3 Feb 2026

The South West Fly Fair makes a welcome return to Roadford Lake on Sunday 22 February.  

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The South West Fly Fair makes a welcome return to Roadford Lake on Sunday 22 February.

The fair is hosted by charity South West Lakes Trust at Roadford Lake, between Launceston and Okehampton. The event is always a highlight in the Westcountry’s angling calendar and this year’s is not to be missed!

Throughout the day there will be fly tying and casting demonstrations, ‘have a go’ fly tying rooms and several talks by a range of experts including world champion fly caster Hywel Morgan and Shaun Leonard, Director of the Wild Trout Trust.

Returning favourite, expert Charles Jardine will be giving a casting demonstration – a must see for all attendees, whether you are newcomers to the sport or experienced anglers.

Trade stands will be selling new and used tackle and equipment and food and drink will be available at the onsite café.

The event runs from 10am to 3pm. South West Lakes Trust’s Head of Fisheries, Leon Fisher, said: “This year’s Fly Fair is set to be an amazing event with lots of activities on offer for the whole family. We have some fantastic guests lined up with world class knowledge of the sport. Attendees are in for a real show, whether you are an experienced fly angler or you are just starting out.”

Book in advance to avoid disappointment. Entry is £7 for adults (£10 on the door) and free for under 18s. Entry includes car parking and a raffle ticket. Tickets are available from https://www.swlakestrust.org.uk/Event/south-west-fly-fair-trout-2026.

All attendees to the event will be offered a 10% season ticket discount.

2 Feb 2026

Bulldog Fisheries Fly Fishing Competition – 1st February 2026

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Bulldog Fisheries Fly Fishing Competition – 1st February 2026
Many thanks to Tom Early for his report on the competition below ;- My own account follows
Our latest fly fishing competition at Bulldog Fisheries took place on the 1st of February 2026, and on arrival the conditions looked absolutely perfect. Overcast skies paired with still air set the scene nicely. Over a cup of tea and a bacon roll, plenty of fish were already showing, rising steadily along the far bank. Much of the early conversation centred around the recent stocking, with Nigel and Tom boasting of monster browns that had been introduced — excitement levels were high before a line had even been cast.
Following a quick peg draw, keen anglers made their way to their designated spots, patiently awaiting the starting horn. When it sounded, the ‘stocky’ rainbows came hard and fast during the opening hour of the competition.
Then came the first real moment of the day. Out on the point, with his rod bent double and a huge splash at the end of the line, it was clear Dave Chapman was connected to something special. After a lengthy fight and some expert netting from his son Freddy, the first big brown of the day was landed. Weighing in at just over 11lb, it was a cracking fish and gave Dave’s total weight a serious boost.
As the day went on, the rain arrived — heavy at times — and the fishing followed a familiar rhythm of sudden flurries and quieter lulls. There were moments when multiple anglers were playing fish across the lake at once, followed by brief pauses before the action fired up again.
Big browns continued to make an appearance throughout the day, particularly for Andrew Facey — quickly earning him the nickname “the man of many browns”. Fish after fish came to the net, including a double-figure brownie and a second biggen not far off, prompting a running joke that he’d soon need a wheelbarrow to carry his fish bag.
Just before lunch, the biggest fish of the day decided to show itself. North Devon Angling News editor, Mr Wayne Thomas, found himself locked into the battle of a lifetime. When the fish was finally landed, it was nothing short of spectacular — fin perfect and a prime example of what Bulldog Fisheries is capable of producing. Weighing an incredible 13.7lb, it was not only the largest brown taken from Bulldog’s waters in several years, but also a brand-new personal best for Wayne!
By lunchtime, anglers were soaked through and thoroughly hungry, so lunch was very welcome — cheeseburgers and chips all round!
Competition Results
1st Place: Andrew Facey – 5 fish, total weight 29.4lb
2nd Place: Dave Chapman – 5 fish, total weight 23.10lb
3rd Place: Chris Dunn – 6 fish, total weight 22.13lb
Biggest Fish of the Day: Wayne Thomas – 13.7lb Brown Trout
Many fish were landed throughout the day, including multiple Spartics and browns in the 4.5lb to 6lb range.
Overall, this was definitely one of the better competitions we’ve held. It’s always great to see everyone enjoying the venue, and knowing that our hard work is appreciated makes it all worthwhile 🙏
Onwards to the next one

The Cultivation of luck

Those big moments in angling are often the result of a bit of luck and there are many sayings used in relation to the luck factor. ” The harder I try the luckier I get” is perhaps one of the biggest in angling. Chatting with Nigel about the carp lake I pondered upon the investment of time when he commented on an angler having caught one carp in eight days fishing. Carp fishing by its nature is a discipline where the amount of time spent on the bank can be seen as hours invested results in success.

