The Torridge Rivers Association AGM will be held at The Half Moon Inn Sheepwash on Friday 21st March: 7.00pm for 7.30pm.
This is always a most enjoyable evening with the usual excellent buffet after the meeting. The North Devon Fishery Officer, Sam Fenner, will be joining us. The hatchery has been a great success this winter and the Association will be stocking out over 35,000 swim-up fry towards the end of March. Fishing!
The 2025 Fishing Season has begun and the river is in excellent condition. Charles anticipates a great fishing season and has suggested a strong chance of an early Salmon, proven on Sunday as regular visitor Reg Lawton caught a 15lb fresh run cock Salmon at Madeira. A beautiful Bar of Silver. Congratulations Reg!
To hear Charles’ full introduction to the season click link below:
Meet in the tackle shop for complimentary tea, Coffees and a bacon roll followed by a day learning about fishing, fishing and then a film on the fish. All at one of the West Country’s most revered Country Hotels THE ARUNDELL located on the Devon Cornish Border. A great agenda for a day for sure, what’s not to like?.
Early March and grayling and nymph fishing tactics were top of the agenda. Though an early salmon from the River Torridge headed the early discussion as anglers from far and wide chatted over warm drinks. The tackle shop provided plenty of quality products for the fly angler and I took the opportunity to buy a few heavy nymphs as recommended by James Christoforou and Lewis Hendry. Our expert tutors for the morning session.
Spring sunshine soon cleared the early frost and mist from the rolling hills and valleys revealing a bright blue sky and roadsides brightened with yellow daffodils and primroses.
Close to twenty anglers were booked into the mornings tutorial on Euro Nymphing tactics and after a lengthy time of chatting and mingling we head for the river some of us enjoying a pleasant stroll the river situated half a mile from the hotel whilst others jumped into cars and Landrover’s.
Team Arundell – David Chapman, David Pilkington and James Christoforou
We all gathered beside the River Lyd that was looking in fine trim; its clear water glistening in the bright morning light. The Arundell team was headed by James Christoforou accompanied by fly fishing guru Lewis Hendrie and long-time Arundell stalwart and much respected David Pilkington.
Daivd Pilkington
James waded out into the clear waters and started to explain the basics of modern Euro Nymphing. It was explained that Euro Nymphing is a phrase coined to describe a range of nymphing tactics created primarily by anglers from Poland, Czechoslovakia and France. The technique basically embraces the use of long light rods paired with a very light line and heavy nymphs that are propelled into the river using their weight instead of the line as is the case with traditional fly fishing.
The approach to the river is vital if success is to be enjoyed the first objective being to get close to the fish without alerting them. Slow and low was the motto; a useful tip being to use knee protectors available from builders merchants to protect those knees and expensive waders from wear tear, brambles and barbed wire.
Protection for those knees and expensive wadersExecuting the bow and arrow cast
Which fly?What Knots
Getting a bit deep !
Lewis Hendry followed on bringing even more in depth advice on tactics frequently driving home points already made earlier by James in his own enthusiastic and unique style.
Lewis Hendrie delivers a wealth of valuable tips
Take a note of where the light is shining from, read the water to guess where the fish lie and pause to look around for those fly hungry trees.
The intricacies of sight leaders, nymphs and how to present them were explained with passion, humour and clarity. The main thrust is that tradition is largely forgotten in this refreshing and enlightening approach to catching trout, grayling and even salmon and sea trout.
The key is to present the nymph to where the fish are lying, into the taking zone, offering an easy meal a tactic that can very often tempt a big wily fish lurking in the deep waters of the river when traditional dry or downstream wet fly tactics pass over the fish.
I personally found the whole tutorial enlightening picking up various tips as is always the case when hanging around with highly experienced anglers. It was also very reassuring to learn that my own tactics were pretty sound even if my delivery sometimes goes astray. Though we were assured that even they get hung up in the odd branch and that losing the occasional nymph to a snag on the riverbed is par for the course if you are searching for the feeding zone correctly.
Wiggly worm nymphs jigged deep are far from traditional tactics and those from an older generation would undoubtedly frown upon these tactics that I felt had much in common with LRF fishing tactics. There are undoubtedly those who would say it’s not cricket but if we want young anglers to come into the sport perhaps we need to adapt and learn fun new tactics.
Lunch time and my friend Jeff Pearce and I headed back to the Arundell to enjoy a coffee and cake from the deli before heading off to beat 3 on the River Lyd for a couple of hours late afternoon fishing.
