Winner of Stafford Moors March Silvers Festival 2018 is Mark Goddard who won with just 5 points and a total weight of 98lb 8oz ! Mark also won the Largest bag of 37lb 9oz from peg 10 on Pines. In second place was Des Shipp who had also 5 points with a total weight of 85lb 6oz. In third place was Dave Smith with 9 points and a total weight of 82lb 15oz. Jo at Stafford Moor said “Thank you all so much for a fantastic week, really enjoyed seeing you all again and meeting some new faces. Thank you for your amazing support.
Anglers enjoyed a lush spring day with a blue sky and calm sea on Bluefin fishing out of Ilfracombe they landed plenty of spurdog the best a beauty of 18lb to the rod of Bill Cassar.
Exe Valley is fishing well as spring arrives as this latest report from the fishery illustrates.
Reading from the returns archives Mr Tomkins recently tried a sporting ticket and worked nymphs for 4 fish over a few hours before switching to a stripped Blob which gave him another 5 fish in just half an hour.
Other returns mention the depth of the fish with the word “deep” used consistently along with “cold” including Mr Hobdens comment which made us chuckle “Bloody Freezing!! But good sport!” There is no doubt that wrapping up warm is required to enjoy a day at Exe Valley but if you put in the effort the chances are you will be rewarded with some action.
Mr Hobden banked 4 fish during his chilly session, but John Slaven had an even more fruitful day with 5 taken and 4 released, noting that it had been a “Cold day but worth it. Fantastic!” Johns bag tipped the scales to 15lb 2oz with a best fish of 3lb 2oz
John will hope for an equally impressive bag in just over a weeks’ time when on Sunday 18th March Exe Valley will host its annual Troutmasters Fish Off to determine who will head to the final later in the year. This event is already well signed up with around 15 anglers attending but if you have an invite and have yet to contact us, there is still time, if you are quick! Please note that the fishery will be closed to regular day tickets on 18/03/18 until after the match which is due to end around 2pm.
If you are going to practice beforehand or if you are just heading to the fishery for a pleasure day it would be well worth packing Blobs, Snakes, Blue Flash Damsels, Apps Worms and a few buzzers. Floating lines with long leaders (fished slow) will work well but in recent weeks intermediates and medium sinkers such as the Di-3 have been well worth trying.
And to round up this catch report please note that Lobbs Lake will be open by the end of the month (in time for Easter) with further details regarding the fishing that will be available on this venue posted next time.
Many thanks for reading and look our for more news soon.
Its seems that spring is slow to arrive and just as we think its getting milder another cold snap is forecast. But any day now we will get that first real day of spring when warmth prevails and balmy air descends.
There are of course signs that spring is here as daffodils, primroses and celandine’s line the hedgerows and roadside verges. Frogs spawned a couple of months ago now and their spawn is already transforming into tadpoles. It will be soon be the turn of the toads to converge onto lakes and ponds their birdlike croak echoing around. Any time now we could glimpse that first sand martin and then that true harbinger of spring and summer the swallows.
As anglers we are of course very aware of nature that is around us and this is all part of what fishing is all about. I am always filled with optimism as the days grow longer and the chance to fish evening sessions in daylight arrives. Of course many plans are made and time is as ever less plentiful than desired. In just a couple of weeks the clocks spring forward.
There will be the chance to cast a fly across the river for spring salmon. Flick a dry fly upstream for wild brown trout or fish a buzzer on a Stillwater for hard fighting rainbows.
Carp anglers will relish the warming water knowing that carp will become more active and as a result will search for food maybe even coming onto the surface where a chum mixer will be slurped down with that delightful sound of summer evenings.
If you’re a sea angler your thoughts will be turning to bass, smoothound and ray. It will of course depend upon your favourite angling style what you seek. The bait angler will enjoy sitting back waiting for the nodding rod and screaming reel. The lure fisher will be more mobile searching for fish casting here and there searching for that electric tug on the line.
