It was good to be beside the calm waters of my local trout fishery as a weak wintry sun peeped through the morning clouds. I threaded a five weight floater line through the rings relishing a quiet couple of hours searching the water. I tied a buoyant fly from barbless flies https://www.barbless-flies.co.uk/products/stillwater-dinkhamer-selection and suspended a couple of small nymphs beneath it. I stretched the line out across the water retrieving at a slow pace focussing on the floating fly. On the second cast the fly disappeared and I tightened and felt the pleasing resistance of a rainbow trout.
I spent the next half an hour enjoying the motions of fly fishing. The swish off the rod and pleasing settling down of flies and line one upon the calm water. With no further action I pondered upon the fact that a trout so often falls on the first couple of casts at the water. It is as if the catching of that first fish transmits a warning to the lakes residents?
A change of tactics is called for and I tie on an olive damsel removing the buoyant Dinkhammer and cast out allowing the bead headed lure to sink deeper into the lake. After a couple of casts the line draws tight and a vividly spotted full tailed brown trout is brought protesting to the net.
With a brace of trout secured its time to stroll back along the lakeside taking note of the daffodils pushing forth in a promise of the coming spring.
I return home for Sunday dinner and still have time for a walk around the village on a quiet winters day with thoughts of better times ahead.
2020 Bideford and District Angling Club Coarse Section Match Secretary Report :
As I sit here another 1500 deaths in the UK has been announced on the news, I can only reflect on how lucky we were to have been able to have fished some of our scheduled events:
Our calendar opened with a trip to Morchard Road , this small venue rarely fails to produce and Keith Copland took the honours on a cold windswept day with an impressive 50lb net. February’s comp was held at Millpark , I almost cancelled as we were in the eye of storm “Ciara” ,the normally prolific water fished very hard in the difficult conditions , John Lisle mastered it on the day with a nice net of chub and carp. The March event went ahead on Wooda Lakes ,although we didn’t know at the time, we were staring down the barrels of a Covid 19 lockdown. My 55lb net was enough for victory , our youngest competitor Thomas Scott came home second.
Our worst fears were confirmed shortly after this and we didnt meet up again until the beginning of June, I tentatively arranged an evening sweepstake on Tarka , 13 turned up and David Bailey showed us how to do it with 20lb in the 3 hours. Aware that it was possible to fish matches in a safe manner I decided to run the Evening Series. Keith Copland led early stages with Tyler Scott close behind , Matt Cross won the second with David Bailey winning the third with 20lb from peg 19. Peg 2 produced the winner in match 4 for Martin Hawker, although Keith Mountjoy’s ,soft pellet approach, second place saw him begin to take command of the league at the halfway stage. Britney Shears won the next 2, almost ‘full house ‘ evening comps . Richard Jefferies , ‘yank and bank’ BDAC pest control officer put 18lb on the scales to win number 7. The final match in the foreshortened series included the pairs match, was fished on July 28th,we almost ran out of daylight but the conclusion was a victory in the pairs for Thomas Scott and Kev Shears with a combined total of 27lb 11oz .
My second overall on the night ensured victory in the overall standings 73 points to Keith Mountjoy 60 ,Kev Shears 56.
The Wednesday Evening Series again proved very popular with an average of 20 members turning up per match, the average catch 6.7 lb compared to 3.1 lb in 2019 , a great improvement , testament to the fantastic efforts of our fishery management team.
Our Monthly matches restarted in June on Tarka, Keith Mountjoy scored a victory with 20lb 10oz , young member Tyler Scott was a close second with 19lb 3oz. The July and August Competition saw veteran Colin Cherrington banished the Tarka jinx with 30lb nets to win both.
John West’s men from Plymouth Club came up for a rescheduled one leg interclub match, It was agreed that ,as we weren’t able to accommodate them on Tarka ,we would challenge them on Stuart Sharpe’s Wooda Lakes .The prolific fishery didn’t disappoint and BDAC ran out convincing winners 407lb to PDCAC 203lb . Bidefords Matt Cross showed us his catch and release technique with an empty 3rdkeepnet allowing winner Brintey to sneak in with 74lb off lake 1 , Captain John was top scorer for Plymouth with 67lb .
September’s comp back on Tarka was attended by 23 anglers , Kev Shears prevented Colin from the hat-trick but Mr Cherrington won the October match which proved to be our last match of 2020, with another 30lb net, this time off peg 12.
