
Cameron Atkinson won Appledore Shipbuilders latest Boat Competition with a fine tope of 35lb 4oz. In runner up spot was Michael Hammett with a tope of 33lb. Third place was taken by Michael Toogood with a bull huss of 10lb 4oz.
Combe Martin SAC are holding a species Hunt between July 1st and September 3rd with the prizes to be presented at the clubs annual Fun Fishing Event. The event is sponsored by High Street Tackle Ilfracombe.
After the first week of the event numerous species have been caught from both boat and shore. The leader after one week is Daniel Welch with 11 species.
1st – Daniel Welch – 11 Species
2nd = John Shapland – 8 species Rob Scoines – 8 species
3rd – Louis Rooke – 6 species
4th – Ross Stanway – 5 species
5th -Wayne Thomas – 4 species
6th Lee Holden – 3 species
7th = Ali Laird – 2 species James Thomas – 2 species



Of course getting out fishing on these summer nights is a pleasure in itself with an extra incentive to hunt down the many species that swim off our coast. Image above courtesy of James Thomas.

Tim Poat has set a potential new British Record landing a 15.8 gram connemara clingfish whilst fishing North Devon’s top LRF mark Ilfracombe Pier. The current British record stands at 10grams and Tim has submitted a claim to the Angling Trust’s record fish committee.
Tim tempted the fish on a piece of ragworm fished down the side of the wall on a very calm evening as the tide was ebbing.Tackle was Impact Ajing 5762 Lrf rod Shimano Sahara c2000s reel Gosen 9lb Maxbeat braid All purchased from Art of fishing in Wadebridge Hook size 16 tied directly to the end of the line 7 gram weight about a foot above the hook.
LRF(light rock fishing) Fishing has grown in popularity over recent years and offers a whole new perspective to sea angling with the use of ultra light tackle and finesse not traditional associated with sea angling. One of the joys of LRF fishing is catching an amazing array of species.
Another aspect of LRF fishing is that even moderate sized fish give a spirited tussle on the this tackle and you could call it Light-Rod Fun Fishing.



The last few days have seen mirror calm seas for boat anglers who have been enjoying some great sport with tope on Ilfracombe Charter boat Reel Deal. Skipper Dan Hawkins has also put customers in contact with porbeagle’s. Unfortunately the fish have thrown the hook early before being brought to the boat. If conditions remain calm I am sure we will see numerous porbeagle shark brought to the side of the boat and maybe even another thresher shark.



APPLEDORE SHIPBUILDERS
Paul Downing won Appledore Shipbuilders monthly Rover with a fine undulate ray scaling 11lb 121/8oz.

Graham Snow took second and third with thin lipped grey mullet scaling 3lb 145/8oz and 2lb 143/8oz
The junior prize was won by Jack Pike with a smoothound of 6lb 121/2oz.

Appledore Shipbuilders annual away trip fishing for the Gordon Harrower Trophy was held on Plymouth Breakwater where the fishing proved more challenging than expected. James Atkinson secured top spot with a thick lipped grey mullet scaling 3lb 8oz. Runner up was Chris Slade with a conger of 15lb 8oz and third Michael Hammett with a dogfish of 2lb 61/2oz.
Dan Redmore took first in Bideford’s monthly Rover with a plaice of 3lb 6oz. In runner up spot was Paul Downing with an undulate ray of 11lb 121/8oz and Graham Snow was third with a thin-lipped mullet of 3lb 145/8oz and third was Andrew Clements with a grey mullet of 3lb 6oz. Forth went to Graham Snow with a mullet of 2lb 143/4oz and fifth to Steven Found with a mullet of 2lb 61/4oz.
COMBE MARTIN SAC’s Fish of the month competition was won by Dan Spearman with a smoothound scaling 12lb 14oz. Runner up was Ollie Passmore with a hound of 12lb 6oz and James Hunter third with a thin lipped mullet of 4lb 1oz.

Combe Martin SAC member Dan Spearman landed this fine lure caught bass weighing 11lb to set a new personal best.
The lure was a Savage Gear 3-D Mullet. The fish was returned carefully to water. Dan also lost another large fish during the session.
From today (July 1st) anglers are allowed to retain one bass per day for the table. I would suggest that all bass over 8lb are returned alive with bass between 3lb and 6lb making the best fish for the table. Many anglers will I am sure continue to practice catch and release for much of their fishing.

North Devon Angling News has been up and running for just over twelve months and I hope that it has been of benefit to the local angling community. My intention has always been to entertain and inform. The site would not work without regular news stories from anglers in North Devon and with huge support from my sponsors who have placed adverts with me. I try to give good value and welcome any new supporters who would like to come on-board.
I was going to put up a few highlights from the past year but on reflection this would be difficult as there are so many and I would undoubtedly over look so many so perhaps I should just encourage you to take a look back over your particular area of interest. And don’t forget to send your latest news and images. If you want to comment you can always do so via the Facebook or twitter feed or even using the telephone.
Jeff Pearce is a dedicated Fly Fishing enthusiast who takes his fly rod to the coast on a regular basis. His last two sessions have brought success with both bass and grey mullet.

(Above) Bass on the fly too! About 2lb, small Chartreuse Clouser minnow! #5Wt 8′ 6” Snowbee Spectre rod and reel
(Above) This hard fighting grey mullet estimated at 5lb was tempted on a black bass fly from a local beach!

Thirteen club members fished all along the North Devon and Somerset Coast Line in this Summer Rover and it was thin lipped mullet that dominated the prize table at the Rising Sun Lynmouth. James Hunter took the top two places in the event with thin Lipped grey mullet of 4lb 1oz and 3lb 12oz. In third place was John Shapland with a thin-lipped mullet of 3lb 11/2oz.
Daniel Welch tempted a thick lipped grey mullet of 3lb 7oz and a colourful wrasse.


Kevin Legge landed a brace of small eyed ray the best scaling 8lb 2oz and Rob Scoines a brace of small eyed each weighing 7lb 11oz.



The roving competition as with all Combe Martin SAC competitions was a catch and release event. Far better than the old days when the carcasses of fish were brought back to the scales. Fortunately we are still managing to meet up for a chat and pint afterwards. Many thanks to the Rising Sun for a delicious spread of sandwiches and hot chips. Much appreciated after a hard days fishing.


