Eighteen seniors fishing in Appledore Shipbuilders monthly Rover that was won by Jazza John with a bull huss of 10lb 2oz. James Atkinson took second and third with small eyed ray of 8lb 8oz and 7lb 7oz.
Bideford Angling Clubs Rover was won by Paul Downing who caught a smoothound of 9lb 10oz. Stephen Found was runner up with a bull huss of 9lb 4.25oz and Tarrant Wotton third with a smoothound of 8lb 12oz. Forth place went to Tom Downing with a smoothound of 8lb 6oz and fifth Tony Gooch with a huss of 7lb 2oz. Pail Ackland was sixth with a smoothound of 6lb 13oz.
The first catch report from Upper Tamar since re-opening. There have been a huge amount of fish caught! Roger Maher and his sons had an amazing session catching 29 carp between them with 15 over 20lbs including ‘The Peach’ at 30.06 and ‘Leanne’s mirror’ at 28.08.
Nash Tackle Consultant Jordan John Marsh from Bude fished his local water Lower Tamar Lake to bank carp of 14lb and 10lb along with a fine specimen bream of close to ten pound.
Ian Laird and Ali Laird enjoyed a hectic session targeting smoothound landing over twenty of the hard fighting hounds the best weighing 12lb 9oz and 10lb 8oz.
Dan Spearman enjoyed a successful session targeting thin-lipped grey mullet banking fish of 4lb 13oz, 4lb 2oz, 3lb 13oz and several other mullet of around 3lb. The session followed on from several blank sessions during the hot weather.
At 35 acres in size Lower Tamar is a day ticket only water. But if great fishing and beautiful surroundings is what you’re looking for it could be the place for you. With carp to 40lb, bream to 14lb, Tench to 7lb, perch to 4lb and roach to 3lb it offers excellent sport for everyone. Bags of 50lb+ are common to pole, feeder or float tactics. There are multiple bream over 10lbs.
Species: Carp, Bream, Rudd, Roach, Tench, Perch and Eels
Fishing Times: Open all year, 24 hours a day
Day Permits: Available at Upper Tamar Lake or online at www.coarse.swlakesfishing.co.uk
Contact: 01566 771930
Bideford Angling Club members are saddened at the death of Arthur Johns aged 71 who had been a keen member since joining as a junior in the early sixties. He was a keen sea angler and specialised in catching the wily grey mullet. He was the secretary of the North Devon Sea Angling League for over twenty years and I enjoyed my regular chats with him when collating reports for the NDJ.
Many thanks to Bideford Angling Clubs Pete Skinner who sent me this warm tribute to Arthur.
(Above) Michael Squires (Left) and Arthur Johns – Two greatly missed members of Bideford Angling Club.
Arthur (Art) Johns 1949 – 2020 (71) Arthur first joined the club in the 1960s as a junior before joining the merchant navy, he rejoined in the mid 70s and has remained a member ever since. He was a hard worker for the club and held many posts in his time including junior cup organiser, Xmas comp and festival organiser, fish recorder and cup custodian, Chairman , president and Vice President the post he held when he passed away, he also worked hard for the club when we had our clubhouse behind the bar and various other jobs. He was secretary of the North Devon Sea Angling league for over 20 years, a job he was very proud of. Arthur was a keen sea angler, fishing a lot with his great friend Mike Squires, another Angling club stalwart who sadly passed away a short time ago, after which Arthur stopped fishing, he told me once that it wasn’t the same anymore, Arthur liked all types of fishing but he particularly enjoyed the intricacies if mullet fishing at which he excelled, winning many club competitions with specimens of the species. He was a great member of the club, with a keen interest in encouraging youngsters into our sport, he will be sorely missed.
Aiden Prouse age 7 from Barnstaple fished Anglers Paradise with his dad mark and caught his first catfish 20lb 10oz He was delighted to have tempted a fish of such a size; it will hopefully be the first of many big fish he catches.
