17 Mar 2020

North Devon Fisheries Introduce no contact policy to keep anglers safe from Coronavirus

by | posted in: Carp Fishing, Coarse Fishing, Match Fishing, Sidebar | 0

Angling is one of the few activities that has a very low risk from Coronavirus being an outdoor pursuit it gives participants the opportunity to get away from the stress of the current situation and enjoy the countryside and fresh air. Anglers can ensure their day is completely safe by purchasing permits prior to fishing. Stafford Moor and Anglers Paradise have both introduced contactless policy for obtaining permits. South West Lakes Trust have also got facilities to purchase permits online.

Anglers Paradise – No Contact Policy

Anglers Paradise is continuing to operate as normal at this time. We have an operational plan in place for our customers and staff due to the current novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

We are running a ‘No Contact Policy’. Below are the guidelines we are working to, please adhere to these guidelines. These actions have been taken to protect our customers, guests, staff and business.

  1. Villas will be deep cleaned and sanitised before your arrival.
  2. Villa bookings must check-in by phone the day before arrival between 09:00 and 17:00.
  3. At check-in you must pay for your fishing by card. You will be asked for your vehicle registration number.
  4. Specimen Lakes, Night Fishing and Day Ticket lakes must be booked over the phone and paid for in advance by card. (There will be no toilet or washing facilities available for day ticket anglers).
  5. On your arrival your Villa will be unlocked and your key will be left inside. Your complimentary bottle of wine will be waiting for you.
  6. Supermarket deliveries (and all other customer deliveries) must be met in the forest car park. (Sign posted).
  7. Bar, Bistro will be closed but orders can still be delivered to the Villa. Details on how to use this service will be provided in the Villa.
  8. The Laundrette will also be closed.
  9. Tackle shop will also be closed however purchases can be phoned through and delivered to the Villa within 1 hour.
  10. During this high risk time the swimming pool facilities will be CLOSED.
  11. Please bring with you anti-bacterial soap/sanitiser and bleach based spray for handles and surfaces
  12. As there has been panic purchasing of toilet tissue we can only supply a limited amount to each Villa so it may be advisable to bring extra.
  13. If you or any of your party feels unwell as described by the government guidelines, it must be reported to reception by phone so we can set the necessary procedures in action.
  14. Please only mingle between your own booking party and use common sense when socialising around villas and lakes.
  15. Urgent villa maintenance will be carried out by our staff, please respect the guidelines regarding contact and cleanliness; ideally vacate the villa whilst our operatives are in attendance. Non-urgent maintenance will be attended to following your departure. To report villa maintenance please ring the office on 01409 221559 between the hours 9am & 5pm.
  16. We reserve the right to change your accommodation with no notice given. If this occurs it will be in the best interest of our customers.
  17. In the event of you not being able to fulfil your holiday directly due to the current novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, you should contact your insurer for greater clarification, we have recommended that everyone take out holiday insurance please refer to Clause 6 of the terms and conditions of booking.
  18. Day ticket anglers must book in advance by phone and pay by card.

If the Government Response changes then we will react accordingly.

Anglers Paradise

 

Stafford Moor – No Contact Policy

At Stafford Moor they are also implementing a no contact policy regarding the Coronavirus. We are not currently closed we are open as usual but have a couple of extra precautions in place.

We as you know are quiet hot with general hygiene here in the toilets /showers but we are cleaning/sanitising more than normal plus door handles /counter ect.

Specimen / pleasure anglers you can pre pay for your ticket by calling the shop on 01805804360 then you can arrive /dip your equipment then go to the bank. If you need any tackle and don’t wish to visit the shop you can again call me and pay over the phone and Paul will deliver your items for you to your peg/swim.

Lodge guests can arrive as usual, again if you wish to not enter the shop on arrival your key will be in your lodge door for you once we have arranged your arrival time , you can then enjoy your holiday as usual , please bring enough food for your stay then you can still go for walks on site /fish as normal.

Our matches here start at Easter so I will keep you updated with any changes here.

2 Mar 2020

The South West Angling Show

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There is an exciting date for South West Anglers to add to their Diaries. The South West Angling Show is to be held on Saturday May 2nd and Sunday May 3rd at Newton Abbot Race Course.

