31 Jan 2026

Combe Martin SAC – AGM & Presentation Night

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Combe Martin SAC held their AGM and presentation night at the  Mariner’s Arms in Braunton. Members reflected upon the past years successes and failures as the club strives to remain relevant and positive in this ever changing world.

There were some excellent fish caught throughout the year as is apparent from the list of award winners. How to acknowledge success in angling is increasingly debated. It seems that the appetite for trophies has waned partially due to the cost of prohibitive engraving. At around £10 to engrave a trophy a club with twenty or thirty trophies faces a bill of between £200 and £300 which equates to the total raised via subscriptions. Certificates of merit are the preferred option and sit nicely into a folder but in truth these days a grip and grin photo on Facebook seems to be many anglers preferred option. Those of a cynical nature frown upon this supposed fishing for clicks but I personally accept that most anglers like to share their joy in success.

The clubs annual Puttsborough Open was once again a resounding success with good attendance, plenty of fish and welcome funds for the club. The ongoing support from Sakuma Tackle is very much appreciated.

The clubs lure fishing league proved popular with a dedicated band of club members keen to explore the possibilities of this growing sector of sea angling. Many thanks go to Danny Watson of High Street Tackle for his ongoing sponsorship.

The clubs mullet anglers are very active chasing the species throughout the seasons catching a fish that was once considered a fish of summer throughout the coldest of winter days.

There are also a hard core of club members who seek those big specimen huss, conger and tope from the rugged rocky shoreline.

Daniel Welch has invigorated interest in boat fishing with his Charter boat Predator 2 taking club members to investigate new marks using the latest techniques with considerable success.

The clubs longstanding committee remains unchanged this year. The club has a full and varied diary of events planned for 2026. Details of the club can be found at their website

www.cmsac.co.uk or on their Facebook Page. New members are welcome.

Awards for 2025 Season are as follows:

Trophy winners 2025

Bass Cup       –  Length –   Mark Drewer – 77cm  Weight  Shane Pavis Hookway 4lb 2oz

Grey Mullet Cup –    John Shapland –  Thick Lipped grey mullet – 5lb 7oz

Conger Cup –  Jonathon Stanway – 18lb 10oz

Predator Award – Shane Hookway – Shore Caught tope 43lb 6oz

Flatfish Cup –   Wayne Thomas – Flounder 1lb 6.25oz

Shore Shield – Olli Passmore  – Gilthead Bream – 5lb 10oz – 187.5%

Medway – Boat – Specimen    – David Brooke – gilthead bream- 6lb 4oz –  208.333%

Wrasse Trophy – Ollie Passmore – ballan wrasse     – 5lb 2oz

Ray Shield –            Craig Mc Cloughlin – Small eyed ray 9lb 8oz

Specimen League     – Top Five –    Shane Pavio HookWay       Five fish total 518.349 %

Donald Kyte Award – 6 mullet – John Shapland – 689.463%

Scouse Trophy – Ross Stanway 1lb 1.25oz

Lure Fishing League –

1st Jamie Steward – Five – 354cm

2nd Mark Drewer – Five – 351cm

Biggest bass in lure league – Mark Drewer 77cm

Merit Trophy  was awarded to  Daniel Welch  for his outstanding contribution and support of the club via his Charter Boat enterprise Predator 2 that has invigorated the clubs boat fishing sector.

Club Records

 David Brooke  – Gilthead Bream – 6lb 4oz

Fish of the Season awards – £25 Voucher for High Street Tackle

January February March  – Shane Pavio Hookway – Tope Shore 43lb 6oz

April May June  – Ollie Passmore – Gilthead bream – 5lb 10oz

July August September – David Brooke – Gilthead bream 6lb 4oz

October November December – John Shapland – Thick lipped grey mullet 5lb 7oz

Combe Martin Sea Angling Club
Calendar Of Events 2026

February 6th to February 8th Winter Rover
Meet The Mariners Arms, Braunton 6.30pm

March 6th to March 8th Spring Rover & Mullet Meet
Mullet Fish & Meet Breakfast at Lynmouth Sunday 10.00am
Rover Meet The Mariners Arms, Braunton 6.30pm

March Saturday 21st Portishead

Lure League April 1st to October 31st
Best Five Bass sponsored by High Street Tackle, Ilfracombe

