Money Money Money

Skip the science, ask a banker

Burn Baby, Burn.

Renewables deliver the cheapest electricity in history. So follow the profits …

If you want to burn money, then investing in a company that’s about to be wiped out by a new technology is a good way to go. History is littered with the wreckage of complacent has-beens mugged by progress. Stranded Assets.

So does this ever happen to countries? Could there be some budding technology, so ignored or sneered at that the threat is overlooked by the masses and their political leaders. Until, suddenly, it blindsides them?

Well, how about renewable energy? Populist opinion says it’s expensive, annoying and tastes like cardboard. And if Donald Trump wins then the fanboys expect to Dig baby, dig and Burn baby, burn. American coal, oil and gas are cheap, right? And a nation that runs on cheaper energy becomes richer than its neighbours. To the winner, the spoils.

The catch in this is that on-shore wind and solar are now a lot cheaper and more profitable to build and run than fossil fuels.

According to the World Economic Forum, the price of solar electricity has fallen 90% in just 10 years, making it “the cheapest electricity in history”. Onshore wind is close behind and utility-scale battery costs have also fallen 90% in a decade (IEA). The days when renewables carried premium prices are gone and the word is spreading: There are fortunes to be made in cheap green energy.

Take Texas, where they subsidise fossil fuels and claim legislative hurdles to obstruct renewables. It’s not working:

Forbes Magazine, not noted for its bunny-hugging, reports that soaring Texan wind and solar energy deployment cut wholesale state electricity costs by $31.5 billion between 2010-2022, with $11 billion in 2022 alone. Whoops. Officially, that’s not meant to be happening.

The Financial Times, also no bunny-hugger, smells profit: “Economics can turn even the biggest climate change sceptic into a clean energy evangelist. This is exactly what has happened in Texas.” So green money is growing political muscle while coal, oil and gas wilt.

Meanwhile, Forbes also reports a massive business opportunity: it says 99% of America’s remaining coal plants cost more to keep running than to replace with wind and solar. And that swapping in clean energy for uneconomic coal would save enough money to finance more than 150 gigawatts’ worth of electricity storage – which, it says, is roughly ten times the total US utility-scale battery capacity as of 2023.

Instead of shutting down these smokestack has-beens, their owners, backed by complicit/corrupt politicians, are investing new capital and tax-payer subsidies to keep them running. They’re increasing utility debt on uncompetitive assets and bilking their customers for the hiked costs. This lays the groundwork for financial disaster. Screwing your customers andtaxpayers on this scale is not sustainable.

Elsewhere, US consumers in states with high renewable generation pay less for their power (Republican South Dakota produced 83% of its in-state electricity from renewables in ‘22). We are witnessing a global flight of capital out of fossil fuels and into renewable energy – and it transcends party politics.

The world is changing, although a lot of people on the left and right margins still believe going green is about hugging trees, hand-wringing and chewing tofu. Forget that: Renewables are the new gold rush. Ask a capitalist. Or read the Economist.

Looking ahead, where does this leave major infrastructure investments like refineries, the global shipping fleet carrying oil and gas, and huge pipeline projects? Answer: up shit-creek without the proverbial. Pssst: wanna buy a used oil refinery?

And before someone says electrification needs more mining than fossil fuels; no it doesn’t. The annual hole in the ground needed to service the old energy economy is in the region of 15 billion tonnes (oil, coal & gas). The IEA predicts that by the 2040s we will need 28 to 40 million tonnes of minerals to run the renewables energy economy. On my fingers that’s a big deal. And it creates a lot of stranded mining assets, because there’s going to be a lot less mining.

So the resistance comes from the declining but still fabulously wealthy fossil fuel sector, which faces losing its shirt. Meanwhile, at the political margins, some people can’t see the $s for red mist. Neither the ideologically hard-core anti-growth greens nor their knuckle-dragging opponents in their deeply tedious woke wars (it takes two) are economically significant. So while they hurl brickbats and get lost in click-bait minutiae, the market has left them behind:

And the US is playing catch-up. In the first 6 months of the year it built 20.2 gigawatts (GW) of electricity generation capacity (US EIA), a 21 percent increase from the first half of last year. Which is not as good as it sounds.

