7 Mar 2026

Bideford & District Angling Club Presentation Night 2025.

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Bideford and District Angling Clubs annual presentation night was very well attended with around forty members in attendance at Bideford Conservative Club.  Many thanks to Mervyn Beal for sending this report to North Devon Angling News .

The Club would like to thank Chris Connaughton-Mono for presenting the trophies. Big thank you to our guest speaker Alex Van Wienen from the Angling Trust. Also a big thank you to the Conservative Club and staff for the excellent buffet and to everyone who attended making the night a success.

BDAC Coarse section 2025 Cups and Trophies.
Mid Week Series Winner. Dave Anstey Shield Craig Lamey 103pts.
Mid Week Series Runner Up. Nathan Underwood 98pts.
Junior Series Winner. Leo Davies 68pts.
Junior Series Runner Up. Bailey Brambley. 55pts.
Rod & Reel Monthly Winner. Richard Jefferies 133pts.
Rod & Reel Monthly Runner Up. Martin Turner 124pts.
Evening Pairs Winners. Craig Lamey & Richard Jefferies 97Ib 5oz.
Best Weight In Match. Nathan Underwood 96Ib 3oz.
Matchman Of the the Year. Nathan Underwood 122pts.
Matchman Of The Year Runner Up Kevin Shears 105pts.

BDAC Sea Section 2025 Cups and Trophies.

Valentine Bowl – most points in the monthly Rover.
Andrew Clements
Stephen Found
Tony Gussin
All joint 1st on 28 points.
Keira short trophy – most points in 48 hour Rover. Paul Ackland 13 points
Stephanie Vanstone – best specimen caught from the shore. Stephen Found Common Smoothhound 18lb 14 – 188.75%
Jason talbot memorial plate – Best specimen ray caught from the shore. Stephen Found Smalleyed Ray 11lb 7 – 127.083%
Snake plate – best specimen Conger caught from the shore. Richard Jefferies Conger 14lb 13 – 74.06%
Best round fish from the shore Stephen Found Thinlipped Mullet 5lb 15 – 148.44%
Best specimen flat fish caught from the shore ( no ray) Paul Ackland sole 1lb 10 ½ – 94.64%
Best specimen shark from the shore. Stephen Found Common Smoothhound 18lb 14 – 188.75%
Winner of end of season competition Dale Kiff SpurFound 10lb 3 101.873%
Big Mike memorial vase Paul Ackland Dog 2lb 2 – 70.833%
Species challenge cup Stephen Found 5 Ray totalling 464.582%
New club records
Stephen Found Thinlipped Mullet 5lb 15
Stephen Found Common Smoothhound 18lb 14
Richard Jefferies Blue Skate 13lb 4oz.
Boat Section Winners.
Best Specimen Trophy. Patrick O’ Donnell. Bull Huss 15Ib 8oz.
Most Species Caught Boat Trip. Keith Mountjoy.
​
BDAC Game Section 2025 Cups and Trophies
​1st: BDAC Highest Points Monthly Comps. Andy Clements 44pts.
2nd: BDAC Runner Up Terry Dymond.
Best Brown Trout Caught From Colliford Reservoir. Chris Clements.
Best Rainbow Trout Caught In Monthly Comps. A. Clements.
BDAC Combined Weight From Reservoir Fished. Andy Clements.
Chairmans Clubman Of the Year. Mervyn Beal.
The Club would like to thank Chris Connaughton-Mono for presenting the trophies. Big thank you to our guest speaker Alex Van Wienen from the Angling Trust. Also a big thank you to the Conservative Club and staff for the excellent buffet and to everyone who attended making the night a success.

13 Oct 2025

Bideford and District Angling Club Coarse Section Monthly Competition.

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Bideford and District Angling Club
Coarse section monthly competition.
Results, :
1st Nathan Underwood 84lb 2oz
2nd Darren Polden 52lb 12oz
3rd Keith Mountjoy 39lb 14oz
4th Craig Lamey 32lb 10oz
5th Keith Copland 27lb 1oz
6t Dave Wilkins 26lb 10oz
7th Paul Elworthy 26lb 9oz
22 members fished.
The largest residents of George’s lake ,Tarka swims have shown this month . Nathan straight off a week long festival at Stafford Moor, has caught a fantastic net including some large carp on unfancied peg 7 .Maggot over groundbait on the pole in open water was the successful technique.
Second in the match was Darren on peg 9
moving him up to 5th in the yearly league table.
Keith retains third place in the league with his third position off of peg 13.
Craig found the only carp caught in the shallower end to secure 4th place on peg 24..
16 Sep 2025

Bideford and District Angling Club September’Monthly Coarse Competition

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A wet and bedraggled bunch of happy anglers!

