A great opportunity for young anglers. Many thanks to Bideford Angling Club for this fantastic series.
ANGLING BRINGS CONNECTION TO THE NATURAL WORLD
posted in: Articles, At the Waters Edge, Coarse Fishing, Conservation, Game Fishing, Match Fishing, Sea Angling, Sidebar, Young At Heart |
0
ANGLING BRINGS CONNECTION TO THE NATURAL WORLD
One of anglings greatest gifts is the connection that participants enjoy with nature. As anglers we are privileged to witness many wonders of the natural world. Last week I spent a day fishing on Chew Valley Lake in Somerset. Our target species was pike that grow large in this vast rich lake. It was the hottest May Day on record and not the day we would have chosen but having booked a boat in advance we proceeded ensuring that we had plenty of water and sunscreen. The fishing proved hard going with just four small pike tempted by our large flies.
A highlight of the day was an encounter with a juvenile grass snake that was swimming across the lake. I lifted the snake from the water and admired it before slipping it back into the lake hoping it would survive as it seemed to be extremely vulnerable with so many potential predators in the vicinity. Dragonflies and damsel flies fluttered over the mirror calm lake and bird song filled the air.
Each day at the water’s edge has the potential to bring exciting encounters with the world around. I have witnessed whales, otters, kingfishers, foxes, osprey, deer, nightjar, eagles, crocodiles, scorpions, moose, witnessed lunar eclipses, comets in dark star studded skies, spectacular sunsets, misty dawns and many more phenomena. Not to mention the many fish that are the target of the day. Whilst I could have seen some of this without a rod and line it is for me the tactile connection with that unseen world beneath the surface that seals the deal.
It is for this reason that many anglers are passionate conservationists who get involved with campaigns for cleaner rivers and nature friendly farming practices.
THE FISHING IS HOT
The hottest May Day on record would not have been my chosen day to go pike fishing but having booked a boat for Bruce and I a couple of weeks back it had to be done. Talking with Bristol Water fishery staff there were no major concerns regarding water temperature as it was still only late Spring and water temperature and oxygen levels were not causing concern.
So with fishes welfare covered what about ours? Plenty of water, sun-cream, sunhat and light clothing. The occasional dunk of the hat in the lake to cool the head. Fly Fishing for pike is hard work but when it comes right the rewards are well worth the effort.
We arrived for 8.00am; clocked in and followed up by loading our boat with all the gear. We had a plan to head for the shallower water then maybe migrate to the deeper water as the day got warmer.
After an hour a big shape materialised behind my fly, its mouth opening to engulf the fly before having second thoughts and disappearing out of sight. A twenty plus I guessed and a fish that would have made the day.
We fished hard and had a few chances. One jack before we took a break at 3.00pm. Highlight of the day so far had been a juvenile grass snake swimming across the lake. I picked it from the water to admire and thought how vulnerable it was swimming across the lake. Birds of prey or pike would surely relish such a tasty snack.
We had hoped for an Ice Cream but the freezer was broke. Coffees for me, Earl Grey for Bruce. A good chat on the bench then it was time for part two.
We fished around here and there in places that we had caught before with a short spell of action resulting in two more pike to my rod and one more to Bruce along with a couple of follows.
A thunderstorm rumbled away to the North, flashes of lightening. An exciting atmosphere that brought an air of expectation.
As the light faded from another glorious day we headed for the pontoons, a thirteen hour day of hard work. As I walked back to the car the call of cuckoo drifted across calm waters and the sky took on the embers of a hot dying day. The moon brightened to start its night shift. Fish wise little reward but the memory bank is topped up and there’s another day to dream of…….
It was a long drive home, the link road was closed leading to an unwelcome diversion and a resulting return home at midnight.
It’s Bloody hot
As anglers we are seeing the impact of Climate change and Im sure the numbers of deny’s are dwindling?
With record May Temperatures over recent days this is perhaps a timely reminder as we head into Summer.
BUDE BAIT & TACKLE – OPENS
posted in: Articles, At the Waters Edge, Carp Fishing, Coarse Fishing, Game Fishing, Lure Fishing, Match Fishing, Sea Angling, Sidebar |
0
Bude Bait and Tackle offers anglers in North Cornwall and North Devon a wide range of tackle covering all disciplines. Close to the coast and premier coarse angling venues the store is ideally placed to serve anglers within the area. I wish Chris and the team all the best for a successful and prosperous future. 
