21 Aug 2017

Trout Fishing On Exmoor

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Nick Hart at Exe Valley writes : I Just love introducing new people to fly fishing and this weekend I have been looking after The Crawfords … and how well did they catch?! Celebrating Robins 60th birthday, his sons Adrian and Gary treated the 3 of them to a weekend away on Exe Valley. After casting tuition yesterday they got stuck into the fishing and in tough bright windy conditions picked out 4 nice Trout (and a whitebait!) using a washing line with Blobs. Better was to come as today they excelled with Robin fittingly topping the leader board with 4 Trout to 6lb. Their total bag of 10 pulled the scales down to 36lbs … and they lost at least another 6. All fish caught on #14 quill buzzers in the top 2 feet. Very well done guys it has been a pleasure to fish with you this weekend!

Russell Hill and Samantha Fullerton joined NIck Hart on Exmoor’s wild streams chasing the beautiful wild brown trout that abound in these clear waters.

 

20 Aug 2017

RIVER READS – NEWSLETTER

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Keith Armishaw fishing the Torridge

River Reads are a specialist angling book shop operating out of Torrington well worth a visit as they carry a vast range of angling books on all disciplines. Here is their latest Newsletter penned by owner Keith Armishaw.

Well, it’s been a while since we wrote the last newsletter, but as the weather is too windy for sea fishing and the local rivers are running like soup and fly only, it seemed the ideal time to sit down and pen a few things that have been happening of late.

I have been continuing to add photographs of books to the site as I think it will aid decision making to be able to see exactly what the book you are after looks like and in what condition it is in. I have just completed the fly tying, fly casting and tackle catalogues having done the fly fishing, coarse fishing (carp, pike etc as well) earlier in the year. I hope you find it of use, and if you have any other ideas that would help, please feel free to e mail us.

Whilst we are on the subject of books, Dominic Garnett who writes a weekly column for Angling Times called in for a chat. He is probably best known for his Fly Fishing for Coarse Fish book, but also promotes the fishing in Devon and Somerset. He dropped off some of his other books – Crooked Lines and Tangles with Pike – which he signed whilst we talked fishing, had a cuppa, and recorded him talking for the Angling Heritage archive which you can now hear on line. We had an interesting time which just flew by.

We have also recently acquired quite a lot of our “Vintage Tackle”. Whilst several cane Hardy rods and reels have been added, we have also now got a great selection of nearly new – in many cases unused – high quality modern tackle too including carbon rods from Sage, Orvis, Sharp, Hardy, Greys etc so if you aren’t an old timer stuck in the mud like me, now is the time to buy your fantastic new tackle at great prices. Also acquired with the rods are reels from Orvis, Bruce & Walker, Hardy, ABU, Snowbee and many more.

If you are looking for any new or antique items, now is the time to peruse the antique tackle section.

Finally, I’m looking forward to our shark fishing sessions in Looe next month followed by what we hope will be an annual trip to British Columbia to fish the Frazer, then on to Vancouver Island after salmon. I went with Hugh Miles last year and we loved every moment so have booked the same again this year. If you fancy an overseas trip with the comfort of home where you can stay in spa hotels for your family, this is THE place to go. You can keep up with all my escapades in the “Diary” section of the website, or get a brief overview on our Facebook page.

Autumn is nearly here and I think this is the best time of year to fish, so get out there and good luck.

19 Aug 2017

Frustration in perfect conditions

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I have very much enjoyed two recent sessions on the Taw and Torridge with both rivers in perfect trim. On the Taw I was privileged to fish a middle river beat that has a very good track record. I fished the prime lies carefully searching with a high degree of optimism. A couple of large sea trout or grilse leapt tantalizingly from the river but as my fly drifted across the spot there was no delightful tightening of the line. It was as always a delight to be on the river as kingfishers frequently flew past. As we enter the second half of August the evenings are growing noticeably shorter as autumn looms and it easy the feel slightly melancholic as the light fades from the day. It is heartening to remember though that the next six weeks should give every chance of some good fishing.

 

I arrived on the Torridge to find the river up at a perfect height the water resembling real ale. Surely there would be a silver salmon waiting today!

