Despite the bright sunshine, the trout are feeding well at Blakewell. Here are the best two for Jacky and Mark, who both caught limits today. 6lbs 14oz and 6lbs, respectively, that put big smiles on their faces! Great to see all the hard work that has been put into the fishery paying off, now, with plenty of hard-fighting trout coming to the net.
South West Lakes Trout Fisheries Report
March 2022
In anticipation of the new trout fishing season, South West Lakes was delighted to be able to offer the return of the popular South West Fly Fair at Roadford Lake on Sunday 6th March, after a year’s absence due to Covid.
Fly fishing enthusiasts from across the region keenly attended the event, which over the years has become an annual fixture in their diaries to herald in the new season. The show’s main sponsor was Chevron Hackles, the local producer of many fine fly tying feathers and accessories.
In addition to Chevron, there were many trade stands and exhibitors, with a wide selection of both new and used tackle and equipment for sale, along with fly tying demonstrations, casting demonstrations and tuition, and the opportunity to try out the latest equipment. Representatives from many local clubs, fisheries, and environmental organisations were on hand with information.
The fair not only caters for trout anglers, with enthusiasts for salmon, saltwater, pike, and grayling also represented. The event was opened by the fair’s patron, Charles Jardine, who then proceeded to give casting and fly tying demonstrations in his own inimitable, skilful and humorous fashion throughout the day, as well as a fish preparation and cookery demonstration.
A major part of the fair has always been the opportunity to catch up with old friends and fishing colleagues, and to enthuse about the opportunities for the upcoming season, and this year was no exception. Show organiser Dil Singh was delighted with the way that the first fly fair that he has been involved with turned out, and is already anticipating a bigger and better fair for 2023.
Torridge Fly Fishing Clubs season at Gammaton Reservoir has got off to an excellent start with several limit bags taken by members and visiting anglers.
The fishing is controlled by Torridge Fly Fishing Club established in 1959, day tickets can be purchased from Summerlands Tackle permitting visiting anglers to keep three fish at a reasonable cost of £20. The trout are predominantly rainbow’s averaging 2lb to 4lb stocked by Bulldog Trout Fishery.
The trout season on North Devon’s Rivers started on Tuesday and opens up many miles of wild brown trout fishing to fly fishing enthusiasts. The Fish pass scheme offers many miles of fishing across the Westcountry with many of the beats lightly fished in delightful countryside. It is well worth checking out their website https://fishpassapp.co.uk
They also sell tickets for several South West Lakes Trust Waters including Wistlandpound Reservoir near Blackmoor Gate that also opened on March 15th with fishing for wild brown trout and rudd.
I have a season ticket for Wistlandpound and took an opening day stroll around the lake having a few casts here and there. It was late afternoon and the sun was starting to sink beneath the horizon as I savoured the pleasing actions of putting out a line on the water. A few fish rose across the lake and a good swirl behind my fly gave hope of action.
The last stop on our walk saw me cast out as a few more fish rose in the lake. I retrieved the small black lure and was delighted when the line zipped tight. A wild brown gave a spirited tussle before being safely netted. I admired its black and crimson spotted golden flanks before watching the fish dart away into the dark waters in the fading light. The first fish of the season is always special!
North Devon Quay Sports AC latest Match at Oaktree’s bottom lake saw Graham Curnow making no mistakes to win with 20lb just beating Paul whitehead.. with Kevin coming third.
Wistlandpound Fly Fishing Club met at Wimbleball Lake for their first competition of the new season and were faced with challenging conditions during the first part of the day.
A cold South Easterly Wind was blowing down the lake into Bessoms and Ruggs which was the area the majority headed.
My own day got off to a flier when a rainbow seized my cormorant dropper on the first cast. I then waited over three hours before catching the next fish. A small black lure fished on an intermediate line being the successful method that accounted for the final four fish of the day.
Paul Grisley caught a rainbow early in the day and also went several hours before catching three more rainbows in the last half hour of the competition. The best of these was a stunning rainbow of 7lb 12oz that took the fly line out to the backing twice.
Early Spring can be challenging and on this day we seemed to have several seasons in one day. The morning was bitterly cold in the South East wind with heavy showers and short spells of sunshine. Late in the day the wind dropped away and the lake took on a mirror like appearance reflecting the dark sky and colours of the landscape.
Result – 1st Paul Grisley – Four Rainbow – Trout 15lb 4oz – Best 7lb 12oz
2nd Wayne Thomas – Five Rainbow – 10lb 11oz
3rd – David Eldred – One Rainbow – 2lb 8oz
Heavy rain has brought the river up a bit and brought some turbidity, if it was late Spring I would welcome this but somehow in early Spring the murky water does not inspire. I drift a big brass tube across the favoured spots. Its good to be back despite the cold wind and less than perfect river.
Salmon have been sighted leaping further downriver so its only a matter of time before someone strikes silver!
As I arrive a large bushy tailed fox scrambles into the hedgerow. I note the Spring flowers, daffodils, Primroses and celandines in what I often think of as Springs yellow phase.
I catch a movement in the corner of my eye ! A branch drifting downriver, but its strangely moving across the river? It somersaults in the river a tail slapping the water as it dives. My first glimpse of an otter this year. Whilst otters generate a lot of anger and debate amongst anglers I always thrill at the sight on this River made famous through the writings of Henry Williamson and Tarka the Otter. Otters belong here on this river; it is mankind that has upset the balance decimating the stocks of fish upon which the otters feed. Nature has a fine and complex balance that we so often upset.
