1st Tyler Scott 11lb 7oz
2nd Charles Evans 4lb 9oz
3rd Thomas Scott 3lb 13oz
Our 3 hour junior event was the third in the summer series, Tyler Scott has fished peg U and landed a near 10lb carp early in the match, this specimen plus some smaller fish secured victory. Young Charles on the adjoining peg, V has pole fished to a very respectable 2nd spot. Thomas Scott put together a good net for third.
Anglers play a key role in invasive species management
Have you heard of the Check, Clean, Dry campaign? South West Lakes Trust’s Invasive Species Officer, Nicola Morris, is working with anglers and visitors to the lakes to encourage everyone to work together to prevent the damage caused by invasive non-native species and protect the lakes and sports we enjoy.
Over 2000 non-native plants and animals from all over the world have been introduced to the UK by people. Most non-native species are harmless, but approximately 10-15% have become invasive, having a negative impact on our environment, economy (costing the UK economy at least £1.8 billion a year), and even our health and way of life.
Invasive non-native species (INNS) threaten many key sites and are a particular threat in sensitive areas, such as offshore islands, rivers, lakes and streams. They can interfere with recreational activities, preventing anglers from using them. INNS can also cause dramatic declines of some native species including the water vole, white-clawed crayfish, and red squirrel.
Biosecurity means taking steps to make sure that good hygiene practices are in place to reduce and minimise the risk of spreading INNS and fish disease. INNS can carry diseases that kill fish, and block waterways and banks interfering with fishing activity. They can be small and hard to spot, so are easily spread on damp clothing and equipment. Once established, they become extremely difficult and expensive to eradicate, which is why it is so important to prevent their spread in the first place. Following some simple biosecurity steps can help protect the lakes and the activities we enjoy.
Help protect the environment and fishing we enjoy by keeping your kit free of invasive plants and animals.
Always arrive at the lake with clean equipment and a clean vehicle. Whenever you leave the water, remember to Check, Clean, Dry.
Check your gear after leaving the water for mud, aquatic animals or plant material. Remove anything you find and leave it at the site.
Clean everything thoroughly as soon as you can, paying attention to nets, waders, and areas that are damp and hard to access. Use hot water if possible and make use of any facilities provided on site.
Dry everything for as long as possible (ideally 48hrs) before using elsewhere as some invasive plants and animals can survive for two weeks in damp conditions.
If disinfectants are used, they must be used and disposed of following the manufacturer’s instructions, particularly those regarding Health and Safety.
Going abroad?
It’s even more important to Check, Clean, Dry if you are taking your kit abroad, to ensure you do not bring any plants or animals back with you. Make sure everything is clean and has been dried thoroughly before you use it again at home.
Nicola is keen to work with anglers at South West Lakes Trust lakes and said, “Anglers who fish at our lakes are an invaluable source of knowledge. Many of them fish regularly, know the lakes very well and most already carry out effective biosecurity. Their knowledge and support is invaluable and those I have spoken to since I started at South West Lakes Trust earlier this year have been great. I really appreciate their input and I am looking forward to working with them over the coming months as we work towards improved biosecurity at our lakes.”
For more information on invasive species and to report sightings please email Nicola at [email protected].
1st Richard Jefferies 9lb 12oz
2nd Martin Hawker 8lb 4oz
3rd Martin Turner 6lb 9oz
4th Stephen Craker 5lb 9oz
5th Tyler Scott 5lb 2oz
16 fished,
The 8th match in our evening league was won by Richard Jefferies on peg S with a single large carp taken on bread on the pole, Martin Hawker also landed a good carp on the pole on peg E , 3rd place was Martin Turner with a catch of smaller fish on peg O. Stephen Craker landed 10 small carp on peg A for 4th.
Best junior and 5th overall was Tyler with 2 nice bream .
