Well worth a listen Click on the link below : – Enjoy
BULLDOG FISHERIES _ DRY FLY COMPETITION
Sunday the 3rd of May Bulldog will be hosting their first ever dry fly comp!
Dry fly only until we stop for lunch, and then for the last 2 hours anglers can use any fly they like dry or wet 
This is likely to be the last comp before the summer so we’re planning to make it a good one!
A BBQ style buffet will be on offer for lunch along with a selection of light refreshments throughout the day 
Our competitions are light hearted. Meaning we focus more on providing an enjoyable experience for our anglers, rather then having a strict competition environment.
So come join the fun and you never know, you may end up leaving with more than a bag full of fish! 
Message us direct for further information
Big Brownies and other news from Bulldog Fisheries
Grant is the latest angler to bank a double figure brown trout from Bulldog Fishery. The fish was part of a six fish limit.
Bulldog are proud to announce thatthey have managed their goal!
The fish cleaning station at Bulldog has raised £1000 for the veterans charity!
“We’d like to thank everyone who has used the station and contributed to helped us raise this money 
We’ll be carrying this on with our next aim to raise the same amount for the kiddy’s hospice
Thanks again everyone, we couldn’t have done this without you!”
TORRIDGE RIVERS ASSOCIATION – NEWSREEL SPRING 2026
Torridge Rivers Association
President: Lord Clinton
Chairman: Paul Ashworth Secretary: Charles Inniss
Beeches East Street Sheepwash Beaworthy Devon EX21 5NW
e-mail: [email protected]
NEWSREEL SPRING 2026
SUBSCRIPTIONS for 2026 are now due and are £20 .
The season so far: Salmon-wise it has been a most encouraging start to the season. Four fresh spring salmon have been caught: one of 10lb and three about about 8lb: one in the first week of the season at Riversmeet and three downstream from beam weir (two during Easter w/e). The salmon anglers have caught several trout up to 1.5lbs: all in good condition. With the weather warming the brown trout are starting to feed on the surface and there’s always the chance of an early running sea trout: these early fish are usually in the 3/5lb range.
The AGM: was held at The Half Moon on Friday 27th March. Over 40 members and guests attended. Our President Lord Clinton was able to join us and also the Fishery Protection Officer, Sam Fenner. Our guest speaker for the evening was Willie Entwistle, the Chair of the South West Rivers Association (SWRA), who gave an enlightening talk on the importance of the SWRA which represents all the 20 westcountry rivers. The main aim of the SWRA is to highlight the particular problems of our rivers (water quality and the declining numbers of migratory fish) at the highest level. After the meeting we all enjoyed the usual excellent buffet.
THE HATCHERY: once again the hatchery project has been most successful and over 20,000 swim -up fry were stocked out in the last week of March into tributaries of the Upper Torridge, Lew and Okement. Once the eggs have been stripped from the hens, fertilised, and laid out in the egg box trays they have to be checked daily with any dead eggs removed. Silt is the one ongoing problem which if allowed to build up in the trays kills the eggs through lack of oxygen. The hatchery team will be looking into ways the silt loading can possibly be reduced next winter. FISHERY REPORT: Sam Fenner, our fishery protection officer, provided vital support in catching up the broodstock for the hatchery from the fish pass at Monkokehampton Weir. Sam is the only fishery protection officer for the whole of Devon!! The results of the EA juvenile survey at Okement Castle on the Okement were quite outstanding: indeed probably the best for all the rivers in Devon and Cornwall!! It was, he reminded us, more important than ever for us all to be the eyes and ears of the river and report any concerns. THE TORRIDGE WEBCAM is now at Taddiport Bridge on the Lower Torridge. It is now live. BEAVERS: There is now at least one beaver colony in the Torridge catchment!! Like it or not we are going to have to live with beavers. A group of us recently attended a very informative presentation at Hatherleigh Community Centre re. the pros and cons of beavers in our rivers. Our concern was the effect of beaver dams on salmon reaching their spawning grounds. Your committee will be arranging a similar presentation at The Half Moon during the summer. Details to follow in due course.
BRUCE BAGS PB BROWNIE @ BULLDOG
Bruce Elton enjoyed a day to remember at Bulldog Fishery banking this superb personal best brown trout scaling 11ln 10oz. The fish was tempted on a buzzer after missing the fish on a large black snake fly. Bruce also caught a 4lb 8oz brown trout and four rainbow trout of between 2lb and 3lb.