The final points in the 8 match series : Martin Turner 74 Steve Bailey and Colin Cherrington 47 Richard Jefferies 46 .
Our thanks must again go to all those people who made it possible for us to enjoy our sport .
I hope you are all staying safe and lets hope we can get together again very soon , wishing you all a Happy New Year.
I have had several anglers message me regarding fishing in lockdown and what the position is. The Angling Trust have successfully lobbied Government resulting in angling being allowed within the lockdown guidelines. See updated guidelines below from the Angling Trust.
The problem with the guidelines is that it leaves a certain amount of freedom to interpret for example what is local. Local is within your town or village, though you can drive a short distance to access an open space. I have reluctantly decided to hang up my rods until after lockdown as I live ten miles from the coast. Could I justify travelling ten miles to go fishing? Is it essential travel? Everyones circumstances are of course different and angling could be a lifeline to many giving valuable exercise for both body and soul. The sooner we can get on top of this COVID nightmare the better and staying home for a few weeks is surely worth the long term result.
In the mean time I will be enjoying a couple of books I received at Christmas that will hopefully inspire me in the coming spring and summer.
I will also be sorting through my fishing gear putting new hooks on old lures, tying rigs and having a general tidy. Might even stock up on a few flies, lures and bits and pieces. In the mean time I will try and write a few features on North Devon Angling plus report on any catches reported to me from those fortunate enough to live close to fish filled waters.
There was an old hut on the pier at Ilfracombe where I used to fish along with many local anglers. I had forgotten all about the hut until joining a discussion reminiscing about fishing from the old pier that was demolished close to twenty years ago. The pier could be fished at all states of the tide and being high above the water was a safe place even during winter storms.
During those cold winter nights as the waves pounded against the pier’s concrete pillars, the hut gave a place to shelter. Huddled within anglers would pour a hot drink and enjoy a smoke as they glanced frequently at their rods resting upon the ramparts. The hut and its surroundings had a strange aroma of stale bait and urine. Despite this there was a certain comfort in this old hut. The camaraderie of anglers enduring the worst of the weather whilst sharing that dream of big fish and embellishing stories of battles won and lost over past seasons.
The talk of the old hut on the pier stimulated me to remember other fishing huts and lodges I had visited over a lifetime of angling adventures. At Stafford Moor trout fishery during the late 1970’s I recall the large fishing lodge. Its stark breeze blocked walls and large windows that allowed in plenty of light. Old leather chairs and sofas encircled a scruffy old wooden coffee table that was strewn with old copies of Trout and Salmon magazines. During the cold days of early spring the lodge gave a welcome respite from the cold winds that swept across the windswept moorland. Back then many trout fishers still tended to fit a certain stereo type of upper class gentlemen who talked in that distinctly old English way. As a young long haired youth, I soon learnt that fishing is a great leveller with the shared interest melting any barriers of class or age.
On North Devon’s rivers there are many splendid fishing huts my favourite being an old Tudor styled hut that sits beside the River Torridge at Little Warham. The hut is situated well above the flood line and looks out over the ever flowing river. It is not grand but has a certain timeless charm and has undoubtedly been a place of refuge for anglers over generations and I can imagine the Majors and Generals contemplating the complexities of wartime as they took a break from the pursuit of the once prolific salmon. The tranquillity and perpetuity of the ever flowing stream must have brought solace in those troubled times.
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On the River Test in Hampshire I joined two friends for a days fishing from its manicured banks. The immaculately decorated hut was plush and clean in contrast to that grimy old hut on the pier. Further up river we came across an old wooden shelter with an old bench on which were carved the words, “ Sometimes I sits and thinks and sometimes I just sits”.
On the Lower reaches of the River Taw there are the remains of the Barnstaple & District Angling Clubs hut. Its corrugated sides and roof were painted green. Today it is in a sad state of decay and most of the club anglers who gathered there have long since departed. The rod rack remains empty and ivy and brambles have encroached taking back the old hut. The river still flows majestically past through the seasons though sadly the once prolific salmon are few and far between. There is something about angling huts that is hard to put into words.
The Angling Trust have in my opinion done a sterling job in getting angling allowed as legitimate exercise within the present lockdown. As always there are going to be contentiuos areas of debate as there is within the Government guidance. Angling itself is a relatively safe pastime in relation to COVID so going fishing in itself is not an issue in my view. The travel to and from is probably the most risky exercise as is driving on our roads at anytime. I personally will try and be discreet with my fishing as I am aware that there are others whose activities have been taken away will feel deprived.