Cumulative: 59% Solar, while coal and gas (grey/black top) are disappearing.

We started with the idea that the USA might lose its top-dog status (or worse). So if the future is cheap energy and that buys a big competitive advantage, who wins and who loses? The answer is easy: The amount of wind and solar power under construction in China is now nearly twice as much as the rest of the world combined.

China has 440 gigawatts (GW) of utility-scale renewables underway. The US has 40. As it comes online China will reap the benefits.

Source: Global Solar Power Tracker, Global Wind Power Tracker, Global Energy Monitor. Projects at or above 20MW for solar and 10MW for wind

And what of Net Zero – that red-mist-inducing 2050 target? Well, it seems safe to say that the first 90% of the journey will deliver cheaper more profitable energy to industry and consumers. Imagine saying that even 10 years ago. The last 10% is generally held to be a bigger ask, but given the amazing speed at which renewable tech is evolving would you bet against this turning out to be much easier than we thought? So we’ll get there because it’s cheaper for users and more profitable for investors.

So what price the USA? My take is that the US fossil fuel industry is already losing global market, wealth and friends. This will accelerate. So there are major geopolitical consequences to Burn Baby, Burn.

The winners will be the Chinese and the countries (and companies) leading the charge into renewables as their costs continue to plummet. A nation or company that runs on cheap energy has a competitive advantage over its competitors that don’t. And it just so happens that the cheapest energy is renewable. So follow the money. There’s still plenty to do, not least the grid, but the direction of travel is set and accelerating.

Renewables are too profitable to fail. And what’s not to like about that?

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23 Aug 2024

South West Lakes Trust Trout Fisheries Report August 2024

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

South West Lakes Trust Trout Fisheries Report

August 2024

Generally a very warm and humid month, with water temperatures rising; this has meant that many fish have often sought the deeper, cooler parts of the reservoirs, and while some fish have continued to rise to the surface to feed, deeper fished flies on sinking lines often proved more successful.

Fishing:

Kennick – A more challenging month at Kennick, and anglers have had to vary tactics according to conditions, with both sinking lines fished with lure patterns (Blobs, Black Boobies and Woolly Buggers), and floating lines fishing either dry patterns (Dry Sedges, foam beetles) or nymph patterns (Damsels, Diawl Bachs and Montanas) catching fish, mainly using a slow retrieve. Smithacott Bank, Poplar Bay, Clampitts and The Lawns all produced fish for bank anglers, while boat anglers managed to pick up fish in the deeper central water. Alex Venn (from Willand) enjoyed a great float-tubing session while fishing from early morning through to mid-day – he caught seven rainbows on sunk patterns using a Di3 line while fishing between the dam and Oak Tree Point. Levels are now down to 75% full.

Siblyback – The catch rate fell this month with the hotter conditions, and anglers averaged just over a fish per visit. The most productive locations included Stocky Bay, Crylla Bay, Two Meadows and The North Shore, with most fish being caught on floating lines, using either dry patterns (Claret Hoppers, Bob’s Bits, foam Beetles and Hawthorns) or sunk patterns (Damsels, Montanas, Buzzers, or Orange Blobs and Lures). Ben Lang (from Launceston) caught three browns up to sixteen inches, using a Soldier Palmer variant fished from the bank at Crylla. Levels are now around 70% full.

Burrator – Intermediate, Floating and Sinking lines all caught fish at Burrator, with most fish being caught in the top eight feet of water, usually with a slow or medium retrieve. Longstone, Sheepstor and Back Bay produced the best fishing, although nowhere was easy. Anglers managed to catch some fish on dry patterns (Sedgehog, Bob’s Bits, Crane Fly), but most were caught on Nymphs (Damsels, Buzzers, Hares Ears) or Lures (Goldhead Fritz). The water level is now 65% full.

Stithians – The catch rate at Stithians fell to less than one trout per visit, with Sluice Bank, Hollis, Pipe Bay, Mossopps and Goonlaze proving to be the most likely locations to catch. The fish were still looking up to feed, and so floating lines with surface patterns (Griffiths Gnat, Daddy Longlegs, Bob’s Bits, Beetles and Sedge patterns) or nymphs fished just below the surface produced the best results. Levels are down to 65% full.

