16 Oct 2020

A Fading Federation – BCFSA

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The Bristol Channel Federation of Sea Anglers was founded in 1961 and was for many years a very successful organisation with a loyal following from member clubs throughout the Bristol Channel. The federation was perhaps at its peak during the 1980’s when several hundred anglers would attend the annual awards ceremony to collect prestigious awards. I remember these events with great fondness and was proud to be presented with several awards myself along with other members of the CMSAC.

Sadly recent years have not been good for federation with membership declining for numerous reasons. The hard working but ageing committee have soldiered on for the past few seasons but without up and coming young blood it became clear that the federation was ailing. As fish recorder for Combe Martin Sea Angling Club I have registered many fish with their retiring fish recorder Keith Reed who has a vast wealth of knowledge regarding the fish of the Bristol Channel. Keith has maintained a remarkable degree of enthusiasm throughout his fifty years of service. I will miss our monthly chats.

The COVID- 19 outbreak has perhaps been the final nail in the federations coffin. See letter below from the federation.

The Angling Trust now the most important organisation representing anglers and I would urge all clubs to join up.

October 2020

To  All BCFSA Affiliated Clubs.

Earlier this year we sent out a letter from our President John May, to all Member Clubs asking for help to manage the Federations business. Unfortunately, despite the fact that all the Federation events have had very good support on the day there have been no volunteers to fill the vacant Committee positions.

As you all should be aware Keith Reed the Federation’s Fish Recorder gave notice to retire at the end of the year. Keith joined the Federation in 1965 as a Delegate and took up the position of Fish Recorder in 1971. That will be fifty years’ service, with all the history that goes with it. We think Keith deserves a well-earned rest for all the hard work he has put in over the years.

Our Shore Secretary James Redman has unexpectedly had to stand down due to serious health issues. In the short period James was in this position he has put in 100%. Introducing a new format for the 4 Man Team event and had plans to make the Shore events more interesting and enjoyable.

Unfortunately, this currently just leaves four Committee Members and from January 2021 there will only be 3 (3 from 3 Clubs out of 22) and this is not enough.

This year we have been forced to cancel all of this year’s Boat Competitions due to the ramifications of the Covid crisis and are unable to make any bookings for next year due to the ongoing uncertainties. The effects of Lockdowns, Social Distancing & Shielding have particularly affected the Team Events.

The Shore Team & Open events have also been cancelled for this year and there are no plans for next year due to the same Covid restriction uncertainties & compounded by no longer having a Shore Secretary.

The Handbook is also not being produced for next year. This is due in part to the Covid restrictions & lack of manpower but also to the uncertainty of how many Clubs, Tackle Shops & even Charted Boats will survive during these trying times.

Normally in these unprecedented circumstances an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) would be called. But the ongoing Covid situation denies this. Even the Annual General Meeting (AGM) will probably not be able to take place.

We have discussed at some length & decided that we have no alternative but to suspend all Federation activities from the end of this financial year (30th November). If, as it seems a distinct possibility the situation remains as it is after a twelve month period, then the Federation will formally have to close down completely, unless any suitable ideas are put forward during this time.

The Specimen Fish Awards have continued throughout and will continue to do so until the end of November (claims to be with the Fish Recorder by the 30th December, to allow the Certificates to be sent out). Any Claims for December & subsequent months will depend on whether we have a Fish Recorder or not.

All applicable awards, certificates & badges for this season will be honoured.

There will not be a renewal fee due for 2021 (normally due by the end of the year). Your Membership will automatically be rolled over. However as a consequence the Federation Insurance which is due in February 2021 will NOT be renewed.

The Committee.

 

15 Oct 2020

Flounder Fishing

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Flounder devotee David Jenkins caught this 1lb 14oz flounder on his latest visit to the Taw estuary. David says that the fishing has not been easy and expressed concerns regarding anglers not backfilling after digging for ragworm. This is a perennial issue with a significant minority failing to follow well established codes of conduct relating to bait collection. It is important that anglers do all they can to maintain a good public image and the actions of few tarnish the good name of angling. This also relates to litter and failure to respect private property.

15 Oct 2020

South West Lakes Trust Trout Fisheries Report

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South West Lakes Trust Trout Fisheries Report

October 2020

Boat and bank fishing is still available to rainbow trout anglers at the time of writing, with day tickets on sale through the Lakes Trust website or via the telephone (01566 771930). Most of the self-service permit huts are now open, but anglers should confirm this before buying tickets on site. Certain restrictions continue to operate and, before fishing, anglers are asked to read the latest Angling Trust advice with regard to health and social distancing. information is also available on the South West Lakes Trust website – www.swlakesfishing.co.uk.

Where boats are available, these should be pre-booked, and strict guidelines must be followed regarding their use (see website for details). Catch returns may be completed online, where the latest weekly catch reports will be available to view. Brown trout fisheries closed on 13 October, with some truly outstanding fishing at Roadford at the end of the season. The rainbow trout fishing improved as temperatures dropped, although generally fish tended to stay deep.

Fishing:

Kennick – Lure patterns (such as Boobies and Orange Tadpoles) fished on sinking lines hard on the bottom, or Damsel Nymphs in mid-water, generally produced the best results and, in spite of a few Daddy Longlegs being blown onto the water, fish could not be tempted to the surface. Bank angling was best in Clampitts Bay, while boat anglers preferred to fish in the deeper central water. The best fish caught in the month was a 4lb rainbow caught by Mr. Kent (from Exmouth). The annual Peninsula classic Bank competition was won by Andy Gooding (from Liverton), catching five rainbows weighing in at 10lb 5oz, using Damsel Nymphs and a Black and Green Lure.

