Combe Martin SAC member Ian laird enjoyed a hectic session on a local rock mark catching a brace of Huss numerous dogfish and a few small conger. The rough weather should encourage a few larger fish close inshore with the next set of bigger tides likely to bring in a few spurdog.
Stafford Moor is renowned for its Specimen Carp and bumper Match fishing nets but is also holds a good head of other specimen fish including perch and huge eels. Neilsen Jeffery is a well known Match angler but enjoyed a great pleasure session on Beatties Lake landing several bream and this stunning perch of 3lb.
Dan Walbridge headed to a remote rock mark on the North Devon Coast and enjoyed a successful session landing seven dogfish, a 6lb bull Huss, a bass, rockling, pollock, small conger and had a whiting bitten clean in half by something larger. Tope, conger or spurdog?
Paul Hutchings enjoyed a blank session but enjoyed the company of a cormorant that enjoyed feasting on scraps of bait. Paul tells me that the bird enjoyed blue and mackerel but declined squid strips. Whilst I find cormorants an unwelcome visitor on inland lakes and rivers I enjoy seeing them on the open coast where I feel they belong. There presence inland is a major issue but how much of that is man kinds fault in decimating baitfish numbers?
Flyn Mardell has had a good run at Furzebray carp lakes of some stunning 20’s topped off by the one up zip at 31lb. Colder weather has slowed sport but as soon as the wind goes round to a warmer direction carp will go on the feed and I expect to see some stunning fish from Furzebrays three lakes.
Winter League – Comp 1: November 2018:
A big well done to the twelve Appledore Shipbuilder members who braved a cold North East wind to secure some good fish.
Results:
1st – Graham Snow Mullet 4lb 9 1/4ozs
2nd – Josh Atkinson Small Eyed Ray 8lb 2ozs
3rd – Josh Atkinson Small Eyed Ray 7lb
The third match of the Winter Teams league at Stafford Moor was a cold one yet Mark Cullerton still managed a stunning bag of carp totalling 141lb 11oz.
Team Baittech won the event with 6 points and a total weight of 326lb 2oz.
Nick Jones, Mark Cullerton, Tom Downing and Ben Evenden
Joanne Combes thanks all who fished the Match with the next winter league match on December 9th.
The fisheries Christmas match is on on Sunday 23rd December including some complementary nibbles.
I was looking around on my computer and found the Journal report from Ten Years ago. Might be of interest I thought. A few points of Interest.
Flounder fishing was Ok but ragworm digging hard going.
What happened to Barnstaple Rod N Reelers?
A few familiar names in the report and interesting comment on the state of angling at the time. Is this feature worthwhile if popular I could make it a regular feature?
Comments on NDAN’s facebook page please.
ANGLING REPORT
Where are the fish?
Sea anglers are having a bleak time at present with fish hard to find all along the coast. The cod of past winters are virtually non existent and even the dogfish are not prolific. I am hearing more and more concerns about foreign trawlers plundering fish stocks ever closer to our shores. The lack of saltwater sport is of great concern to all connected with the sport. The estuary is a traditional retreat for sea anglers to seek the humble flounder that are showing in reasonable numbers in both estuaries. There is certain appeal to the estuary landscape in winter with its flocks of bird and ever changing sky. Bait digging has been particularly hard going this year with ragworm in short supply. Of course nature is cyclic and has a habit of coming good eventually, as I feel sure it will this time.
Bideford Angling Clubs latest mid week rover saw Damien Babb secure victory with a dogfish of 2lb 1½oz. Close behind was Mike Grayson with a doggie of 2lb 1¼oz. Dick Talbot’s dogfish of 1lb 14¾oz was third.
Barnstaple Rod N Reeler’s November Rover saw Steve Baker take top spot with a fine rockling of 1lb 13½oz. In runner up spot Julian Stainer with a dogfish of 2lb 7¼oz and in third John Passmore with a doggie of 2lb 4oz.
Andrew Atkinson won Appledore Shipbuilders Christmas Competition last Sunday with a flounder of 1lb 8½oz. In runner up spot was Graham Fisher with a flounder of 1lb 7¼oz. Junior member Cameron Atkinson took third with a flattie of 1lb 7oz. Thirty-Three anglers took part, which included 9 juniors. Chelsea Babb was amongst the other juniors to catch landing a flounder of 15⅛oz and Millie Ayres aged four was thrilled to catch her first ever fish a flounder of 11¾oz.
