When a cold North East Wind blows many fish will be reluctant to feed but brown and rainbow trout are often an exception to this and can provide fine sport at our local stillwater’s. This pleasing 6lb brown trout was tempted at Blakewell by Nick Handel from Singapore.
(Above) Biggest trout of day to Danny Ford at 5lb 12oz
Wistlandpound Fly Fishing club enjoyed great sport when they visited Exe Valley Fishery for the second heat of their Winter Challenge series. Dave Mock won the competition with a five fish bag of 19lb that included a 4lb rainbow and a tagged trout that earned Dave a tenner. In runner up spot was Danny Ford with five for 18lb 12oz and third David Eldred with five for 18lb 8oz. The biggest trout was a fine rainbow of 5lb 12oz for Danny Ford. The trout averaged 3lb and battled hard in the cold clear water. Overall winner of the winter challenge after 2 heats was David Eldred with 28lb 9oz. The first heat was held at Blakewell Fishery early in January.
During the 15 years that I have been involved with Exe Valley Fishery, firstly as an instructor and then as the manager, the only option available has been to catch & kill any Trout caught.
However times are changing rapidly and increasingly I talk with anglers who don’t want to dispatch fish and fill their freezers. I also meet plenty of anglers who are put off by the thought of reaching their limit and then having to head home prematurely, cutting short their enjoyment & experience.
Therefore after a number of successful catch & release events, such as this one in December 2016, I have decided to introduce a new trial permit.
The Catch & Release options will start on Tuesday 7th February 2017 and will be available until Sunday 9th April 2017. During this time we will listen to your thoughts and welcome feedback. If the fishery is well supported during these changes the options will be made available throughout the year, other than during periods of high water temperatures. Full details will be available at the fishery regarding the rules applied to catch & release. The key points include:
– Catch & Release available on Anchor Lake only
– Rubber mesh nets only (we can loan nets)
– Barbless flies only (not debarbed – barbless flies will be available for purchase in the shop)
– Fish to be released must not be removed from the water.
– No Boobies.
– Kill tickets – Fish limit must be killed prior to Catch & Release.
Catch & Release Permit Options & Prices (07.02.17 to 09.04.17)
10 Fish Catch & Release Only – £25
2 Fish Kill & 2 Fish Release – £30
3 Fish Kill & 3 Fish Release – £35
4 Fish Kill & 4 Fish Release – £40
5 Fish Kill & 5 Fish Release – £45
Although there is an increase in permit prices, the first for several seasons, the new structure with the inclusion of catch & release offers some of the best value small stillwater fishing in the West Country if not the UK.
Sixteen anglers braved heavy rain to enjoy top rate sport at Blakewell Fishery where they landed ninety-six trout a mixture of hard fighting browns and rainbows. The six fish bags averaged 14lb 8oz.
1st Nick Martin
2nd John Sheppard
3rd Paul Grisley
Bratton Water’s stature as a first class brown trout water is growing with some stunning fish being tempted. Chay Boggis visited the fishery and had a fine bag of trout to just over five pounds. Successful tactics were a white dog nobbler fished close to the surface with a fast erratic retrieve. Nick Hart and top angling photographer Henry Gilbey paid a recent visit to the fishery and their work should appear in a top trout fishing publication this spring!
Stillwater Trout anglers are enjoying some great sport at Blakewell Fishery where Peter Shazell landed a 4lb brown trout and Justin Phillips and fine rainbow of 6lb 6oz.
The latest from Nick Hart at Exe Valley. These cold calm winter days are great for the winter fly fisher!
Always good to see new faces on the lake and today Andrew, John, Simon & Roger took the trip from Cheddar on a cold January morning. I got the boat out for a bit of ice breaking and the guys nailed some fish. Rogers were camera shy but the 4 of them landed 19 fish with John taking the best bag of 5 at 19lb 8oz with Andrew on 5 for 17lb. All sorts of tactics used including lures and nymphs with sink tips & floaters. Thanks for visiting guys and hope to see you again.
Colin Oram bagged himself a stunning spade tailed 14lb 8oz Rainbow trout from Exe Valley Fishery caught using an Olive Classic FM on 7lb leader . The fish gave a spirited 15 minute scrap; no surprise with a tail like that!!
Blakewell Fisheries first competition for the year will be Sunday the 29th January 2017. This is sure to be a popular event with every chance of a big double figure rainbow like the ones pictured below caught during the Christmas Competition.
To secure your place email Blakewell on [email protected]
Wistlandpound Fly Fishing Clubs winter challenge match at Blakewell fishery saw twelve members competing . All members caught their four fish limit by early afternoon with those who bagged early enjoying socializing with fellow members. Winner of the event was David Eldred with four for 10lb 1oz. Matt Kingdon was runner up with 9lb 10oz and Colin Combe third with 9lb 3oz. David Richards landed the biggest fish a quality brown of 3lb 5oz. Biggest rainbow weighed 3lb 3oz to Colin Combe.
Whilst it is still winter and we may get an icy blast or two before the spring arrives it was hard to believe that spring was not starting to arrive as we walked to the water. Green shoots of blackthorn on the hedge and daffodils emerging from the soil. The sound of a song thrush drifted through the mild air. I chatted with fishery owner Richard Nickel about the forthcoming salmon and sea trout season. It will soon be upon us once again daffodil lined river banks, summer migrants swooping over the water and with luck that tightening of the line as a salmon seizes the fly!
With mild conditions it was never going to be a challenging day and most anglers caught easily. I caught my bag using a bead headed black and green tadpole, a varied retrieve proved effective. After completing my bag I took a stroll around the lake chatting with fellow club members. I was also shown a few fascinating behind the scenes projects including a project to restock freshwater pearl mussels into the Torridge. We were also shown future generations of stock fish. A 2lb rainbow takes around 15 months to rear and a 10lb fish 3 years.