I could ramble on but I am sure you get the vibes that I am trying to convey that excitement at the arrival of new a season and fresh piscatorial adventures. I hope to report on your catches over these coming months, not just the fish but also an appreciation of all that angling means. So please feel free to send me your successes, stories and any images of the angling world you enjoy.
Many thanks go to those who sponsor this site and support this project.
(Above) Chris Dyer had this stunning 23lb common from the summer hut swim on Beatties fishing with Sticky Baits signature squid and Sticky Baits Krill boilies.
(Above) Brinn Jones fished on Lodge lake today on a day ticket, fishing swim 15 he tempted four fish using Nash Key Kray boilies.
(Above) Adam Atkins and his dad John Atkins had three carp up to 22lb from the beach swim on Beatties lake fishing with Mainline Cell, Sticky Baits Manilla & sticky’s Buchenberry pop ups.
Damp,mild, conditions should have led to some bumper catches but the fish had other ideas. Our new member Nathan drew end peg 12 and fished a long pole with corn for a mixed bag of carp,tench and bream to take victory Craig secured runner up spot from the next peg with a carp and roach catch on tip and pole. Martin some roach and a small carp for third place.
Salmon and sea trout anglers should familiarize themselves with the latest proposals to protect the future of our enigmatic migratory fish.
Advertisement of proposed new byelaws for salmon and sea trout fisheries
Dear Sir / Madam
We are advertising proposed new byelaws to regulate the fishing for salmon and sea trout by net and rod fisheries in England and on the Border Esk.
To view and respond to these proposed byelaws, please click the link below. Objections, or support, to these bye laws must be received by the 8 April 2018.
It was great to receive news today from Stafford Moor after a week without reports as the carps appetite has undoubtedly been dampened by the dramatic drop in temperatures
Andrew Levett and his young son Thomas fished big fish corner on Beatties. Andy had a 21lb common and a 20lb 1oz mirror caught on Nash Tangerine Dream pop up and young Thomas had two roach that brought a beaming smile.
South West Lakes Trout Fisheries Report (February 2018)
The 2018 season opened three weeks earlier this year at Kennick Rainbow Trout fishery, on 16 February, and produced some excellent sport, before the snows came at the end of the month, for both boat and bank anglers. Water temperatures were around 6°c and the fish were eager to feed. Rods averaged 2.7 fish per angler over the opening weekend, improving to 3.1 fish by the end of the week.
Phillip Watts 13lb bag opening day – Kennick
Sub-surface patterns on sinking or intermediate lines proved to be successful, with either weighted or gold-head nymphs (particularly Damsels and Montanas) or lures (Tadpoles. Orange Blobs,and Boobies) catching fish. Both boat and bank anglers found fish in Clampitts Bay, the Narrows, near the Causeway, and from the Lawns.
The opening weekend saw a number of fish over 3lbs caught, with Mike Boston (from Torquay) catching a full bag, which included a Rainbow of 3lbs 12oz, while fishing from the bank. Mr. Peppitt (from Newton Abbot) caught a 3lb 10oz Rainbow, as part of a full bag, the following week, while fishing from the bank. Chris Bee (from Dawlish) caught a 3lb 8oz over-wintered Brown, also as part of a full bag.
While no insects have yet been seen on the surface, and nothing yet caught on dry patterns, there has been quite a lot of fish activity near the surface in the mornings as water temperatures start to rise and prospects are good for hatches and floating line methods as conditions warm up.
Burrator, Siblyback and Stithians Rainbow fisheries opened at the beginning of March, while the Brown Trout waters at Roadford, Fernworthy and Colliford open on 15 March.
Tiger-Trout-Stocked-at-Kennick
The South West Fly Fair was held at Roadford on 24 February, for the sixth consecutive year, and proved to be even bigger and better, with dry, bright (if cold) conditions encouraging audiences and participants to enjoy the casting demonstrations and clinics, as well as the chance to try out the latest tackle. Indoors there were fly tying demonstrations along with numerous stands offering tackle and information, along with a masterclass Trout cookery demonstration from a local, top-class chef. Show patron Charles Jardine was on hand all day and, when not giving demonstrations, was available for advice or just a chat.
