The Mainline Baits Carp Pairs competitions are held at our 81 acre fishery, Upper Tamar Lake. The competitions are generously sponsored by carp fishing giants Mainline Baits.
There is £3,750 in prize money from South West Lakes Trust for each competition. Each person who enters will get a goody bag with some fantastic Mainline products inside. As well as four section prizes there will be a prize for the biggest fish.
First prize: £2,000
Second prize: £1,000
Third prize: £500
Fourth prize: £250
Fifth prize: 24hr or day permits
This a fun, exciting and inclusive competition. The three biggest fish caught by each pair will be added together to decide your final weight and determine your place on the leaderboard. This year we have added more prizes and limited the numbers to 28 pairs, so book now to avoid disappointment.
All tackle and equipment is transported to and from your swim and the price includes a post competition barbecue/ hot food on the Sunday.
2025 dates:
Friday 21 March to Sunday 23 March
Friday 25 July to Sunday 27 July
Friday 10 October to Sunday 12 October
The competition is limited to 28 pairs. You can book your place online below.
For further information contact us on 01566 771930 or [email protected]
Join us at our new premises on 15th March 2025, from 9:30 to 14:30, for an incredible day packed with, demonstrations, expert advice and exclusive open day deals.
We’ll have unbeatable prices not only for Snowbee fly fishing products but also some great deals on carp fishing, spinning, sea fishing, and coarse fishing.
Our carp fishing range includes bivvies, chairs, weigh slings, unhooking mats, and more, plus a huge selection of spinning rods and reels to keep you going. And of course, we have everything you need for fly fishing!
On the day, enjoy fly casting and fly tying demonstrations, get expert advice from our team, and don’t miss your chance to win a brand-new Snowbee Spectre Rod!
Winter carp are being tempted across North Devon’s lakes; this fine specimen was tempted at Furzebray. I often reflect on the fact we now have waters in North Devon that would equal Redmire Pool in its prime.
“Days are getting longer and despite the cold conditions the big girls look like they are on the move.. Graham Kelly today with blackspot @47.4 which he also followed up with a low 30lb.”
The latest Storm is forecast to hit the region over the weekend and most local competitions have wisely been cancelled. A storm with winds from the North West forecast to reach 90 MPH is very unusual and a RED WARNING is certainly cause for concern. There are those who will say that the Met Office and the media are hyping it up but they cannot win for they were heavily criticised last week when floods hit Wales and residents said they had not been warned. Weather forecasting is still an in-precise science despite all the technology that is in place. Lets hope its not as bad as forecast. Should be some good fishing in the aftermath of the storm.
It’s December so it seems Ok to start talking Christmas. We are very fortunate in North Devon to have fishing tackle shops in all of our major towns and as local anglers we really need to support them. With Christmas just a couple of weeks away now is the time to buy that fishy present. It might be that you have to pay a little more as compared to the internet but there is no postage, a good after sales service, you get to see what you’re buying and you ensure that you have somewhere to buy fresh bait. Not to mention the vital social benefits of meeting fellow anglers whilst browsing those lines of tempting produce.
BARNSTAPLE
Barnstaple Bait and Tackle offers an excellent range of tackle for all disciplines and is convenienly located in Queen Street, close to the central Car Park and Bus Station. The shop is owned by Chris Connaughton a well known and respected local angler.
ILFRACOMBE
Danny Watson (Above right ) is a lure fishing fanatic a fact that is reflected when-ever you walk into his tackle shop in Ilfracombe High Street. Thousands of lures to tempt every angler and every fish. Danny supplies local charter boats with lures and tackle and has an extensive knowledge on how lures work and their design features. In addition to the vast array of lures the shop also carries an extensive range of sea tackle and coarse fishing essentials.
BIDEFORD
Anglers Heaven is owned by Tom Wade and has recently undergone a significant extension with a large retail area offering fishing tackle for all disciplines. Tom also stocks a range of shooting and country sports equipment.
BRAUNTON
The Braunton Bait Box is run by keen local angler Craig McCloughlin and offers a good range of sea angling tackle and quaility bait. The shop also has a range of coarse fishing tackle and is a stockist for Chillcheater clothing of Braunton.
Reed – Chillcheater is a North Devon Based company located in Braunton that offers a wide range of high quality outdoor clothing that has gained a reputation amongst local anglers for keeping them warm and dry in the worst of conditions.
EXMOOR
Lance Nicholson’s shop is located in the lively Exmoor town of Dulverton and offers a wide range of game fishing tackle and country clothing. It is also an excellent source on information on where to fish and what is happening across the Upper Exe and Barle catchments.