ANGLERS PARADISE FOUNDER ZYG GREGOREK HAS DIED
posted in: Articles, At the Waters Edge, Carp Fishing, Coarse Fishing, Lure Fishing, Match Fishing, Sidebar |
0
ANGLERS PARADISE FOUNDER ZYG GREGOREK HAS DIED
I am sad to report that Zyg Gregorek founder of Anglers Paradise has died. Zyg leaves a lasting legacy in Anglers Paradise a holiday complex with lakes that has become famous across the angling world. Zyg excavated lakes driven by an ambitious vision. He worked tirelessly with his family to grow the complex from a marshy plot of land back in the early eighties to become the thriving holiday venue of today.
Zany Zyg as he was often affectionately referred to was a larger than life character who travelled the world in search of specimen fish. His robust humour and passion for angling endearing him to many within a wide angling community. A trip to the Safari bar at the heart of Anglers Paradise gives a glimpse into a life well lived, its walls adorned with trophy fish and images that reflect many big names from across the angling world and beyond.
Zyg his family and the angling community have helped to raise many thousands of pounds for good causes and local charities.
Zyg’s infamous homebrewed wine fuelled many late nights of fun and laughter as anglers and their families gathered after a hard days fishing forging many lifelong friendships.
The angling world will be poorer without Zyg, his legacy lives on with the Gregorek family, the fabulous fish and the lakes that provide a great platform for the future of angling.
BUDE BAIT & TACKLE OPENS MAY 2nd
Bideford and District Angling Club versus Bude Canal Angling Association.
Bideford and District Angling Club versus Bude Canal Angling Association.
Bideford played host to the Cornish anglers on George’s lake, Tarka swims.
The first leg of our 11 aside competition was held in glorious spring sunshine.
The Bude anglers joined us for a Pollyfield breakfast ,then on for a five hour match on our lake.
Home advantage certainly played its part, with Bideford and District taking the top 5 places.
Best of the bunch , Keith Copland with 58lb 4oz on peg 12, closely followed by Craig Crash Lamey on peg 16 with 57lb 4oz. Both nets were mainly carp on meat and pellets on the pole.
Stace N Dazza Polden landed 40lb 8oz on peg 18
again, mainly carp on a top kit on maggots for third spot. Fourth place on peg 4 , a mixed bag for Warren Thornton .
Top weight for Bude anglers was their Captain Simon Allen on peg 15 with 27lb 7oz .
Bideford take a substantial lead into the away leg , on the Bude Canal on October 25th.
Bideford and District Angling Club 161 points
Budes Canal Angling Association 92 points
Bideford and District Angling Club Coarse section monthly competition. April 12th.
Bideford and District Angling Club
Coarse section monthly competition. April 12th.
Tarka swims.
Results:
1st Craig Lamey 54lb 10oz
2nd kevin Shears 38lb 15oz
3rd Nathan Underwood 32lb 5oz
4th Darren Polden 28lb 9oz
5th Paul Elworthy 28lb 9oz
6th Roger Ackroyd 23lb 10oz
18 members fished.
George’s lake Tarka swims hosted the 4th leg of our year long league,
Craig put another impressive net of carp on the scales for victory on peg 16.
He has caught a few on luncheon meat but switched to maggot over groundbait later taking advantage of the empty peg between him and Kevin, who came in second with some good carp and silvers on maggot on the short pole off of peg 14.
Ever consistent Nathan retains his dominance in the league with a single carp and a net of silvers for third place, shallow maggot accounted for his net.
Darren’s all skimmer 4th placed net was next-door to Nathan on pegs 10 and 11, short pole maggot over groundbait.
Next weekend we host the first leg of the inter club match against Bude Canal Angling club.
Bideford Angling Club – ROD AND REEL MATCH RESULTS DATE 22.3.26 at Tarka.
First place today went to Martin Turner on peg 17 with a nice net full mainly carp for a weight of 36lbs 15oz, 2nd place was Kevin Shears on peg 4 with a weight of 32lbs 13oz ,3rd place was Stefan Clarke on peg 9 with 27lbs 1oz and 4th place today went to Antony Bentley on peg 6 with 27lbs. The next Rod and Reel match will be on the 26.4.26 at tarka. If you would like to book on to the next Rod and Reel match you can do so 30days before the match in advance on clubmate. 
