(Above) John Townsend had a brace of carp from the sunset swim (dam wall) on lodge lake . He used a solid PVA bag rig. Hook bait was the ever reliable Cell dumbell ‘
(Above) Martyn Green had 3 fish including this stunning common from the summer hut swim on Beatties lake using Mainline cell boilies.
Jon Patten fished in Tanzania with North Devon angler Colin Joy who I reported on earlier this week. Jon landed this fine giant trevally weighing 61.8KG ( 136LB)
Weight via formula 61.8 kg Caught in Tanzania on a live Yellow fin Tuna
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Jacob Glover who had this lovely looking mirror carp from the dam wall on lodge lake on a day ticket using Mainline Essential IB boilies.
Globe Trotting North Devon anglers Colin Joy and Jon Patten travelled to Tanzania in search of some exotic foreign specimens to test their tackle. They had an unforgettable adventure boating some magnificent fish. Colin sent me these stunning images that shine a little warmth into these dark cold winter months.
(Above) dorado 40lb +
(Above) 30lb ruby snapper
(Above) 85lb swordfish
Steve Baker landed the best flounder of the day at 1lb 12oz to win Triple Hook Clubs latest Open Flounder match. Runner up was John Passmore with a flounder of 1lb 71/2oz and Denis Toleman third with a flounder of 1lb 51/4oz.
Graham Snow won Bideford Angling Clubs monthly Rover with a grey mullet of 3lb 14oz. Tarrant Wotton was second with a whiting of 1lb 3oz. Graham turned to the estuary to land flounders of 1lb 65/8oz and 1lb 41/4oz and secure third and forth place.
(Above) Graham Snow with his flounder
Jack Sharock won Appledore Shipbuilders Monthly Rover with a fine specimen whiting of 1lb 151/8oz. In second and third was Graham Snow with his grey mullet of 3lb 14oz and flounder of 1lb 65/8oz.
Jack Sharrock – Specimen whiting
Kody Chugg scaled down his hook sizes and bait to be rewarded with a mixed bag of pollock, bass, whiting and codling. It is often worthwhile fishing with smaller hooks on one rod as this not only produces a variety of species but can also provide useful baits for larger predatory species.
There are a some fine bull huss coming to shore anglers along the coast with rocky snaggy venues often proving most productive.
(Above ) Kevin Legge with a double figure bull huss.
North Devon Match Group Winter League No.3 Oaktree .
1st Kevin Shears 98lb 7oz
2nd Paul Morris 68lb 8oz
3rd Paul Elworthy 53lb 1oz
4th Richard Ogilvy 37lb
5th John Lisle 36lb 14oz
6th Christopher Morris 35lb 15oz
16 anglers fished the match and both lakes were used , Kevin won the match with a convincing near 100lb on peg 16 on the top lake, Kevin used corn over micros on the long pole, Paul Morris also used corn on the pole but with ground bait on top lake peg 10 . Paul Elworthy continues his good form with the top weight on the bottom pool for 3rd, pole again but maggot over ground bait, Richard made a welcome come back to match fishing, and took 4th spot.. 5th and 6th also came from the top lake.
Thirty of Blakewell Fisheries regular customers gathered to fish the eagerly anticipated Christmas Competition and they were not to be disappointed as several tackle testing trout were hooked and landed. It was frantic action at the start of the competition with many anglers hooking trout on their first cast of the day. This fast and furious action of course eased off after an hour as the presence of thirty anglers casting into the clear water deterred the trout from feeding. Most anglers ended the day with their limit bag of six fish with an average weight of well over 3lb.
Trout were tempted using a wide range of flies and lures with damsel nymphs and cats whiskers amongst the most successful. Conditions really couldn’t have been any better with an overcast start to the day and mild conditions considering the time of year. As always the event was very much a social affair with many anglers setting their rods aside after landing their quota to chat with fellow anglers and compare notes.
The competition was punctuated by a welcome plate of chilli-con-carne cooked by the venues resident chef Richard Nickel who worked very hard with his assistant from the Blakewell Team Mia Bryant to play the perfect hosts to the anglers.
(Above) A fine rainbow of 15lb 13oz
Results –
1st – James Burdus – six fish for 33lb 14oz
2nd – John Buxton – Six fish for 31lb 2oz
3rd – Peter Furze – Six fish for 29lb 4oz
4th – Mike Bowles – Six Fish for 27lb 9oz
5th – John Sheppard – Six fish for 26lb 4oz
(Above) James Burdus – rainbow trout 15lb 13oz
(Above) John Buxton – Rainbow Trout 13lb 5oz
(Above) Peter Furze – rainbow trout 9lb 15oz
(Above) John Sheppard rainbow trout 9lb 13oz
Two double figure rainbows were landed and two others very close to double figures; in addition there were several tales of the ones that got away! Numerous quality brown trout were also banked including a fine brace of browns weighing 5lb 6oz and 5lb 4oz to the rod of Mike Bowles.
(Above) Mike Bowles with a fine brace of browns weighing 5lb 6oz and 5lb 4oz.
(Above ) Paul Grisley hold a 4lb 8oz brown trout
(Above) Ethan Hoggins – with a pleasing brown trout 4lb 6oz
Richard Nickel also gave a fine demonstration on how to fillet trout making it look all too easy. I have to confess that on trying the same technique on my return home I found my results somewhat lacking compared to Richards. My blunt knife probably didn’t help though I feel sure Richard would have produced a more appetizing portion of trout.
Many thanks to James Atkinson for his report on their successful presentation night. Congratulations to all the winners.
Kevin Waddham landed this fine 13lb 13oz cod whilst fishing on Watchet based boat Reel Deal skippered by Daniel Hawkins.
Its getting to feel like real winter now time for the cod!
