10 May 2021

Stafford Moor Latest Open Result

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Open match today on Tanners and Woodpecker lakes with a continental payout.
Turned out to be  dry weather wise after early showers but still a really cold wind.
 Top weight of the day was from Nigel Rhodes who bagged 236lb 3oz from peg 1 on Woodpecker Lake.
Runner up was Chris Davis  212lb 9oz and third Martin Heard with 153lb 7oz from peg 18 on Woodpecker Lake.
The  next match is Wednesday May 12th (I only have a few spaces left) or next Sunday is looking so full it looks like it will be 3 lakes including the new mighty Oak ! Will be the first match since the works have all been done on Oak.
So please let Jo  know if you would like to enter.
10 May 2021

Bideford and District Angling club coarse section monthly competition

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Results: 22 anglers fished

1st Paul Elworthy   29lb 11oz

2nd Kevin Shears  26lb 10oz

3rd Steve Johnson  26lb 8oz

4th Nathan Underwood  26lb

5th Martin Turner 22lb 10oz

6th Keith Mountjoy  18lb 10oz .

The club were able to welcome Match-men back for the first match to be held on Tarka since last October. A mild day with a light SSW breeze ensured a close match. New member Paul made his first visit pay with a near 30lb net of good bream and a single carp on peg 19 for victory , second place went to regular Kevin on peg 4 with a pole caught net of smaller carp and bream, Steve on peg 20 just 2oz behind on peg 20 came 3rd. Thanks to all for abiding by our covid awareness guide.

9 May 2021

RAIN BRINGS HOPE OF LATE SPRING SALMON RUN

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After a long dry spell we have at last had a substantial fall of Rain across the area that resulted in the first spate of late spring. Coinciding with building Spring tides this should encourage a run of salmon and sea trout into North Devon’s rivers. I would expect the Taw and Torridge to be fishable by mid week as the water clears. The Lower Taw may rise slowly as tributaries from high on the moors lowly release into the main river. The Lyn has had a substantial rise but will fall quickly and be fishable from today with Tuesday likely to be the prime day.

Latest levels can be found via the EA link –https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/station/3099

The river levels at 07:15 on May 9th

River Torridge at Dolton – 0.85 M

River Taw at Umberleigh – 0.40

East Lyn at Brendon – 0.40

8 May 2021

BLAKEWELL FISHERY

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Blakewell Fishery is a picturesque and tranquil small-water trout fishery that is located just over a mile from the market town of Barnstaple. The clear waters offer quality Fly Fishing for rainbow trout and brown trout that are stocked into double figures attracting anglers from across the region.

The fishery is best approached using a light to medium outfit (6/7wt) with floating lines and imitative patterns working throughout the year. Day Tickets are £45.00 for a five fish limit. You can book online or call Richard Nickell on 07884 073932

The venue is perfect for new comers to Fly Fishing as it is less-intimidating than larger venues that may prove off putting to those starting out. Fly Fishing tuition is available on site with resident instructors. See Website for full details. www.blakewell.co.uk

The fishing is often at its best during the winter months when the trout flourish in the cool water that flows in from Bradiford Water.

A Brace of Winter Doubles

 

3 May 2021

CORNISH WRASSE ADVENTURE

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Many thanks to Kody Chugg and Ollie Passmore for sending me this account of their recent trip to Cornwall in search of wrasse.

Got up early hours of the morning, and set off down to Cornwall. Sun shining and a favoured wind in search of a big ballan wrasse. Several marks ventured, fishing crystal clear water. Lots of little taps with baits getting stripped by little wrasse. Last mark we went to we were fishing over low. Missing some really good runs from hook pulls. We both managed to catch a good few fish together.

Fish care with wrasse is vital. These are fragile fish that need to be taken care of, unhooking carefully and resting in pools. Wrasse definitely are in decline compared to years gone by, due to commercial fishing, and taken to Scottish salmon farms. Wrasse are so valuable for the seas Eco system and keeping reefs and corals etc healthy. Great fun fishing and each one being so different and remarkable colours. Crab and hermits doing the business. All on running ledger rigs with 1/0 circle hooks. All in all a great day fishing!

Footnote :- Reading Ollie and Kody’s article takes me back to a trip I enjoyed to the South Cornish coast almost forty years ago with Combe Martin SAC secretary Nick Phillips. A couple of days were spent exploring the rugged coastline where we landed several specimen wrasse the best If my memory serves me correct pulled the scales to 6lb 8oz a fish that is still my PB. Wrasse of over 5lb were comparatively common back then both in Cornwall and along the North Devon coast where I landed fish to 5lb 15oz. I mention this as it highlights how fishing for wrasse has declined over four decades.