Fernworthy – Tough fishing in August, improving to two fish per visit toward the end of the month. Fish were spread out around the lake, with Permit Hut Bank, South Bank, Lowton Bay and the picnic area producing the best sport. There were plenty of midge hatches, which meant that fish were looking up to feed, and so were caught on Bristol Hoppers, Black Gnats, Hawthorns, Sedges and beetle patterns; otherwise subsurface Invictas, Cormorants and Zulus all caught fish. Patrick Murphey (from Plymouth) managed to catch three browns in one session, missing a good half dozen other snatches at his fly – there were the occasional violent rises throughout the day, but these were probably fish trying to grab mating damselflies.

Colliford – Here the excellent sport enjoyed by anglers earlier in the season continued, with anglers averaging four fish per visit (up to 6.7 in one week). Floating lines proved to be order of the day, with fish being caught on the surface (Hoppers, Sedges, Beetles and CDC Emergergers) or just below (Hares Ear, Diawl Back, Bibio, Soldier Palmer, Pheasant Tail, Black and Peacock and Invicta), with fish well spread out around the lake (Middle Car Park, Redhill and the deeper water by the dam all produced good sport). Ben Garnett (from Kenn) caught nine browns, all on various Hoppers, fishing the bank between the Spillway and Redhill Point.

Roadford – Shop Bank produced the best and most consistent sport, with fish rising to Daddy Longlegs and Hoppers fished on a floating line and long leader, or taking Goldhead nymphs just below the surface.

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. The Trust, in conjunction with Fluff Chuckers, will be running a Brown Trout Masters competition this season, to be held over three dates at Colliford, Fernworthy and Roadford – please see the website for more information.

Chris Hall (August 2024)

Wistlandpound

WISTLANDPOUND – Brown Trout in the fading light

22 Aug 2024

Birthday trout from timeless waters

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

Birthdays inevitably come around each year reminding of our progress on life’s journey a time to celebrate life, to reflect and perhaps to recalibrate.

My wife Pauline had treated me to a fine leather belt celebrating the wild brown trout of Exmoor from https://www.bordercountrybelts.co.uk

A fine present that oozes quality, craftsmanship with the pleasing fragrance of real leather.

Inspired in part by the belt what better way to spend a birthday than with my wife beside a river that teams with wild trout and the occasional grayling?

Late August is a pleasing time to visit Exmoor with its heather clad rolling hills interspersed with yellow gorse. The roadsides decorated with bright loosestrife in shades of pink. The trees are starting to take on early hues of the coming Autumn, seasons on Exmoor seem to arrive earlier and later than in the lower lands.

We arrived in Dulverton late morning, grabbed a pasty and sausage roll from the deli to enjoy at the water’s edge later. We visited Rothwell and Dunworth bookshop to check out the fishing books of which there are always a good selection. A good old fashioned traditional second hand antiquarian bookshop that it is easy to spend half an hour or so browsing in, so much more aesthetically pleasing than scrolling through the clinically sterile internet. Having been tempted in the bookshop we headed to Lance Nicholson’s to see what beats were available on the https://dulvertonanglingassociation.org.uk/general.php Beats. The Beat I wanted to explore was Old Woman’s the associations latest acquisition and to my delight James told me it was free and promptly wrote my name in the book.

Before heading to the river bank we grabbed a coffee and popped into the Exmoor Society’s Office to learn about their Rivers day on Saturday August 24^th. https://www.exmoorsociety.com/individual-event/exmoor-rivers-day

There is always something special about exploring a new water and Old Woman’s Beat oozed a timeless aura from the moment we left the car and strolled into the lush green field that borders the river.

A herd of Friesen cows were grazing at the far end of the field. Old farmhouses were nestled a distance away in the valley, Oak woodland bordered the river with dense oak woods further down the valley.

The River Exe flowed between ancient oaks, at low summer level now peaceful and serene. Swallows swooped over the summer landscape, sunshine broke through the high white cloud and a strong breeze ruffled the leaves that had now taken on the deep darker green of late summer.

