Colin Combe won Wistlandpound Fly Fishing Clubs competition at Hawkridge Reservoir with a five fish bag totalling 10lb. Andre Muxworthy was runner up with four trout for 8lb 12oz.
DRY FLY DELIGHT ON NORTH DEVON RIVERS
A bit of old carpet adds a bit of life to waders as one sets up ready for a walk to water.
North Devon’s many miles of pristine river environment offer anglers splendid sport with wild brown trout many stretches can be fished at a very reasonable cost. I fished a splendid bit of the River Bray controlled by South Molton & District Angling Club and enjoyed a short session of exciting dry fly sport. The banks were decorated with bluebells and wild garlic, the air filled with the sound of birdsong. The only other fisher on the water a grey heron that lifted from the water as I intruded upon his fishing.
I was surprised how low the river had dropped since I last visited and watched many small trout dart for cover as I approached. Concentrating on the fast water at the head of the pools I brought several fish to the surface including a beauty of 12″ +.
It was often reward enough to bring a fish to the fly from a difficult cast into tricky woody debris lies. One of dry fly fishing greatest joys is asking the question with each cast when fishing blind and of course to drop the fly into rings of a rise is sublime. I did glimpse one particularly good fish that I intend to try for on a another occasion.
News Alert: Channel 4 News RIVER TAW
News Alert:
Alex Thompson Channel 4’s Chief News Correspondent will be running an item on an investigation into the way Enforcement Undertakings are decided on, implemented and then monitored on tomorrow night’s Channel 4 News 4 News at 7:00 pm.
Interestingly, it will contain references to the R Taw/Mole pollution and major fish kill incident that we had a few years ago and an interview with Alex Gibson, former Chairman of RTFCA regarding our experiences of the way EU’s are set up and run and why it was that we decided not to take that particular course of action in our search for the right outcome.
Should be an interesting watch!
BUDE BAIT & TACKLE – OPENS
posted in: Articles, At the Waters Edge, Carp Fishing, Coarse Fishing, Game Fishing, Lure Fishing, Match Fishing, Sea Angling, Sidebar |
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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. 
Bulldog Fishery – Dry Fly Competition Results
A great day for the May fly comp finally the easterly wind had died down, only a couple spots of rain throughout the day. And a lake stock with fat trout
Top Results:
1st – Ian connabeer 5fish total weight 30lb2oz biggest fish 11lb1oz brown
2nd – Steve burnel 5 fish total weight 25lb4oz biggest fish 7lb11oz Spartic
3rd Grant Jefferson 6fish total weight 19lb6ox biggest fish 5lb6oz Spartic
Biggest fish of the day: Ian Connabeer – 11lb1oz Brown trout
Lunch for the day was a BBQ styled buffet cooked by Nigel
Some beautiful fish landed by all participants :
Fran Eastwood – 8lb4oz Rainbow
Nick Tamlin – 7lb11oz Rainbow
Dave & Freddie Chapman – 6lb6oz Rainbow
Peter Phillips – 5lb6oz Spartic (personal best)
Steve Burnel – A brace of 6lb Rainbows
Andrew facey – 5lb11oz Rainbow
Chris Dunn – 5lb11oz Spartic
Graham Snowden – 5lb11oz Rainbow
Alan Evans – 5lb10oz Rainbow
Ian Connabeer – 7lb10oz Rainbow
A great day had by all!
That’s the fly comps finished for the summer months now, roll on September! Looking forward to the restart of the comps later in the year as we will be introducing some blues into the mix
Plenty of the bigger fish not only left in the fly lake from the comp, but also in the stock pond . These will be stocked in the lake over the next few months looking forward to the calm summer evenings to come
Torridge Fly Fishing Club
Located at Gammaton Reservoirs ( 2 four acre lakes). Annual membership £190 . Members can catch up to 6 fish a week (4 taken or C&R)
Day tickets £28 (3 fish) available from Barnstaple Bait & Tackle & Tarka Country Pursuits, Torrington.Also you can use the QR code below to purchase tickets.