Fly Fishing and in particular competitive fly fishing is time constrained meaning that the decisions made on the day within a strict time frame are perhaps more focused. Thinking back over my many years at the water’s edge many of my personal best fish can be attributed to a big slice of luck that has to some extent been cultivated.

The luck of the draw

The big brown trout I caught during Bulldogs February Competition is a good example. I had started the day in peg 10 determined by a random draw. As is often the case the first twenty minutes are often hectic with the fish seizing anglers offerings with gusto. I capitalised on this early spell banking two rainbows though I could and should have done better as numerous fish came off after a few seconds of brief connection. A lesson that I have learnt is that in a competition keep at it if the fish are playing ball for they will often switch off quickly as a result of angling pressure.

The competitive format is that every twenty minutes the horn is blown and all move two pegs along. The next three moves resulted in just one fish for myself and by late morning I had still to catch that fourth fish to complete the morning quota. Colin Combe a friend from Wistlandpound angling Club had come for a chat and we talked of previous successes at various lakes. Fly choice is a widely debated topic amongst fly fishers and we both agreed that Bulldog Trout seem to respond to larger lure patterns. My own favourite is an olive damsel whilst Colin reflected upon recent success with a cats-whisker. Now I know the cats whisker is a very successful fly but it is not a fly I tend to use often.

Half an hour or so later I was fishing the point a good peg but success was eluding me. It was by now lashing with rain and there were only three of us left on the striving for that fourth fish whilst all other anglers chatted in the warmth of the hut beside a roaring woodburner with hot drinks and biscuits. Tom walked over and perhaps taking pity upon us told us we could fish where we liked during the last twenty minutes.

I took the opportunity to walk ten yards to peg ten where I had started the day. I carefully tied on a catswhisker  and checked the hooks bend for it was a fly that had resided in my fly box for quite a while. I cast the fly to what I perceived was the hot spot and after two tweaks of retrieve all locked up as a big fish hit the fly. Five apprehensive minutes or so later a big beautiful brown trout slid over the rim of the net.

It was a very lucky cast destined by being in the right place at the right time with a fly at the lines end that tempted the trout. In a stocked Stillwater big fish are no wiser than small fish. If there is any skill it is in the landing of the fish as a big fish can break free as they often do. Checking those knots, hooks and removing those line weakening wind knots are key to capitalising upon luck.

The burger and chips went down well as we chatted of fishing, country sports, healthy eating, cooking, local meetings with rock stars and a wide range of wider topics wisely keeping clear of politics and other contentious issues.

The afternoon session proved harder going with most struggling to complete their six fish limit. I did add another brown trout of a couple of pounds and lost a good rainbow of perhaps four pounds when the hook pulled. Chatting later it was obvious that the trout were nipping at the tails of the flys without fully committing.

It was cheery bunch at the weigh in as the days catches were admired and memories captured before heading home with plenty of trout and  prizes.

 

 

29 Jan 2026

Big browns at Bulldog

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Bruce Elston enjoyed a great days sports at Bulldog Fishery tempting a fine brace of brown trout weighing 7lb 12oz and 6lb 6oz. He also added a brace of rainbows and a spartic which that was his first of the species. The fish were all tempted on orange lures and damsel nymphs. Bulldog host their popular monthly open competition this Sunday, February 1st.

26 Jan 2026

ANGLING REPORT – Mid January 2026

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Specimen spurdog and huss win Bideford Sea Match

Antony Smith secured first place in Bideford Angling Clubs forty eight hour rover with a specimen spurdog of 13lb 1.5oz. Stephen Found was runner up with a bull huss of 12lb 9oz and Andrew Clements third with a huss of 12lb 7oz.   The specimen fish emphasise the significance of the weather in fishing. After several weeks of poor fishing along the coast with a North and Easterly winds predominating a swing to a South Westerly flow has invigorated sport. The next few weeks should see some good fish from the North Devon coast especially following any storms that stir up the seabed.

