32 anglers fished with some quality flounder registered despite the significant amount of floodwater sweeping into the estuary from the Taw and Torridge river systems.
15 fish weighed
Top 3 spots
1st Stephen Found1lb 11 1/4oz
2nd Andrew Clements 1lb 7 3/4oz
3rd Stephen Found 1lb 7oz
Best junior just missing out on the prize table was Ivy McCourt with a lovely flounder of 1lb 6 3/4oz.
Next open competition Bidefords Christmas open on the 11th fishing 09:30-14:30 its going to be a big one as usual!!!!!!!
As we enter the winter season many keen sea anglers will be targetting the specimen fish that lurk within the waters off the North Devon Coast. Recent events highlighted the dangers that can be faced when fishing from this wild and rugged coast. The angler involved expressed his sincere thanks to the RNLI who undoubtedly saved him from a watery grave. Following on from this I was pleased to work with the local RNLI to promote the wearing of lifejackets and buoyancy aids.
On Saturday, November 26th, Pauline and I visited Appledore Lifeboat Station where my own lifejacket and our sons lifejacket were given a safety inspection. Both jackets failed to pass the criteria as both had inflation mechanisms that were past their use by date. New parts were promptly ordered from Summerlands Tackle at Westward Ho! Of the sixteen lifejackets presented for inspection 50% failed due to mostly minor defects. It has to be remembered that this vital equipment could save your life and failure at a critical moment could be as catastrophic as the brakes failing while descending a steep hill!
Simon McCarthy shares his wisdom on lifejackets. Simon is often at hand in Summerlands Tackle to discuss and advise on safety at sea
Many thanks to Owen Atkinson, David Inwood and Simon McCarthy for their expertise, advice and a fascinating insight into the valuable work undertaken by the RNLI.
The high magnification binoculars (Left) were kindly donated in the memory of popular local angler Cameron Atkinson 1999- 2019 They have already contributed to saving the lives of estuary users.
RNLI Education Volunteer Matt Cox offered useful advise for anglers and other water users and discussed the merits of modern lightweight bouyancy aids.
The RNLI carry out many rescues throughout the year and undoubtedly encounter many who are Ill-informed about the risks that are ever-present at the waters edge. I know that many believe that they will get away with it and that nothing will happen to them. On average I believe around ten anglers drown each year making angling a statistically dangerous sport.
The key messages to anglers are :-
Always wear a life jacket when fishing from shore or boat
Modern Automatic lifejackets are lightweight and comfortable. Those who wear them often forget they’re wearing them. Remember to regularly check and service your lifejacket inline with the manufacturers recommendations.
Always carry a means of calling for help on your person.
Whicever device you choose to call for help, you must be able to reach it Easily in an emergency. Consider taking a mobile phone with the Safe Trx app.
Always check the weather forecast and tide times
Anglers should check the tide times and predicted swell forecast. This is particularly important for shore anglers to reduce the risk of being swept away or cut off by the tide.
Tell someone else where you’re going and when you’ll be back
They can raise the alarm with the coastguard by calling 999 or 112 if yiu are overdue.
It is reassuring to know that the coastguard are there to work with the RNLI to rescue those who are in difficulty and do so without judging those they rescue. Chatting with those at the lifeboat station it is very apparent how passionate and dedicated they are to ensuring the safety of those who interact with the sea for recreational reasons or to earn their livelihoods.
Lifejackets hang serviced a ready for action.The lifeboat station crews kits at the ready.
Are you involved in any type of watersports, including fishing from land?
Come along to our free lifejacket clinic and get advice about your lifejacket – Is it fit for purpose? Are the essential elements in date and in working order? When is it due for its next service? Not got a lifejacket or floatation devise and not sure which type to buy?
Appledore and Clovelly RNLI Water Safety Team are holding a free lifejacket clinic on Saturday 26 November between 10 am and 2 pm at Appledore Lifeboat Station and will provide advice and check over your lifejacket with you – and with the shop open you can buy your RNLI Christmas cards and presents at the same time, and meet the Face to Face Fundraising Team.
Please do not be the one we can’t save – Please come down and have your lifejacket checked.
Many thanks to Weston Outcast’s for allowing me to use their match report.
Saturday the 19th of November was the Outcasts annual trip to the river Taw in North Devon.
This time of year the flounder fishing can be excellent in the Taw with the right conditions , recent heavy rainfall small neap tide a nice frost giving way to a lovely settled day , it did look very promising.
Match 11 in the league calendar & being the penultimate match it would make for an interesting one with only 4 points separating the top 3 in the league!
A decent peg draw & a good days fishing where on most peoples Christmas list.
A few phone calls to our North Devon branch put us amongst the best bait possible, getting maddies can sometimes be a headache but a must for the flounder fishing in the estuary.
15 members turned out to fish the match & with the clubs prestigious Flounder cup still up for grabs every one was hoping for that bigger fish to take the cup.
Results on the day would be decided by the total aggregate length rather than weight . Recent years have seen large numbers of fish so this makes the results a little easier to work out.
The fishing on the day turned out to be a little patchy. Some pegs where rewarded with better bags of fish where as some struggling to land a single fish. No blanks where recorded so I guess that’s something.
Mainly flounder made up the catches with a few schoolies thrown in the mix .
There was an early flurry of fish as the tide still ebbed, gradually slowing until it switched to the flood . The fishing picked up with the flood as a steady head of flounder was being landed along the section. Top of the tide did bring a few schoolie bass as expected but also a large amount of debris & weed sat in the water which was a pain for some !
