7 Jun 2026

Fluff Chuckers / SWLT Brown Trout Masters Round 3 Fernworthy…

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Report from Rodney Wevill

What a day high up on Dartmoor for Round 3 of the Brown Trout Masters.
We faced 8 hours of heavy rain and 45 mph plus winds.
But that wasn’t going to dampen the spirits much and with 30 Browns to the nets.
Andrew Gooding was the winner with 9 fish with Andrew Watson runner up with 5 fish beating Rodney Wevill 6 fish by 2cm in overall length.
Steve Retallack won the largest fish with an excellent 43cm specimen.
A special thanks to John Deprieelle for filming today in such testing conditions, look out for the Round 3 video in the next week or so.
And also special thanks to the event Sponsors and Partners YETI Europe Trout Fishing South West Lakes Trust Lakedown Brewing Co. & Tap Room Turrall Flies
More photos will be posted soon.
Result of round 3. Points
1. Andrew Gooding. 1
2. Andrew Watson. 2
3. Rodney Wevill. 3
4. Wayne Thomas. 4
5. Steve Retallack 5
6. Keith Burnett ! 6
7. Brendan Cooper. 7
8. John Huckins. 8
9. Pete Williams. 9
9. Paul McEvoy. 9
Standing after 3 rounds.
Position. Points
1. Andrew Gooding. 8
2. Wayne Thomas. 9
3. Keith Burnett. 10
4. Rodney Wevill. 11
5. Paul McEvoy. 19
6. John Huckins. 20
7. Pete Williams. 21
8. Steve Retallack. 25
9. Andrew Watson. 30
10. Tony Chipman. 31
11. Gary Brazier. 33
12. Garry Boyde. 34
12. Dave Perks. 34
13. Brendan Cooper. 35
My day :-
I had been looking forward to this annual excursion for some time as Fernworthy high on Dartmoor is a beautiful venue and as a result of its location gets everything nature can throw at it. Gale force winds heavy rain its all part of the fascinating game that is fishing. In a competition like this it is the same for everybody and there is certain pleasure in sharing the experience as a community for the Fluff Chuckers is very much a part of large community of like minded individuals.
My own strategy based on previous visits was to persist with a tried and trusted set up. Three flies, a black lure on the point and two small black flies on the droppers. I chose spot  where I could put out a line into a wind lane and covered the water.  It proved a frustrating day with eight fish hooked, four brought to net and several takes missed. If I had the day again would I have fished differently ? Hindsight is great but If I fished the same conditions again I would probably do the same but might have focussed more on some areas that brought more takes and cut back to two flies as in the conditions I probably lost half an hour throughout the day sorting minor tangles.
5 Jun 2026

JO-IN-THE WATER

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Pauline and I went to Scott’s Cinema in Barnstaple Last night to watch the film Jo in the water. The film tells the inspiring story of Jo Batemans ongoing court case against South West Water.

Sea swimming is Jo Bateman’s sanctuary—until sewage spills threaten the waters she loves.

A passionate sea swimmer turned reluctant activist, Jo Bateman takes on one of the UK’s biggest water companies in a David-and-Goliath battle to protect our oceans from devastating sewage pollution.

As Jo’s courage helps ignite a growing movement, this film exposes the dire state of our water system and asks: who will stand up for our right to swim in clean natural waters, for the species and communities that rely upon them?

Jo in the Water is a powerful, emotional feature-length documentary film. It is not just about water pollution; it is about connection—to nature, to our own sense of place, and to our responsibility for the world around us.

https://www.jointhewater.com

A PERSONAL VIEW

The film is an emotive production that provokes anger at the state of our rivers and the failure of water companies. The evidence is clear that water companies are failing in their duty. But as someone who feels passionate about these issues I despair at the lack of interest shown by the wider populate regarding the environment.

The environment is climbing the political agenda but MPs will only go where there are votes and sadly pot holes and the cost of living get more votes than rivers. Those who swim, fish, surf canoe and walk the rivers and coast have a vital connection but they are not in the majority.

The Environment Agency are generally underfunded and lack the power to regulate and prosecute. They are the environmental police overwhelmed by corporate greed, industrialisation of agriculture and a growing population that impacts upon our precious environment.

Nationalising the Water Industry will not be a panacea to all ills for treating sewage and water is far more costly than many believe. The infrastructure is inadequate and as house building expands the infrastructure is not upgraded adequately. Policing, education, NHS, Social Services, Public Transport, Roads are these all as they should be?

It is vital to raise the tragic decline in river health for as I often say the rivers are the vital arteries of the land. We need the debate, yes we need to campaign and activists are vital in raising awareness of the issues.

Those reading this can help to spread the word. Get involved in water testing, reporting issues and joining organisations that care.

The next local showing is at Torrington :-

https://www.theploughartscentre.org.uk/event/jo-water

5 Jun 2026

Euro Nymphing With Katka Švagrová

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1 Jun 2026

ANGLING BRINGS CONNECTION TO THE NATURAL WORLD

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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.

River Fly Monitoring

15 May 2026

SOUTH MOLTON & DISTRICT ANGLING CLUB AT BULLDOG

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I joined eight members of South Molton Angling Club at Bulldog Fishery for their latest Mac Trophy event. I arrived shortly after 8:00pm to find several members already enjoying sport with the venues hard fighting rainbows.

High above I noted several swifts swooping high in the sky as a brisk North West breeze brought a chill to the morning air. I set up in the first available swim and put out a floating line and a long leader with an olive damsel with a bit of sparkle in its dressing. As is often the case fishing was easy for that first hour and most members caught fish. I put four into my bag by 9:00am and decided to switch tactics swapping my 7wt for a lighter 5wt rod and a single Pheasant tail nymph on the point. After a couple of missed takes I put another pleasing rainbow into my bag. With five rainbows averaging 3lb I decided to stop fishing and a take walk around the lake rod in hand hoping to spot a big cruising trout in the clear water.

This proved difficult as good visibility was only possible when a drop in the wind coincided with a burst of sunshine. On a circuit of the lake it was good to catch up with fellow club members and compare notes. Whilst chatting I watched several good trout cruising just a rod tip out and it was apparent that the trout had largely switched off.

Burger and chips were due at 12:30 and I hoped to complete my bag by then to get home and catch up with a few jobs. I had every confidence in the PTN and moved to a deep area that had a few fish rising within casting range.

The rippled surface made targeting individual fish difficult so I decided to fish blind again. Whilst some anglers believe in big flies for big fish I have every confidence that small flies work just as well especially when the fish are not feeding hard. I missed two takes and lost two fish in quick succession as the hook lost its hold.

Sometimes you get a lucky break as was the case when the line drew tight as I started a slow retrieve. I immediately felt sure that this was a better fish as it moved with a slower powerful movement with heavy thuds down the line as it shook its head. I was slightly apprehensive as I glimpsed its flanks and hoped that the 6lb b.s point and small fly would take the strain.

I was relieved when an impressive spartic trout rolled over the nets rim. Club Chairman Edward Rands was close at hand to secure an image of the fish and to hoist it onto the club scales that read a pleasing 7lb 13oz.

I spent the last half hour of the morning taking a few pictures and chatting with fellow club members before sitting down for burger and chips in the fishing hut. Mike Latham had a good spartic of 5lb 12oz and all members caught fish with three limit bags and several five fish bags.

11 May 2026

DRY FLY DELIGHT ON NORTH DEVON RIVERS

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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.