Torridge Rivers Association – AGM at the Half Moon Inn
A month into a new salmon fishing season and the scoreboard is ticking on both Taw and Torridge with five pristine Springers of between 8lb and 10lb from the two rivers. This is heartening in these days of decline as these iconic fish are often referred to as the proverbial canary in the mine.
These incredible fish were high on the agenda at the Torridge Fisheries Association AGM at the Half Moon Inn, Sheepwash, where William Entwistle gave a passionate and no punches pulled talk to a packed meeting room highlighting the efforts being undertaken by the South West Rivers Association who founded the West Country Rivers Trust in 1994.
William highlighted the catastrophic decline in salmon over recent decades and focussed on the industrial scale fishing in the open sea that is decimating salmon numbers taking thousands of adult salmon and smolts. The SWRA are lobbying the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation to work towards international action to protect salmon. William also emphasised the potential value of hatcheries and smoltification in aquaculture. William likened the artificial preservation of salmon stocks as a modern Noah’s Ark to ensure survival until political power provides a long term solution to overfishing.
The impact of climate change undoubtedly a major issue across the Northern Hemisphere. Salmon eggs need temperatures below 10 degrees if water temperatures are above 12 degrees in January the eggs will die. During last summer water temperatures on Dartmoor reached 25 degrees a level that will kill salmonids.
Prior to Williams talk Environment Agency Fishery Officer Sam Fenner had announced the total salmon catch for the Torridge in 2025 was twelve. This would have been a good days total thirty or so years ago!
Sam Fenner highlighted the work the EA are doing across the region despite the low numbers of fishery officers. Once again it was reiterated that any pollution or suspicions of illegal activity should be reported to the EA via their hotline 0800 807060. Anglers are the ears and eye of the river.
Beavers featured widely in debate at the meeting with varied opinions expressed regarding the environmental impacts they bring, both positive and negative.
Whilst there was a sense of sadness at the decline in salmon and sea trout there was a strong sense of community and an appreciation of the river. Brown trout are thriving and anglers are focussing on these beautiful fish and enjoying great sport with the emphasis on catch and release of all wild fish.
The association work tirelessly at their hatchery and have stocked out close to 23,000 salmon fry over recent days.
For more information on the Association visit their website :- Link below
http://www.rivertorridge.org.uk/the-association/
BULLDOG FLY FISHING – MARCH COMPETITION RESULTS –
What a day we had at our Fly Fishing Competition on 29th March!
We kicked things off under overcast skies with calm conditions—no wind in the morning, though the forecast warned us of high winds and rain later on. The fishing started slower than usual (no classic 30 minutes of madness this time!), but it didn’t take long for things to pick up, with fish coming out steadily and a couple of anglers already hitting their morning limits.
Lunch couldn’t have come at a better time. With the wind picking up and a touch of rain setting in, everyone was more than happy to tuck into one of Bulldog’s famous roast pork baps with roasties, warming up in the hut with the fire going. Plenty of chat and laughter—especially about Chris’s monster catch… a BIG tiger that had everyone talking! 
After lunch, we had a bit of a peg shuffle as the wind made casting tricky. With a redraw done, anglers got back to it, battling the conditions right up until the final horn. In perfect timing, Andrew landed his 6th and final fish of the day just before the end—great effort!
Then it was on to the all-important weigh-in…
Results
1st – Dave & Fred Chapman – 25lb 6oz
2nd – Nick “Lennie” Tamlin – 25lb 5oz
3rd – Pete Davey (Fishing for Heroes) – 24lb 8oz
Biggest Fish of the DayChris Dunn – 9lb 4oz Tiger Trout (NEW Tiger lake record!)
Honourable MentionsIan Connabeer – 5lb 15oz Rainbow
Mark Ison – 5lb 11oz Brown & 6lb 10oz Spartic
Pete Davey – 6lb 6oz Rainbow
Fred Chapman – 5lb 13oz Rainbow
Nick Tamlin – 6lb 1oz Rainbow
Plenty of quality fish came out in the 4–6lb range, meaning even those off the podium went home smiling
Thanks to everyone who took part—great atmosphere, great fishing, and a brilliant day all round.
Roll on the May dry fly comp!
TROUT & SALMON GATHERING MARCH 2026
Fly Fishing enthusiasts flocked to the Fox and Hounds at Eggesford last weekend for a gathering organised by Trout and Salmon magazine. The event featured talks from a wide range of experts covering fishing tactics, their fishing lives and how this connects with the natural world at the water’s edge and beyond.