The Biggest flounder of the day was landed by Morgan & is currently winning the Flounder Cup with a lovely fish of
1lb 11oz, not massive by river Taw standards but a a decent fish on the day.
1st place on the day was Keith Warren with 17 fish for a total length of 525cm cracking bag of fish Keith as always ever consistent Keith’s bag also included the longest fish of the day winning the fish pool with a Bass of 39cm
2nd was our North Devon branch member Kev Legge with 11 fish 355cm
Top angling Kev
3rd Morgan bagging an impressive 10 fish 334cm from the slower end of the beach , Well done mate superb angling
4th Andy C 7 fish 231cm
5th Nath 7 fish 229cm
6th Jock 7 fish 208cm
7th Bob 3 fish 100cm
8th Jase 3 fish 97cm
9th Dallow 3 fish 86cm
10th Andy s 2 fish 62cm
11th Dave G 1 fish 31cm
12th Dave P 1 fish 30cm & Si 1 fish 30cm
14th Chazz 1 fish 23cm
15th Scott 1 fish 19 cm
So going into the last match things have definitely turned around at the top of the league, which will make for a very interesting final match!
Next & final league match is the 4th December at the mighty Bossington beach , Porlock will be the back up venue if we are blown off
Thanks to all the members who fished today & continuing to support the matches.
Special mention to the team at the Heanton Court Braunton for use of there carpark, also for a very warm welcome after the match where a couple of well earned beers & nibbles went down well while the results were worked out.
Late Autumn is flounder time in the Taw and Torridge Estuaries with the competition season fully underway. I joined fellow CMSAC members in search of the humble flounder. Despite plenty of floodwater pushing down fishing proved to be good with pleasing numbers of flounder tempted. The average size was lower than recent seasons but some good fish were found. One of the joys of flounder fishing is that it is great leveller. Eight year old Solly Welch trumped all the clubs senior entrants tempting several flounder including a superb specimen of 2lb. Solly also took runner up spot with a flounder of 1lb 10oz.
Combe Martin SAC Club member Kyle Bishop enjoyed a very succesful trip to Scotland. Below is the full account of his trip.
Last minute trip to Scotland weekend checked weather seen a break made fone call next day we was off , crazy 2 days fishing straight in to fish first cast of trip, lost my first skate then my light rod (primo synchro )had out for spurs went over landing pb female of 210lb followed by a pb male of 115lb on same rod , second day first cast 15lb spur followed by 159lb female then ended the trip with another nice male 112lb , had 7 runs landing 4 unreal fishing and the lads got in to a few as well.
The Flounder season is underway with catches starting to increase as winter edges nearer. Several local clubs have organised Open Flounder Competitions. Full Details below :-
Triple Hook Fishing Club 2022
Xmas Open Flounder
Sunday 18th December
8am – 1pm
£5 entry
Book in with Dennis Toleman tel.07815009260 or any committee member together with the entry fee before the event.
Must be back and present fish at weigh in by 2pm at rear of Barnstaple Social Club (formerly Royal British Legion), St.Georges Road, Barnstaple
Boundaries – Iron Bridge at Rock Park, Barnstaple to The White House, Crow on either side of the River Taw
Flounder must be at least 12” with prizes for the heaviest fish weighed in, only heaviest fish per angler counts
Maximum 2 rods per angler with total of 3 hooks. Juniors (6 – 16 years) must be accompanied by an adult
Decision of the Weighmaster is final
Please call Mark Beer 07796230674 if you have any queries
David Brooke won £75 cash in Combe Martin Sea Angling Clubs November Open Competition with a fine specimen smoothound scaling 13lb 6oz.
His fishing partner for the day Shane Hookway secured second, third and forth place in the event winning a £30 voucher from Quay Sports, a superb base layer from Chillcheater and a box of chocolates to celebrate his win.
Shanes fish were a specimen bull huss of 11lb, smoothound 8lb 4oz and Bull Huss 7lb 14oz.
Shane Hookway 11lb Bull Huss
Full results :-
David Brooke – smoothound 13lb 6oz – 133.750%
Shane Hookway – Bull Huss – 11lb – 110%
Shane Hookway – smoothound – 8lb 4oz – 82.5%
Shane Hookway – Bull Huss – 7lb 14oz 78.750%
Solly Welch – flounder – 1lb 8oz 75%
Solly Welch – flounder – 1lb 6oz 68.750%
Antony Smith – flounder – 1lb 4.5oz 64.063%
Antony Smith – flounder – 1lb 4oz 62.5%
Nathan Clements – blonde ray – 6lb 5.5oz 52.865%
Wayne Thomas – pollock – 2lb 6oz – 47.5%
A variety of fish were landed during the competition reflecting the changing seasons with smoothound once thought a summer species bringing rewards. David Brooke and Shane Hookway tempted their smoothound on Teign Baits squid baits. Whilst the bull huss were tempted using Teign Baits joey mackerel.https://m.facebook.com/people/Teign-Baits/100080212568197/
Competitors tempted a wide range of species including, bull Huss, dogfish, pollock, codling, flounder, pouting, conger and blonde ray. Combe Martin SAC would like to thank their generous sponsors Quay Sports and Chillcheater. Special thanks also to Danny Watson at High Street Tackle for providing a booking in location.
The Flounder season is underway with catches starting to increase as winter edges nearer. Several local clubs have organised Open Flounder Competitions. Full Details below :-
Shane Hookway – bull huss 11lb & 7lb 14oz