April Sunday 5th Minehead Boat Trip

May 1st to May 3rd Late Spring Rover

Meet up The Mariners Arms, Braunton 6.30pm and Committee Meeting

May Sunday 17th Boat Trip Predator 2

May Sunday 24th Greysands Social Fish 9.00am to 3.00pm

June Saturday 13th Putsborough Open 9.30pm to 1.30am

June Sunday 28th Boat Trip Predator 2

July Sunday 19th Boat Trip Predator 2

July 24th to July 26th Lure Fishing Weekend
Meet up Ilfracombe Pier 6.00pm

August Sunday 30th Boat Trip Predator 2

September 1st to December 13th Autumn / Winter League
Best of Four Specimen fish of different species ( Boat & Shore )
September Sunday 6th Fun Fish Ilfracombe Pier

Committee Meeting The Mariners Arms, Braunton 6.30pm

September Sunday 27th Boat Trip Predator 2

October Saturday 17th Portishead

October 30th to November 1st Mullet Weekend
Meet up for breakfast Lynmouth Sunday 10.30am

December 11th to December 13th Christmas Rover
Meet The Mariners Arms, Braunton 6.30 Committee Meeting ( Calendar 2027 )

December 26th to January 3rd 2027 Festive & New Year Fish
Meet up The Mariners, Braunton 6.30pm

January Friday 29th 2027 AGM & Presentation Night

All three day competitions run from Friday 6.00am to Sunday 6.00pm. Entry £10
In addition to the calendar we may hold pop up events throughout the year.
Members can suggest venues, etc at short notice. Then advertised on Whats App or
Facebook

 

 

 

26 Jan 2026

ANGLING REPORT – Mid January 2026

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Specimen spurdog and huss win Bideford Sea Match

Antony Smith secured first place in Bideford Angling Clubs forty eight hour rover with a specimen spurdog of 13lb 1.5oz. Stephen Found was runner up with a bull huss of 12lb 9oz and Andrew Clements third with a huss of 12lb 7oz.   The specimen fish emphasise the significance of the weather in fishing. After several weeks of poor fishing along the coast with a North and Easterly winds predominating a swing to a South Westerly flow has invigorated sport. The next few weeks should see some good fish from the North Devon coast especially following any storms that stir up the seabed.

North Devon Match Group fished their first match of 2026 at the ever prolific Stafford Moor. The Match was fished on Woodies Lake and Tanners and both lakes gave great fishing. Dave Stockton was top rod on Woodies with 190lb 13oz and Steve Hayman runner up with 143lb. Tom Downing was the winner on Tanners with 108lb 2oz and Les Polden runner up with 100lb 14oz.

Each season I venture over to fish for grayling on the Upper Exe and its tributaries that are accessed via Dulverton Angling Association membership. Grayling are not native to Exmoor but have thrived since their introduction into the Exe in around 1896. These delightful silver ladies of the stream offer an excuse to visit the river in the depths of winter. Probing the river using tight line nymphing tactics I connected with two grayling one of which shed the hook the other was brought to the net and admired for a moment before being slipped back into the cool water.

The valleys at this time of year have a certain atmosphere that contrasts with the vibrancy of Spring and summer. There is state of slumber as the cold of winter still maintains a grip yet there are signs of spring as snowdrops flower and the intensity of birdsong seems to be increasing as if there is expectancy in the cool air.

There are less than two months until the start of a new trout fishing season non local rivers and that time will soon pass. Now is the time to sort out those fly boxes, tie flies for the new season and plan where you intend to cast a line.

STORMY DAYS FOR ANGLERS

Storm Ingrid swept across the South West last weekend with rainfall swelling the regions rivers. Its impact on the salmon redds high on the moors and upper tributaries of rivers is unknown. It seems remarkable that the salmons tiny eggs buried in the gravel survive. Yet winter floods happen every year and these remarkable migratory fish survive against all odds. I have heard some encouraging results from last year’s fry surveys with good numbers of salmon fry recorded across many of North Devon’s rivers. It is to be hoped that ongoing work across the region is starting to bring hope for the future.

On Friday night Combe Martin SAC hold their AGM and presentation night at the Mariners Arms in Braunton. As chairman of the club and club officer for close to fifty years I have seen significant change in angling and the angling community. The club like many others is struggling to adapt to changes in society and social habits. I remember with fondness the clubs annual dinner, dance and presentation night when at its peak over one hundred would attend to cheer on the cup and trophy winners. The desire to win trophies has declined across the sea angling sector as a grip and grin picture on social media seems to have become the preferred option. Adapting to change is undoubtedly a challenge for all clubs as the way we fish changes. Clubs are vital in bringing anglers together and it is to be hoped that community survives as the modern world continues to evolve.

