Ian Laird and Ali Laird organized a four hour trip off Minehead with Michael Webber Griffiths skipper of Teddie Boy Charters. They enjoyed sport with ray, smoothound and the inevitable dogfish.The best specimen of the trip was a small eyed ray of 9lb 5oz and was boated by young Ollie Laird. The ray gives Ollie an excellent chance to retain the specimen trophy for the best fish caught by a Junior in CMSAC.
These short four trips are excellent for young anglers who might find a full eight hour trip too much.
Ross Stanway enjoyed a great day out with his son Charlie at Riverton Fishery. He was particularly chuffed with the crucian carp that was his first of the species. Young Charlie caught his biggest fish to date. They caught tench a few bream and a few small carp.
Ross commented, ” I have to say what a well managed fishery Riverton is now very impressed. All the fish we caught were in prime condition.”
Ashley Bunning has made the most of Upper Tamar fish switching on with a 13 fish session. Ashley managed a mirror at 21.03 along with commons to high doubles and a really silver common at 15lbs. All fish were caught over a bed of Nashbait scopex squid boilies with matching fluoros and wafter hook baits over the top.
(Below) Nigel Woods targeted Upper Tamar for a couple of hours stalking and was rewarded with this cracking 23.15 Mirror. This is one of the newly stocked fish from 2017 and its 2lbs up in weight and looking great! Nigel’s successful tactics were a Mainline cell wafter over a few freebies.
Adam Atkins and dad John Atkins fished the beach swim on Beatties lake at Stafford Moor. They had 9 fish out up to 21lb including a double take using mainline cell 15mm boilies.
(Below) Ian Yan Lawrence who had 2 fish out up to 22lb 6oz from swim 14 up on lodge lake in a day session on Saturday fishing with Mainline cell Walters over a bed of pellet /hemp boilies and corn.
The latest match results at Stafford Moor show that the carp are now feeding hard as temperatures start to climb.
Dave Stockton took top spot in the Latest Stafford Moor Open bagging a creditable 222lb 3oz from Tanners Lake using pellet waggler tactics. Andy Dare was runner up with159lb 2oz and Robert Coombs third with 132lb 2oz.
(Above) AMAZING GOLDEN CATCH! Here is Jonathan Sanders from Corsham, Wiltshire with his truly fantastic Personal Best 5lb 8oz Golden Tench from the Specimen Tench and Orfe Lake! Jonathan caught the beauty on float fished sweetcorn.
Father and Son, Daniel and Michael Shephard stayed with us last week at Anglers Paradise for the first time and wanted to catch some of the Specimens on the main complex Lakes.
Michael Shephard caught a stunning 26lb 4oz Common from the Specimen Carp Lake, Daniel caught two pretty scaley Mirrors of 22lb 1oz and 14lb 7oz, with Daniel also landing a 15lb 5oz Common from the Main Carp Lake. All fish were caught on our popular Paradise Baits ‘The Twist’ boilies. Daniel said – “It has been a pleasure fishing on your complex, we will definitely be coming back with some more of our friends thanks again for having us.”
(Below)2 PERSONAL BESTS FOR YOUNG HARVEY! We are over the moon for Harvey Cooper, age 10 years old from Seaton who’s beaten his Personal Best twice in 2 hours! Harvey caught a 17lb 6oz Mirror and a 22lb 12oz Mirror from the Main Carp Lake. Harvey set up on Friday 13th on Neville’s Point with his brother Tristan and Dad Scott, casting his baits over to the margin of the 5c’s island he settled into the session. At 9pm Harvey had his first take which resulted in a 17lb 6oz Mirror (New PB!!) he left that rod out to let his swim settle. At 11pm his final rod burst into life which resulted in another Personal Best 22lb12oz Mirror. Both fish were caught on Paradise Baits ‘The Twist’ boilies. Harvey said – “Two pb’s in two hours, I was well chuffed!! Friday 13th not unlucky for some!!”
(Below) Julian Chidgey had a couple of hours at Anglers Paradise on the Specimen Carp Lake. After seeing a couple of big carp sunbathing amongst the weed, it took him a while to get them interested, but then out of the blue a lovely fish appeared in the margin and took a stray mixer. Swinging the cut down pop up hookbait into position gave him an instant take and a beautiful 24lb Mirror.
The first porbeagle of the season has been caught from Ilfracombe based Reel Deal skippered by Dan Hawkins who takes customers to marks off North Cornwall. John Krupa a member of the Plough Angling club brought the shark estimated at 250lb to the side of the boat. The shark was unhooked at the side of the boat. All sharks hooked by anglers in these conservation-enlightened times are returned alive to ensure the survival of these magnificent fish. The shark was tempted using a whole Ammo frozen mackerel and attracted to the boat using Ammo Chum Mix.
The 2018 Westcountry Fly Fishing Course has been running for thirteen or fourteen years at the Fox and Hounds Country Hotel at Eggesford and has become an eagerly anticipated event amongst those in the know. The event is organized by Crediton based Fly Fishing Tackle.co.uk and the Devon School of Fly Fishing. The format is to gather some of the countries top Fly Fishing Guides together with an assembly of top Fly Fishing Tackle from Vision Fly Fishing UK. Anglers who want to learn are invited and for the cost of lunch enjoy free casting tuition and advice. The event takes place in a riverside meadow that is reached via a pleasing stroll through the hotels grounds.