North Devon Match Group fished their first match of 2026 at the ever prolific Stafford Moor. The Match was fished on Woodies Lake and Tanners and both lakes gave great fishing. Dave Stockton was top rod on Woodies with 190lb 13oz and Steve Hayman runner up with 143lb. Tom Downing was the winner on Tanners with 108lb 2oz and Les Polden runner up with 100lb 14oz.

Each season I venture over to fish for grayling on the Upper Exe and its tributaries that are accessed via Dulverton Angling Association membership. Grayling are not native to Exmoor but have thrived since their introduction into the Exe in around 1896. These delightful silver ladies of the stream offer an excuse to visit the river in the depths of winter. Probing the river using tight line nymphing tactics I connected with two grayling one of which shed the hook the other was brought to the net and admired for a moment before being slipped back into the cool water.

The valleys at this time of year have a certain atmosphere that contrasts with the vibrancy of Spring and summer. There is state of slumber as the cold of winter still maintains a grip yet there are signs of spring as snowdrops flower and the intensity of birdsong seems to be increasing as if there is expectancy in the cool air.

There are less than two months until the start of a new trout fishing season non local rivers and that time will soon pass. Now is the time to sort out those fly boxes, tie flies for the new season and plan where you intend to cast a line.

STORMY DAYS FOR ANGLERS

Storm Ingrid swept across the South West last weekend with rainfall swelling the regions rivers. Its impact on the salmon redds high on the moors and upper tributaries of rivers is unknown. It seems remarkable that the salmons tiny eggs buried in the gravel survive. Yet winter floods happen every year and these remarkable migratory fish survive against all odds. I have heard some encouraging results from last year’s fry surveys with good numbers of salmon fry recorded across many of North Devon’s rivers. It is to be hoped that ongoing work across the region is starting to bring hope for the future.

On Friday night Combe Martin SAC hold their AGM and presentation night at the Mariners Arms in Braunton. As chairman of the club and club officer for close to fifty years I have seen significant change in angling and the angling community. The club like many others is struggling to adapt to changes in society and social habits. I remember with fondness the clubs annual dinner, dance and presentation night when at its peak over one hundred would attend to cheer on the cup and trophy winners. The desire to win trophies has declined across the sea angling sector as a grip and grin picture on social media seems to have become the preferred option. Adapting to change is undoubtedly a challenge for all clubs as the way we fish changes. Clubs are vital in bringing anglers together and it is to be hoped that community survives as the modern world continues to evolve.

The Angling Trust is the sports representative body and I have been a member since its formation. The Angling Trust and Fish Legal work to protect, promote and develop angling for all anglers across all disciplines. Sadly only a small proportion of anglers belong to this organisation with many openly criticising the organisation for its failure to deliver. The organisation needs vital funds to bring the results that anglers need to safeguard the future. If every angler joined, the trust would be a powerful body that could fight for the future of angling a pastime that brings many benefits across society.

Bideford and District Angling Club members endured cold wet and windy conditions at their monthly rod n reel competition fished at their home water Tarka Swims. Paul Whitehead was the winner with 17lb 10oz. Martin Turner was runner up with 12lb 10oz, Paul Elworthy third with 12lb 9oz and Colin O Hagan forth with 11lb 11oz.

Steve Johnson was awarded angler of the year in Barnstaple Bait and Tackle Match Groups presentation night evening.

Kevin Shears won the latest open match at Stafford Moor fishery with 169lb 4oz.

Bulldog Trout Fishery hold their latest Open Fly Fishing Competition this Sunday spaces are limited and can be secured by contacting the fishery via the contact details on their website www.bulldogfisheries.com

16 Jan 2026

Winter Grayling

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Mid-January, a steely cold grey morning with rain pattering on the car windscreen as I navigate the winding road across the winter landscape of Exmoor. My destination is the River Haddeo a tributary of the Upper Exe just over the Somerset border.

