Many thanks to Martin Turner for his regular match reports from both the North Devon Match Group and Bideford Club. Good to see a tight match with small silvers making up the weights instead of bulky carp. Whilst there is undoubtedly more rod bending in the commercial match’s full of carp there is more refined skill in extracting a net of small fish to compile a net.
North Devon Match Group Championship No 7 Darracott Reservoir results:
1st Tom Downing 9lb 6oz
2nd Mark Richards 8lb 2oz
3rd John Forster 7lb 12oz
4th Graham Currington 6lb 3oz
5th Graham Colman 5lb 5oz .
12 fished, Warm conditions led to a close match , Tom’s run continues with another victory from the far side with a great net of mainly small rudd taken on a whip, Mark found some better quality roach on the long pole for second place, John led the way for those who elected to concentrate on the feeder, his 3rd spot came to pellets on the first peg over the dam,
1st John Lisle 14lb 15oz
2nd Paul Elworthy 14lb 2oz
3rd Stuart Burridge 10lb10oz
4th Martin Turner 7lb 1oz ,
Today’s comp was fished in bright breezy conditions. The top 3 have all caught on the groundbait feeders using corn and maggots on the hook. The very clear water has led to tricky fishing John was end peg on the far bank and just pipped Paul drawn opposite him,
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.
Adrian Morgan has been having plenty of fish from Darracott reservoir, Torrington, recently with fish to just under 17lbs all caught on floater tactics.
Wes Rogers and his friend Chris had a great session at Darracott reservoir where they banked four cracking carp all over 15lbs with the largest being 18lb 4oz. This small reservoir near Torrington has a good head of quality carp and can give good results to surface baits.
Dennis Toleman secured victory in Triple Hook Clubs Slade Trophy Match fished at Darracott where he put together a net of silvers totaling 9lb 4oz. In runner up spot was John Vaughan with 6lb and third Kevin Hancock with 2lb.
Darracott, Torrington, Devon EX38 7HL
Situated just outside Torrington, Darracott is a real mixed fishery. It is perfect for beginners or pleasure anglers and is loaded with plenty of fish. At 3 acres in size there are plenty of swims for you to choose from. The carp can be caught all over the lake but they do take surface baits in the warmer months which can be great fun. Mixed bags of up to 40lbs are common. There is some cracking perch and roach fishing to be had. The first swim is only 20 yards from the car park if you don’t want to walk too far.
http://www.swlakesfishing.co.uk