I suggest that anglers check before visiting any fishery to ensure they are open for business.
STATEMENT FROM THE ANGLING TRUST
Good morning everyone
The Government have now formally responded to the representations made by the Angling Trust. We have promoted the huge benefits of fishing on individual health and wellbeing and have been able to present a case to which the Government have listened. On this basis I am pleased to announce that fishing will be permitted during the third national lockdown.
The DCMS Sports Team confirmed the following;
“fishing is allowed as exercise so long as participants adhere to the rules on staying local, gathering limits, social distancing and limiting the time spent outdoors”
This has also been confirmed by DEFRA;
“Cabinet Office have now officially confirmed that angling / fishing (incl. sea fishing off private boats, water sports) can be considered exercise and are hence permitted.”
We have worked extremely hard to reach this position and we as anglers have a duty to abide by the strict conditions under which fishing is once again permitted. With infection rates and death tolls rising we must stick to the Government’s rules and ensure that angling remains part of the solution and does not cause problems.
Please bear in mind these key points which will be reflected in the new Angling Trust guidelines which we will publish shortly:
– This is a strictly limited resumption of LOCAL fishing and very different to how we have been allowed to operate since May
– We are in a National Lockdown and this must be respected. The law requires a ‘reasonable excuse’ to leave your home or penalties will apply.
– The government has recognised that fishing can be seen as exercise, which is expressly permitted under the lockdown rules, although outdoor recreation is not.
– Organised sporting gatherings are prohibited so no match fishing.
– The exercise is limited to once a day so no overnight fishing whatsoever.
– To remain within the law you should follow the government’s guidance, and only fish locally within the district where you live. If you have no local fishing available then you will have to take your daily exercise in other ways.
We are once again able to enjoy the sport we love at a time when many others can not and we must ensure that every angler adheres to the rules.
I would ask all anglers who are not members to join the Angling Trust and give us your support. We have worked tirelessly to achieve this outcome and that is only possible thanks to the support of our new and existing members. I would ask all anglers who value their ability to go fishing to make the same commitment as your fellow anglers have and join the Angling Trust. We are stronger together!
Statement from the Angling Trust on the national lockdown rules
Whilst the regulations have not yet been published we have been informed this evening by the Cabinet Office that the Government have taken the decision that fishing in England will not be permitted during this national lockdown period. Whilst this is disappointing news I would ask anglers, fisheries and clubs to respect these rules and the reason they have been put in place; to help save lives and support the NHS.
Individuals should not go fishing from midnight tonight (5th January) and clubs and fisheries should close their waters to anglers. We will be publishing more detailed guidance on specific areas like bailiffing and fishery maintenance once the Government regulations have been published. Please check the Angling Trust website over coming days.
Over the past few weeks we have been in communication with the Government at the highest possible level. We have presented a strong case on how fishing could continue safely during the third national lockdown. We have explained that fishing benefits physical health and mental wellbeing and that it is regularly the only form of activity individuals undertake. You can read our representations to Cabinet Ministers here.
My team and I have consistently presented the arguments ahead of the changing Government guidelines, which have allowed fishing to remain permitted continuously since the first national lockdown was lifted in May. We have been successful when other sports have not as all anglers will know.
However, with 60,000 new infections announced today, the Government have taken the decision that leaving home for recreation or leisure, including all forms of recreational fishing, should be prohibited in England during this third national lockdown period.
I thank you for your support and for being a credit to our sport. As members, you can rest assured that the Angling Trust will continue to represent our sport at the highest level and will present proposals for the resumption of angling when it is safe and sensible to do so. We will come through this period of national crisis. We will fish again, but until then, please, stay safe.
North Devon Match Group Winter League No. 4 Wooda Lakes Results:
1st Shaun Stenton 68-14,
2nd Craig Crash Lamey 48-07,
3rd Colin Cherrington 47-08,
4th Tom Downing 45-15,
5th Nathan Underwood 45-11,
6th Paul Morris 45-07,
7th Chris Morris 45-00
8th Stephen Craker 26-08.
