Combe Martin SAC member Mark Jones christened his new beach caster with this fine specimen small eyed ray scaling 10lb. The fish was tempted using a blue/squid cocktail.
South West Lakes Trout Fisheries Pre-season Information 2022
Looking ahead to the 2022 season at the lakes, the trout fisheries will be stocked, opening and operating under the latest Covid-19 guidelines, in line with the Angling Trust and Government guidelines.
Tickets and boats:
The on-site permit huts will not be open, so day tickets, season tickets, and boats should be pre-booked online (www.swlakestrust.org.uk/trout-fishing) or via telephone. Alternatively day tickets can be purchased using the Westcountry Rivers Trust FishPass app, or from the Kennick, Siblyback, Burrator, or Stithians Clubs (available for club members only).
Boats will be available for pre-booking at Kennick, Roadford, Siblyback and Stithians, with boats available via the Burrator Club for club members only.
Opening dates:
The rainbow fisheries (Kennick, Siblyback, Stithians, and Burrator) will open on 12th March (with one-day preview days for season ticket holders on Thursday 10th March at Kennick, and Friday 11th March at Siblyback). The brown trout waters (Roadford, Fernworthy, Wistlandpound, and Colliford) will open on 15th March.
Early in the season the water will still be cold, so expect the fish to be lying deep, with sunk lines and weighted lures (Blobs, Nomads, Tadpoles, and Cats Whiskers) or Goldhead Damsels and Montanas the most likely patterns to produce results.
South West Fly Fair:
The annual South West Fly Fair will be returning to Roadford on Sunday 6th March, with fly tying, casting, and cooking demonstrations, along with tackle and trade stands, and will be opened by Charles Jardine at 10am.
Competitions:
The Siblyback Team Bank competition will be held on 10th April, Kennick Bank Pairs on 8th May, and the Peninsula Classic at Kennick on 26th June.
Self-launch float-tubing will be available at Kennick, Roadford, Siblyback, and Stithians (this will only be available with a ‘buddy system’ or if safety cover is present) – see the Trust’s website or telephone for more information.
Please visit the South West Lakes Trust website (www.swlakestrust.org.uk/trout-fishing) for the latest updates, as well as details on season and day ticket prices, fishery information, clubs, competitions, and boat availability.
Carp from Paradise
Massive congratulations to Joe Dietrich who battled the wind and rain on Sunday and it paid off by catching his personal best!!!
Joe caught this beautiful 25lb 9oz Common from the Bottom Cat and Carp Lake 2 at Anglers Eldorado he also had a 16lb 8oz Common all in a day’s session!
A SAD LOSS – Mike Williams – Bratton Water
Fly Fishers from North Devon and beyond will be saddened by the passing of Mike Williams at Bratton Water Fly Fishery. Mike and Jan have given a warm welcome to anglers visiting their picturesque water over many seasons. The fishery is still open and offers excellent sport with both brown trout and rainbow trout.
I knew Mike for many years and always enjoyed visiting the fishery to be greeted with his warm and cheery demeanour. His long term health issues were endured with great strength and dignity.
FINE BRACE OF COMMONS
Persistence paid off for Gerald Gough who fished Jennets reservoir to bank a fine brace of common carp weighing 26lb 8oz and 18lb 12oz. The fish were taken after six blank sessions so far this year. The fish were tempted on boilies fished in conjunction with a PVA stringer and no groundbait.
Sea Angling Weekend Competition Round up
Sea anglers faced a stormy weekend that impacted heavily upon local shore competitions. Bideford Angling Club and Appledore Shipbuilders both had fixtures on Sunday where members braved the strong winds and heavy rain to no avail with nil fish registered in either competition.
Combe Martin SAC members fished a weekend long competition that enabled members to embrace Saturdays more favourable conditions. Kevin Legge took the top two places in the match with bull huss of 9lb 12oz and 8lb 10oz. I took third place with a winter mullet of 2lb 12oz.
It is clear that thick lipped grey mullet are present in waters around the South-West throughout the year. When I first started fishing for mullet over forty years ago these fish were considered to be a fish of the warmer months. It is now apparent that they can be caught in every month of the year throughout the South-West.
Forty-one pounds twelve ounces of Furzebray Carp!
Steve Pinn recently joined the Barrs Angling consultant team and on his first trip out using Barr products he managed his first Devon forty. Here is what Steve had to say;
“I found myself amongst some perfect conditions for a bite so decided to stay on at Furzebray’s Island lake for an extra night……a move I will never regret!
I had already had a 28Ib fish early doors, which I was happy with, but it was on the final morning when what I thought were liners from swans turned into meltdown from this chunk.
After a bit of a battle in the weed this “A-team” fish was in the net, a fish known as ‘Dropscale’ at 41Ib 12oz”.
Steve went for full on attraction for this session with his white 10mm Toffee Creme pop up surrounded by nothing but liquids. A thick mix of the Barrs Angling Active CSL and CR Nutmino was topped up regularly with the spoon and certainly did the job in tempting the fish to the area.
Congratulations on your first Devon 40 Steve.
FAMILY FISHING AT ANGLERS PARADISE
SOUTH WEST FLY FAIR
The South West Fly Fair makes a welcome return on Sunday 6 March after the 2021 event was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The fair, at Roadford Lake between Launceston and Okehampton, is sponsored by Chevron Hackles and hosted by South West Lakes. The event is a highlight in the Westcountry’s angling calendar ahead of the new fishing season.
It will be opened at 10am by the fair’s patron and one of the country’s most respected fly-fishing gurus, Charles Jardine.
Throughout the day there will be fly tying demonstrations from local and national experts, with a chance to ‘have a go’, as well as the opportunity to pick up useful tips and valuable advice.
Other activities include casting demonstrations, fly casting lessons and clinics for both newcomers to the sport and experienced anglers feeling a little rusty after the closed season.
There will be trout cooking demonstrations by Gary Champion and the opportunity to meet members of fly fishing clubs based at lakes across the South West as well as find out more about coaching and tuition available in the region.
Trade stands will be selling new and used tackle and equipment and a bar and refreshments will be available.
The event runs from 10am to 4pm and promises to be a fun and informative family day out with plenty of activities for all ages including exploring pond life and arts and crafts.
Book in advance to avoid disappointment. Entry is £5 for adults and free for under 18s. Entry includes car parking and a raffle ticket for an all water permit worth £530. Tickets are available from www.swlakestrust.org.uk/trout-fishing
For every season ticket purchased on the day South West Lakes will fund a taster session for a new entrant to fly fishing.
Bideford & District Angling Club –
Bideford & District Angling Club
Codling competition results
1st Dick Talbot cod 6lb 3oz 68.750%