Bideford and District Angling Club
September’Monthly coarse competition
Results:
1st Craig Crash Lamey 56lb 2oz
2nd Kevin Shears 39lb 1oz
3rd Keith Copland 36lb 10oz
4th Keith Mountjoy 33lb 10oz
5th Warren Thornton 29lb 1oz
6th Paul Elworthy 28lb 12oz
17 members fished.
Continuous rain and cold blustery winds left our contestants soaked , but didn’t deter the fish from having a feed.
First and second places have come from each end of George’s lake.
Craig has drawn peg 14 and caught his winning net of carp on the pole using sweetcorn over Micros.
League leader, Kevin, has fished peg 1 in the shallow end and had a late run of carp on the long pole to secure second place.
Committee member , Keith has come third on peg 19.
8 Sep 2025

LATEST SEA ANGLING RESULTS – SEPTEMBER 25

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BIDEFORD ANGLING CLUB – September Rover

 Results

1st Stephen Found – Smoothhound 14lb 10oz 146.250%

2nd Andrew Clements – Thornback Ray 9lb 2oz 103.388%

3rd Dale Kiff – Smoothhound 9lb 11 96.876%

4th Jenson kiff – Smoothhound 9lb 9 95.625%

5th Dale Kiff- Smoothhound 8lb 1oz 80.625%

6th Jenson kiff – Smoothhound 7lb 4oz 72.5%

APPLEDORE SHIPBUILDERS –

SEPTEMBER ROVER

Michael Hammett won Appledore Shipbuilders Rover with a bass of 4lb 5oz.

Combe Martin SAC – SEPTEMBER ROVER

1st Kevin Legge – Triggerfish 3lb 15oz – 131.25%

 

2nd – Wayne Thomas – thick lipped grey mullet 4lb 14oz

3rd Wayne Thomas – thick lipped grey mullet 4lb 1oz

 

2 Mar 2025

Bideford & District Angling Club Presentation Evening 2024

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Another enjoyable night with Bideford & District Angling Club a pleasure to be a part of the evening. A very good attendance this year with a really positive vibe.

 

BDAC Coarse section 2024 cups and trophies.
Senior Match man Winner Craig Lamey 137pts
Senior Match man Runner up Paul Elworthy 103pts
Midweek series Winner Nathan Underwood 130pts
Midweek series runner up Kevin Shears 92pts
Pairs match Winners
Rhys Eyles and Darren Polden
Highest weight in competition. Rhys Eyles 69lb 12oz
Rod and reel league winner Richard Jefferies 128pts
Rod and reel runner up Darren Polden 112pts
Junior series Winner Ethan Broom. 46 points
Junior series runner up Lewis Hathaway 45 points
BDAC Sea Section 2024 Cups and Trophies.
1. Valentine bowl-most points in the monthly Rover. Andrew Clements 57 points
2. Keira short trophy-most points in the 48-hour. Stephen Found 18 points
3. Stephanie Vanstone-best specimen caught from the shore . Jon Stevens Bass 11lb 1 1/2 158.48%
4. Jason Talbot memorial plate-best ray caught from the shore. Stephen Found Thornback 12lb 9 139.58%
5. Snake plate-best Conger caught from the shore . Andrew Clements Conger 17lb 1 85.31%
6. Best round fish from the shore . Jon Stevens Bass 11lb 1 1/2 158.48%
7. Best specimen flat fish (no ray). Phil Vanstone / Stephen Found Dab 15oz 93.75%
8. Best specimen shark from the shore . Andrew Clements Smooth hound 14lb 9 1/4 145.76%
9. Winner of the end of season competition . Andrew Clements Small eyed Ray 9lb 9 106.250
10. Big Mike memorial vase . Craig Lamey Flounder 1Ib 5 3/4
BDAC Game Section 2024 Cups and Trophies
1st: Terry Dymond.
2nd: Dave Bailey.
BDAC: Highest Points in Monthly Comps. Terry Dymond 52 Points
BDAC: Runner Up Of Aggregate Points in Monthly Comps. Dave Bailey.
Best Rainbow Trout Caught. Dave Bailey 4Ib 2oz.
Best Brown Trout Caught From Reservoirs Fished. Dave Bailey.
BDAC: Combined Weight From All Reservoir Fished. Terry Dymond.
Chairmans Clubman of the Year. Steve Bailey.
The Club would like to thank, Nick Laws, Tom Wade and Wayne Thomas for presenting the trophies and making the evening a success.
17 Nov 2024