Combe Martin Sea Angling Clubs annual general meeting at Braunton Cricket Club saw members vote for a radical change in competition format. The coming year sees the club adopt an optional catch and release policy for all club competitions. The club are also introducing month long competitions to help enable members to enter competitions whatever the restraints placed upon them by this demanding 24/7 society.
There was also an in depth debate regarding the forthcoming Marine Bill and the need for involvement in the consultation process. The club is to join the Angling Trust in the New Year which is the national body set up to represent all anglers.
Wistlandpound Flyfishing Clubs AGM saw members pay respect to their late Chairman Terry Hulland with a minute of quiet reflection. Terry had been a keen supporter of the club for many years and his presence and enthusiasm will be greatly missed.
Bob Gooding has been elected as the clubs new Chairman with David Eldred stepping forward as vice chairman. Nigel Bird continues in his joint role as secretary and treasurer. A full calendar of events was compiled at the meeting with most fixtures at the clubs home venue of Wistlandpound.
The clubs Tony Lovemore cup for the most consistent angler in competition was awarded to Colin Combes with 1610 points. In runner up spot David Eldred with 1567 points with Terry Hulland third with 1546.
Members had enjoyed a good season at Wistlandpound with members averaging 2.56 fish per rod in competitions. Anyone interested in joining this small friendly club should contact Nigel Bird on 01271 883252.
Cold winter weather seldom puts rainbow trout off the feed and great sport can be enjoyed at small still water trout fisheries. Southern Wood fishery is nestled in a wooded valley near Bratton Fleming and has been fishing well with several big rainbows gracing the net. Dave Mocks recent visit to the fishery was rewarded with a three fish bag for 19lb 8oz the best trout scaling 8lb 8oz. Dave Richards also landed a three fish bag for 17lb with a best of 7lb 8oz. Neil Roulde secured a fine double figure rainbow of 10lb 12oz in a four fish bag that totalled 31lb and also included a 9lb specimen. David James from Derby landed a brace for 17lb and Paul Cossey of Cambridge a four fish bag for 27lb. Brown trout have also been giving good sport with fish up to 3lb 12oz that have to be returned of course as they are out of season.
Ilfracombe Match groups two-leg match against Bude Pirates saw a very close finish with Ilfracombe securing victory by one point with 242 points. The second leg was fished at Highampton lakes last Sunday when a bitterly cold wind suppressed the fish’s appetite. John Pyle of Ilfracombe secured individual success with a bag of skimmers totalling 2lb 6oz. Kevin Hill of Bude took runner up spot with 1lb 13oz and his team-mate Ade Larkin third with 1lb 4oz.
DIARY DATES
December 7th– Blakewell Fishery Christmas Competition – Sold Out
December 7th– Bideford Angling Clubs Rover
December 7th– Appledore Shipbuilders Rover
December 6th7th– Combe Martin SAC – Christmas Competition
Fishing 6.00pm Saturday to 7.30pm Sunday.
Weigh in at Braunton Cricket Club 7.30pm
December 6th7th– Rod N Reelers Rover
December 7th– Triple Hook Club – ladies and Junior Flounder Open
Fishing 9.00am to 1.00pm Weigh in at Royal British Legion
AMAZING PB KOI CATCH!!
If Carlsberg made Fish I think they’d look like THIS!! Brett Davies had a day on the famous Koi Lake with his girlfriend Derian and they had a fantastic day of nonstop catching including this stunning 11lb 7oz Koi making it a new personal best for Brett!
Brett shared with us –
“I stalked this fish for 45 minutes. There were multiple failed casts, a good few rejections of the free-lined dog biscuit, and a lot more whispered swear words. Then on probably the tenth cast, the bait dropped just on the fishes’ nose and it came up sweet as nut and gulped the biscuit down.
The fight was absolutely mental, probably 3 or 4 minutes of dogged power, mostly right under the rod tip. I did forget to say that even though I had 12lb line straight through to a size 8 hook, I was using one of the light lure rods I had with me for the lure weekend, and it was bent double.
I eventually slipped the net under and I knew it was biggest Koi I’d personally seen at Angler’s Paradise in more than 20 years visiting, shaking like a leaf I was.
