Alan Blair has had an amazing perch haul from Upper Tamar lake, on the Cornwall and Devon border. He caught nine perch, five of which were over 3lb in weight with the largest being 3lb 9oz. The smallest was 2lb 2oz! Alan used Nashbait Spod Cloud groundbait to get the small silver fish in the swim before the Perch moved in and seized his prawn hook-baits. Upper Tamar is renowned for its stock of large perch and its only a matter of time before a 5lb+ fish is caught.
As the evenings draw in and winter looms there is still time to beach a bass as Cameron Atkinson proved when he visited a local beach to tempt a 5lb 4oz silver bass. At this time of year a large mackerel bait or whole squid is likely to succeed.
Steve Bradley fished on swim 2 (the triangle) on Beatties lake and banked three carp up to 28lb in a 24 hour session fishing with high attract pink Fluor pop ups using a Ronnie rig.
The Pearson family enjoyed a fun flounder fishing session in the Taw estuary with Candy Pearson hauling a double shot of flounders and nine year old Ellie Pearson catching a whopper of 1lb 10oz.
The humble flounder can provide great fun for family fishing with no sophisticated tackle required as the fish can be caught in very shallow water. For great sport use a light carp rod or spinning rod with a 2 or 3 hook trace with size 2 fine wire hooks and a bunch of ragworm. The fish can also be caught using light float tackle set so the the bait trundles over the sand. LRF style tackle can also give an alternative challenge with artificial ragworm on the hook worked slowly through likely spots.
Summerlands Tackle are presently selling fresh locally dug harbour ragworm. Phone to secure your order if you suffer from a bad back it can ease the pain.
Ray Philpott banked this cracking 23lb 2oz mirror from Upper Tamar Lake this week from the Lookout Tower.
Paul Blake had five carp up to 28lb (Pauls new Personal Best) in a day session up on Lodge lake swim 3 all caught on Sticky Baits Manilla boilies. 
(Below)Richard James, Nick & Jim fished on Beach swim & big fish corner on Beatties lake they had a few out up to 21lb all caught on black jack boilies.
As an angler I guess it is inevitable that I have always been fascinated by aquariums and can remember clearly the excitement of viewing fish at close quarters within seaside aquariums whilst on holiday in Cornwall. The aquariums at Looe and Fowey were always fixtures on our annual family holiday to Cornwall especially if the weather was a little inclement.
During the Combe Martin SAC Fun Fish in September the Ilfracombe Aquarium team got involved and an invite to visit the aquarium that is tucked away in a corner of the pier car park followed. Hard to believe that the aquarium has been running for over fifteen years and is expanding its range of exhibits each year.
Pauline and I were greeted by Senior Aquarist Steve Corcoran who immediately made us welcome and infected us with his enthusiasm for the venue. The aquarium displays an amazing array of over 75 species to be found in the waters of North Devon from rivers high on the moors to the sea off Ilfracombe.
The exhibits are carefully chosen with only fish that are suitable for a captive environment selected. The welfare of the fish is undoubtedly paramount with all the fish in good condition and the tanks exceptionally clean.The aquarium are working to assist CEFAS based in Lowestoft with species acquisition. Several dragonets have been donated this year for breeding trials. They, however do not regulate our zoo license as such. A zoo license is issued through North Devon Council with practices needing to comply with Secretary of State ‘Standards of Modern Zoo Practice’ 2012. DEFRA are the public body that regulates these standards. . Any fish that outgrow their tanks have to be transferred to other aquariums such as Plymouth. For this reason large fish such as conger are not kept as they can grow very quickly and become aggressive if not fed frequently.
The whole place had a sort of Tardis like feel with far more on display than the exterior appearance of the building suggests. The display boards on the walk around are filled with fascinating facts about the environment, history and the array of captive creatures. Partnership with environmental groups such as the Marine Conservation Society and Exmoor National park is clearly evident.
The large seawater tank held a splendid selection of good sized fish from local waters including thornback ray, small eyed ray, spotted ray, pollock, bass, tub gurnard, grey mullet and plaice.
Surprisingly though it was not the big fish that we found to be most captivating but the smaller fish such as the dragonets with their stunning sapphire eyes and bristling demeanor. Pipefish, gobies, topknots, sole and sand smelt were amongst other fascinating fish on display.
Other fascinating creatures were the tiny cuttlefish that had an almost alien appearance as they hovered within the water coming alive when Steve added some particles of food to the tank. Watching the way fish feed is an interesting aspect of the aquarium that will I feel fire the imagination of any visiting angler. Ammo Frozen baits are amongst the suppliers of food to the aquarium who are keen only to use fish that are caught using sustainable methods.
I was delighted to discover that some of the pouting swimming in the tanks were provided by anglers taking part in one of our previous fun fishing events.
The complex has a pleasing top deck where a coffee and a snack can be enjoyed alfresco with a lower eating area if the weather is not kind.
The gift shop has an array of quirky and fishy goods to tempt members of the family. I would highly recommend a visit before the venue closes for the winter at the end of November. 
The autumn estuary can provide some fine sport for young anglers with flounder and school bass.
Ian Cairns won Triple Hook Clubs Junior Open Flounder competition with a fine flounder of 1lb 87/8oz. In second place was Roxy Mortimer with a flounder of 1lb 8oz. Joan Cairns won the ladies Open Flounder match with a flattie of 1lb 73/4oz. Christine Hancock was runner up with a flounder of 1lb 31/4oz.
Andrew Conibear took his son Thomas to the Taw estaury where they enjoyed sport with flounder and bass to 5lb 9oz.
(Below)Ashley Bunning had four carp this weekend from Upper Tamar Lake on the Cornwall and Devon border all caught on Nash Scopex Squid Fluoro pop up boilies over a bed of 18mm freebies. The largest being 19lb 2oz and the rest mid doubles.
(Below) Lee Watts from Bideford had a cracking first session on Melbury Reservoir in North Devon landing 3 carp. The largest was a common of 24lb backed up with another common of 21lb and a mirror of 19lb 15oz.
(Below) I enjoyed a fish-less session at Jennetts Reservoir at the weekend but still enjoyed being at the waters edge. The above waters along with Jennetts and Lower Slade all offer quality carp in beautiful surroundings and offer a different experience to some of the more heavily stocked commercial waters.
An impressive win for Tom Downing at Darracott not often there is such a large winning margin! Well done Tom!
1st Tom Downing 20lb 1oz
2nd Martin Crouch 3lb 15oz
3rd Martin Turner 3lb 6oz
4th Michael Blake 3lb 0oz
5th StuartShelly Burridge 2lb 3oz
16 fished
Tom Downing drew peg 11 in the middle of the dam wall and totally dominated the match with a lovely net of whip caught rudd on maggot. The rest of the field were left in the wake on a cold ,hard, clear venue. Martin Crouch managed to scratch around on the feeder with fluoro pinkies of peg 8 for 2nd , Martin Turner drew opposite on peg 17 and managed a few small roach on a sliding float for 3rd . With very few fish caught on the pole line Michael Blake ,opted for the feeder and despite losing a large carp early , took enough for 4th spot.