Fortunately the event was once again blessed with good April weather with just a light shower during the afternoon.
Peter Tyjas from the Devon School of Fly Fishing launched the event giving a passionate talk about the River Taw. Peter opened by talking of his love for the river and concerns about the effects of modern developments on the rivers future. He explained how intensive work by local organizations including the River Taw Fisheries Association has helped the river environment by improving upstream migration routes for migratory fish.
Peter then talked of fishing the Taw from its source high on Dartmoor near Belstone, down through the wooded valleys near Crediton and from there to the Fox and Hounds beats and then on to the bigger river below its junction with the Mole where the waters of Exmoor and Dartmoor converge.
Each section of river has its own characteristics and challenges requiring a slightly modified approach and ideally tackle suited to the quarry and surroundings. For the higher open moorland a 10ft 3 weight rod was recommended, whilst in woody confines an 8ft 4 weight was considered best. As the angler moves lower down the river a 9 ft four weight rod is better for the trout. The salmon and sea trout obviously require heavier tackle and this was described in detail with switch rods and double handed rods explained in depth.
Peter described the tactics likely to succeed and the correct approach. Some key points being the need for stealth and careful consideration as to where the fish will be lying. Being a Fly Fishing Course there was of course emphasis on how to put the fly in front of the trout using different techniques.
Entomology was explained in some detail and which flies to select for different occasions. The need for good presentation was given a great deal of importance for Peter is a great exponent of putting the fly in the right place without scaring the fish. Far better to present the wrong fly right than the right fly wrong. Fish have only a few seconds to decide whether to take or eject the chance of food.
Peter repeatedly expressed his views on taking care of the precious resource of the fish within the river system. A fish should be held only briefly close to the water for a quick photo. The traditional pose with the angler holding the fish out of water is frowned upon.
I found Peters section on salmon and sea trout very thought provoking realizing that I can at times become a little mechanical in my own approach. Whilst the standard across and down searching of the river is often effective it is not the only way to fish. The use of streamer type flies cast across or upstream and pulled briskly to stimulate an aggressive approach from salmon and sea trout is a technique I will try more often. I have caught using sun-ray shadows and had aggressive follows and takes whilst retrieving the fly briskly but have tended to resort to these tactics on rare occasions late in the season. I have been guilty on many occasions of going through the motions. Pleasant as this can be there are times when thinking a little more out of the box may bring a bonus fish.
Following on from Peter fascinating talk we were treated to a talks and demonstrations from Jim Williams AAPGAI Master level fly fishing & fly casting instructor, sales manager for Vision Fly Fishing UK and Ian May AAPGAI Master Instructor based in Hampshire, teaching both single and double handed disciplines for salmon, trout and grayling. These talks focused on casting techniques to combat the weather, improving presentation, accuracy and distance. Loop speed, lines, rods, tension, balance, rods actions, materials and personal preference were all given careful deliberation and explanation in an entertaining way.
An hour’s break for dinner took us all to the bar and dining room of the Fox and Hounds. The walls here are decorated with an array of fascinating photos. Many of which show ladies and gentlemen from a long gone generation posing with splendid catches of salmon and sea trout. Whilst in this more enlightened age we return the fish we catch we should not judge these anglers who took fish for the table in times of plenty. It would be wonderful to see the return of those runs of fish. There are some pictures that show a day’s catch of salmon that would today constitute a season’s haul not just for one angler but for whole beat.
With our hunger sated we once again sauntered back to the water meadow for practical demonstrations on how to tackle the river. Peter Tyjas and Sam Baycroft displayed the art of fishing New Zealand style with a nymph and dry fly combination whilst Jim Williams gave a fascinating insight into the art of French nymphing.
A short session of further casting instruction and rod waggling followed in the field before proceedings were brought to a close with a draw for a quality landing net donated by Vision. I am sure all who attended left eager to get out fishing trying out their new found skills. Thanks must go to all involved in the delivery of the day. Such events are invaluable in promoting the sport. It would be good to see a few more ladies and young anglers at the events as there is much to enjoy within this wonderful sport that engages with the environment and fosters a deep appreciation of the countryside. There are also I feel many benefits to participants for both mental well being social interaction and good health.
Duncan Betts caught a fine 9lb salmon from a middle Torridge Beat during the past and Peter Stemp landed a 6lb salmon also from a middle river beat.
The river was at a perfect height and colour at the weekend and I enjoyed my second visit to the river so far this year. Despite the perfect conditions I did not have any success with salmon or sea trout. With green foliage starting to appear all around and bird song filling the air it was a pleasure to be stood waist deep in the river casting the fly across the water hoping for that electrifying pull through the line.
One of the fascinating aspects of angling is the creatures observed beside the river. Otters, kingfishers, wagtails and dippers are amongst the more common sightings. But sometimes something more unusual catches the eye like this rather creepy looking leech.