CORNWALL
The Arundell is a traditional country hotel on the Cornish Border that offers excellent river fishing throughout the year. The hotel has a tackle shop that stocks an excellent range of top end tackle from Orvis. This is undoubtedly the top venue for West Country winter grayling.
Alex Chartlon braved Storm Bert for a 48hr session at Melbury over the weekend:
‘Me and my partner Connie headed to Melbury to have a get away and enjoy the fine weather. It was very very wet for the 48hrs and not too much wind.
The rods didn’t do much until the last day when the rod let a few beeps out. As the line went slack at 32 wraps I quickly jumped into action and bent into a good weight after a plot around and coming in with a strong pull to the left. Wasn’t long until in the net and boom! A 30 plus common sat there.’
Sam Passmore fished Anglers Paradise’s Kracking Carp Lake to tempt a fine mirror carp of 33lb 8oz. Sam has enjoyed five sessions on this notoriously difficult lake this season banking two carp over 40lb and one over thirty.
Anglers Heaven in Bideford has had a significant extension with a vast range of products from top brands now available for anglers of all disciplines. I called into the shop last week with my wife Pauline and was very impressed. in addition to top quailty tackle Tom Wade also keeps a good supply of fresh live and frozen bait.
GRAND OPENING/BLACK FRIDAY SALE Friday 29th/Saturday 30th November
Join Tom Wade and family for the new shop extension party.
Bideford and District Angling Club held their AGM at Bideford Con Club on Friday November 15th, the event was very well attended. The club is North Devon’s largest angling club with a membership of over 500 that includes over fifty Junior members many undoubtedly attracted by the clubs two well maintained fishing lakes. Tarka Swims consists of Georges Lake and Karen’s Lake that between them provide excellent pleasure, match and carp fishing. The lakes manager Steve Bailey resigned from the post after many years of sterling service and was presented with gifts from the club in appreciation. The new lake manager is Mike Jones.
Club Secretary – Mervyn Beal says :- Farewell Steve. At last nights AGM the club said farewell to our outgoing Tarka Swims manager. Over the past 20yrs Steve has been the backbone of our club, his grit determination, hard work and commitment has made Tarka Swims what it is today. On behalf of the committee and club members we would like to say a massive thank you Steve and to Lorraine for giving up so much family time over the years. Hopefully you can now enjoy more family time and get some well earned fishing in. Thank you.
The clubs holds well attended coarse fishing Matchs each month and a summer series of events for Junior anglers. The club also hosts regular sea angling competitions and game fishing events.
Bideford and District Angling Club Match Secretary’s Report 2024
The Senior matches on George’s Lake, Tarka Swims have once again, been very well supported. With an average of 20 members regularly competing.
Our Junior Section has also been extremely well supported with 35 different youngsters enjoying the 3-hour Saturday events held throughout the summer. The 5-match series was won by Ethan Broom on 46 points, close second Lewis Hathaway on 45 points.
The 10 match, Summer Evening Series attracted 22 different anglers, we were blessed with some great weather for the 3-hour contests. Runaway winner was Nathan Underwood on 130 points with Kevin Shears 2nd on 92 points. The 3-hour pairs event was won by Rhys Elyes and Darren Polden with a remarkable total of 96lb 12oz.
Richard’s ‘Rod and Reel Only’ Competitions have been fully attended; organiser Richard Jefferies currently leads the league with 2 matches remaining.
At present, in the monthly Sunday Matches, Craig Lamey has an unassailable lead with Nathan in 2nd place.
Our 2-leg team match against Plymouth resulted in a resounding victory for us 713lb to 219lb. I hope to set up a more challenging contest against Bude Canal anglers.
This club offers a fantastic variation of disciplines; from the game beat on the Torridge to boat trips, shore fishing contests and, of course, the Tarka events. The lakes provide a host of opportunities to get involved; as members we need to be mindful that the membership is diverse and each of us find pleasure and fulfilment in our chosen pastime whether helping with the working parties, camping out overnight after the ‘Big One’ or witnessing the joy of watching the juniors catching their first fish.
Openness and understanding are essential if the club is to prosper; division is not healthy. As a club we must be respectful of members choices.
Regular matches, I believe, provide a very useful indicator as to the condition of the water and its inhabitants. Recorded results provide accurate information and trends can be monitored.
Once again, I must thank those people who have supported events but especially those who have ensured that they run smoothly. Mervyn for his support scrutinising and publishing results. Steve and his team for providing us with a well maintained and safe environment to enjoy our chosen discipline.
Finally, I must comment on the shock of the closure of the institution that was Summerland’s Tackle; we wish the family well and thank them for all their support over many years.
Martin Turner stands for another term as club match secretary.
