The above rainbow of 3lb 6oz was part of the three fish bag of 9lb that secured to spot for me(Wayne Thomas) in Wistlandpound Fly Fishing Clubs Rogers and Guard Shield Match at Exe Valley Fishery. Runners up were David Richards and Steve Edmunds who landed three trout for 8lb 12oz. Forth was Andre Muxworthy with with 8lb 8oz.
Members enjoyed an excellent days sport in the warm autumn sunshine. I will be publishing an in depth feature on the visit later this week.
Many thanks to Nick Hart for these two stunning images. It is business as usual at the fishery with Sue Hart looking after the day to day running of the fishery whilst Nick takes on an exciting new role with Farlows.
Its business as usual at Blakewell Fishery that has just reopened after closing for essential maintenance. The road closure does not impact upon access to the fishery where anglers are enjoying sport with hard fighting rainbows with plenty of quality trout between 3lb and 5lb.
The lake is not the only restocking to have taken place the tackle shop has also seen a restocking with plenty of tackle to tempt the visiting angler.
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.
South West Lakes Trout Fisheries Report (August 2017)
Stocking quality rainbows
General:
Although water temperatures dropped slightly (to around 18 ºc) in August, the reservoir fishing across the region proved challenging, particularly with Rainbows. Generally bag numbers and the size of fish caught were down on previous months, with Brown Trout, particularly in the evenings, providing the best sport. The Trout, particularly Rainbows, have been lethargic and not keen to feed, preferring to retire to the cooler, deeper waters of the fisheries. Water levels continue to drop, exposing fresh areas of bank.
Stocking quality rainbows
Fishing:
Kennick – The Top End, Narrows and Boat Bay proved to be the most productive areas for both boat and bank anglers, with the best sport to be had in the mornings and evenings. The most popular fly patterns included Damsel Nymphs, Diawl Bachs and teams of Buzzers fished at varying depths, with deeper fish taking Boobies and Tadpoles. The occasional fish would rise to small midges and Black Gnats, particularly in the evenings. The best fish caught included a 3lb 12oz Rainbow, caught by Mr R Goss from Exeter, using a Booby and a 3lb 9oz Rainbow, caught by Phil Bryant from Ermington, using a Cruncher. Barry Ware from North Tawton caught a bag of 11 fish whilst fishing from the bank early in the month. The majority of fish stocked and caught during August were Brown Trout.
Siblyback – The majority of catches during August were taken either from Stocky Bay or Two Meadows, with late afternoons and evenings the best time to fish. Although few fish were feeding from the surface, the occasional fish could be tempted to rise to Hopper patterns, sub-surface Montanas and teams of Buzzers as well as deeper-fished weighted dark patterns (Black Tadpoles and Gold-head Nomads in particular) which proved to be the most successful method.
Burrator – The banks at Longstone Peninsula and the South Bank produced the best fishing over the month, with Bobs Bits, Buzzer Emergers and Black Gants all taking rising fish. The majority of fish, however, have again been caught on sub-surface nymphs (Damsel Nymphs, Montanas, Black Crunchers and Black and Peacock Spiders) fished on either sink-tip or intermediate lines, with more fish now being taken on dark lures (Boobies and Tadpoles) fished on sinking lines. Local angler Alan Lawson caught the best fish of the month, a 3lb 3oz Rainbow caught on a drowned Black Gnat.
Stithians – The presence of midges and beetles over the water meant that fish continued to look to the surface for food, with a variety of dry patterns, including Sedges, Hawthorns, various emergers patterns, Muddlers, F-Flies and Black and Peacock Spiders fished in the surface film, all producing results. The majority of fish, however, were taken on nymphs and wet patterns, particularly teams of Buzzers, Caddis pupa, Pheasant Tail Nymphs and Hares Ears. Fish were well spread out over the fishery, with the best locations including Pipe Bay, Sluice, Goonlaze Bank, Pub Bay, Carmenellis Bank and Yellowort Bay. Mr R Lambourne from Lanner caught a number of Rainbows of around 2lb using a dry Deerhair Sedge and Claret Emergers.
Roadford – With fish rising in the mornings and evenings, small dry patterns (Black Gnats and Black Spiders in the surface film) have been fishing well, particularly off the banks (Daveys and Gaddacombe). There are also large numbers of damsel and dragonfly nymphs present and Roadford’s Brown Trout are feasting on these. Damsel and large olive nymphs are producing good results. Boat anglers are enjoying success, either fishing nymphs into the banks or pulling muddlers and lures over the boils.
Colliford – Large Browns are chasing shoals of sticklebacks in the shallows near the dam – pulled lures and muddlers should produce some exciting sport.
Wistlandpound – Anglers averaged just under two fish per rod, with the best fishing in the deeper water by the dam and from the jetty, generally with small nymph patterns.
Wistlandpound Fly Fishing Club held their Berry Shield Summer Competition for the single best trout a cool North West Breeze kept the fish down. I won the event with a 12oz brown one of three I tempted using a team of wet flies fished with a floating line. All three were tempted with a Montana nymph on the point. I also landed numerous golden rudd. Colin Combe was runner up with a brown trout of 10oz.
Bratton Water is fishing well with the lake is in excellent condition and the water bright and clear with water temperature at 13-14c. The recent rain has freshened things up and weed growth has not been significant despite a long dry warm start to summer. Mike Williams tells me that most fish are being tempted on small dries and nymph patterns.
Check out Bratton Waters updated website just click on the advert below.
Blakewell Fishery hosted an Open day last Sunday sponsored by South West based tackle company Snowbee.This was a friendly relaxed event with the opportunity to mingle with fellow anglers and witness impressive fly casting demonstrations from Snowbee’s Simon Kidd.
Simon also gave tuition to visiting anglers including a young gentlemen called Tom who landed his first ever fly caught trout a hard fighting 3lb plus rainbow.
Simon Kidd ( Right) and pupil Tom with his first trout.
Simon Kidd gave casting demonstrations and discussed all the latest tackle from Snowbee with particular attention to Fly-Lines. The general consensus is that a quality fly line is a more worthwhile investment than a fly rod or reel. A good fly Line will dramatically improve the performance of any rod whilst a poor line will spoil the performance of even the most expensive fly rod.
The latest tackle from South West based company Snowbee was available to try and I was particular impressed with the thistledown fly lines that delivered a long line with a minimal amount of false casting. http://www.snowbee.co.uk/fly-fishing/fly-lines-backing/
Jeff Pearce a member of Blakewells team put this to good use tempting a hard fighting rainbow. ( below)
Throughout the day anglers mingled chatting about past adventures and spawned plans to visit new waters. Several newcomers to the sport will undoubtedly be hooked on fly fishing. The lakeside proved a delightful location to savor a beer and burger provided by Blakewell co owner Richard Nickell.
Chris Payne enjoyed success during the open day landing a stunning rainbow trout of 11lb 5oz.( Below)