The weekend proved to be a resounding success, a great social occasion that helps the fly fishing community to flourish. Whilst Fly Fishers tend to be solitary throughout much of their time pursuing their quarry there is also pleasure in sharing the joy. This was apparent throughout this event. Pauline and I could only fit in the Sunday morning of the event but it was apparent from all we met that it had all gone exceptionally well with thanks to Pete Tyjas, all at the Fox and Hounds, the exhibitors, the speakers and of course the attendees.
The Fox and Hounds has a rich history as a Country Fishing Hotel and should be treasured for these establishments are at the heart of fly fishing tradition and history. Many once thriving hotels have ceased to exist, the Carnarvon Arms and Tarr Steps Hotel on Exmoor are two that readily spring to mind. I have fond memories of both hotels and view their demise with sadness. It is of course the decline of salmon that contributed to their closing for salmon and the anglers who chase them bring valuable economic benefits to the local area.
The Taw still provides excellent fishing for wild brown trout that seem to be thriving an indication that the main issues with salmon decline are at sea. The Fox and Hounds offer fishing on nearly 4 miles of fishing on the River Taw. The lightly fished beats are maintained in their natural state.
Pete Tyjas, Editor, Trout & Salmon Magazine
Fishing small streams
Pete delivered a heart felt talk on his fishing life with valuable tips on casting and how to approach the water. It seemed appropriate that as Pete prepared to start numerous martins appeared high above as they migrate into their Spring and summer home.
Harry Chance, West Country Fly Fishing
Fishing the duo in pocket water
Harry displayed dry fly and duo techniques with great enthusiasm explaining in detail how to read the water and manipulate the flies to best effect. Giving valuable advice as to tackle set up and how to apply.
Fred Brown, Fishpal.com
Fishing streamers on rivers
Fred Brown gave an inspiring talk on the use of streamers and how to fish them. He explained how these lures often tempt the largest inhabitants of the river. It really does make sense as the larger trout will generally turn cannibalistic to maintain size. I have recently finished reading the excellent book River Trout Streamer Fishing by Theo Pike and intend to explore some of our local rivers with streamers.
North Devon based Pete Tyjas is the new editor of Trout and Salmon Magazine that has been in circulation since 1955. Fly fishing is undoubtedly enjoying an influx of new thinking with a younger generation embracing tactics from across the globe. There is of course a rich vein of history and tradition interwoven in Fly fishing evolution over the centuries that should also be treasured.
Whilst away in the Cotswolds recently I spotted an interesting book entitled ‘The Diary of a Test Fisherman’ 1809 to 1819. I have skimmed through the book and will read fully in due course. It will be fascinating to note how times have changed as this book was published before F M Halfords; Dry Fly Fishing in Theory and Practice that was published in 1889.
Whilst Pauline and I were only present for the Sunday morning and Sunday lunch it was obvious that all who attended had been privileged to enjoy a unique weekend full of warmth and laughter. It was reassuring to witness the experts finding the tree branches from time to time. When I catch the branches I hope to avoid any spectators yet; I would appreciate a dedicated team of assistants to untangle fly and leader from the guilty branches!
The raffle at the end of the event raised £410 towards river conservation projects.
Sunday lunch was extremely enjoyable with a vast range of topics debated covering the natural world and the more worrying wider world.
I think all present over the weekend would agree that in these uncertain times fishing is the great escape.
BLAKEWELL FISHERY – SPRING FLY FISHING COMPETITION
Blakewell Fishery are holding a Spring Time Fly Fishing Competition on April 25th. See details below :-
Torridge Fly Fishing – Gammaton Reservoirs – Quality Trout Fishing
Torridge Fly Fishing Club manages the fishing at Gammaton Reservoirs near Bideford, North Devon.
The top lake at Gammaton has been restocked. Day tickets remain at £28 for 3 fish this season .
Membership for the season is also available at £190. Members can catch 6 fish a week up to a maximum of 40 .
Membership enquiries to Robert Chugg: 07491931003. Email : [email protected]
QR Code below to book tickets:-
Gammaton Reservoirs are nestled in a peaceful valley just a short drive from Bideford. They are reguarly stocked with quality rainbow trout averaging between 2lb and 3lb. Dry fly and buzzer tactics can work well along with all standard tactics. The lower lake also contains a few perch and other coarse species that can be tempted on fly tactics.
