Emma Tyjas enjoyed success on the River Taw during the last week of the season landing this handsome salmon.
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Game Fishing News
The salmon fishing season on the River Taw came to an end last Saturday and rods enjoyed some late season sport on the Weir Marsh and Brightly Day Ticket beats. Len Francis landed salmon of 9lb and 5lb. John Shrimpton a 9lb salmon and Graham Nichols a grilse of 5lb. Over on the Torridge around at least a dozen salmon were caught during September with most from Mid to upper river beats.
(Below)England Junior Fly Fishing Team Member Seth Tuson caught his first salmon from a middle river Torridge beat.
Torridge Fishers can enjoy salmon fishing on the Torridge until October 14th but must obtain a special permit from Charles Inniss prior to fishing that is strictly catch and release with single barb-less hooks only.
Following a Committee Meeting the River Taw Fishery Association has decided to follow the lead of the Angling Trust and South West Rivers Trust in its response to the Environment Agency Consultation on Managing Salmon Fisheries. In brief the, RTFA considers that all salmon netting should be stopped and that rod fishermen should continue to operate under voluntary catch and release while aiming for a very high release rate and adhering to appropriate good practice.
Salmon anglers are being urged to respond the consultation by visiting the E.A website and completing the relevant documentation. Submissions must be completed by October
Fly Fishers missing the river can ensure they keep their casting action in good shape by fishing for the hard fighting rainbow and brown trout in local stillwaters. Blakewell, Bratton Water and Exe Valley.
Seasons End Supper at the Rising Sun on the Taw
The Rising Sun at Umberleigh are holding an end of season dinner with a special fish orientated menu. For full details contact the Rising Sun details on their website on link below. (Click on icon)
Several salmon have been landed from the Taw in recent days with the river at a good height for fishing following recent rainfall.
Blakewell Closing for One week- Maintenance In-preparation for Autumn Season
The lake will be closed for essential maintenance for up to one week from Tuesday 19th September 2017 we intend to re-open on Monday 26th September.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We will endeavor to complete the work sooner and we will advise via our website email & Facebook if this is the case.
All our other facilities at Blakewell are open as usual, including the family fishing ponds and the cafe.
FISHING FOR LIFE AT BLAKEWELL
Jeff Pearce Blakewells resident Instructor sent me this short article on a project to help those with breast cancer.
‘Fishing for Life’ Organisation come to Blakewell
‘Fishing for Life’ is an organization, which provides fly, fishing sessions for people who all have one thing in common – breast cancer.
The organisation formed back in 2007 after learning how fly fishing techniques had been proven to be very beneficial to build up tissues and muscle for anyone suffering from breast cancer.
On the 6th September I had the pleasure of being invited along to the launch of their North Devon & 9th group at Blakewell fishery.
Interest in the group has been promising and 10 people have so far shown an interest in attending the North Devon group. The group will be meeting monthly in the future between 2pm and 4pm on the first Wednesday of each month.
As well as those attendees suffering from breast cancer, we had a group of nurses attend who wanted to learn more about the organisation and how fly fishing could help. As you can see from the above photo, having received some tuition they were soon captivated by the sport and keen to try and catch their first trout too!
Across the lake the ladies were engrossed in the tactics & seemed to be genuinely enjoying the sport. In fact, so much so that when afternoon tea was being served back at the café, one of the ladies just couldn’t be prized from the lake. Eventually returning carrying a decent trout and a big smile on her face!
It is hoped this group can now go from strength to strength and a decent number will make the monthly meet. It is further intended that if the weather is inclement during the winter months a fly tying workshop with a general will be held in the café instead, no doubt by this time there will be plenty of fishy tales to be told.
So, if you are one of these people who all have one thing in common – breast cancer and would like to come along or know anyone else who might benefit from joining this group, you can ring Gillian on 01398 371244 or check out their website at http://www.southwestfishingforlife.org.uk
Salmon on Day ticket Taw water
The recent rain has resulted in a succession of spates that has brought salmon into the rivers where anglers have enjoyed success when the river drops sufficiently to fish. The Weir Marsh and Brightly Beats on the Taw produced several salmon including fish of 11lb and 4lb to the rod of Len Francis, 7lb to the rod of Graham Nichols and 9lb and 7l to Bob Lewington.
Day tickets can be obtained from the Rising Sun at Umberleigh.
EAT SLEEP FISH – A Top Read
Eat Sleep fish is a free online publication that contains some excellent writing predominantly fly-fishing article from all over the world of angling.
News from the River
Len Francis fished the day ticket Weir Marsh and Brightly Beats on the River Taw to catch a fine brace of salmon estimated at 14lb and 10lb.
Day tickets can be obtained from the Rising Sun at Umberleigh. Click on image below for details.
I fished the Torridge on Sunday morning as heavy rain beat down (above) the river colored quickly as I fished and I failed to connect with any salmon. Following this rain the river came up over a metre and was very coloured with sediment. By the end of the week conditions should be near perfect and I expect several salmon to be caught.
Stalwart of local angling is remembered with great fondness.
Mac McCarthy worked tirelessly for the River Taw Fishery Association and South Molton and District Angling Club his passing will sadden all who knew him in the local angling community. The above picture shows Mac beside Head Falls shortly after the project was completed making upstream access for salmon and sea trout much easier hopefully ensuring the long term survival of these enigmatic fish.
Mac McCarthy
It is with great sadness that I report the death of Mac McCarthy earlier in the week. As you will all know Mac loved the Taw. He was an active and successful fisherman and a stalwart of RTFA in his role as Treasurer over so many years. Our finances were kept in impeccable shape by Mac and his help was invaluable to me from the moment I became Chairman. This is particularly true in respect of the two fund-raisings for the Taw Access over Weirs Project and TRIP. He will also be missed more widely in the south west where he was well known by all the river associations from his time as Treasurer of the South West Rivers Association. Mac moved away from North Devon to Hampshire about two years ago.
Alex Gibson
Anglers in the North of England have landed several Pacific salmon I don’t thin any have been landed in local rivers but if you do catch one please ensure you notify the Environment Agency and of course North Devon Angling News. More info on below link.
http://anglingtrust-news.net/3XSU-99Q1-0F2NFPLC54/cr.aspx
The Taw and Torridge have both now dropped to a good level with every chance of salmon and sea trout from both rivers. As the sun shines each day will undoubtedly see prospects decrease. Several salmon have been hooked and lost at Little Warham on the river Torridge where one salmon and sea trout were landed. The best time for contacting salmon or sea trout is undoubtedly in the early evening. A sound plan would be to fish for brown trout through the day and then target the salmon and sea trout from late afternoon. Even if you do not catch the river in early September is a wonderful place to spend a day.