Bideford AGM – Steve Bailey thanked for Sterling work

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Bideford and District Angling Club held their AGM at Bideford Con Club on Friday November 15th,  the event was very well attended. The club is North Devon’s largest angling club with a membership of over 500 that includes over fifty Junior members many undoubtedly attracted by the clubs two well maintained fishing lakes. Tarka Swims consists of Georges Lake and Karen’s Lake that between them provide excellent pleasure, match and carp fishing. The lakes manager Steve Bailey resigned from the post after many years of sterling service and was presented with gifts from the club in appreciation. The new lake manager is Mike Jones.

Club Secretary – Mervyn Beal says :- Farewell Steve. At last nights AGM the club said farewell to our outgoing Tarka Swims manager. Over the past 20yrs Steve has been the backbone of our club, his grit determination, hard work and commitment has made Tarka Swims what it is today. On behalf of the committee and club members we would like to say a massive thank you Steve and to Lorraine for giving up so much family time over the years. Hopefully you can now enjoy more family time and get some well earned fishing in. Thank you.

 

The clubs holds well attended coarse fishing Matchs each month and a summer series of events for Junior anglers. The club also hosts regular sea angling competitions and game fishing events.

Bideford and District Angling Club Match Secretary’s Report 2024
The Senior matches on George’s Lake, Tarka Swims have once again, been very well supported. With an average of 20 members regularly competing.
Our Junior Section has also been extremely well supported with 35 different youngsters enjoying the 3-hour Saturday events held throughout the summer. The 5-match series was won by Ethan Broom on 46 points, close second Lewis Hathaway on 45 points.
The 10 match, Summer Evening Series attracted 22 different anglers, we were blessed with some great weather for the 3-hour contests. Runaway winner was Nathan Underwood on 130 points with Kevin Shears 2nd on 92 points. The 3-hour pairs event was won by Rhys Elyes and Darren Polden with a remarkable total of 96lb 12oz.
Richard’s ‘Rod and Reel Only’ Competitions have been fully attended; organiser Richard Jefferies currently leads the league with 2 matches remaining.
At present, in the monthly Sunday Matches, Craig Lamey has an unassailable lead with Nathan in 2nd place.
Our 2-leg team match against Plymouth resulted in a resounding victory for us 713lb to 219lb. I hope to set up a more challenging contest against Bude Canal anglers.
This club offers a fantastic variation of disciplines; from the game beat on the Torridge to boat trips, shore fishing contests and, of course, the Tarka events. The lakes provide a host of opportunities to get involved; as members we need to be mindful that the membership is diverse and each of us find pleasure and fulfilment in our chosen pastime whether helping with the working parties, camping out overnight after the ‘Big One’ or witnessing the joy of watching the juniors catching their first fish.
Openness and understanding are essential if the club is to prosper; division is not healthy. As a club we must be respectful of members choices.
Regular matches, I believe, provide a very useful indicator as to the condition of the water and its inhabitants. Recorded results provide accurate information and trends can be monitored.
Once again, I must thank those people who have supported events but especially those who have ensured that they run smoothly. Mervyn for his support scrutinising and publishing results. Steve and his team for providing us with a well maintained and safe environment to enjoy our chosen discipline.
Finally, I must comment on the shock of the closure of the institution that was Summerland’s Tackle; we wish the family well and thank them for all their support over many years.
Martin Turner stands for another term as club match secretary.