Junior Event @ Tarka Swims George’s Lake
1st Tyler Scott 7lb 5oz
2nd Charlie Evans 5lb 3 oz
3rd Thomas Scott 2lb
4th Joe Westcott 1lb 15 oz
5th Adam Wheeler 13oz .
This 3 hour event was fished on the shallow pegs .Celebrating his birthday , Tyler Scott landed a fine mixed catch alternating between shallow and full depth on the pole on peg F to secure victory on the first of our 4 match series , Charlie took second spot in his very 1st competition fishing on peg Z . Third place was Thomas Scott, next door to his brother on peg E .
book signing and more
Jeremy Wade will be in Great Torrington, Devon, England on 4th August to sign his new book “How to Think Like a Fish” at the Plough Arts Centre. (Books will be available to purchase on the day)In addition, we will be screening one of his latest programmes Dark Waters.
Jeremy will open with a short presentation at 10.30am before the book signing begins which will be until 12.30pm in the gallery at the Plough. The screening will be from 1.30 and there will be an opportunity for any questions and answers after the film finishes.
We look forward to seeing you on the day. Tickets are available from the Plough for £5 per person to enjoy both sessions and guarantee your seat at the film. The Plough Tel No is (44) 01805 624624 Web details are www.theploughartscentre.org.uk
The event is organised by River Reads bookshop so please contact them if you require any further information, or would like to purchase a signed copy of Jeremy’s book and are unable to attend.
Bideford & District Angling Club Opened their club Lake Tarka Swims back in 2006 and it has been a resounding success for the club attracting a good number of Junior anglers and providing a valuable facility for local disabled anglers. In addition to this it has been the venue for the club’s regular matches that are held monthly throughout the year with popular mid-week evening matches during the summer months.
On Saturday June 22ndthe club opened a new lake named ‘Karen’s Lake’. Construction of this lake commenced in March 2013 and the six years leading up to its opening have not been without difficulty with a few leaks along the way. The club’s membership have done a sterling job in completing the project with regular working parties and much behind the scenes work to obtain funding and expertise. The venture has been a partnership between Bideford Club and the Environment Agency with funding from rod licence revenue and local businesses. The lake has excellent access for disabled anglers along with toilet facilities.
Karen’s Lake has been stocked with around seventy carp over 10lb with the biggest close to twenty pounds. The lakes opening saw a large number of local anglers descend upon the lake with their families. It was a perfect summers day with warm sunshine and a vivid blue sky decorated with white cotton wool clouds drifting on a warm summer breeze.
Gazebo’s, barbecue and cupcakes gave the event a village fete atmosphere. The carp were active swirling in the weeds as some began to spawn amorously as the water warmed. Other carp could be seen cruising in the clear water occasionally slurping down a piece of floating crust.
The first carp officially caught from the lake within fifteen minutes was caught by Matt Cross and pulled the scales close to 17lb. A few minutes later Nathan England hooked a beautiful dark coloured common of 17lb 5oz; in a perfect script his son Jake England hooked a golden mirror carp to allow a father and son portrait. Several other carp were caught including a mirror carp to the rod of Junior angler Tyler Scott and another mirror to Dean Siford.
The carp will undoubtedly wise up quickly and become more of a challenge in the coming years but I am sure the lake will bring many hours of pleasure to local anglers. Both lakes are testament to the hard work of Bideford Angling Club and its supporters. The venues are a wildlife haven with dragonflies, amphibians, grass snakes, bird life and aquatic life abundant.
Karen’s lake is members only and a very good reason to join this club that charges just £25.00 per year with a one off £20 joining fee. OAP Season is £18.00 . Juniors £3.00 per year.
Day Tickets for Tarka Swims Lake can be obtained from Summerlands Tackle.
ANGLERS PARADISE 
FISH OF THE WEEK WINNER 7TH JUNE IS…
Emma Tanner AND Damian Armes – A JOINT WIN! Both were worthy of winning this week that we couldn’t not choose them both, Emma caught a personal best 22lb 5oz Grass Carp from the Main Carp Lake and Damian caught a personal best 55lb Catfish from the Specimen Cat Lake.