We arrived at Old Woman’s Pool and hut half way down the beat. A picnic table providing a pleasing spot to take our lunch as we savoured the timeless scene. Fishing Huts are undoubtedly places that absorb angling history as anglers from generations pause to take a lunch and debate the issues of the day.

We scrambled down the bank to the rocky foreshore where I threaded the line through the rings of my 7ft Snowbee Classic. I had purchased a couple of deer hair dry flies in Lance Nicholson’s after asking advice on what fly pattern to try. Pauline gave me sound advice and suggested I sit a while and watch the water as she had spied a couple of fish rising in the pool above.

A kingfisher flashed downstream a streak of iridescent blue that always inspires. Large dragonflies hovered above the water and a wagtail paused upon a rock on the far side of the river. It was indeed good to pause before casting in haste savouring the ambience and scenery of the river.

I waded carefully into the shallows and worked my way slowly up the pool flicking the bushy dry fly into likely looking spots as I tried to read the water.

I didn’t really expect to catch in the smooth water as I have always found the fish easier to tempt in faster riffled water with plenty of oxygen especially during the days of low summer flows and higher water temperatures.

After exploring Old Woman’s pool with the dry I decided to head down river and fish back up exploring the faster deeper water with a New Zealand style set up. After fishing a couple of likely runs to no avail I removed the bushy indicator fly and tied on a heavy nymph.

I plopped this upstream allowing the heavy tungsten nymph to search deep down in fast dark water. The lines tip paused as I followed the progress and I lifted to feel that thrilling life transmitted through the line. A beautiful wild Exe brown trout was admired before releasing back into the cool water.

I fished on and hooked a bigger trout in the next pool. The fish darted to and fro causing a few moments of anxiety as it momentarily became snared in some weed. Gentle pressure brought it free and I slipped the net under another pleasing trout of over 10”.

After lingering for a chat with Pauline who was reading the latest Exmoor Magazine at the water’s edge I returned to explore Old Woman’s pool again sending the heavy nymph into the deep dark waters.

At the head of the pool I waded carefully across the shallow shingle that runs into the pool. I noted that the shingle gives way, the water plunging into the dark mysterious depths of Old Woman’s Pool. I pondered upon the history of the pool and how it had got its name. Had those deep dark waters that offer so much life also taken life in the distant past?

I messaged James at Lance Nicholson’s later enquiring about the pools name. He told me he would seek details from Michelle Werrett who may be able to elaborate upon the legend of the old lady who was taken by the river. Several anglers have talked of a presence they have felt by the river at this spot. I can well imagine the atmosphere of the pool as the light drains from the day beneath those ancient oaks.

I plucked my copy of Michelle Werrett’s fine book Song of the Streams and opened its pages to rediscover her accounts of fishing the Old Woman’s beat. I suggest you look out a copy and enjoy her evocative and descriptive prose.

Copies of the book are available at Lance Nicholson’s or online at https://www.medlarpress.com

I fished a few runs and pools upstream reverting to the new Zealand set up. With no further takes and no fish showing it was a good time to depart and head off in search of an evening meal to complete those birthday celebrations

21 Aug 2024

North Devon Anglers – Scottish Skate Adventure

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

Ollie Passmore enjoyed a successful trip to Scotland, targeting Skate –

After a week on call for work we were buzzing to set of for our trip to NW Scotland after the Skate. It was our second attempt after a failed effort last year. luckily it happened on the first day with the rest of the trip being quite. I had the first one a 120lb male then Kody had a 157lb female and lastly Chris had a monster getting on for 200lb. we were all amazed just how hard they fight and tested us to our limits.

I was using Sakuma 150lb Supershock for leader and trace material and a 10/0 Sakuma 445 Circle hook. An awesome experience and one we wont forget in a hurry.

20 Aug 2024

THE ONGOING EXPLORATION OF FAMILIAR WATERS

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

With strong Southerly winds forecast the planned mates trip on Predator 2 was in the balance so I was pleased when Dan Welch suggested we head up channel to fish in the shelter of Exmoor’s high cliffs. Toby Bassett and I both agreed with Dan that this was a good idea and so at 8:00am Toby and I climbed on board surprised to find that we were the only two joining Dan for the day.