 

15 Apr 2024

Bideford and District Angling Club Coarse Section Monthly Competition

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Bideford and District Angling Club
Coarse section monthly competition
Results
1st Keith Copland 59 lb 13oz
2nd Nathan Underwood 32lb 6oz
3r Darren Polden 28lb 15oz
4th Stephen Sheller 27lb 8oz
5th Martin Turner 25lb 2oz
6th Rhys Eyles 24lb 10oz
21 members fished.
George’s lake was the venue for our April competition, the sun shone and the birds sang ! Spring has finally sprung after a very wet period.
Committee member, Keith sat on peg 12 and fished the pole with corn over micros and caught a great net of mainly carp
Second spot went to, league leader, Nathan on peg 9
with another net of carp, this time on paste on the pole.
Darren moves up to 8th place in the year long league
with his third place mixed net on peg 21.
Stephen boosted his mixed bag ,off peg 4 , with a good carp , to take fourth place. His catch fell mainly to soft pellets and micros.
3 Mar 2024

Bideford & District Angling Club Presentation night

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Bideford and District Angling Club held their presentation night at Bideford Conservative Club  Friday February 23rd with close to forty members attending. I was privileged to join in presenting several awards along with Simon McCarthy from Summerlands Tackle. The evening was very enjoyable and a very positive vibe was apparent as members cheered the winners and added the occasional good natured banter to proceedings. It was very encouraging to hear of a very healthy number of Junior anglers taking part during the summer Coarse series. Many thanks to Adam Wheeler for taking some excellent pictures of the evening.

Bideford’s Triumphant Coarse Fishing Team who beat Plymouth in their annual inter-club Match

Season 2023 / 24

Matchmans Cup  

 Nathan Underwood 

126 points

Runner-up 

Kevin Shears

 115 points.

Junior winner

 Brodie Allin

57 points

Junior runner-up

Ted Blight

48 points

Evening series

Winner 

Nathan Underwood

119 points

Evening Runner-up 

Richard Jefferies

107 points

Pairs trophy winners

Roger Ackroyd

Craig Lamey

Top weight in competition

Darren Polden 71lbs 

 Stephen Found 55 pts

Valentine bowl – most points in the monthly Rover.

Nathan Clements Gilthead bream 8lb 2 1/4 203.515%

Stephanie Vanstone  – Best specimen caught from the shore.

 Stephen Found Thornback Ray 13lb 10 151.388%

Jason Talbot Memorial plate – Best specimen ray caught from the shore.

 Tony Gussin Conger 14lb 5 71.562%

Snake plate – best specimen Conger caught from the shore.

 Nathan Clements Gilthead bream 8lb 2 1/4oz

Best round fish from the shore 

Stephen Found Flounder 2lb 4oz 112.5%

Best specimen flat fish caught from the shore 

 Stephen Found Smoothhound 14lb 5oz 143.125%

Best specimen shark from the shore.

 Nathan Clements Small-eyed Ray 10lb 4oz 1/2 114.236%

Winner of end of season competition  

 Paul Ackland 4lb 1oz

Big Mike Memorial vase

Stephen Found total of 1160.118%

Species challenge cup

In the game fishing section John Mc Cullam and Terry Dymond dominated the results collecting five awards between them.

(Above) John Mc Cullam

 

(Above) Terry Dymond

23 Oct 2023

B.D.A.C Rod and reel match results at Tarka date 22.10.23

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B.D.A.C Rod and reel match results at Tarka date 22.10.23 .

Today was the first of a 3 match series, the weather today was some what mixed with some rain and some sunshine at times. Fishing was hard at times, but still some good weights was weighed in. 1st place today went to Keith Copland on peg 9 with a good net of fish for 25lbs 13oz on the feeder, 2nd place went to Richard Jefferies on peg 14 with 23lbs 10oz fishing a pellet waggler, 3rd place was Stephen Paul Sheller on peg 21 with 23lbs 4oz and 4th place went to Martin Turner on peg 16 with 22lbs 9oz.

The next Rod and Reel match will be at Tarka on the 26.11.23.

 

16 Jul 2023

Bideford and District Angling Club Junior event No. 3

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Bideford and District Angling Club
Junior event No. 3
Results:
1st Brodie Allen 14lb 8oz
2nd Lewis Hathaway 9lb 4oz
3rd Leo Davies 7lb 14oz
4th Eric Snudden 3lb 9oz
4th Hector Snudden 3lb 9oz
6th Willow Davies 2lb 10oz
7th Imogen Babb 1lb 14oz
8th Albi Clements 15oz
The forecast for wind and heavy rain kept some of our regular youngsters away for this,the third event of the summer series ; however the weather wasn’t as bad as predicted and pegs 7 to 14 offered a degree of shelter.
Some nice catches were made with Brodie’s net of pole caught carp top wieght on the day,
Second place went to Lewis on peg 7, sweetcorn on the pole tactics.
Leo fished pellets on a method feeder for third.
Our next event is on Saturday August 5th.