The Angling Trust is the sports representative body and I have been a member since its formation. The Angling Trust and Fish Legal work to protect, promote and develop angling for all anglers across all disciplines. Sadly only a small proportion of anglers belong to this organisation with many openly criticising the organisation for its failure to deliver. The organisation needs vital funds to bring the results that anglers need to safeguard the future. If every angler joined, the trust would be a powerful body that could fight for the future of angling a pastime that brings many benefits across society.

Bideford and District Angling Club members endured cold wet and windy conditions at their monthly rod n reel competition fished at their home water Tarka Swims. Paul Whitehead was the winner with 17lb 10oz. Martin Turner was runner up with 12lb 10oz, Paul Elworthy third with 12lb 9oz and Colin O Hagan forth with 11lb 11oz.

Steve Johnson was awarded angler of the year in Barnstaple Bait and Tackle Match Groups presentation night evening.

Kevin Shears won the latest open match at Stafford Moor fishery with 169lb 4oz.

Bulldog Trout Fishery hold their latest Open Fly Fishing Competition this Sunday spaces are limited and can be secured by contacting the fishery via the contact details on their website www.bulldogfisheries.com

12 Jan 2026

ANGLING REPORT – January 12th 2026

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ANGLING REPORT

Flounder Season Conclusion

Barnstaple Bait and Tackles New Year flounder bash concluded the flattie season with several good flounder brought to the scales at Flukey’s Bar.  Tyler Short caught the winning fish of 1lb 8.25oz. Kevin Hancock was runner up with a flounder of 1lb 8oz and Shane Murch third with a flattie of 1lb 5oz. A. J. Connaughton was top junior with a flounder of 1lb 5oz. Tyler Gammon runner up Junior with a flounder of 1lb 3oz and Josh Varbey third with a 1lb 2oz flounder. The series of flounder competitions held over the Autumn and Winter months by Barnstaple Bait and Tackle and David Jenkin’s have proved extremely popular with good numbers of Juniors catching their first fish. David and Barnstaple Bait and Tackle look forward to organising more events next season.

Bideford Angling Clubs end of season sea competition saw Dale Kiff secure the top two places with a spurdog and 10lb 3oz and a bull huss of 8lb 14oz.

Josh Atkinson secured the top three places in Appledore Shipbuilders January Rover with a brace of  pouting weighing 1lb 1.5oz and 13.75oz along with a dogfish of 1lb 13.25oz. Competitors caught bull huss, whiting, conger, rockling and codling.

Bideford Angling Clubs January Coarse Match at their home venue Tarka Swims was won by Nathan Underwood with 23lb 11oz. Kevin Shears was runner up with 19lb 4oz and Paul Elworthy third with 5lb 9oz.

Winter trout fishing is thriving at Bulldog Fishery where consistent sport is being enjoyed by visiting anglers. Highlight of New Year catches was a fine double figure brown trout caught by Garth Fuchs. The fishery are holding an Open Competition on February 1st contact the fishery to book as spaces are limited.

There are numerous dates for the diary over the coming months as we move towards Spring. The popular South West Fly Fair is to be held at Roadford Reservoir on Sunday February 22nd. Charles Jardine will once again be the guest of honour as fly Fishing enthusiasts from across the West Country gather in anticipation at the dawning of a new season.

Trout and Salmon magazine is now under the editorship of Pete Tyjas whose home water is the River Taw. A gathering to celebrate the start of a new season is presented by Trout and Salmon magazine is to be held at the Fox and Hounds between Friday March 27th and the 29th. The event has a full program of speakers, demonstrations and exhibitors together with food, drink and the opportunity to mingle with fellow anglers and their families. Contact the Fox and Hounds Country Hotel for full details.

4 Jan 2026

Winter Mullet Win Festive Fish

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Combe Martin SAC members held their annual festive fish over the Christmas and New Year period with a handful of members braving the elements. Several members targeted grey mullet a species that just a few decades ago would have been considered a fish of the warmer months. The winner of the competition was Daniel Welch with a specimen thick lipped mullet of 4lb. Runner up was Wayne Thomas with a dogfish of 2lb 7oz.

Combe Martin SAC member John Shapland did not enter the club competition but still continued to seek the thick lipped grey mullet that are his speciality. A personal best of 5lb 7oz and a smaller specimen of 4lb 6oz were his reward for enduring a bitingly cold North East wind.

1 Jan 2026

A Danglers Diary – December 2025

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SHORE FISHING

Its starting to look a lot like Christmas at the local harbour and after a succession of dogfish a moderate Bull huss takes the bait.

TROUT FROM STILLWATERS

The Fluff Chucker’s Stillwater event is held on the calm waters of the Arundell’s lake. After coffee and bacon rolls a friendly competition is held and I am pleased to secure the biggest fish and runner up in the event netting eight trout the biggest brown trout of 43cm. Many thanks must go to Rodney Wevill who does the bulk of the work in organising these get togethers.