Seeing the scales spin around to well over 10lb shocked me. A new PB Koi at 11lb 7oz and it’s also one of my many favourite Angler’s Paradise experiences. Lovely.”
With a bite cold East wind blowing over recent days I would expect carp sport to slow down and it may well have done so but at Stafford Moor there are still some stunning fish being caught by those prepared to brave the elements.
(Below) Luke Howell had six fish from the inlet swim on Beatties lake all caught on C C Moore Live System boilies
(Below)Ryan Turner fished with Friend Anthony Gill. They fished on the beach swim on Beatties lake the top weight was 25lb on the nose all caught on Sticky Baits 16mm Manilla boilies with a handful of 12mm Manilla bottom baits glazed in hemp oil.
(Below) Check out Rich Harman had three fish out from swim 3 on the dam wall on Beatties lake up to 25lb caught on Cornwall baits
(Below)Mark Lamude and Neil Harvey who had a few out from lodge lake last weekend on swims 3 and 4 including this 26lb 14oz all caught on frozen Mainline cell boilies glugged in cell dip tipped with sweetcorn.
The Individual Winner of the whole Competition was **DAVEY MEADES** who caught 6 Species altogether which included a 43cm Rainbow Trout, a 35cm Blue Trout, 2 Rudd at 12cm and 13cm, a 14cm Golden Rudd, a 11cm Perch and the fish that determined his win was a 17cm Golden Tench which was the 1st ever Lure caught Golden Tench to be caught in the history of Anglers Paradise!!
Quantum, Costa and Anglers Paradise Sponsored this Event meaning Davey Won a Week’s Holiday for 2 at Anglers Paradise and a huge range of Quantum Tackle, including a Rod, Reel, Lures and Clothing, a Pair of Costa’s Sunglasses and lots more, he had to take his Prizes in 2 trips as he couldn’t carry it all!!
Damon’s Team Captain was Fladen’s very own Pike King – Nathan Edgell, who was extremely proud of his Team Member to Win the Competition! Special Thanks to
Quantum and Costa for being so generous with the Prizes.
The Runner Up of the Lure Weekend 2018 was **SCOTT WAY** Winning with 5 Species amounting to 180.5cms consisiting of a 51.5cm Pike, a 35cm Tiger Trout, a 16cm Perch, a 39cm Blue Trout and a 39cm Rainbow Trout. Massive CONGRATULATIONS to Scott, this was his first ever Lure Weekend with us too!
Scott was in Team Fox Rage with Captain Ben Humber who was very proud of Scott’s determination and dedication till the very last whistle! This Catergory was Sponsored by QUANTUM who we’d like to say a massive Thank you for the very generous Prizes donated to the Event.
Now THIS is a catch that has made Anglers Paradise history! Andy Payne has done it again! Not only is he the only man to have ever caught and landed a Catfish on a Lure but this year he’s caught this stunning 22lb Common on a lure making him the 1st to have ever caught a Carp on a lure at Anglers Paradise!!!
It was a magical fishing moment that I for one feel blessed to have been there and share it with Andy. Andy caught the lure caught Carp from the Bottom Lake at Anglers Eldorado.
Team Captain Kev Cox from Fox Rage as you can imagine was thrilled to bits and very proud of his team member Andy to catch such a species like this on a lure!!
This was without a doubt the Winner for the new Catergory – Fish Of The Weekend – Sponsored by FOX RAGE. Andy also came THIRD in the overall Competition catching 5 Species to 160.5cm consisting of a 17cm Perch, a 34cm Blue Trout, a 32cm Golden Trout, a 10.5cm Rudd and the 67cm Common Carp Wining more prizes from the very generous Quantum!
The Winning Team of the 2018 Lure Weekend is Team Fox Rage with Team Captain Ben Humber leading them to VICTORY!! It was the closest Competition EVER, Team Ben Humber WON with 9 Species to include Pike, Perch, Common Carp, Blue Trout, Rainbow Trout, Tiger Trout, Brook Trout, Golden Rudd and Rudd.
