Large numbers of small mullet bode well for the future though they made it hard to connect with the larger specimens that could be glimpsed on the flooding tide. The annual event was concluded with breakfast in Lynmouth Pavillion.
Storm Amy swept across North Devon last weekend and its effects will undoubtedly be felt as sea anglers seek big bass, tope and huss along the coast. A big Autumn storm such as this generally encourages big fish close in shore to feed and forage on the food dislodged.
Andrew Atkinson won Appledore Shipbuilders monthly Rover with a bull huss of 7lb 10.25oz. Runner up was Michael Hammett with a huss of 7lb 1.75oz and Josh Atkinson third with a dogfish of 1lb 15oz.
Combe Martin Sea Angling Clubs Lure Fishing league still has two weeks left to run and is currently headed by Mark Drewer with five bass for a total length of 351cm’s. Runner up is Seth Tuson on 347.5cm and Jamie Steward third with five for 344cm.
The flounder season is well underway on the Taw estuary with forty anglers taking part in the Daniel Mackie Flukey’s Flatfish Open. Stefan Jones won the competition with a flounder of 1lb 8.25oz. Runner up was David Jenkins with a flounder of 1lb 7oz and Taz Wotton third with a flounder of 1lb 6.75oz. The event raised £125 for the Children’s Hospice South West. Barnstaple Triple Hook Club have launched their Flounder season schedule with the Junior and Ladies Open competition this weekend.
I sometimes wonder what anglers want to read on North Devon Angling News in addition to the latest news from around the region. I thought it might be worthwhile taking a look back at the beginning of each month at the venues I have fished over the preceding month and the triumphs and trials I have encountered.
In early September Pauline and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary. It is a testament to Pauline that she has accepted my obsession with angling throughout those fiorty plus years supporting me great with patience. (Most of the time; for there are times when I have undoubtedly overstepped the mark a little).
We celebrated at the Tarr Steps Inn beside the glorious River Barle that once teemed with salmon during the Autumn months. I remember catching a silver grilse on the day of Princess Diana’s funeral back in 1997. The river like many has suffered a dramatic decline in its salmon stocks though its wild brown trout are still abundant.
In the Exmoor Town of Dulverton it was good to see minnows shoaling in the leat that runs past Rothwell & Dunsworth the book shop that always has a tempting array of fishing books.
The Glorious Wye
Whilst the River Wye in Herefordshire frequently makes the headlines regarding effluent from Chicken farms and agriculture it is still a beautiful rIver. its salmon runs have plummeted but it is still home to some wonderful Coarse fish. I extracted a few bronze flanked chub on a trip in the middle of September.
Evening light on a tranquil Wye.
HOME WATERS
The quiver tip back on home ground…
CORNISH REEF
The annual trip to fish in the Looe Basher was once again an enjoyable excursion visiting familar haunts.
Spectacular red gurnard
Broken tips for two!
IN HOPE OF SALMON
THOSE WILD BROWNS ALWAYS OBLIGE
The beauty of a wild brown trout from the higher reaches of a local river.
Many thanks to Anglers Paradise for inviting Pauline and I to their 40 year celebrations.
There are just over three weeks left of Combe Martin SAC’s Lure Fishing league that has been hotly contested this year by a dedicated band of enthusiasts. Whilst numbers of bass are likely to be less now is perhaps the time to catch that elusive double figure specimen.
1st – Mark Drewer – 351 cm
2nd – Seth Tuson – 347.5
3rd – Jamie Steward – 344 cm
4th – Wayne Thomas – 318cm
5th – Daniel Welch – 302cm
My sea angling journey started many years ago fishing from the Banjo Pier in Looe, South Cornwall so each year when we return to join what has become known as the Looe Basher group many memories are rekindled. I was booked onto the Reef Fishing trip on the Friday of the week which turned out to be a lucky break as two days of the six booked for the group ended up being cancelled due to inclement weather.
The Looe Basher is organised with military precision by Lee Armishaw of Watersmeet Publications who navigates many hurdles to put together this highly enjoyable convergance of friends each Autumn.
I joined six other anglers on Dan Margetts, Sowenna and we sailed out of Looe on a grey morning eager to connect with the many species that dwell on the offshore reefs. The previous days highlight had been the sighting of a fin whale breaching close to the boat.
I hope to cover the trip in a future Sea Angler Feature so will not go into too much detail. But the trip resulted in some stunning fish that brought much colour to the grey Autumn day. Two of us boated nine species each on the day with a total of at least a dozen species to the boat including three comber.
The week concluded with a gathering and a delicious meal in the Golden Guinea where the annual ‘Evans Top Rod award’ was presented to Dickie Howell who landed ten species in a single session and assisted Dan Margetts with crewing. ‘The Evans Top Rod engraved Tankard is presented in fond memory of Peter Evans who was a regular attendee of the Looe Basher. He brought a warm presence, optimism and humour to the event and is greatly missed following his passing earlier this year.
Jack Perks was also congratulated in catching a comber to bring his tally of Uk species to 100!
BIDEFORD SECURE IMPRESSIVE WIN OVER PLYMOUTH
Bideford & District Angling Club secured an impressive victory against Plymouth and District Angling Club at Bake Lakes. Bideford totalled weight was 147lb 6oz with Plymouth only managing 35lb 14oz. The individual winner on the day was Bideford’s Craig Lamey. The combined weight totals after the two legs were Bideford 447lb15oz to Plymouth’s 150lb 12oz.
42lb carp – Stafford Moor
Scott Cowling banked a fine mirror carp of 42lb whilst fishing Stafford Moor’s Lodge Lake. The venue also produced eight fish for Rob Gibbon and his friends the biggest 36lb.
Smoothound Dominate
Smoothound dominated Bideford Angling Clubs monthly sea rover with Stephen Found landing a fine specimen of 14lb 10oz. Andrew Clements was runner up with a thornback ray of 9lb 2oz. Dale Kiff and Jenson Kiff took the remaining places with smoothound scaling 9lb 11oz, 9lb 9oz, 8lb 1oz and 7lb 4oz.
Bass Wins Appledore Rover
Michael Hammett took top spot in Appledore Shipbuilders rover with a bass of 4lb 5oz.
Triggerfish wins CMSAC Competition
Kevin Legge won Combe Martin SAC’s rover with a specimen triggerfish scaling 3lb 15oz. I took second and third place with thick lipped grey mullet of 4lb 14oz and 4lb 1oz.
Trevor Telling Memorial 2025
The Annual Trevor Telling Memorial Competition at Wimbleball was won by Colin Combe who boated five trout for a total weight of 12lb 8.5oz. The bank trophy was won by Roger Truscott who banked three trout for 5lb 12oz. The prizes were presented by well- known and respected fly fishing writer and instructor Peter Cockwill. All monies raised go to the Exeter Hospice Care Team.
As water levels at local reservoirs recover and water temperatures drop trout sport is expected to improve with late September and October often providing some of the seasons best sport.
RAIN BRINGS HOPE OF SILVER
Heavy rain showers have brought hope that salmon will move into North Devon’s rivers bring a late flourish to what has been a poor season with drought conditions dominating throughout the summer.
FLOUNDER FISHING SEASON
Late September is the traditional start of the flounder fishing season and competitions are already planned for the coming months. The Barnstaple Bait & Tackle Dan Miles Memorial Open Competition is on Sunday November 30th and is proving a popular event with over 100 entrants in last year’s event. All proceeds go to Children’s Hospice South West Little Bridge House, Fremington.