 

FLOUNDER FISHING

The Triple Hook Turkey Flounder Open is a popular fixture and its good to visit the estuary to dig a few ragworm before the competition. Angling certainly takes you to some interesting places.

The day of the competition coincides with the Winter Solstice and I savour the sunrise above Barnstaple as the tide ebbs. Skeins of geese fly over and the haunting cry of the curlew drifts through the morning air.

I even manage a brace of flounder the biggest of which secures turkey Christmas Dinner

Beach Fishing

Its Combe Martin SAC’s Festive Fish so I head out to fish a local beach sheltered from the bitter North East Wind I reel in a few dogfish and a small Bull huss. The best doggie is 2lb 7oz the biggest I have caught or a while.

PIKE FISHING

James and I spend a day exploring Tiverton Canal hoping to tempt pike or perch on lures. Its a bitter cold lazy east wind but after enjoying a full English at the appropriate Fishermans Cott we have a good day. A few small jacks follow the lures but we cannot get a hit. The kingfishers entertain and James manages to capture them with his camera.

Winter Mullet

On the last day of 2025 I fish for the elusive grey mullet. I glimpse a few good fish and the rod tip trembles a few times but I fail to connect. Its cold but there is not a breath of wind as the sun slowly sets on the year.

The time must come to all of us, who live long, when memory is more than prospect. An angler who has reached this stage, and reviews the pleasures of life, will be grateful and glad that he has been an angler, for he will look back on days radiant with happiness, peaks and peaks of enjoyment that are not less bright because they are lit in memory by the light of a setting sun.

From Fly Fishing by  Edward Grey of Fallodon (1930 Edition)

23 Dec 2025

ANGLING NEWS ACROSS North Devon – Christmas 2025

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Bideford Christmas Flounder

            Close to one hundred anglers lined the banks of the Torridge Estuary to compete in Bideford Angling Clubs Christmas Competition. The winner was Adam Coley with a flounder scaling 1lb 15oz. Runner up was Steve Foland with a flounder of 1lb 13oz and Paul Burslam third with a flounder of 1lb 12oz. Forty seven flounder were brought to the scales and several good sized bass were also tempted. Bideford Angling Club would like to thank their generous sponsors, DS Electrical, Anglers Heaven, Clawford Lakes, Leeda, Devon Baits, Barnstaple Bait and Tackle, James Grigg and Gabby Pillows. The competition raised £650 for the Charity ‘Cardiac Risk in The Young’.

Flukey’s Christmas Flounder Open

            Flukey’s Christmas Flounder Open attracted fifty one anglers. The winner was Mike McManus with a flounder of 1lb 13.5oz. Mario Manley was runner up with a flounder of 1lb 9.75oz and Mathew Mitchel third with a flounder of 1lb 8oz. Layla Mitchel was top junior with a flounder of 1lb 3.5oz and Kayden Hull runner up with a flounder of 1lb 1.25oz

   

        

BIDEFORD COARSE MATCH

Bideford Angling Club Christmas Coarse Match at their home venue Tarka Lakes was won by Nathan Underwood with 47lb 3oz. John Lisle was runner up with 25lb 14oz and Martin Turner third with 18lb 6oz.

 

            Bulldog Fisheries Christmas Competition was won by Roy Pink with five trout for 16lb 13oz. Runner up was Colin Combe with three fish for 16lb 2oz and Dave & Freddy Chapman third with 13lb 1oz. The biggest fish of the day was a fine tiger trout of 8lb 9oz to the rod of Colin Combe.

Fluff Chuckers STILLWATER EVENT 

            The Fluff Chucker’s held a Stillwater competition hosted by the Arundell at Lifton. Fishing the hotels Lake members caught over twenty trout with Roger Truscott winning with an impressive eleven trout. Runner up was Andrew Watson with three trout and winner of the biggest fish myself with a brown trout of 43cm. The event was sponsored by Yeti Europe, Lakedown Brewing and Tap Room.

            Sam Graham fished Hacche Moor Fishery to bank a fine common carp of 44lb 14oz.

            South West Lakes Trust have closed all swims on the West bank at Lower Slade Reservoir following a tree survey that revealed a large number of ash trees that are in danger of falling. Ash die back is having an impact on many fisheries across Devon and anglers should be aware of the ongoing dangers as the trees are particularly prone to falling or losing limbs. Lower Slade is one of North Devon’s few pike waters with fish present to over twenty pounds. Those targeting the species should ensure they have all the correct unhooking equipment and should familiarise themselves with South West Lakes relevant rules.