Membership enquiries to Robert Chugg: 07491931003. Email : [email protected]
BIG BULLDOG TROUT
Bulldog Trout fishery is in top form with big trout putting smiles on visiting anglers faces. Biggest brown 14lb….
Fluff Chuckers / SWLT Brown Trout Masters Round 2.. WISTLANDPOUND
Report by Rodney Wevill
A day of two half’s on Wistlandpound Reservoir for the 2nd round of the Brown trout masters.
The morning was warm , bright and calm and slow fishing, only 2 browns to the net in the morning, 1 each for Paul McEvoy and Keith Burnett , 33cm and 35cm
Pete Williams and Rodders found a shoal of Rudd and had hour of fun, we must have had 25 plus between us , most taking a Mini Scruffy tiger and black lure.
The later afternoon brought some hard rain and three more angler caught 1 fish each, Rodney Wevill with a 38cm, Wayne Thomas with another fine 38cm and Andrew Gooding with a 30cm.
Must anglers reporting losing fish in the afternoon.
So 5 fish in total on a difficult day, but the standard of fish caught was very good, all full tailed and very plump .
Today was a little bit of a trial, we weren’t sure about adding Wistlandpound to the Brown Trout master series, with it being a non stocked water,
But everyone liked the venue, loved the condition of the fish and it added another challenge to the overall competition.
So that’s a yes we will be back in 2027 
We also had the pleasure of John Deprieelle and his camara skills.
John was filming the event and discussing tactics with Rodders on behalf of Turrall Flies and SWLT so keep your eyes peeled for the short film’s release.
Once again a massive thank you to Turrall Flies, YETI Europe , Lakedown Brewing Co. & Tap Room and Trout Fishing South West Lakes Trust
For all the prizes and continued support.
Results
1 Wayne Thomas
2. Rodney Wevill
3. Keith Burnett
4. Paul Mc Evoy
5. Andrew Gooding
6.John Huckins
6. Pete Williams
Overall Standings after 2 Rounds
1. Keith Burnett. 4 points
2. Wayne Thomas. 5
3. Andrew Gooding. 7
4. Rodney Wevlll. 8
5. Paul McEvoy. 10
6. Pete Williams. 12
6. John Huckins. 12
7. Tony Chipman. 17
8. Gary Brazier. 19
9. Garry Boyde. 20
9. Dave Perks. 20
9. Steve Retallack. 20
Next round June 6th Fernworthy.
The day from a personal perspective.
Wistlandpound is local to me so it was a pleasant change to fish an event that didnt require an early rise and two hour drive. It was also a great start to the day with The Whistling Bean on hand with great coffee and breakfast rolls.
I was concerned that the algal bloom would impact upon the fishing but conditions were the same for everyone and it is a beautiful place to spend a day.
The fishing did prove difficult and it was very much a one chance day with five trout banked between the eight keen competitors. My own tactics were very much based on fishing a team of flies I had confidence in a black bead head woolly bugger on the point and two small black flies on the droppers. I persisted with this for 98% of the day only changing the point fly for a few casts on a whim. I had four takes throughout the day and converted just the one that produced a stunning wild brown of 38.5 cm.
On difficult days like this its often just a case of roving about trying here and there and keeping the fly in the water as much as possible in the hope that a feeding fish sees the lure.
Whn the algal bloom clears as it does every year sport will improve and those wild browns will succumb to good angling. Several good fish were lost and I’m sure the lake holds some really big specimen brown that grow large predating on the abundance of rudd fry.
Many thanks to Rodney for organising the events. I look forward to the next round at the picturesque Fernworthy high on Dartmoor.
Many thanks to my wife Pauline for a few additional images of the day.
JUNIOR FLY FISHING DAY – EXE VALLEY
Click on link below to see starter kit :-
SNOWBEE 2026 Catalogue
Click on image for link….
