26 Apr 2021

Big Bags From Stafford Moor

by | posted in: Match Fishing, Sidebar | 0
The latest  open match at Stafford Moor was held on Tanners and Woodpecker Lakes with a full house and continental payout.
Sam Powell was top  angler with a bag of  261lb 15oz from peg 1 on Woodpecker lake fishing long pole.
In 2nd place was Paul Goulding (lodge guest) with 216lb 8oz from peg 4 on Tanners.
In 3rd place was Dave Romain with 182lb 7oz from peg 20 on Woodpecker
  Next weeks Sunday match is already full  but there are still have some  this Wednesday so please Jo at Stafford Moor know if you would like to join the match.
26 Apr 2021

Latest Carp from Lower Tamar and Melbury

by | posted in: Carp Fishing, Sidebar | 0
Aaron Bunning sent South West Lakes Trust this catch report from his session last week at Lower Tamar – well done Aaron!
‘During a 36hr session on Lower Tamar last week I managed a five fish hit, the highlight being a stunning old mirror carp just under 20lb. It was great to have a few of the elusive mirrors. All fish were taken on Nashbait Scopex Squid wafters over matching freebies’.
(Below)
Tim Thornton is back at Melbury after bagging a couple last week. Tim sent South West Lakes Trust this report after catching a real beauty yesterday!
‘Well after spending an uneventful night in the only available swim in the teeth of the wind I deduced the carp weren’t there.
I moved swims first thing into a swim occupying the centre of the reservoir. The cold wind got stronger and at 1pm my left rod ripped off on a one toner. An epic battle ensued and eventually after much nail biting this epic carp of 27lb 4oz slid over the net cord.
24 Apr 2021

Carp From North Devon’s Trusty Waters

by | posted in: Carp Fishing, Sidebar | 0

The present prevailing Easterly winds and bright blue skies are not generally conducive to good fishing but persistence pays off. Couple of cracking fish for Tim Thornton from Melbury . The biggest going 17lb12oz in the night. Both caught on DNA baits SLK corker wafters over a bed of 18mm SLK boilies. ‘Fishing quite tricky at the moment but pleased to come away with the two’

(Below) Early morning wake up call today for Carl Watkins. This 23lb mirror was caught at 5:45 this morning. What a paddle on this fish!! Upper Tamar

(Below) Steve Lovell back at Upper Tamar. This 22lb 10oz mirror the pick of his 5 fish trip last week. CC Moore boilies doing the business for Steve from the West Bay Area of the lake.

(Below) On his first session at Upper Tamar Ian Knowles caught this mint conditioned 18lb 8oz common in difficult conditions.

 

22 Apr 2021

Evening brings prizes of gold and silver

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

I took a stroll around Wistlandpound Resevoir rod in hand as afternoon drifted into evening beneath a cloudless blue sky. It was good to be out enjoying these longer Spring evenings as birdsong fills the air and fresh growth is bursting forth all around. With just a few flies in my waistcoat pocket, a net on my back and a five weight rod I had no intention to stay in one place.

It felt good to cast a line out across the calm water. A small bead headed PTN on the point and small black spider on a dropper. The open bank brought no interest in the flies so I moved on to the inlet shallows where shoals of Rudd were cruising amongst the weed. I flicked the flies into a passing shoal and watched a red finned Rudd divert to converge with the fly. The line zipped tight and a colourful Rudd was brought to hand. Flanks of burnished gold and silver, fins of crimson red a pleasing prize that was quickly followed up with another sparkling jewel.

I moved on and began a search of the windward bank casting the flies out and allowing them to drift around in an ark taking  a step along the foreshore with each cast. Suddenly the line zipped tight and the rod took on a pleasing curve as a wild brownie dashed to and fro.

A pristine wild brown trout slipped into the net. The barbless spider slipped easily from its jaws, I admired its golden spotted flanks illuminated in the evening sun as I slipped it back into the gin clear water.

To book online visit –https://www.swlakestrust.org.uk/book-now#e

 

 

 

21 Apr 2021

REMIX BAITS – The Secrets Out

by | posted in: Carp Fishing, Sidebar | 0

 

Chris Connaughton the angler behind Remix baits has been putting his baits to good use across North Devon and recently joined a group of fellow carpers at Furzebray Carp lakes where they put together one of North Devon’s most impressive carp hauls.

A group of local carp anglers booked up a week on the renowned Island Lake on the Furzebray Complex where they banked a stunning forty-three carp including three carp over forty pounds, fourteen carp over thirty pounds along with countless twenties. Congratulations must go to Tony Kingdom who has nurtured this fishery since it was created from a marshy field close to fifteen years ago. It has now become one of the West Countries top venues and a tranquil lake where wildlife abounds.

I asked Chris about his baits and he kindly sent me a summary on the baits.