It was a joy to walk across the fields to explore the River and try to locate those hot spots where the grayling dwell. Inspired following the mornings tuition we sent our nymphs plopping into deep pools and promising runs.
The afternoon sun illuminated the bankside trees, spring flowers and the bright clear sparkling waters are a perfect tonic to this increasingly troubled world.
I watched my bright orange leader, it stabbed down, I lifted the rod and a good sized grayling splashed and twisted in the strong current. Sadly it came off after a few seconds but at least I knew I was doing something right.
We left the river as the sun slowly sank and returned to enjoy a delicious meal in the bar before heading to the Tamar room to watch the film.
The angling world is undoubtedly a very connected community I observed as we chatted with fellow angling guests. Plotting future excursions and debating various aspects of this fascinating piscatorial world.
Close to forty assembled for the showing of Jack Perks acclaimed film Britain’s Hidden Fishes.
“Britain’s Hidden Fishes” is a not-for-profit documentary by Jack Perks, a renowned British Wildlife videographer. This captivating film explores the fascinating underwater world of the UK. From chalk streams to the open sea, the documentary shines a spotlight on some of the UK’s most overlooked and underrated wildlife, fish.
Narrated by Jeremy Wade ( Of River Monsters), Britain’s Hidden Fishes was filmed over two years to capture never-before- seen stories, behaviours, and footage of British fish.
The film is undoubtedly an outstanding insight into the precious and spectacular world of UK fish. It is hoped that the film will eventually be shown on mainstream television where it deserves to be aired to a far wider audience.
The talk was followed by an enlightening question and answer session with Jack Perks whose passion for fish and fishing was plain to see.
Reg Lawton has got the River Torridge salmon fishing season underway in style on March 1st tempting a stunning silver springer estimated at 15lb. Reg was staying at the Half Moon Inn at Sheepwash for the Opening the weekend and delayed his journey home to celebrate his success at this long established Country Fishing Inn.
Himalayan balsam (HB) is a widespread and damaging invasive non-native species (INNS) which grows rapidly each summer in dense monoculture stands, especially along riverbanks, and shades out deeper-rooted native species before dying back in winter. Bare soil is left without perennial root structures to stop soil from being eroded and dumped into rivers as silt (one recent study suggests a rate of 10 tonnes per km per year). This smothers gravels, invertebrates and fish eggs, and threatens salmon and trout populations in particular.
HB infestations also cut off access for angling and other activities and worsen damage from other INNS (e.g. making riverbanks more vulnerable to collapse from signal crayfish tunnelling).
Look out for for further posts on DAA 2025 initiatives relating to Himalayan Balsam.
The new season is now firmly under way at the South West Lakes Trust Rainbow trout fisheries, opening on 1 March (with prior preview days for season ticket holders). Brown Trout fisheries are due to open on 15 March. Where available, boats are now on the water, and should be pre-booked (online or via the telephone). The weather was perfect for the start of the season, with blue skies, a gentle breeze and some warmth in the air. All of the lakes are now at full capacity.
Fishing:
Kennick – Rods averaged over 3.7 fish per angler during the opening sessions, with fish generally located off The Lawns, The Narrows, Clampitts Bay, East Wall and Bracken Point. The fish were well down in the water column, with sinking or sink-tip lines locating fish, with a slow figure-of-eight retrieve. A selection of lure patterns (Green Boobies, Goldhead Blobs, Cats Whiskers, Black Tadpoles) as well as some nymphs (Goldhead Montana, Damsel, Red Montana) and the occasional Buzzer all caught fish. Most fish averaged around 2lb, with Darren Penfold catching the best fish of the weekend, at 3lb.
Siblyback – The season opened on excellent form – anglers averaged 5.95 fish per rod, with fish mainly located along the North Bank, Two Meadows, West Bank and Stocky Bay. While some fish were caught on Montana and Damsel Nymphs, most were caught on a variety of lure patterns (Orange FAB, Kennick Killer, Snake, Black and Green Fritz, Orange Blob and Humungous) fished on Intermediate or Sink-tip lines (at between three and four metres depth) with a slow retrieve. Ethan Price caught the largest fish, at 3lb.
