Bulldog Christmas rainbows
Jon Patten and Reef Patten have recently returned from representing England in the World Championship Big Game Trolling in Mexico 2024. The dark grey skys of North Devon were undoubtedly a stark contrast to the tropical heat of Mexico. Reef and Indy were all smiles when I met them at Bulldog Trout Fishery on Christmas Eve enjoying a short session tussling with the venues hard fighting rainbow trout.
Huge huss caught in stormy sea.
BIDEFORD CHRISTMAS COMPETITION – RESCHEDULED DETAILS
Note re-scheduled Bideford Christmas Competition Details above :-
TRIPLE HOOK CHRISTMAS COMPETITION 2024
Thirty-seven keen anglers competed in Triple Hook Clubs Christmas Competition despite the gale force North Westerly winds that had resulted in the postponement of Bideford Angling Clubs Christmas Competition.
The fishing proved challenging with large flounder hard to locate as the traditional River Taw flattie season draws towards its end. Several school bass were landed throughout the estuary which is an encouraging sign for the future and perhaps an indication of changing times.
The winning flounder way ahead of the field was caught by Nick Wilkinson and weighed 1lb 115/8oz.
Runner up was Junior angler Arthur Taylor ( Above) with a flounder of 1lb 31/8oz and third Mark Beer with a flounder of 1lb 1oz. R.Hancock, J.Martin, Taz Wotton, D. Ackland, C. Lamey and L.Luxton all registered flounder to secure a Christmas Turkey dinner with all the trimmings.
It was good to see a good number of local anglers gathered together at a traditional weigh and raffle with plenty of good humoured banter.
Bideford Angling Clubs Christmas Competition is now on December 29th all other details as below:-
Bideford Angling Club – Christmas Competition Postponed
POSTPONED
## BIDEFORDS CHRISTMAS COMPETITION ##
Sorry for any inconvenience but I personally wouldn’t want anyone to have an accident.
CHRISTMAS FISHES FROM NORTH DEVON & EXMOOR ANGLING NEWS
Many thanks to all who have supported North Devon & Exmoor Angling News throughout 2024. Below are few random images looking back on each month of 2024. If you would like to sponsor North Devon & Exmoor Angling News please get in touch.
Protect the Spurdog fishery – A Message from John McMaster
Pat Smith Database.
Message from John McMaster
We first brought your attention to the need to protect the breeding stock of the Spurdog fishery (the older and larger females) early last year.
Since then we have been working along with others to keep the socioeconomic benefit of this fishery to the recreational angling sector uppermost in Defra’s mind.
Our persistence has led Defra to ask Cefas to run an online workshop to explore the importance of Spurdog as a target species to the recreational sector, including charter vessel operators.
This workshop is not just an opportunity for the recreational angling sector to protect the Spurdog fishery but equally importantly to position itself as a sport which delivers significant social and economic value and be recognised as a full partner in marine conservation decisions which can potentially affect your business.
The link to register for this meeting which on Wednesday 15th January 2025 at 7pm is below.
When 180 charter skippers signed a letter to the Minister in 2020, she reversed her decision not to allow recreational sea angling for Bluefin so don’t underestimate the collective power of charter skippers and anglers when they come together.
You can dial in even if you don’t fish for Spurdog and your anglers can also dial in. The more of us who join this workshop the more seriously we will be taken. If you want any more information please get back to me.
Thanks again for your continued support – Pat Smith Database
READS AND PRESENTS FOR CHRISTMAS AND THE NEW YEAR
A new book just published is Nicholas Fittons’ book ‘Gently Down the Stream’. Hardcover, 182 pages. priced at 19.95. In stock at Lance Nicholson.
Nick is a long time member of the Dulverton Anglers Association.
A perfect Christmas gift to yourself, or any other angler in your life!
I have ordered my copy and will write a review in the New Year
Michelle Werretts excellent book is also available at Lance Nicholsons.
( Below) Border Country Belts are also available in the shop and make a superb Christmas gift.
ANGLING NEWS CATCH UP –
I lost Internet connection for over a week following Storm Darragh hence a lack of reports on the website. Please see a brief round up of news. A Merry Christmas to all readers and all the best fishes for 2025
Bideford and District Angling Clubs Christmas Competition
Keith Mountjoy secured top spot in Bideford and District Angling Clubs Christmas Competition held on their home water Tarka Swims with a fine net of 31lb 6oz. Martin Turner was runner up with 25lb 2oz and Craig Lamey third with 21lb 13oz. Nineteen members braved the tail end of Storm Darragh that decimated fixtures that weekend.
SEA RESULTS
Jon Stevens won Bideford Angling Club 48 hour Sea Rover with thornback ray weighing 11lb 10.5oz
Combe Martin SAC
Ollie Passmore won Combe Martin SAC’s Christmas competition with a bass of 4lb 11oz.