I asked host Zenia Gregorek to send me a few words on the event:-

I am so excited and honoured to be asked to be the host and presenter of the 1st ever South West Angling Show which will take place at Newton Abbot Racecourse on Saturday 2nd May and Sunday 3rd May.

We will be fronting some of the biggest brands from across the country offering great deals and offers on great tackle at the show and also showcasing some fantastic talks on the main stage of influential Anglers interviewed by myself.

We are very excited about bringing an Angling Show to the South West and hope to see everyone join us to celebrate it and make it a success to continue in the future.

Anglers Paradise
26 Feb 2020

PERSONAL BEST FOR 9 YEAR OLD JACK AND LOTS OF OTHER ELDORADO BEAUTIES FOR THE PAINTER FAMILY!

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PERSONAL BEST FOR 9 YEAR OLD JACK AND LOTS OF OTHER ELDORADO BEAUTIES FOR THE PAINTER FAMILY!

Paul Painter and his sons Harry 16 and Jack 9 decided to brave the weather and have a weekend fishing at Anglers Eldorado – and it certainly paid off seeing the youngest of them Jack catch his personal best at 27lbs 8oz!

Paul shared – “Myself, Harry, and Jack, had a good 48hrs on the Eldorado complex even though the weather was very rough!! We had quite a few Carp out of the bottom lake and had a few hours float fishing on the top lake which produced some lovely carp including Koi. Jack had a really memorable session when he smashed his Carp PB by 7 and a half pounds when he caught a 27lb 8oz Mirror on Saturday morning!!! He also managed to stalk out some Koi on floating crust from the Koi pond.”

MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS JACK – TO CATCH A FISH OF THAT SIZE SO YOUNG IS PRETTY AWESOME!! GREAT TO SEE YOU HAVING QUALITY FAMILY TIME ON THE BANK!

Anglers Paradise
20 Feb 2020

Carp from stormy waters

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Alan Clarke fished from the Dam Wall on Lodge to tempt this beauty weighing in at 27lb 12oz caught using DT baits blend white pop up.

(Below)  Mike Hardy caught pleasing brace from swim 14 on lodge lake caught on Nash coconut cream boilies.

(Below) Oliver Kind  had 2 fish out from the Dam Wall on lodge lake up to 27lb caught on Pineapple & almond goo over Sticky Baits krill pop ups.

( Below) Tom Downing popped out to Stafford Moor on  with Antony Grigorjevs to shoot a where to fish feature to go in the March edition of Improve Your Coarse Fishing. Was a good day even though storm Ciara tried putting a halt on things!

9 Feb 2020

BIDEFORD & DISTRICT ANGLING CLUB PRESENTATION NIGHT

by | posted in: Coarse Fishing, Game Fishing, Sea Angling, Sidebar | 0

It was a pleasure once again for Pauline and I to attend Bideford & District Angling Clubs presentation night and to be made so welcome. Such events are vitally important to the social fibre of angling clubs enabling members and families to join together to enjoy a little fun and banter whilst reflecting on the achievements made by members throughout the year. It is not just about the fish caught but also about recognising the huge amount of effort invested by club members. BIdeford Club is a long established club that has its own waters for coarse anglers, a thriving sea section and a game section that travels across the South West to target trout on the fly.

There were some outstanding fish caught throughout 2019 including a bass of 15lb 6oz to the rod of Tarrant Wotton, a club record couch’s bream of 15oz to the rod of Nathan Clements and a rainbow trout of 14lb 11oz to Matt Sander. John McCullum won the Clubs Game Fishing Trophy with 49 points. Martin Turner secured the clubs Match Mans Cup with 108 points and young Tyler Scott won the club Sam Vaughan Cup for most Match points by a Junior with 42 points. Dick Talbot won the clubs sea league with 49 points. There were a huge number of certificates awarded and trophies congratulations to all of the winners. Let’s hope 2020 is just as productive for club members.

A winner takes all raffle was won by Reg Sutton who kindly donated the proceeds to the RNLI in memory of local angler Cameron Atkinson who sadly lost his life late in 2019.

 

20 Jan 2020

Carp and Pike from South West lakes

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(Below)Aaron Bunning has this lovely 19.12 mirror from Upper Tamar recently. His first carp of 2020. Nash baits scopex squid boilies as always for Aaron.

