3 Oct 2017

Local Angling Guide moves to the Big City

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Game Fishing, Sidebar | 0

I have known local angling Guide Nick Hart for many years and fished with him on numerous occasions on local waters. Nick has supported North Devon Angling News since it formation in 2016 and that support has been much appreciated. After twenty odd years of guiding Nick is taking on a new role as fishing manager! at the London based Farlows store located at 9 Pall Mall, a business with an incredible 177 years of history, by Royal appointment and intrinsically linked to the DNA of fly fishing.

Congratulations to Nick in his new venture.

http://www.nickhartflyfishing.com/blog/2017/10/why-i-am-swapping-my-waders-for-a-life-with-farlows/

21 Aug 2017

Trout Fishing On Exmoor

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Game Fishing, Sidebar | 0

Nick Hart at Exe Valley writes : I Just love introducing new people to fly fishing and this weekend I have been looking after The Crawfords … and how well did they catch?! Celebrating Robins 60th birthday, his sons Adrian and Gary treated the 3 of them to a weekend away on Exe Valley. After casting tuition yesterday they got stuck into the fishing and in tough bright windy conditions picked out 4 nice Trout (and a whitebait!) using a washing line with Blobs. Better was to come as today they excelled with Robin fittingly topping the leader board with 4 Trout to 6lb. Their total bag of 10 pulled the scales down to 36lbs … and they lost at least another 6. All fish caught on #14 quill buzzers in the top 2 feet. Very well done guys it has been a pleasure to fish with you this weekend!

Russell Hill and Samantha Fullerton joined NIck Hart on Exmoor’s wild streams chasing the beautiful wild brown trout that abound in these clear waters.

5 Aug 2017

EXE VALLEY FISHERY – Voted into top 50 of UK Stillwater Trout Fisheries

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Game Fishing, Sidebar | 0

It looks like the work to improve Exe Valley Fishery and most notably Anchor Lake is paying off as the venue has just been voted as one of the Top 100 UK Still-waters by the Trout Fisherman magazine. In fact the fishery entered the top 50, reaching 42nd place, even better news, this year the water remains open to anglers after last year’s disastrous summer when I had to close. There is no doubt that the cooler air and heavy rainfall have helped, but extensive work to clear weed has also assisted.

30 Jun 2017

Grayling just over the border.

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Game Fishing, Sidebar | 0

Sadly we don’t have any grayling in North Devon but there are a few just over the border in Somerset where Nick Hart operates out of Exe Valley Fishery.

Nick Hart takes a lot of photos of people with fish but every now and again something a little bit different happens like this one today. Here a mate (Phil) holds the net while his mate (Alan) displays his first ever Grayling caught on a #16 cdc elk dry during a session on the River Exe. Just love their expressions, shows the buzz to be had from fishing.

27 May 2017

Catch and release catches on at Exe Valley

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Game Fishing, Sidebar | 0

The latest monthly report from Exe Valley where catch and release has proved a popular option.

*Simon Curtis is a happy man after landing this 8lb Rainbow using a dry fly! Part of a 4 fish bag that totalled 20lb. Loads of fish rising at the moment with imitative flies catching plenty of fish.*

Another month has passed far too quickly at Exe Valley with the first taste of summer now upon us. Although some inevitable weed has appeared during the hot spell Anchor Lake continues to provide excellent sport. The deep areas are looking in better condition than this time last year and up to today, 27th May 17, 147 anglers have caught 547 Trout for a very healthy rod average of 3.7 fish per person.

Just this week I used imitative tactics while guiding Andy & Carl from the Birmingham area. We had to experiment with a couple of different fly patterns and in the end enjoyed some great sport using a washing line consisting of a Black Hopper Booby on the point and a simple Crank Shank Buzzer on the dropper. Fish fell to both patterns and the takes were fantastic; not to mention the fighting qualities of these fish!

If you are interested in improving your casting techniques please see Nicks website Nick Hart Fly Fishing

3 May 2017

Stunning rainbow on a dry fly

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Game Fishing, Sidebar | 0

9lb 1oz on a dry fly for Mr Gilbert. Fish right up in the water even when cold & windy.

With the warmers days fish are moving up n the water so Nick Harts suggests “try an Owl, a Hopper or stick a Buzzer under a Bung.”

Nick Hart reports:-

So far to today Friday 28th April 188 anglers have visited since the beginning of the month catching a total of 599 Trout to set a very good rod average of 3.2 fish per rod. Amongst them have been some great fish such as the specimens shown below and we were also pleased to see that one of our Trout was selected by Trout Fisherman as Fish of the Month. Well done to the captor John Ratcliffe.

7 Apr 2017

News from Nick Hart at Exe Valley

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Sea Angling, Sidebar | 0

Catch & Release to continue at Exe Valley Fishery

April 7, 2017

Although I had been meaning to add a catch report during March it is quite poignant to be writing one up now as this weekend heralds a two month period since Catch & Release options were introduced here at Exe Valley Fishery.

Catch & Release News

I am happy to report that the initial trial has been a resounding success with twenty percent of anglers choosing to opt for Catch & Release only while many others have completed their limits prior to enjoying an enjoyable sporting session rather than leaving the fishery prematurely.