It was good to have this rare chance to have plenty of space on a charter boat and to be heading up channel to grounds that I have a close affinity with having fished them many times over the years.

Dan was as always full of ideas for the day ahead and discussed a wide range of options that we could try. This was an ideal opportunity for Dan to try out a few new marks for different species. It was also perhaps good to have two anglers on board who fish in different ways. Toby is very much focussed on his species fishing whilst I tend to target larger specimens if I get the chance.

We steamed out of Ilfracombe beneath grey skies and it was good to watch the dramatic coastline pass by. The familiar shoreline of Watermouth, Combe Martin Bay and then the dramatic and towering cliffs that plunge to the sea beneath Great Hangman and Holdstone Down. We paused for a few drifts over the Copperas Rocks located off Little Hangman to no avail then headed to some sandbanks situated on the edge of the tide.

We put down large fish baits in search of tope and waited in anticipation. After ten minutes or so Toby hooked a good fish that hung heavy in the tide. The guessing game followed as Toby’s rod bent as the fish battled. The towering heather topped cliffs providing a spectacular backdrop to the action.

A tope of around twenty five pounds appeared on the surface and was safely tailed by Dans expert wielding of a wire tailor of the type once used for salmon.

This was a good start and we fished on expectantly for half an hour or so more with just a few dogfish to show.

It was time for a move and so we headed out for a drift over a few wrecks and reefs. It seemed that the bass and pollock were not feeding as our lures were ignored.

With the tide easing all the time we decided to head into the sheltered waters of Woody Bay and fish the sandbanks for ray and tope.

I dropped down a large mackerel bait and flicked out a sliver of mackerel on my spinning rod hoping for a ray or maybe even a turbot.

Toby caught a beautiful micro tope on small hooks.

My spinning rod tip nodded a couple of times and I picked up the rod feeling for the fish. Tightening the line I felt a good pull and set the hook. The light rod took on a good curve and line was pulled steadily from the reel. A game of give and take eventually resulted in a pleasing small eyed ray of around 8lb.

I decided to try a squid bait and on opening the box found that I had previously stashed a whole prawn in with the squid. Worth a try I thought and threaded on the large prawn.

A few minutes later the spinning rod signalled that something had picked up the prawn. After a similar tussle up came another small eyed ray.

As the tide eased further and no further bites materialised we decided to try out on the reefs again with the lures. A couple of small bass were caught by Dan and Toby on the first drift boosting our confidence. But this proved to be a false dawn as nothing came from the following half a dozen drifts.

We chatted about various options and decided to head back close inshore for the last hour of fishing. By now the wind that was forecast to increase later in the day was gusting strongly arriving earlier than forecast. Fortunately the direction was as predicted and although probably gusting to 40mph plus the sea remained flat.

Dan manoeuvred the boat into position anchoring so that our baits would be trundling back into some rough ground. We both fished two rods a large bait on one and smaller baits on the spinning rods. This was when Toby’s species tactics came into play with size ten hooks employed baited with tiny strips of squid and mackerel. A succession of small pouting and poor cod rattled the rod tip, proof that we were in the rough stuff.

My heavier rod tip plunged over as something grabbed the large mackerel flapper impaled upon the 8/0 hook. Several yards of line were taken from the reel as the rod absorbed powerful lunges of what we guessed correctly was a good sized conger. As is often the case the eel looked larger than the 24lb the scales were to read as it appeared in the clear water behind the boat.

Moments after this Toby hooked into another conger of perhaps 10lb that gave a great account on Toby’s lighter set up.

The boat swung to and fro on the anchor as the wind strength continued to increase and bites dried up. It seemed a good time to up anchor and head back to Ilfracombe. The boat cruised comfortably across the windswept waters of the Bristol Channel. I once again admired those towering cliffs and recalled the many tales I had been told of their history. It is well worth seeking out a copy of “ The Hidden Edge of Exmoor” a book that tells of Kester and Elizabeth Webb’s exploration of this fascinating shoreline.

We arrived back in Ilfracombe Harbour thanking skipper Dan Welch for another good day afloat exploring the rich potential of the Bristol Channel. I look forward keenly to the next adventure.