2 Nov 2024

Salmon is it too late?

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Join the National Trust and myself at Combe Martin Community Centre on Wednesday November 6th to watch the acclaimed Riverwoods Film and hear about efforts to restore our rivers.

Senior Fisheries Scientist Dr Dan Osmond

“When a species heads towards extinction, you might expect public outcry. But as our Senior Fisheries Scientist Dr Dan Osmond suggests in his article about a keystone fish, this is not quite the case for the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar).

But all is not lost, as Dan shares not only details of how our charity is working hard to remedy the decline, but how others are too, including short and long-term solutions.

We know how important the Atlantic salmon is and how crucial to the overall structure and functioning of an ecosystem they are – we will continue to do all we can to turn the tide on their predicament.”

Read article link  below :-

https://wrt.org.uk/the-fading-away-of-westcountry-salmon/

29 Oct 2024

South West Lakes Trust Trout Fisheries Report – October 2024

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October 2024

Cooler temperatures and some heavy rain have meant that the fish are generally more eager to feed, with improved catch rates. Levels have started to rise, but this is dependent on the catchment and demand – some reservoirs are now full, while others are still only at around 50% capacity at time of writing.

Fishing:

Kennick – The fishing continued to improve over the month, with rod averages up to 3.7 fish per visit. Fish have been well dispersed around the lake, with the Narrows and East Wall regularly appearing on catch returns. Trout have been caught at most depths, from the surface (Foam Beetles, Dry Sedges and Black Gnats), subsurface (Damsels, Hares Ears, Montanas and Blue Zulus), and in the deeper water (Black Boobies and Bloodworms). Chris Illet (from Newton Abbot) caught four rainbows using a small pink Booby and Sedgehog patterns while fishing a fast sink-tip and short leader in the shallows around a weed bed, and noted that fish feeding on fry along the west bank. Graham Roberts caught three rainbows to 2lb 8oz, finding fish rising to dries, as well as getting pulls and knocks from both sub-surface and deep-fished methods.

 

Siblyback – The fishing at Siblyback dramatically improved over the month, with anglers averaging just under five fish per rod. Crylla, Two Meadows, Stocky Bay and West Bank proved to be the most productive locations, with fish feeding either from or just below the surface, and floating line tactics working well. Dry Foam Beetles, Daddy Longlegs and Sedgehogs caught surface-feeding fish, while deeper fish were caught using Montanas, Black and Yellow Buzzers and Black Snakes fished with a slow retrieve. Keith Burnett (from Newquay) caught fifteen rainbows to 2lb 8oz, and lost one much larger fish. Mick Dodkins (from St Germans) caught five rainbows to 2lb 8oz using a Cats Whisker on a slow intermediate line from the bank at Two Meadows. Ron Wilday (from Liskeard) caught two rainbows at 2lb, using a Blue-Tip PTN while fishing in Crylla Bay. Water levels are 75%.

Burrator – Anglers averaged 3.8 fish per visit, with Longstone, Pig Trough, Boat Bay and Lawns all proving popular. Intermediate or floating lines with a long leader produced the best results, with fast, slow, and ’figure of eight’ retrieves all catching fish. Surface feeders were caught on Daddy Longlegs and Sedge patterns, while deeper feeders succumbed to Damsels, Buzzers (there were active buzzer hatches throughout the day), PTNs and Hares Ears, or lures such as Blobs and Cats Whiskers. Gordon MacLeod (from Tavistock) caught four very fit rainbows to 3lb 4oz on an intermediate line, while Roger Prout (from Pensilva) caught ten rainbows to 2lb 12oz, using a floating line and varied retrieve. Alan Lawson (from Plymouth) caught seven rainbows to 1lb 12oz, casting a dry Daddy to rising fish at Longstone before the rain came, and then a pulled nymph at the top of Narrator Bank. Water levels are now up to 77% capacity at the time of writing.

 

Stithians – Water levels are at 56% capacity. Anglers averaged 1.5 fish per visit, with most fish being caught from the banks at Yellowort, Pipe Bay, Hollis Bank, Goonlaze and Deep Bank. Generally floating line tactics have been most successful, with fish taking Dry Daddies, Black Hoppers, Black and Peacock Spiders fished in the surface film, Soldier Palmers and Black Pennels.

Fernworthy – Water levels have risen rapidly to 100% over the month, with plenty of fish rising to Craneflies and Sedges. Anglers averaged 1.8 fish per rod, with many taking dry sedges and Black Gnats, as well as Pheasant Tails, Damsel Nymphs, Bibios and Connemara Black. Feeding fish were well spread out, with trout being caught from the East Bank, North Bank, by the dam and by the permit hut. Daniel Robson (from Tavistock) caught a bag of nine nice browns to 1lb using small nymphs fished fairly statically.