Emma’s story –
“Here we are, another year at AP and although we predominantly target the ornamental fish while we are here, we thought we’d have a go on the Main Lake after a couple of good days on Easy Access. We set up on the Tuesday and it lashed it down all day. Cold and a bit miserable at the June weather, there was nothing but a small pasty for hubby and a big fat blank for me (my first blank day I’ve had here which is probably why I enjoy a few hours on float, koi or magic on the way back to the villa if the other lakes haven’t producing!).
Not to be put off by my day of no action though, we visited Main again on the Wednesday. The lake was much quieter this time and we picked a better swim with lots of features – the weather was looking spot on too! I fished just off the island with a cell wafter and a PVA bag of particle and sweetcorn mix and sat back…at lunchtime my bite alarm went off, nothing much, just a couple of bleeps and the bobbin dropped back, I was out of my chair and poised ready for action but no screaming peel of line, just a couple more half hearted bleeps! Ever hopeful (and a little despondent!) I struck into it anyway and realised I was in. I remember saying to Mark ‘it’s only a pasty but a fish is still a fish’. Swimming towards me with still no fight, I suddenly saw the shoulders and length of what I had called ‘the pasty’. Turns out it was a 22lb 5oz grass carp! I was made up! After lots of thrashing on the mat, I was allowed a couple of photos. I haven’t stopped smiling since as this is my first ever grassy (and a pretty big one at that) so I’m guessing this can be classed as a new PB for me and what better place to set a new record than in Paradise!”
Damian’s story –
‘’I never thought in my wildest dreams I would catch Catfish of 55lbs and 33lbs! I never tried for Catfish until I came to Anglers Paradise in Devon and I got 2 in 24 hours, this 1 being the biggest. I’ve caught that many different species, over 30 Carp biggest being 20lbs, but I’ve seen some monsters that were much bigger and also Koi, Gold fish, Golden Tench, Orfe, too many to name them all!
What a place, the name really does fit as an Anglers Paradise! Zyggy and Zenia are so welcoming and funny, I’ve never laughed so hard, they are a delight to be around. The tackle shop has everything you need and give you helpful tips when trying new lakes. Food is excellent, Zyggy’s wine is lovely fruity and packs a punch, picturesque surroundings and the wildlife is something else, I’ve seen Kingfishers, Barn Owls and a Kestrel. The Lakes are well kept, the fish are spotless and all I can say is I’m already looking forward to my next trip WHAT A WEEK it has been best fishing holiday ever!’’
WELL DONE AND CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU BOTH – GREAT FISH AND BOTH WELL DESERVED!
Here they are with their winning Fish and being presented their prizes by Zyggy and Zenia with special thanks to JRC Fishing.
**FISH OF THE WEEK IS SPONSORED BY JRC FISHING – THE MAKERS OF GREAT CARP TACKLE**
**GETTING KIDS FISHING DAYS WITH NASH AND ALAN BLAIR AT ANGLERS PARADISE**
Zenia Gregorek says –
“We are very excited to announce that the Nash Team with Alan Blair will be joining us at Anglers Paradise on 23rd and 24th July to encourage more Kids to go Fishing!
On Tuesday 23rd July we will be hosting the Kid’s Fishing Day for the Anglers Paradise Kids that are staying with us and on the 24th July it will be open to “All Kid’s” and we will be fishing at Anglers Eldorado.
All tackle and bait will be provided by Nash, they’ll be a goody bag for each Kid to take home and they’ll also be Prizes to be won! Our whole aim is to show Kids how much fun fishing is and start them on their fishing journey the right way!
If you would like your Child to join in then please contact Zenia on 01409221559 to book their place ASAP before it gets fully booked! ”
Time to share our passion for angling with the future generation! — with Alan Blair Urban Banx, Nash Tackle and Zenia’s Fishing Adventures.