There is far more to Upper and Lower Tamar Lake than carp with a vast range of other coarse fish swimming within these waters. A concerted effort could I am sure bring some huge rewards with potential record breakers. Both lakes contain huge perch and eels. There are also specimen roach, bream and some large wild brown trout. The lower lake once held populations of specimen rudd and tench.
A superb multi species capture from Lower Tamar:
Between Aaron Bunning and his friend Dan they had 5 bream ranging from 6lb 8oz and 9lb, a huge hybrid of around 5lb, two carp of mid doubles and 23lb 12oz, a single perch of around 1lb 8oz, three eels to 2lb and a single trout. All fish fell to a large bed of pellets and particles, hookbaits consisted of maggots, fake corn and 12mm nashbait pop-ups. Aaron commented ‘Made a pleasant change to put the carp rods away and have a fun session with the lighter gear’.
Steve Self who caught a beautiful 8lb 6oz Koi and a rare two tone Koi from our famous Koi Lake.
Steve’s story –
“I had been fishing with Zenia and the boys during the afternoon, and caught some lovely little koi from the Koi Lake with them. But after they returned home, my mind turned to the large red and black Koi Carp I had seen cruising the surface during the morning before they arrived to join me. I didn’t have any trouble finding it. It seemed confident in itself, knowing that it was clever enough by now not to get caught.
I stalked the fish around the margins with a rod/line/hook simple surface set up. The bait of choice was a chunk of bread crust. But no matter how hard I tried, the Koi evaded me at every step. Eyeing the free offering with a concealed look with suspicion, before turning it down flatly. Mouthing the bread to inspect it, then spitting it out in disgust at my poor attempt to trick it. 2 hours passed in the hot sun, with me slowly and stealthily stalking the margins, only to either miss a take from it, or it spook at the dodgy crust and swim off.
I must have missed hooking it a good dozen times and I became more frustrated and dismayed as the time progressed, stalking my rod in the air and cursing my bad luck. It was indeed a clever fish! Then, when I couldn’t find the Koi to follow anymore, he appeared right beneath my feet, supping up some other morsel. Seeing the opportunity at last, I rolled the hook bait bread on the backside and allowed it to plop into the water right on its nose as if something had just fallen in from the side – and it took it straight away!
Red and black colour filled the air as it leapt and dove down into the lake. My pulse of sheer relief, excitement and joy on hooking the large koi, was soon swapped with a teeth clenching 5 minutes deftly playing and dodging the fish from one snag to another, hiding places it seemed to know all too well were there to lose me in. Soon enough though it was tired enough to be netted and photographed, a wide shouldered 8lb 6oz, with magnificent colouring as to be expected of an Anglers Paradise Koi. The fish stood as a testament to what can be achieved with a LOT of patience and persistence. A fine reward for two hours on tiptoe!”
WELL DONE STEVE – STUNNING FISH AND PROOF THAT PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF!!
Here he is with his winning Fish and being presented his prizes with special thanks to PB PRODUCTS UK.
Scott Whittington fished at Stafford Moor with his son Thomas. Scott’s fish were all from the summer hut swim on Beatties lake in which he caught 34 fish up to 28lb 12oz caught on Sticky Baits Krill boilies well done Scott ! This stunning common shown below weighed 25lb.
Thomas caught a good number of fish from Tanners Lake.
Oli Dietrich fished the Nirvana’s day ticket Lake Xanadu and and caught the stunning Xanna at 33lbs making it a new personal best for Oli! Oli caught the beauty on a Crafty bait.
The latest North Devon Winter League match was held at the prolific silvers water that is Mill Park Campsite however it did not work out as hoped and the Roach did not play game , a wet miserable day weather wise meant the roach just did not turn on at all ,and bigger fish that are not normally fished for came into play!
Bacon Butties and and hot coffee to start in the bar saw the anglers sustained through the day.
10 anglers fished and as normal the banter was flying around ,here are the top 5
1st Nathan Underwood 17lb 12oz
2nd Martin Turner 15lb 11oz
3rd Kevin Shears 14lb 5oz
4th John Forster 11lb 9oz
5th Dodgy Hooks. 9lb 1oz
Zenia Gregorek sent this super picture of her eldest son Zaine Drury-Gregorek aged 8 joined his mum on the famous Koi Lake and caught his biggest ever Koi, Zaine caught the beauty off the surface with a dog biscuit, one proud Mummy!
Gareth Simpson had 5 fish out from the beach swim on Beatties lake this weekend, Gareth caught on Bait works Atlantic heat boilies.
(Below)Lewis Wheeler with Selina, Lloyd, squib & Hettie. They had 9 fish out caught on suid pop ups, Mainline essential cell & outrageous orange goo on swims 3 small island, 4 big fish corner & 5 lord island on Beatties lake.
(Below) Callum Gardiner & Dad & Charlie Bell who had 17 fish out from swim 8 (fraggle rock) on lodge lake all caught on pink pop ups over Sticky Baits Manilla boilies & hemp.
(Below) Adam Barnett and friend Lewis had 7 fish out on swim 14 (beach 1) on lodge lake this weekend all caught on Sticky Baits Manilla & Krill boilies.
Hacche Moor Fishery near South Molton is a recent addition to North Devons’ Day Ticket Carp Fishery portfolio and offers some superb fish in a stunning setting. I visited the lake for the first time this weekend full of optimism after hearing of some superb catches of fish. As is often the case my visit seemed to be ill timed to coincide with a bitterly cold North West Wind that appeared to have put the carp off the feed with only two fish banked by the four anglers fishing the bottom Lake. I failed to connect though I did have a couple of indications that could indicate that my rigs needed fine tuning.
I will return soon and try to make amends! A chat with the fishery manager Andrew Parkinson who runs this superb fishery give me confidence that the lakes will prosper and give North Devon Anglers another fine water with some big carp.
The lakes have matured nicely have well thought out swims all with wood Chip bases. There are also toilet facilities and running water. The lakes are surrounded with an otter fence so anglers are reminded to ensure that they always close the gate!
Landing nets, Unhooking matts and weigh slings are all provided at the fishery to reduce the risk of infection to the valuable stock.