Catch & Release options will continue for the foreseeable future until such time that water temperatures become too high. Please check the website and facebook for details or call 01398 323008, although I anticipate that the options should be available until June 2017 at least. We are the only small stillwater fishery in the area offering such a range of flexible fishing permits and now that spring is in the air you can expect some fantastic imitative sport … especially as there are a few wise Trout in Anchor Lake now.

Top Sport … and some of it is top of the water!

Over the last few weeks 228 anglers have enjoyed some great sport landing 893 Trout for a very healthy average of 3.9 fish per angler. Top flies have been Damsels, especially the Blue Flash variety and Buzzers under a bung are also very successful. But as the water begins to warm and the longer days are upon us don’t be afraid to try a straightforward dry fly such as a CDC Owl. Andrew Berwick, who started fly fishing late last year, did just that and was rewarded with his first ever surface caught Trout.

Looking back through the returns as usual we have witnessed some great catches including Perry Bamonte with a 5 fish bag at 17lb plus another 5 fish released, the second time he has achieved this in as many weeks. Matt Hunt has become a regular, travelling from Torquay to fish with us having heard that C&R fishing is now available. Fishing with his pal Mr Morgan they consistently catch 15 – 20 fish between them during weekly sessions since the new options were introduced back in February.

Nick Billet from Wellington said “Great day, many thanks will be back” after his first visit, completing a limit of 8 with his 4 fish taken tipping the scales at 14lb. Buzzers under an indicator proved to be the successful tactic which also worked for Nicks mate Shaun Rowden, also landing 8 fish.

News of the changes have spread across the West Country and Peter Philips from Plymouth was another first time visitor who had a best Trout of 5lb 8oz in a bag of 4, with one safely released. He commented “Great Fishery – lovely setting, nice condition & variety of size of fish, easy back casting – will certainly be back!”

Mr Metcalfe all the way from Wales was rewarded for his journey today in the form of this 11lb Rainbow.

17 Feb 2017

EXE VALLEY FOR TOP SPORT

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Game Fishing, Sidebar | 0

Anglers are enjoying some great sport at Exe Valley Fishery where a new catch and release ticket has been embraced by numerous anglers who appreciate the option of a days sport without having to pack up because they have caught their quota or have more than enough trout in the freezer. Below is Nick Harts latest report on one anglers visit to the water.

Perhaps it is the mild weather but I have been out with a fair few anglers already this year and today it was Andrew Avery from Bristol. He had been having a mare and landed just one fish in his last 3 trips, so it was time to get his mojo back. After an hour tuning up his cast this morning we got straight down to business and found pretty quickly that the fish are very podded. If you catch and then it goes quiet it is time to move! That’s what we did and using Tungsten Buzzers Andy banked 9 fish in total, often reacting to the line moving rather than feeling for the take.

8 Feb 2017

FINE BAGS AT EXE VALLEY

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Game Fishing, Sidebar, Uncategorised | 0

(Above) Biggest trout of day to Danny Ford at 5lb 12oz

Wistlandpound Fly Fishing club enjoyed great sport when they visited Exe Valley Fishery for the second heat of their Winter Challenge series. Dave Mock won the competition with a five fish bag of 19lb that included a 4lb rainbow and a tagged trout that earned Dave a tenner. In runner up spot was Danny Ford with five for 18lb 12oz and third David Eldred with five for 18lb 8oz. The biggest trout was a fine rainbow of 5lb 12oz for Danny Ford. The trout averaged 3lb and battled hard in the cold clear water. Overall winner of the winter challenge after 2 heats was David Eldred with 28lb 9oz. The first heat was held at Blakewell Fishery early in January.

4 Feb 2017

Exe Valley Introduces Catch & Release Permit Options

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Game Fishing, Sidebar, Uncategorised | 0

The latest News from Nick Hart at Exe Valley

February 4, 2017

During the 15 years that I have been involved with Exe Valley Fishery, firstly as an instructor and then as the manager, the only option available has been to catch & kill any Trout caught.

However times are changing rapidly and increasingly I talk with anglers who don’t want to dispatch fish and fill their freezers. I also meet plenty of anglers who are put off by the thought of reaching their limit and then having to head home prematurely, cutting short their enjoyment & experience.

Therefore after a number of successful catch & release events, such as this one in December 2016, I have decided to introduce a new trial permit.

The Catch & Release options will start on Tuesday 7th February 2017 and will be available until Sunday 9th April 2017. During this time we will listen to your thoughts and welcome feedback. If the fishery is well supported during these changes the options will be made available throughout the year, other than during periods of high water temperatures. Full details will be available at the fishery regarding the rules applied to catch & release. The key points include:

– Catch & Release available on Anchor Lake only

– Rubber mesh nets only (we can loan nets)

– Barbless flies only (not debarbed – barbless flies will be available for purchase in the shop)

– Fish to be released must not be removed from the water.

– No Boobies.

– Kill tickets – Fish limit must be killed prior to Catch & Release.

Catch & Release Permit Options & Prices (07.02.17 to 09.04.17)

10 Fish Catch & Release Only – £25

2 Fish Kill & 2 Fish Release – £30

3 Fish Kill & 3 Fish Release – £35

4 Fish Kill & 4 Fish Release – £40

5 Fish Kill & 5 Fish Release – £45

Although there is an increase in permit prices, the first for several seasons, the new structure with the inclusion of catch & release offers some of the best value small stillwater fishing in the West Country if not the UK.