(Below) Barry Lee has this cracking 14.10 common from lower Tamar over the weekend in pretty cold conditions. Barry cast to showing fish at 120 yards range and caught on a tiny popup and stick bag.

(Below) Toby Bassett with a double figure pike from Slade Reservoir.

18 Jan 2020

A Winter Pike Session

by | posted in: Coarse Fishing, Sidebar | 0

After numerous shore fishing trips catching dogfish and small conger I felt a change of  scenery and species was in order. With a cold North-East wind forecast pike fishing came to mind so a trip to a local reservoir was the plan. With the pike gear scattered around the shed I knew it would be a fraught half an hour or so getting ready and ensuring I did not overlook anything important. With ice coating the car I was in no rush to hit the road so it was mid morning before I arrived at the waters edge.

Piking tactics would be maximum of an hour in each swim before moving. Dead-baits fished beneath crimson topped floats.

It was great to be at the waters edge enjoying the warm sunshine as I watched my floats expectantly. After half an hour I saw a large swirl just over a rod length out close to my float! In classic fashion the float bobbed and slowly slid away. I pick up the rod waiting till the line tightened and lifted the rod to feel that pleasing resistance as a decent sized pike lunged on a tight line in the clear water.

A low double and a pleasing start to my winter pike fishing.

The day drifted past with a pike from three of the next four swims none as big as the first but pleasing jacks between 5lb and 8lb and all in superb condition.

The last pike of the day came as the light started to fade with the sun sinking beneath the hill opposite the bare tree branches silhouetted against the sky. It was going to be a cold night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 PIKE FISHING REGULATIONS

  • The reservoirs are covered by South West Water Reservoir Regulations with which anglers must familiarise themselves before fishing. All anglers must carry a valid Environment Agency Licence.
  • SEASON – All year
  • METHODS – Permitted methods include the use of spinners, plugs, flies, worms or dead sea fish baits presented on float or ledger tackle, live bating is not permitted. In order to avoid pollution false alarms, surplus dead baits must not be thrown in the reservoir when fishing ends.
  • Only barbless hooks may be used (barbed hooks should be crimped down). Hooks to be no larger than size 6.  All hooks to be mounted on wire trace.  Angler’s to be in possession of forceps.  Minimum 12lb breaking strain line to be used.
  • Gaffs not permitted; please use a large net for landing pike.
  • WEIGHING – Pike may only be weighed in conjunction with a weighing net or sling. It is PROHIBITED to weigh fish with the spring balance hook under the Pike’s chin.
  • All Pike anglers must have a large padded unhooking mat.
  • A Pike tube or sack may only be used to hold single pike for the short period needed to set up photographic equipment. To avoid damaging fish by dropping, anglers being photographed with Pike must do so in a kneeling position close to the ground.
  • KEEP NETS – keep nets are prohibited
  • Rods may not be left unattended at any time.
  • All Pike must be returned to the water immediately after capture, and in any event immediately after photographing.

12     Children under 12 years may fish for no charge provided they are accompanied by full paying adult over the age of 18 years and then only with permission of parent or legal guardian.

 

 

 

17 Jan 2020

JENNETTS RE-OPENS SATURDAY 18th January

by | posted in: Carp Fishing, Coarse Fishing, Sidebar | 0

Jennetts will be re-open on Saturday 18 January. SWLT thank all for their patience and understanding during the closure. The fishery is open from 6:30am to 10pm. Permit agents are listed on our website or you can buy them online through our website www.swlakesfishing.co.uk
“There is expectation for some fantastic fishing now with some very hungry fish! Good luck everyone”. says Ben Smeeth, Head of Angling.

14 Jan 2020

ANGLERS PARADISE _ Raises thousands more for good causes!

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Anglers Paradise are delighted to share with you that from a year’s fundraising at Anglers Paradise with Raffles, Quizzes and Netting Events we have raised over £7000 and have given to the following Charities –

Over and Above – Cardiology supporting the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, Air Ambulance, Active Halwill, Emergency Volunteer Drs, Halwill Primary School and the Okehampton St.Boniface Church. We are very thankful to all our customers that helped us raise this and help so many worthy causes. We look forward to raising more in 2020!!