To tell you exactly how close it was, Team Fladen with Captain Nathan Edgell also caught 9 Species so in the end it had to come down to literally cm’s!! Team Fladen amounted to 253.5cm but Team Fox Rage won it with 286.5cm – it was so, so close!! Kev Cox’s Team had 8 Species and Savage Robbie Northman’s Team also had 8 Species which is superb angling for all the Team Members – they all fished their socks off but The Winners were TEAM BEN HUMBER – FOX RAGE – WELL DONE TO EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU!!
The Fish that secured their Win was another surprise Common Carp caught by Ian Paynton from the Trout Lake bumping their species up to 9!! Ben’s Team consisted of Dion Cooke-Martin, Nicky Lock, Ian Paynton, Lee Paynton, Mark Hawitt, Scott Way, Dom Cooke and son Dylan who are now the 2018 Team WINNERS!
A Big Shout out to all the Team Captains for doing a Fantastic Job and well done to all of the Anglers for fishing it until the very last second – pure dedication to Fishing! Thank you to all the Sponsors for yet again great Prizes for this Catergory – Quantum, Fladen, Costa, Drennan, Savage Fishing Gear and Fox Rage.
The BIGGEST PIKE caught at the 2018 Lure Weekend was caught by the one and only DION COOK-MARTIN measuring 62cm from Valhalla. DION was in Team Fox Rage with Captain Ben Humber leading him to Victory!
DION won some pretty special prizes from the Sponsors of this Catergory **Fladen and Costa** including a Fladen Rod, Reel and a pair of Costa Sunglasses – Thank you so much to Fladen and Costa, for the amazing Prizes, DION is a very happy boy.
For the FIRST EVER time, a Female Angler has Won The Biggest Perch catergory with a 27cm Perch caught by Derian Edwards!! This year’s Competition saw 5 Lady Anglers join us, which is fantastic to see more Women joining in and proving that the sport of fishing is ever growing with ladies that fish too and in this case do it better!! I for one am always trying to encourage more females to fish and join in, in this case Derian didn’t want to join in the Competition as she’s a beginner to fishing and didn’t think she could, but I assured her partner Brett, that this was an event for all levels of angling and is a friendly Competition that anyone can join in and that she would be welcomed by all, she changed her mind and decided to fish the Lure Weekend. Then she only went and WON BIGGEST PERCH!!! We are so proud of Derian, congratulations on becoming the FIRST LADY to WIN a Catergory!! Derian won a Fox Rage Rod and Reel and a pair of Costa Sunglasses, many thanks again to the Sponsors of this CATERGORY – Fox Rage and Costa. Derian was in Team Savage Fishing with Captain Robbie Northman who was extremely proud of his Team Member!! HERE’S TO SEEING MORE LADIES FISHING LIKE DERIAN!! GIRL POWER!!
Luke Taylor Won this Category with a lovely 45.5cm Rainbow Trout from the Trout Lake caught on the second morning of fishing, Luke also caught a 35.5cm Artic Char to add to his list of species!
Luke was in Team Savage with Robbie Northman as Captain.
Luke won a selection of Drennan goodies AND a pair of Costa Sunglasses – Thank you to Drennan and Costa for the great prizes and for sponsoring this Category.
With so many fantastic prizes donated from the Sponsors, we decided to have a New Category which was judged by me (Zenia), the Captains, Adjudicators etc to vote on who they thought was the most improved Angler over the weekend. The Winner of Most Improved Angler went to Anthony Addison, who from start to finish went from strength to strength and throughout the weekend Anthony learnt so much especially from his Team Captain Kevin Cox. Dylan Cooke (who was the youngest member of the competition) and DION were Runners Up who both showed determination and dedication especially in challenging conditions at times!! Good on you boys – keep up the great Angling and passion for learning. This Category was sponsored by Savage Fishing Gear and Anthony won himself an amazing Savage Reel AND Rod!!
The Blind Team Winners were Michael Molloy, Ian Paynton, Lee Paynton, Ben Taylor and Steve Self with 10 Species consisiting of Pike, Perch, Blue Trout, Rainbow Trout, Golden Trout, Tiger Trout, Rudd, Golden Rudd, Golden Tench and a Common Carp. Last year it was won with 4 species, so 10 is pretty awesome!!
Special Thanks to Costa for the Prizes.
So, that’s a wrap! As you can see, there were lots of fish caught and we are proof that THERE IS SUCH A THING AS A FRIENDLY FISHING COMPETITION!!
Best Fishes and Warm Wishes