Burrator – Here the season opened with a flying start, with anglers averaging 4.6 fish per rod, mainly from Longstone, Pig’s Trough, Lowery Point, Back Bay and Bennetts. Intermediate or floating lines with a long leader (at about one metre depth) with a fast retrieve proved to be the most successful method, with fish taking Nomads, Blue Flash Damsels, Red Diawl Bachs, Cormorants and Orange Fritz lures. Most fish averaged around 2lb, with Ian Foxley catching the best fish, at 56cm, or 3lb 14oz.
Stithians – Here the fishing was slower, with anglers averaging 1.1 fish per rod over the opening weekend. Fish were well spread out around the fishery, notably at Yellowort, Goonlaze, Ray’s Beach, Hollis and the deeper water by the dam. Most feeding fish were around two metres down, and were mainly caught on Intermediate or Sink-tip lines, with a slow retrieve. Successful flies included Black and Peacock Spiders, Hares Ears, Montanas and Damsel nymphs, as well as Orange Blobs, Cormorants and Tequila FABs. Simon Peters managed a couple of fish at 1lb 8oz casting into the wind off Deep Bank.
Another successful Fly Fair was held at Roadford Lake on 23 February, with fly-tying demonstrations, casting lessons, and trout cookery demonstrations. Charles Jardine opened the event, which also included a variety of tackle and fly-tying suppliers, as well as the chance to meet local clubs and talk fishing with old friends, and some bargains to be had on the Kennick Club used-tackle stand.
Please see the Trust’s website (www.swlakestrust.org.uk/trout-fishing) for more information on buying tickets, boat availability and booking, and forthcoming events.
Dulverton Anglers Association AGM was held on Friday, February 21st in the Anchor Inn at Exebridge. I have been a member of the club for a couple of years and have enjoyed a few pleasurable days exploring their extensive waters on the Upper Exe and its tributaries.
The club is a long established one and its committee undoubtedly hard working and committed to providing good fishing, protecting the environment and nurturing a friendly network of anglers. The AGM was conducted in a calm professional manner with those friendly moments of warm banter that make all feel welcome and relaxed.
It is fair to say looking around the room that the majority of members fit the expected dynamic of a fly fisher pursuing the gentle art. Most with a few exceptions are of an older generation with greying or thinning hair with the occasional ache and pain. There is however no lack of passion for the river environment its fish and the desire to cast a line. I state this ageing dynamic as there is often a debate around the future with a lack of younger generation anglers. More on that later.
Catch returns show that brown trout and grayling fishing remains good with no significant concerns. The acquisition of Old Woman’s Beat is a significant milestone for the club and its first season saw many members fishing this historic beat. Over 250 brown trout were registered, close to 90 grayling and one sea trout. It is sad that no salmon were caught as this was once regarded as one of the prime salmon beats on the Upper Exe. Sea trout have never been a significant catch on the Exe system which is strange as the river shares many characteristics of other West Country Rivers that still boast good sea trout runs.
Old Womans Beat
One member present was Nicholas Fitton who has recently had his second book published, ‘Gently Down the Stream’. The Forgotten Art of Downstream Wet-Fly Fishing. ( his first book was ‘In Search of Wild Trout , Published in 1992) I asked Nicholas if he would kindly sign my recently purchased copy of the book and he duly obliged. His opening question to me was; Are you a downstream or upstream man? I replied that I cast to the fish where they lie be that upstream or down. In many of our wild rivers with overhanging tree’s there is surely no room for dogma and outdated tradition.
In so called liberated days it is perhaps strange that many still hold onto traditions of the past. It is perhaps a contradiction in stating this that I admit to a great fondness for angling literature from the early days of the last century and savour the words of some of the sports greatest writers. H T Sheringham, George A B Dewar, Sir Edward Grey, E. A. Barton, G.E.M Skues and of course F.M. Halford. These great writers hale from what was perhaps the golden age of angling when fly fishing traditions were established.
We chatted at length about fishing and Fly-fishing and reminisced about a time when we were young and commenced our angling journey. Freedom to explore the countryside and fish are common themes I have discussed with many anglers who shared those same decades. As young anglers we of course followed no rules drifting worms to catch wild trout and only learning the delights of fly-fishing as we progressed. I sometimes wonder if we should have open stretches of rivers where junior anglers can fish without the restraints of rules. Young anglers are the future and it is imperative that we engage them in fishing and nature. In the old days I feel sure the keepers of the river would occasionally turn a blind eye to the young child flicking a worm or knub of cheese to trout. Primula soft cheese worked for me, along with grasshoppers and flakes of mothers pride.