Siblyback – In spite of plenty of fish in the water, the fishing was challenging throughout the month, with a number of decent fish being lost at the net. Dry Daddies picked up a few surface-feeding fish, although the majority were taken on lures (Cats Whisker, Sibblyback Sizzler, and Boobies) fished on a sinking line, with Two Meadows, Stocky Bay, and the North Shore proving to be the best locations.

Stithians – The fishing picked up towards the end of the month, with fish looking up to feed and the majority of fish taken on dry patterns (Deerhair Sedges, Foam Beetles and Hoppers in particular). Some sub-surface feeders were caught on Damsel Nymphs, Montanas, Black Spiders and Black Pennells. Fish were well spread out, with Holliss Bank and Sailing Club bank producing the most consistent results. The best fish caught in the month was a 3lb 3oz rainbow caught by Graeme Clement.

Burrator – The fish at Burrator continued to stay down deep, with Boobies and Cats Whiskers fished on a sinking line producing the best sport, with the occasional fish taking a mid-water hackled nymph, Damsel, Montana or Diawl Bach, with Longstone Point producing the best bank fishing.

Colliford – Colliford continued to produce some great sport through to the end of the season, with plenty of free rising brownies coming to a selection of patterns (Daddies, Hoppers, dry sedge patterns and the occasional Adams), with Black Spiders and Claret Pheasant Tails catching sub-surface feeders. As usual, the fish were well spread out. Local angler Dean Boucher finished the season with 18 fish on three visits, including grown-on fish to 2lb and the best fish of the season on the last day – a cracking 3lb brownie caught in the Narrows.

Fernworthy – The season finished with some hard fishing – a few fish were seen to rise but without much consistency (several were taken on Black Gnats and Sedgehogs). Subsurface nymphs and spiders fished on floating lines caught fish, but nothing of any great size, with the South Bank, Lowton Bay and Thornworthy producing the best sport.

Roadford – The fishing at Roadford continued to be truly outstanding, both for brown trout and perch from the boat, and just continued to improve throughout the month. Weekly trout rod averages started the month at four fish per anglers, steadily rising to over nine fish per rod by the end of the season. Cornish angler Roger Truscott banked 20 fish in one visit, including one of the best of the season – a grown-on brownie of 3lb, while Dean Boucher caught 51 fish up to 2lb 4oz in three visits, fishing from the bank. Both boat and bank anglers enjoyed some excellent sport, with fish being caught on a variety of dry patterns (Klinkhammers, Midges and Foam Beetles), wets (Pheasant Tails, Spiders, Soldier Palmers and Zulus) and lures (Tadpoles and Black Nomads), from locations all over the lake. Targeted boat fishing for perch resulted in plenty of fish being caught, the best day being enjoyed by John Deprieelle, catching four fish over three pounds and losing an even bigger one.

 

 

12 Oct 2020

Stafford Moor – October Festival

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Worthy winner of Stafford Moors October Festival was Chris Cameron (Middy/Bait tech) with a total weight of 551lb 1oz and only 5 points who wins £1500 well done Chris

In 2nd place was Chris Davis with a total weight of 540lb 15oz with 6 Points who wins £1000 well done Chris

In 3rd place was Tommy Hillier with a total weight of 517lb 11oz with 6 Points who wins £750 well done

Our top silvers weight of the week was Johnny Gray who bagged 35lb 9oz from peg 17 on Tanners lake today well done Johnny

Our top overall weight of the week was from top bagger Tommy Hiller with 238lb 7oz from peg 20 on Tanners lake well done Tommy.

12 Oct 2020

Melbury In Fine Form

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Melbury has been in fine form over the last couple of months. Neil Harvey sent a report to SWLT after a recent visit. ‘Single Scale’ at 26lb 8oz was the highlight of all the fish.
‘Cracking session on Melbury. Done Thursday morning to Saturday lunchtime. I had 15 runs and landed 12 carp. I had 5 fish in the night last night and I’m shattered!’
(Below) Jason McEvoy. His first visit to Melbury resulting in this 21lb fish. A swim move paid off for Jason when he saw a fish roll.
11 Oct 2020

Bideford and District Angling Club Monthly Coarse Section Competition : Tarka Swims Results

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Bideford and District Angling Club Monthly Coarse Section Competition : Tarka Swims Results

1st Colin Carolyn Cherrington. 30lb 12oz

2nd Keith Mountjoy 18lb 15oz

3rd Reg Sutton 17lb 9oz

4th Craig Crash Lamey 17lb 1oz

5th Tyler Scott 15lb 10oz 6th

B section winner Kevin Debbie Shears 13lb 2oz A Section winner Steve Ashton 6lb .

21 Anglers fished , conditions improved throughout the day and Colin has continued his great run on Tarka and this victory has pushed him into joint 2nd place in the league with 2 matches remaining. His catch of carp and skimmers was taken on peg 9 on the pole and paste. Opposite him on peg 18 was second placed Keith ,his catch was also taken on the pole but with soft pellets. Reg managed 3rd spot on peg 13 another pole catch this time on maggot. Craig on peg 16 also had carp and skimmers on the pole for 4th spot. Junior member Tyler on peg 6 came in 5th ,his catch included an 8lb 12oz carp.