Today’s match was held at the ever popular wooda Lakes complex with 24 anglers in attendance. With all of the lakes frozen over in the lead up to the match, fishing was always going to be a bit tricky for some. Nathan kindly went out and broke the ice on most of the pegs on the first couple of lakes the day before to make it a little easier to sort this morning so a big thankyou to him! A milder night Lastnight helped thaw a lot of the ice but a few pegs remained covered to break in the morning. Top spot on the day was Shaun who fished a really tidy match on peg 17 lake 4 on the long pole around the island. Fishing bread, corn and maggots over micros. 2nd was Craig from peg 15 on lake 3 fishing maggots to the back of the lillly bed and 3rd overall was Colin, also on lake 3 peg8 fishing 8mm soft pellets down to the stick ups. Lake 1, unfortunately fished the harder of the 3 but winning the lake was ian gray from peg 1with 21-08.
Many people reported that the fishing was a struggle and that that the cold NE Wind had put a lot of fish off from feeding.
There were some good fish weighed in with the Winning fish being a 1lb 14oz 4dr Whiting caught by Andrew Atkinson
Second and third with Poutings of 1lb 6oz 4 dr and 1lb 2oz 12dr was James Atkinson.
Combe Martin SAC December Results
DECEMBER COMPETITION RESULT
David Brooke won the December competition with a specimen conger of 26lb 10oz.
Runner up Kevin Legge with his bass of 10lb 12oz and third Mark Jones with a conger of 23lb 2oz.
General round up.
The bitter cold North East Wind has undoubtedly impacted upon both the fishes willingness to feed and the anglers enthusiasm to chase them. Despite this a few fish have been caught including a few codling to 6lb.
2020 ! Well what a year; a year that will remembered for the global pandemic that changed the way we live. I am sure that in the future we will reflect upon those pre-pandemic years with a certain yearning for what we will perceive as a golden age.
It has certainly been a scary year in many ways but life will move on and a new normal will eventually prevail. There are positives in that we have perhaps been forced to realise the value of the great outdoors and how nature is a reassuring constant in our lives a fact that we as anglers have been able to savour.
When the year began who could have imagined the restrictions that would be imposed upon us. But apart from the three months of tight lock down fishing continued and we all had to focus on what is on our own doorstep.
January
The promise of early casts
An early session on the rocks and I meet a hungry bird.
Winter mullet have become a common catch in winter
February
Winter pike fishing – The true essence of winter fishing the bright glow of optimism upon cool dark waters.
And of course there are also winter carp!
In the middle of February we headed for Dorset for a short break beside the River Frome. The river was out of sorts but it was still good to be beside the water.
At this time we had no idea that times were about to change!
Little did we know that fishings social aspect would be banned under strict COVID restrictions! Tiers, bubbles and face masks were not on the agenda!
MARCH
The salmon season was underway but with swollen rivers there would be no silver spring bars.
The Wimbleball Trout were obliging and put a pleasing bed in the rod as a coid wind swept across Exmoor.
April
Into lockdown and April and May we walked the country lanes and glimpsed wild brown trout in clear waters.
MAY
As lockdown was lifted what a joy to once again smell the salty sea air. Breathe in and enjoy a new found freedom.
At Wimbleball crowds flocked to the shoreline and the British public relished the great outdoors like never before.
It was a joy to once again ponder upon those important matters like what fly to use?
JUNE
Carp are very much a fish of the summer though I don’t always catch! Its fun waiting though….
A boat on Wimbleball brings hard fighting rainbows and summer Rudd
In mid June I join Steve Dawe on a one off trip to catch the mysterious eel from a water that has never been fished for eels before! We prove that there are some big trout present!
JULY
Summer bass on the lure
Summer salmon fishing on the Taw & Torridge its not just about the catching its good to just drift a fly across the river.
AUGUST
A trip to Cornwall and the delights of mackerel on light tackle…
Followed by bent rods and aching arms far off Lands End
And summer drifts into autumn
SEPTEMBER
Success is sweet when it comes my first salmon for several seasons after many hundreds of casts comes that delightful tug and well bent rod..belief is restored!
Autumn is a time for mullet but sometimes they’re not there or are rather small!
It was a good year on the lure…I just love it when they hit that lure. Sublime!
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A carp fishing interlude at Hacche Moor Carp Fishery
And then shark adventure number two with Jason Barrow and others
The trout seasons ends with the rivers low. I enjoy a last day nymphing on the Lyn. A week later the river is a raging torrent.
October
A good time to hit the beach as the sunsets earlier.
As winter approaches grayling are a fish that spring to mind and once again the Dorset Frome beckons..
A 2lb 12oz grayling my fish of the year!!
(Above) And when the seasons over there is always time for a riverside walk.
A last trip to Wimbleball
December
Winter Trout and Christmas at Blakewell
And as the years ends those familiar home waters call…..