I call into Lance Nicholson’s Fishing & Guns in Dulverton to renew my Dulverton Angling Association membership which at £35.00 is excellent value giving access to several beats on the Rivers Exe, Barle and Haddeo. Whilst brown trout are the predominant species there is also a population of grayling.

The Dulverton Angling Association AGM will take place on Thursday 12th February at 7pm, Anchor Inn Exebridge.

Our speaker is Pete Tyjas, whose new job is as editor of Trout & Salmon magazine.

Grayling are not native to Exmoor but have thrived since their introduction into the Exe in around 1896. These delightful silver ladies of the stream offer an excuse to visit the river in the depths of winter when the valleys have a certain atmosphere that contrasts with the vibrancy of Spring and summer.

After catching up on the latest river news with James in the shop I grab an apple and pork sausage roll from the Exmoor Deli and head to the Pixton Estate.

Frank McBratney a long time DAA member and Haddeo regular reflects on his experience below :-

“Fishing the Haddeo makes a lovely half-day or more in quiet moorland farming country, for it is private water, hidden from tourists and dog-walkers. It is often feasible to fish the Haddeo when there is too much water running off the moor, and the Little Exe and the Barle are in spate. The Haddeo usually fines down sooner than its sister streams after a storm. This is because floodwater from the upper part of the river is impounded and normally held up by the dam, and the lower part drains only its own small valley.  The converse of this is that the water level of the Haddeo can sometimes be lower than is natural, because of the dam. It is therefore not the best of streams to fish in a long, dry spell. However, there is a river-conservation agreement for “compensation water” to be released from the dam from time to time, and this invigorates the river and improves the fishing when it happens – not only in the Haddeo but all the way downstream through the Little Exe and into the Exe itself. 

I park up the car, make a fresh brew of coffee and bite into the hot sausage roll. Pheasants strut about eyeing up the visitor to the estate. In just a couple of weeks the shooting season will be over and the valley will descend into a peaceful lull before Spring. Though I’m sure there will be plenty of work clearing fallen trees and clearing up extensive winter storm damage.

I thread the line through the rings and tie on a couple of tungsten nymphs with which to search the river. I have chosen to fish the Haddeo in preference to the Exe as I suspect recent rain will impact upon the main river more than the Haddeo that is to some extent buffered by Wimbleball Reservoir.

This is my third visit to the Haddeo in search of grayling and is becoming a regular feature in my winter fishing diary. The river valley has its own charm and character offering a less formidable experience than that of the main river.

I negotiate the entrance to the beat wading under the stone bridge to enter a sanctuary from the modern world. The river is slightly up with a tinge of colour that will I hope make my presence less obvious to the grayling I seek.

Having fished the river before I know where to concentrate my efforts and start my search using tight line nymphing tactics. The river twists and turns with ancient fallen trees providing intriguing entrances to the riverside.

My initial probing of the water proves fruitless but as I work upstream my confidence increases and I settle into a rhythm of dibbling the nymphs to search the river. I have the heaviest nymph on a dropper with a light pattern with a flash of pink on the point. This ensures that both trip along close to the bottom where I anticipate the grayling will be lying.

Its starting to rain heavily as I approach a pleasing looking glide that speaks of fish as I read the water. The drift commences the bright leader tightens and a silver grayling gyrates in the water as the rod flexes. My prize slides over the waiting net and I admire her bright beauty that contrasts with the grey winter day. I take a quick picture before slipping her back into her watery home; and away as they say on ‘Gone Fishing’.

I hook another grayling on my next cast a bit bigger but it slips the hook after a few seconds. I’m not too bothered by this loss as I have caught my target fish and anymore will be a bonus.

I amble on up river content in success. Towards the top of the beat is a run in which I have caught grayling on each of my previous visits and I flick my offering with joyous optimism. The line tightens but it‘s an out of season brown trout that darts around the pool, flanks of warm olives and golds decorated with crimson spots. I slip the barbless hook free with the trout in the water and hope to catch it again on a warm summer evening.

I slowly work my way back down the beat searching the favourite lies again without connecting. Snowdrops are starting to emerge from the cold soil their white flowers offering promise of spring. A wren flits between tangles of bramble. A pheasants cry drifts through the afternoon valley and the sun is starting to show behind a thin veil of cloud. Wisps of smoke drift from country cottage chimneys.