I am looking forward to reading Nicholas’s book and learning more of the art of downstream flyfishing. ( Will write a review on the book on here in due course) The complete fly angler will surely be adept at all methods dictated to by the flow of the water and the ways of the trout.
The official meeting business was followed by a talk from Angling Trust representative Alex Van Wienen who highlighted the many services, avenues for advice and funding the Angling Trust offers to member clubs.
A delicious and plentiful buffet was provided to close the meeting the remains of which fed the associations habitat working party the following day as they cleared paths of debris on one of their beats in accordance with the landowners wishes. The association organise various working parties throughout the year and plans to work with the Environment Agency later in the summer to help tackle invasive Himalayan balsam.
Boat anglers are enjoying fine sport off Ilfracombe with Bull Huss, spurdog and conger.
Mike Spiller with a fine spurdog caught on Reel Deal
(Below) Bull huss and spurdog caught on Bluefin
Shore fishing has been very slow in recent weeks with high pressure and calm seas not generally good conditions.
Appledore Shipbuilders March Rover
Appledore Shipbuilders March rover was won by Michael Hammett with a Ballan Wrasse of 3lb 141/4ozs. Josh Atkinson was 2nd and 3rd, also with Ballan’s of 3lb 13 3/4ozs and 3lb 131/4ozs.
After a cold start the warmed up to a lovely sunny day with light winds that suited the wrasse.
Combe Martin SAC
Wayne Thomas won Combe Martin SAC’s End of Winter Rover with a grey mullet of 2lb 13oz.
The Exmoor landscape glistened with frost as the sun climbed in the clear sky. I negotiated the icy roads on my way to Wimbleball on the last day of metrological winter.
A veil of white mist hid the reservoir from view as I approached with not a breath of wind.
Several anglers were already at the water’s edge and had enjoyed early success. I was meeting with my good friend Jeff Pearce who had assisted with the launching of several boats offering advice based on the previous days opening.
I had already set up my Snowbee Diamond 2 Fly Rod #7 4-Piece – 10′, in combination with a 7wt, Intermediate line with black lure on the point and small diawl bach on a dropper. This was my go to set up early season and I was to use this throughout the day. I had a few casts in the boat bay whilst Jeff continued to assist arriving anglers with the boats.
The mist was lifting quickly as late winter sunshine quickly warmed the air. The lake was mirror calm only the departing boats rippling the waters. I captured a few images of the scene and poured a coffee. It was good to be back at this jewel in the crown of West Country Fly Fishing.
This was day two of a new season and anglers the previous day had enjoyed most success fishing from the bank. The most successful flies were undoubtedly black and green perpetuated by the fact that most anglers choose this pattern early season.
Jeff and I had a cunning plan to utilise our boat to move around beaching the boat at promising areas and fish from the bank. Our first point of call was Bessom’s an area that gives access to reasonably deep water. I was full of optimism and belief but the first hour passed without any connection to the lakes residents.
Jeff was first to connect tempting a typical hard fighting rainbow on a black booby fished deep and slow. Despite lack of success I persisted casting out and working my lure back slowly inch at a time with the occasional speedy twitch and pause.
Persistence and belief generally pay off and suddenly the line zipped tight and I enjoyed the delectable throbbing of life transmitted through the line the rod absorbing the feisty rainbows attempts to shed the hook.
We spent another hour or so catching another six rainbows the best around 3lb 8oz. Whilst we could have stayed and caught steadily we decided upon a change of scenery moving to Cowmoor and an area of bank that has been cleared to allow easier access and plenty of room for the back cast.
It didn’t take long before the rods were bending and reels singing as rainbows hit our lures treating us to acrobatic antics as the fish leapt cartwheeling on our lines end. Jeff had by now changed over to a similar set up to me and tempted fish on a regular basis. We ended the day on fourteen trout averaging 2lb 8oz the best probably 3lb 8oz. Jeff lost what felt like a big fish of which many have been stocked the best topping 10lb.
The day will be remembered for the warmth of the sun the beautiful scenery, good company and of course those hard fighting full tailed Wimbleball rainbows. In many ways it was another perfect day that ended all too soon.
Opening Day Report from Wimbleball Fishery.
Seven boats and twenty-nine bank anglers attended opening day on Thursday. Some great catches were had, pictured was Simon Peters, from the bank at Cow Moor the fish were cruising the bank, you’d get 1 or 2 quick succession then it would go quiet for a while, ended up with 15 fish between two anglers, including pictured one around 5lb.
Peter Duckett had 3 right off from by the flagpole.