Colliford – Here the excellent sport continued, with anglers averaging up to 6.5 fish per rod in one week. The east bank, bank by the dam, Redhill Down, Stuffells and Browngelly proved to be the best locations, with floating-line tactics catching fish feeding from the surface or just below. Foam Daddies, Black Hoppers, Parachute Adams and Foam Beetles all caught rising fish, while sub-surface feeders were caught on pulled Soldier Palmers, Bibios, Zonkers and Damsels. Dean Boucher (from Gunnislake)  caught sixteen browns to 16” using pulled Soldier Palmer, Bibio and Zonker patterns; Chris Brand (from St Austell) caught four browns to 16” using a Bibio Hopper, with fish rising to hatching buzzers, sedges, and damsels.  Water levels are now just over 70%.

Roadford – The fishing continued to improve, with weekly rod averages up to 4.5 fish per angler. South and East Wortha, Davey’s Bank and North Goodacre produced the best sport, and, with fish rising to hatching buzzers, dry Daddies and Hoppers tempted surface feeders; otherwise, deeper fish were caught using Black Tadpoles, Hares Ears, Soldier Palmers, Zulus and Claret Buzzers. Dean Boucher (from Gunnislake) caught nine browns to 1lb using pulled wets (Soldier Palmer, Zulu and Black Tadpole). The water level is now at 88%.

 

Please see the Trust’s website (www.swlakestrust.org.uk/trout-fishing) for more information on buying tickets, boat availability, booking and end of season dates. The Brown Trout waters closed for the season on 12 October.

 

Chris Hall (October 2024)

 

28 Oct 2024

Pete Tyjas with Charles Inniss

by | posted in: Article, Articles, At the Waters Edge, Game Fishing, Sidebar | 0
Pete Tyjas chats with Charles Inniss at the Half Moon Inn a must listen for anyone interested in the River Torridge and North Devon’s salmon
Fly Culture
New Podcast – Episode 254
Charles Innis – One River
Pete Tyjas makes the drive over to visit Charles Innis at the Half Moon Inn, Sheepwash in Devon.
We talk about his relationship with the inn that goes back to the 1950s when his family took it on as a fishing hotel.
He tells me about his love for the Torridge, looking after guests and running the inn with his brother.
Charles is honest about the good and the not so good times and how a newspaper article made a huge difference to the business.
Now in his 80s he is still deeply involved with the fishing there and shares his deep knowledge and understanding of the river that means so much to him.
I had some rough questions planned but I just pressed record and let the conversation flow in whatever direction it took.
Just click link below to listen

 

26 Oct 2024

March for The Torridge

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 On October 26th  I Joined representatives from several local  angling clubs at a March For The Torridge. Over sixty from various organisations gathered to demonstrate their support for efforts to work together for the long term health of North Devon’s rivers. It is very apparent that there is a great deal of passion for our rivers with many working to get the issues that are impacting upon their health higher onto the political agenda. The Taw and Torridge Estuary Forum work with the North Devon Biosphere on a catchment based approach. It is essential that all parties put aside their differences and unite in the interest of the rivers that are the vital arteries of the land.

       I was asked to say a few words and told of how I had witnessed the dramatic decline of salmon in the Torridge a river that a few decades ago saw catches in the hundreds. This years total rod catch is less than a dozen. Surely a symptom of a wider ecological issue?

 

 

http://www.ilfracombeaquarium.co.uk

25 Oct 2024

March For Clean Water

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Dear Angling Trust Members & Supporters,

We are calling on you to join us at the upcoming March for Clean Water on Sunday, November 3rd in London. This is a great opportunity for anglers to make their voices heard on the urgent need for clean, healthy rivers and waterways, and we need as many of you as possible to join us.

We’ve already shared a video featuring our ambassador, Paul Whitehouse, alongside Bob Mortimer, encouraging support, now we’re asking you to be there with us in person. This march is about showing the strength of the angling community and the passion we have for protecting our waters.

Event details:

  • Date: Sunday, November 3rd.
  • Time: Assemble from 11:00 AM, march starts at 11:45 AM.
  • Location: Albert Embankment, London, SE1. Zones C-D, look for signs on the lamp posts & the Anglers Against Pollution banners.
  • Rally: The event will conclude with a rally at Parliament Square from 1.30 PM finishing around 3:00 PM.
  • Speakers: Penny Gane from Fish Legal and Angling Trust ambassador Feargal Sharkey

We’re asking everyone to wear blue as a show of solidarity, if you want to carry an old rod, or make up your own Anglers Against Pollution placard to show that the angling community stands united in the fight for cleaner, healthier waters. Your presence at the march will send a powerful message.

If you can’t attend, you can still support by sharing our social media posts to help spread the word.

This is our chance to make a difference, and we need you with us. We hope to see you there!

For updates see here.

25 Oct 2024

Bideford & Barnstaple AGM – Members

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Bideford Angling Club and Barnstaple Angling Association both hold their AGM’s in November. If your consiodering joining these clubs or are members already its good opportunity to meet fellow members and find out whats what.

 

Dear Members,

If anyone has any proposals for the AGM 15th Nov, they must be received by midnight tonight, with a proposer and seconder. sent to [email protected]

Thank you

Mervyn Club Secretary.

Barnstaple & District Angling Club AGM will be held in the Ebberly Arms, Bear Street, Barnstaple on Tuesday 12th November at 7.30pm. There is free evening parking in the car park at the rear.  This is always a friendly social evening, and we are expecting a good attendance as in previous years.