4 Feb 2022

Forty-one pounds twelve ounces of Furzebray Carp!

by | posted in: Carp Fishing, Sidebar | 0

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.

2 Feb 2022

SOUTH WEST FLY FAIR

by | posted in: Game Fishing, Sidebar | 0

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.

30 Jan 2022

BAIT DISASTERS

by | posted in: At the Waters Edge, Sidebar | 0

On arrival home from fishing my first trip is generally to the shed to return unused bait to the freezer. I take my bait to the shore in a freezer bag so if its not too mild some of it can be placed back in a semi frozen state. I had carried out this ritual after last week’s competition.

The freezer bag and a couple of old traces lay on the floor when I prepared for my next session close to a week later. It seemed slightly iffy as I picked up last weeks trace and went to lift last week’s bait wrappers. I winced as my fingers felt a soft and slimy week old bluey! Its pungent aroma was certainly far from pleasing.

This isn’t my first bait disaster and probably won’t be the last. Smelly old mackerel, squid and peeler crabs have all caused offence in the past.

Amongst my worsts disasters came a few years ago whilst fishing the Hampshire Avon. My good friend Rupert and I returned from the river after a long day with rain beating down. It was good to be heading back for a good meal. Several pints of maggots sat in a bucket in the back of the car but they would be fine until morning!

We had overlooked the fact that the bucket had got wet. Next morning upon opening the boot we found maggots everywhere! We mopped up what we could the following day and went fishing. On arriving back home I removed the spare tyre to find hundreds of maggots in the well. A good old hoover and I hoped all was good; bloody maggots infiltrated the entire car burying into the carpets and every nook and cranny. For weeks after every warm day saw a hatch of flies within the car! Pauline was far from amused!

 

 

25 Jan 2022

Hectic Spurdog Sport off Ilfracombe

by | posted in: Sea Angling, Sidebar | 0

John Barbeary’s Bluefin has been taking anglers to deep water marks off Ilfracombe where packs of spurdog are giving great sport along with huss and conger. Catches exceeding one hundred spurdog per day between eight anglers is not unusual with plenty of fish into double figures. Pete Robinson boated one of the biggest so far this season at 17lb. Craig McCloughlin also joined a party of anglers taking numerous fish to 15lb.

Craig McCloughlin spurdog 15lb
Pete Robinson – spurdog 17lb

24 Jan 2022

Huss dominate Combe Martin SAC Competition

by | posted in: Sea Angling, Sidebar | 0

 

David Brook left with a huss of 7lb 13oz & Wayne Thomas with a huss of 6lb 10oz.

Combe Martin SACs January Rover was fished by ten club member with a wide range of marks fished. Bull huss dominated the result with David Brook (above left) securing first place with a huss of 7lb 13oz. Shane Pavio Hookway was runner up with a huss of 7lb 10oz and myself third with a huss of 6lb 10oz ( Above right).

Shane Pavio Hookway with a huss of 7lb 10oz

The recent settled weather has resulted in clear water along the coast and a lack of quality fish close inshore. With this in mind I joined Kevin Legge and Dave Brook at a remote rock mark that gave access to thick kelp and seriously rough snaggy terrain. At times I questioned the sanity of clambering around the slippery and jagged rocks at the age of sixty but in truth I have no intention of giving up just yet. It is good exercise after all and I still love being out there in the dark night casting out in that mysterious dimension wondering whats lurking beneath the waters surface?

Strong tackle is a must with 25lb b.s Berkley Big Game Line,  a single strong catfish hook and a rotten bottom. Tackle loses can be high but in calm clear conditions getting in amongst the rough stuff can pay dividends. It is very much a case of tightening up the clutch and giving it plenty of stick when a fish is hooked. With luck if a good fish is hooked it can be bullied clear of the snags if it gets stuck it will often come out after leaving the rod in the rest for ten minutes. if not more often that not the rotten Bottom link will break allowing the fish to be retrieved. I personally tend to use one rod in these situations with a second rod all set up ready to cast out if the gear is lost.