I wade back under the old stone road bridge and stroll back to the car where I finish off a Luke warm coffee and cold sausage roll that I left unfinished in my eagerness to embrace the waters edge. As I un tackle I congratulate myself on returning at the days end with the same two flies. As despite one or two tangles I have denied the trees and river snags any offerings; a rare accomplishment for this at times inexpert dangler.

I drive home passing through Dulverton, resisting the strong temptation to peruse the second hand fishing books that are always waiting on the bookshelves within Rothwell & Dunworth.

   (Below) Winterstorms have left their mark. at the waters edge.

It is a often a dilemma as to clear or leave as woody debris can provide valuable benefits to fish and fauna.

14 Jan 2026

THE ARUNDELL – West Country TROUT FESTIVAL 14th/15th March

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Join us on 14-15th March for the inaugural West Country Trout Festival.
Hosted at The Arundell Hotel, Tinhay Lake and the River Beats, the festival will feature presentations, fly tying, fly fishing and casting demonstrations. The lineup includes Orvis, Hanák, Unique Flies, Alternative Tackle, Veniard, the Wild Trout Trust, Westcountry Rivers Trust, South West Rivers Association, Nigel Nunn, Charles Jardine, Alex Jardine and Dominic Garnett, with more guests to be announced.
A ticket for the weekend is £10 and includes all events on Saturday and the riverside celebrations on Sunday.
Tickets available via Westcountry Trout Festival tickets – TheArundell. Alternatively purchase your tickets by contacting The Arundell on 01566 784666 or emailing [email protected]

 

12 Jan 2026

ANGLING REPORT – January 12th 2026

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ANGLING REPORT

Flounder Season Conclusion

Barnstaple Bait and Tackles New Year flounder bash concluded the flattie season with several good flounder brought to the scales at Flukey’s Bar.  Tyler Short caught the winning fish of 1lb 8.25oz. Kevin Hancock was runner up with a flounder of 1lb 8oz and Shane Murch third with a flattie of 1lb 5oz. A. J. Connaughton was top junior with a flounder of 1lb 5oz. Tyler Gammon runner up Junior with a flounder of 1lb 3oz and Josh Varbey third with a 1lb 2oz flounder. The series of flounder competitions held over the Autumn and Winter months by Barnstaple Bait and Tackle and David Jenkin’s have proved extremely popular with good numbers of Juniors catching their first fish. David and Barnstaple Bait and Tackle look forward to organising more events next season.

Bideford Angling Clubs end of season sea competition saw Dale Kiff secure the top two places with a spurdog and 10lb 3oz and a bull huss of 8lb 14oz.

Josh Atkinson secured the top three places in Appledore Shipbuilders January Rover with a brace of  pouting weighing 1lb 1.5oz and 13.75oz along with a dogfish of 1lb 13.25oz. Competitors caught bull huss, whiting, conger, rockling and codling.

Bideford Angling Clubs January Coarse Match at their home venue Tarka Swims was won by Nathan Underwood with 23lb 11oz. Kevin Shears was runner up with 19lb 4oz and Paul Elworthy third with 5lb 9oz.

Winter trout fishing is thriving at Bulldog Fishery where consistent sport is being enjoyed by visiting anglers. Highlight of New Year catches was a fine double figure brown trout caught by Garth Fuchs. The fishery are holding an Open Competition on February 1st contact the fishery to book as spaces are limited.

There are numerous dates for the diary over the coming months as we move towards Spring. The popular South West Fly Fair is to be held at Roadford Reservoir on Sunday February 22nd. Charles Jardine will once again be the guest of honour as fly Fishing enthusiasts from across the West Country gather in anticipation at the dawning of a new season.

Trout and Salmon magazine is now under the editorship of Pete Tyjas whose home water is the River Taw. A gathering to celebrate the start of a new season is presented by Trout and Salmon magazine is to be held at the Fox and Hounds between Friday March 27th and the 29th. The event has a full program of speakers, demonstrations and exhibitors together with food, drink and the opportunity to mingle with fellow anglers and their families. Contact the Fox and Hounds Country Hotel for full details.