            Sea anglers fishing the Open coast will be targeting spurdog, bull huss, conger and tope. The winter months offer the chance to target a wide range of species from the open coast. Those venturing out should always consider their safety taking relevant precautions. Always be aware of weather conditions and tides. Tell someone where you intend to fish and expected time of return. Use what three words to indicate location and ensure you carry a mobile phone and wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Combe Martin SAC Member Shane Hookway caught  a specimen 10lb 11oz bull huss.

          

CHRISTMAS TURKEY’s for Triple Hook Club Winners

            Triple Hook Clubs Christmas Turkey Flounder Open is always a popular fixture for the North Devon angling community and this year was no exception with over forty anglers taking part. The flounder proved hard to find with plenty of freshwater rushing out with the ebbing tide. Despite this some quality fish were brought to the scales and it was good to join in and catch up with familiar faces from the angling community.

            The top ten anglers all received a turkey dinner. The winner was Tony Gooch with a fine flounder of 1lb 10.5oz. Paul Ackland was runner up with a flounder of 1lb 93/8oz and Rob Hancock third with a flounder of 1lb 75/8oz. Forth was Mark Beer with a flounder of 1lb 71/2oz and fifth myself with a flounder of 1lb 63/8oz. The clubs ladies flounder competition was won by Sam Ackland with a flounder of 1lb 57/8oz  with Amber Chapple runner up with a flounder of 13.5oz.

Appledore Shipbuilders Results

22 members fished Appledore Shipbuilders Christmas competition on Sunday 21st December.

Martin Davis took top spot with a lovely Flounder of 1lb 13ozs. David Atkinson was 2nd and 3rd with Flounders of 1lb 9 and 1lb 8 3/4.

20 Flounders were weighed in with the majority safely released to be caught again.

Well done everyone who fished.

Also this weekend was the December heat of the winter League. Andrew Atkinson was 1stcwith a Huss of 9lb 8ozs. Josh Atkinson was 2nd with another Huss of 8lb 5ozs with Andrew 3rd with a Huss of 8lb 4oz.

Bideford Angling Club Result

            Stephen Found won Bideford Angling Clubs forty eight hour rover with a specimen pouting of 2lb 1oz. Jon Stevens was runner up with a small eyed ray of 7lb 51/2oz and Paul Ackland third with a flounder of 1lb 9.5oz. Richard Jefferies set a new Bideford Angling Club record with a skate scaling 13lb 4oz.

           Combe Martin SAC  

Combe Martin SAC Member Shane Hookway caught a fine bull huss of 10lb 11oz on a recent session along the North Devon coast. Bull huss, ray and spurdog have featured in catch’s recently along with whiting and dogfish.

            Barnstaple Bait and Tackle Match Group held their annual Christmas Competition at Morchard Road Lake View. Steve Hayman was the winner with 77lb 6o z. Runner up was Gary Sullivan with 53lb 8oz and Kevin Wilton third with 52lb 13oz.

            The Christmas Special of the popular Mortimer and Whitehouse Gone Fishing programme is on screened on Christmas Eve and is filmed in Devon and Cornwall with the Arundell Arms at Lifton playing a starring roll.

21 Dec 2025

CHRISTMAS TURKEY’s for Triple Hook Club Winners

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CHRISTMAS TURKEY’s for Triple Hook Club Winners

            Triple Hook Clubs Christmas Turkey Flounder Open is always a popular fixture for the North Devon angling community and this year was no exception with over forty anglers taking part. The flounder proved hard to find with plenty of freshwater rushing out with the ebbing tide. Despite this some quality fish were brought to the scales and it was good to join in and catch up with familiar faces from the angling community.

            The top ten anglers all received a turkey dinner. The winner was Tony Gooch with a fine flounder of 1lb 10.5oz. Paul Ackland was runner up with a flounder of 1lb 93/8oz and Rob Hancock third with a flounder of 1lb 75/8oz. Forth was Mark Beer with a flounder of 1lb 71/2oz and fifth myself with a flounder of 1lb 63/8oz. Steve Luxton and D Willbey sixth equal with flounder of 1lb 6oz. Andy Joslin was eigth with a flattie of 1lb 57/8oz, Stefan Jones ninth with a flounder of 1lb 43/8oz and Ronnie Luxton tenth with flounder of 1lb 17/8oz.

 The clubs ladies flounder competition was won by Sam Ackland with a flounder of 1lb 57/8oz  with Amber Chapple runner up with a flounder of 13.5oz.

Winter Solstice sunrise over Barnstaple