Anthony Cartwright had a great day on Friday fishing the bank from Ruggs, catching 16 fish on a mixture of floating lines with lures to shooting heads and boobies. Picture of decent fish in margin by rod, not far off 10lb.
Kieron Jenkins with the best of a 21 fish total from the boat saturday, with most fish coming from Bessoms with some lovely overwintered fish from around the Pontoon.
Best method was fishing di7 and two boobies (pink and black) slowly at depth. Plenty of positive vibes from anglers, bank seemed to outfish the boats weather was so different from previous seasons and the cold temperatures with bright sunshine put the fish down a bit but some still caught on floating lines and diawl bachs! Get those online returns in, as at the end of the month Wimbleball admin will pick a random catch return for a free take 2 fish then catch and release ticket.
March 1st and the commencement of a new salmon season on North Devon’s Taw and Torridge. I joined members of Barnstaple & District Angling Club at Newbridge to celebrate the occasion at their bankside hut. Warm spring sunshine brought smiles and optimism a contrast to last season’s start with a raging torrent of dirty water combined with hail and thunder.
A Hang glider drifted high above in a clear blue sky. We chatted warmly of seasons gone and those who had walked the river banks at this very spot. It was good to share the spring day with a band of fellow piscators those stories of silver bars bringing hope for the season for anglers are an eternally optimistic bunch. A cool beer, hot dogs, Lemon drizzle and a cup of afternoon tea.
The river was running high with that healthy aqua tinge of spring. With the biggest tides of the season any salmon were likely to be well upriver by now but it was perhaps still worthwhile savouring the throb of a spinner as it traversed the currents or the drift of the fly over well-known taking lies.
Daffodils, celandines and primroses brought that touch of yellow to the lanes and river bank. We will soon glimpse the first martins and swallows and who knows perhaps that silver tourist will bring a touch of silver to enrich some lucky anglers life. I look forward to reporting on the first spring salmon of 2025.
Another enjoyable night with Bideford & District Angling Club a pleasure to be a part of the evening. A very good attendance this year with a really positive vibe.
BDAC Coarse section 2024 cups and trophies.
Senior Match man Winner Craig Lamey 137pts
Senior Match man Runner up Paul Elworthy 103pts
Midweek series Winner Nathan Underwood 130pts
Midweek series runner up Kevin Shears 92pts
Pairs match Winners
Rhys Eyles and Darren Polden
Highest weight in competition. Rhys Eyles 69lb 12oz
Rod and reel league winner Richard Jefferies 128pts
Rod and reel runner up Darren Polden 112pts
Junior series Winner Ethan Broom. 46 points
Junior series runner up Lewis Hathaway 45 points
BDAC Sea Section 2024 Cups and Trophies.
1. Valentine bowl-most points in the monthly Rover. Andrew Clements 57 points
2. Keira short trophy-most points in the 48-hour. Stephen Found 18 points
3. Stephanie Vanstone-best specimen caught from the shore . Jon Stevens Bass 11lb 1 1/2 158.48%
4. Jason Talbot memorial plate-best ray caught from the shore. Stephen Found Thornback 12lb 9 139.58%
5. Snake plate-best Conger caught from the shore . Andrew Clements Conger 17lb 1 85.31%
6. Best round fish from the shore . Jon Stevens Bass 11lb 1 1/2 158.48%
7. Best specimen flat fish (no ray). Phil Vanstone / Stephen Found Dab 15oz 93.75%
8. Best specimen shark from the shore . Andrew Clements Smooth hound 14lb 9 1/4 145.76%
9. Winner of the end of season competition . Andrew Clements Small eyed Ray 9lb 9 106.250
10. Big Mike memorial vase . Craig Lamey Flounder 1Ib 5 3/4
BDAC Game Section 2024 Cups and Trophies
1st: Terry Dymond.
2nd: Dave Bailey.
BDAC: Highest Points in Monthly Comps. Terry Dymond 52 Points
BDAC: Runner Up Of Aggregate Points in Monthly Comps. Dave Bailey.
Best Rainbow Trout Caught. Dave Bailey 4Ib 2oz.
Best Brown Trout Caught From Reservoirs Fished. Dave Bailey.
BDAC: Combined Weight From All Reservoir Fished. Terry Dymond.
Chairmans Clubman of the Year. Steve Bailey.
The Club would like to thank, Nick Laws, Tom Wade and Wayne Thomas for presenting the trophies and making the evening a success.
