Wistlandpound Fly Fishing Club held their Edwards Cup Floating line competition at their home venue. The competition was for the best brace of trout and was won by Dave Mock who landed who two trout for 2lb 15oz, Close behind was David Eldred with a brace totalling 2lb14oz and in third Paul Grisley with a single trout weighing 1lb 9oz.
A wonderful 10lb spring salmon has been caught from Little Warham Fishery on the Mid Torridge . The fine fish was tempted by Gary Pearson, who is usually a familiar face on the River Taw. Gary was was enticed this season by the beauty of Little Warham and the River Torridge. Gary caught the fish during the late afternoon in rainy, cloudy conditions, during this continued period of low water – which is very encouraging to us anglers. The fish was photographed and returned safely. Well done Gary, your first Torridge salmon.
The long spell of dry weather has been frustrating for salmon and sea trout anglers though some have ventured out and enjoyed success on the Lower beats of both the Taw and Torridge. Steve Maddox fished Barnstaple and District Angling Associations water at Newbridge to bank a stunning 18lb fresh run salmon. Steve told me it was his first and gave an amazing account before being brought to the net.
On the Lower Torridge five salmon have been tempted from Half Moon Beats below Beam Weir all of them double figure fish including a fine 12lb springer to experienced rod Charles Inniss.
A few sea trout are also being tempted including fish to 3lb on middle river Torridge beats.
When the rivers are low and salmon and sea trout are hard to find many fly fishers are turning to the the estuary where the silver flanked bass can provide exciting sport on both lure and fly. Nick Hart provides tuition in Fly Fishing in both fresh and saltwater, in rivers and still waters. His latest pictures show some happy anglers making the best of ideal conditions where the estuary meets the sea. Investing in guided fishing can make a huge difference to your catch rates boosting success over many years into the future.
Andy Facey landed this suberb 12lb 4oz rainbow at Blakewell on a 6lb leader and size 8 green copper john on floating line. Andy spent several hours stalking the big trout that repeatedly followed the fly before suddenly grabbing it and taking off like a torpedo!
Below is a report sent to South West lakes Trust by a very satisfied customer!
Jon Ogbourne enjoyed a Great day on Wistlandpound fishing from the clubs boat. He fished with Peter Coleman-Smith and Mark Stewart taking turns on the oars. Fish came from all over the lake with 50+ to the net by the time we landed at 6pm, the best was pushing 1.5lbs. All fish came to either traditional wets, sedgehogs or weighted mini tadpole patterns on the point. Steady wind blowing up toward the dam all day. Sunshine with broken cloud. Buzzers and hawthorn flies around perimeter of lake but not much out on the water. Fish didn’t seem to mind.
David Hill visited Blakewell Fishery and had a pleasing days sport landing four quality trout for 17lb including a handsome 4lb brown trout.
Next Sunday May 14th the fishery are hosting a Snowbee Open day with casting demonstrations, tackle on show and the chance to mingle with fellow anglers whilst enjoying food and refreshments.
http://www.blakewell.co.uk
A tumbling river in springtime with the smell of ramsey and birdsong filling the air has been a part of my life since I was a child catching crimson spotted brown trout from the River Umber that runs through the village of Combe Martin. A few weeks ago I found myself looking into the river where I first tempted those spotted trout. Sadly there were no signs of the descendants of those trout which is a sad refection on the waning state of our countryside.
Fortunately there are still plenty of rivers in North Devon that still have healthy populations of trout. I took a wander along my local river wielding a split cane rod I had bought from a work colleague. The old scottie rod had been bought at a car boot sale and I later found that the rod had been taken there by Richard Mann who I had fished with on several occasions at Blakewell Fishery. Richard was a very enthusiastic angler who had fished far and wide with many a tale to tell. In latter years he had done a huge amount of work for a local branch of the Salmon and Trout Association. Richard sadly passed away last year.
I flicked the flies upstream and thrilled as the free rising trout seized the fly. The old rod flexed as the trout gyrated and darted to and fro in the clear water. I wondered what other adventures the rod had been on? It didn’t really matter what rod as the small river didn’t demand distance casting, a bit of precision perhaps. A modern carbon rod could have ticked every box in functionality but perhaps the old rod was more in keeping with the late spring evening? The river had those same characteristics I had enjoyed close to fifty years ago, perhaps that is one of angling’s greatest attributes in that it brings back those childish perceptions and feelings.
A couple of nights later I was casting a fly across the River Torridge in hope of salmon. The river had dropped away but still had a nice tinge of colour. I started hopeful but as the evening swept past I felt slightly melancholic at the lack of salmon surely after the recent spate there would be salmon present? It was a glorious evening full of birdsong and riverside aromas. I did catch one or two glorious spotted brown trout but these were not enough tonight for I had set my expectations higher and with that came a slight feeling of failure. I will of course be back casting again full of expectation next time the river rises and brings fresh hope of silver tourists.
A glance over the bridge at Umberleigh revealed the Taw running with a slight color perfect conditions for a fish a two.
We called into the Rising Sun at Umberleigh to enjoy their Wednesday steak night. A glance into the Fishing Log revealed the days catch! Spencer Whitbread fished the Rising Sun’s water at Umberleigh and was delighted to land his first fish on the fly a handsome sea trout of 5lb 10oz. The fish was tempted on a Wille Gunn a favorite early season fly on the Taw and Torridge. Spencer was expertly tutored by Mark Izzard.
It was a delicious steak! Two for £20!
9lb 1oz on a dry fly for Mr Gilbert. Fish right up in the water even when cold & windy.
With the warmers days fish are moving up n the water so Nick Harts suggests “try an Owl, a Hopper or stick a Buzzer under a Bung.”
Nick Hart reports:-
So far to today Friday 28th April 188 anglers have visited since the beginning of the month catching a total of 599 Trout to set a very good rod average of 3.2 fish per rod. Amongst them have been some great fish such as the specimens shown below and we were also pleased to see that one of our Trout was selected by Trout Fisherman as Fish of the Month. Well done to the captor John Ratcliffe.
I was passing the river today so I had to take a look the water was perfect the colour of real ale ideal for casting a Mepps down and across to twinkle and throb in the turbulent waters. Sadly there were no anglers cars in the car park a symptom of modern times I am afraid. The Lyn once had an impressive run of both salmon and sea trout and when the conditions were right anglers descended from miles around. Catch and release has never caught on on the Lyn which is a spinning and worming river not ideally suited to the fly angler.
The careful angler should be able to enjoy some fine sport on this beautiful river and if barbless singles are used on the spinners fish can be returned to continue their journey. The E.A have after careful consideration allowed the use of the worm after June 16th and provide anglers with the mandatory circle hooks to promote a high survival rate.
Permits for the Lyn can be purchased from Barbrook filling station that is Open seven days a week from 7.00am until 7.00pm
The weekends rain has also swollen the Taw and Torridge and this should encourage a few salmon up river over the next few days. I will report on NDAN as soon as I get news.