Remix Baits Originally formed from making high attract hook-baits to give a high attract edge to go alongside known brands such as Mainline. These highly attractive hookbaits are rolled from fresh eggs, mixed with a unique blend of feed stimulants, liquid attractants and added essential oils which will be sure to release a steady diffusion of food signals for a long period of time in your water column. The secret is out!

Local stockists are Summerlands, Furzebray carp lakes and will be Quay Sports. Website is www.remixbaits.co.uk

20 Apr 2021

 2021 AGM RIVER REPORT, RIVER TAW FISHERIES & CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION – ALEX GIBSON

by | posted in: Game Fishing, Sidebar | 0

2021 AGM RIVER REPORT, RIVER TAW FISHERIES & CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION – ALEX GIBSON

  1. To say the least 2020 was an abnormal season for us – covid restrictions and two extended low water periods led to fewer fishing days. Nevertheless the beat survey was encouraging – 177 salmon, 192 sea trout and about 2,600 brown trout. To date I only have preliminary EA figures for salmon, 146 (90% returned). Last year’s beat survey numbers were 82 salmon, 265 sea trout and almost 3,000 brown trout.
  2. River Improvement Work: £10,000 was spent on gravel washing last year on the Upper Taw, Mole, Molland Yeo and Crooked Oak. We plan is to spend the same amount this year. We also plan to spend £8,000 on a Westcounty Rivers Trust fry index survey. WRT last surveyed six years ago in 2015. The EA conducts its full juvenile survey every 6 years and its next survey is scheduled for 2024. However this may be delayed a year because for covid reasons no surveys were possible last year. These WRT and EA surveys are crucial to us since they allow us to fine tune our river improvement plans by reference to the three-yearly information base.
  3. Mole Pollution Incident: As far as we are aware the EA is pushing ahead, very slowly admittedly, with its plans to prosecute what is a category 1 incident, the worst. Unfortunately information about the case is not forthcoming and we still don’t have access to the original fish kill survey. By releasing it the EA feels it may prejudice its case. We are determined on our part that prosecution should go ahead and it was for this reason the we turned down an enforcement undertaking offer of £6k from the polluter. These EU’s are a form of out of court settlement. Such an enforcement offer had it been accepted by us and subsequently by the EA would have meant no prosecution, an unacceptable outcome. The good news is that under pressure from us the EA has indicated that on a one-off basis it will survey two sites on the polluted stretch of the Mole this season. This should give us a handle on how that stretch of river is being recolonised.
  4. As you all know we work very closely with the Westcountry Rivers Trust and this is an excellent opportunity for me to thank Adrian Dowding. I have worked closely with Adrian from the time of the Access over Weirs Project onwards and I can safely say that his contribution has been invaluable. He understands our catchment and continues to be committed to help us.
  5. We were without an EA Enforcement Officer for about 6 months last year after Paul Carter’s retirement. This situation was made good in October with the appointment of Callum Underhill, who like Paul will cover the Taw, Torridge and Lyn. Due to covid restrictions it has not been possible to meet Callum and give him a full briefing on the river and RTFA. We hope to make that good shortly. Meantime telephone conversations must suffice.
  6. I have been Chairman since the 2007 AGM and this is the right time for me to stand down. I feel much has been achieved, but as you are all well aware keeping our river healthy and its fish stocks in good shape is a continuing uphill struggle given the threats we face. I am referring particularly to the threats from bad farming practices, the 35 sewage treatment works on our system and the 3 anaerobic digesters, which have led to a huge expansion of winter maize growing with damaging consequences from soil run-off. All this works to the detriment of better water quality and healthier fisheries. We have campaigned actively against these threats and I am sure we will continue to do so.
  7. I believe the Association continues to have a clear river improvement strategy, fully supported by the membership. This strategy is implemented to the extent that funding permits. We always try to be proactive rather than reactive and have punched above our weight regionally. We are well plugged into the national organisations that must lead the national initiatives and campaigns for better water quality and healthier fisheries. I am sure all this will continue under Andy’s Chairmanship.
  8. I am delighted that the Chairmanship is passing to Andy Gray. In my opinion he is the ideal candidate and he inherits a strong Committee which is widely knowledgeable, has plenty of experience and properly reflects all parts of the river and all types of fishing from brown trout to salmon and sea trout. There is a broad membership base. I know Andy will be a first class Chairman, ably supported in particular by Ian Blewett as Secretary and Richard Nickell as Treasurer. I am also delighted that Eddie Rands, Chairman of South Molton & District Angling Club, is joining the Committee. He will be a real asset.
  9. Finally I would like to thank everyone for the support that I have received over the years. And in case you think you have finally got rid of me I should point out that the Committee wishes to co-opt me back in an unofficial capacity. I hope to be able to add some value in this role.

My thanks and best wishes to you all.

 

Alex Gibson

26 March 2021