In my favourite upper pool a salmon erupted from the water thirty yards below. I fished with great concentration down through the run and had sharp tug on the line where the salmon had cleared the water. I had one other gentle tug on the line so I knew I had been tantalizingly close to success. I fished through the run twice more changing the fly on each occasion. Two mink frolicked on the far bank; creatures I viewed with mixed feelings. It was fascinating to observe nature up close but I am well aware of the destruction these vicious predators can inflict on bird life. I was also a little surprised to see them as there is a healthy population of otters on this river and the two do not generally mix.

13 Aug 2017

Perfect Conditions – On the Torridge

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I enjoyed a couple of hours on the Mid Torridge last evening with the river in perfect trim. As I fished carefully down a favourite run the line zipped tight and there was a flurry of spray as I lifted the rod. “Dam” I exclaimed as the rod sprung back and line hung limp. First hook up this season and its off in a few seconds. This bodes well though as there are plenty of salmon throughout the system and so long as we have few wet spells I am sure there will be more chances.

Day ticket opportunitys exist at Little Warham a couple of mile above where I hooked my fish.

 

 

9 Aug 2017

Salmon a plenty on the Taw and Mole

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Peter Tyjas of the Devon School of Fly Fishing tempted this fine salmon from a Taw beat earlier this week one of numerous salmon landed from the river and its main tributary the Mole.  Chris Windsor landed a 16lb salmon from the Weir Marsh and Brightly Beats; one of many double figure fish caught over the past fortnight. John Kenyon and Richard Jewel tempted grilse estimated at 5lb from this same stretch of day ticket water. Information on fishing can be obtained from the Rising Sun at Umberleigh.

 

7 Aug 2017

Wistlandpound Fly-Fishers – Result

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Wistlandpound Fly Fishing Club held their Berry Shield Summer Competition for the single best trout a cool North West Breeze kept the fish down. I won the event with a 12oz brown one of three I tempted using a team of wet flies fished with a floating line. All three were tempted with a Montana nymph on the point. I also landed numerous golden rudd. Colin Combe was runner up with a brown trout of 10oz.

6 Aug 2017

RAIN BRINGS IN THE SILVER TOURISTS

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Whilst the recent rain has not been welcomed by summer holidaymakers it has brought a much needed rise in local rivers that has brought a run of salmon into North Devon’s rivers. I fished the Middle Torridge on Saturday and whilst I did not connect with any salmon the river was in prime trim. Several salmon have been caught on beats on the Upper Torridge which indicates that the salmon have forged up through the river system and are now well spread out.

Little Warham Report – From Amanda and Anthony

After a series of good spates with occasional overcast days, last weekend Anthony caught a couple of fresh salmon with the biggest being 9lb. He also caught a 5lb sea trout. The second spate saw a 13lb salmon caught by a visiting rod. Gary Pearson one of our seasonal rods also caught a 6lb Grilse. Anthony also caught another salmon and see trout over the weekend.

Friday August 4th Johnathon Hellyer, one of our seasonal rods caught two salmon of 12lb and 6lb.  Anthony caught a small sea trout and a 14lb salmon!!

Walking the river bank it is evident that the season is passing by all too quickly with spiders webs glistening in the grass and hazelnuts swelling in the trees. The salmons flanks are also starting to take on those richer autumn hues as what is perhaps the best of the season approaches.

Ian Blewett was among successful anglers on the River Taw landing and returning this cracking specimen from a Middle Taw beat.

I have also heard of a 16lb salmon from the Day Ticket Weir Marsh and Brightly Beats of the Taw where several salmon have been tempted in recent weeks. Tickets can be obtained from the Rising Sun at Umberleigh.

 

Decisions- Whats your top fly?
5 Aug 2017

EXE VALLEY FISHERY – Voted into top 50 of UK Stillwater Trout Fisheries

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It looks like the work to improve Exe Valley Fishery and most notably Anchor Lake is paying off as the venue has just been voted as one of the Top 100 UK Still-waters by the Trout Fisherman magazine.  In fact the fishery entered the top 50, reaching 42nd place, even better news, this year the water remains open to anglers after last year’s disastrous summer when I had to close.  There is no doubt that the cooler air and heavy rainfall have helped, but extensive work to clear weed has also assisted.

4 Aug 2017

Bratton Water Fishing Well

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Bratton Water is fishing well with the lake is in excellent condition and the water  bright and clear with water temperature at  13-14c. The recent rain has freshened things up and weed growth has not been significant despite a long dry warm start to summer. Mike Williams tells me that most fish are being tempted on small dries and nymph patterns.

Check out Bratton Waters updated website just click on the advert below.