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.
High pressure system and a very cold night has curtailed the catches , but league leader , Craig has put together a very impressive net of carp , 40lb clear of second, on peg13, this has extended his lead to 29 points over last year’s winner.
Winning tactic was 6mm luncheon meat pole fished in the margins.
Second place has taken Paul into joint second spot in the league on 87 points.
His chosen technique on peg 17 was red maggot over micros and maggots in the deeper water on the pole.
Stephen’s third place was off peg 19 , method feeder and pole tactics.
B.D.A.C. Rod and Reel match results date 22.9.24 at Tarka.
Today was a very wet day with fishing very slow at times for some anglers,15 anglers fished the match today and all caught fish. Today winner was Antony Bentley on peg 10 with a fine bag of fish for 44lbs 6oz, second place was Keith Mountjoy on peg 9 with 30lbs 7oz, 3rd place was Warren Thornton on peg 22 with a nice mixed bag of fish for 22lbs 3oz and 4th place today went to Darren polden on peg 21 with a mixes bag of fish for 21lbs. The next Rod and Reel match will be on the 27.10.24 at Tarka. Well done on your win today Antony Bentley.
A beautiful day at Horwood for their latest Match, the fishing was not bad either, fantastic weights from both lakes and topped with a near lake record by Paul Morris, Paul weighed in 242lb 11oz and was just 10lb below Stephen Barrels record👏👏
Fish came to just about every method and Paul’s winning weight was mainly caught on corn.
B.D.A.C.Rod and Reel match results date 25,8,24 at Tarka.
Today the weather was dry but windy making fishing difficult for some anglers. 15 anglers fished the match today and most caught fish, 1st place today went to Stephen Paul Sheller with a magnificent weight of fish for 50lbs 11oz on peg 22 he fished a feeder up to the island, 2nd place was Martin Turner on peg 8 with a nice mixed bag of fish for 25lbs 15oz, 3rd place went to Keith Mountjoy on peg 19 with 23lbs 12oz and 4th place went to Richard jefferies on peg 14 with 22lbs 3oz. Next Rod and Reel match will be on the 22.9.24 at Tarka, very well done to Stephen Paul Sheller on your win today.
George’s lake was the venue for our regular monthly competition, the weather was hot with a blustery southerly wind blowing down into the bottom,dam head.
Roger ,our regular scales man , weighed in an impressive mixed net for victory on peg 13.
Corn, and meat pole fished over micros.
Craig, who now leads the points table, finished in second place fishing on peg 18 using similar tactics.
Richard finished a very credible 3rd place fishing paste on peg 9.
Antony took 4th place on peg 6.
After a slow start the lake has fished very well in most areas.
B.D.A.C Rod and Reel match results date 28.7.24 at Tarka
Today match was fished in lovely sunny conditions with a light breeze. Fishing was a bit hard for some but some good weights was weighed in. First place today went to Craig Lamey on peg 12 with a great mix bag of fish for 39lbs 5oz second place was Stephen Paul Sheller on peg 22 with a lovely mixed bag of fish for 32lbs 10oz. Third place was Richard Jefferies on peg 16 with a net of carp for 31lbs 10oz and forth place went to Antony Bentley with 29lbs 5oz.
The next Rod and Reel match will be at Tarka on the 25.8.24
The match weights at Stafford Moor are outstanding as can be seen from a summary of results over recent weeks with weights in excess of 150lb needed to win every match in recent weeks. This is surely the South West’s most productve Match fishing venue?
JUNE 30th The winner of the day was Lee Dance who bagged 300lb 1oz from peg 20 on Tanners lake
JULY 4th – The winner of the day was Mark Layzelle who bagged 221lb 9oz from peg 5 on Woodpecker lake
JULY 6th – The winner of the day was Mick Myers who bagged 233lb 7oz from peg 20 on Tanners lake
JULY 7th – The winner of the day was Paul Golding who bagged 205lb 8oz from peg 10 on Tanners lake
JULY 11th Open match on Woodpecker lake at Stafford Moor.
The winner of the day was Gary Webber who bagged 197lb 12oz from peg 16
JULY 12th Residents match results on Tanners lake here at Stafford Moor.
The winner of the day was Wayne Batkin who bagged 159lb 13oz from peg 14
match results for our open match on Tanners lake here at Stafford Moor.
JULY 14th The winner of the day was Steve Ford who bagged 190lb 4oz from peg 17
JULY 17th open match on Woodpecker lake at Stafford Moor.
The winner of the day was Joe Duckworth who bagged 161lb 1oz from peg 19
JULY 20th Residents match results on Tanners lake here at Stafford Moor.
The winner of the day was Joe Duckworth who bagged 255lb 3oz from peg 17
JULY 22nd
Open match results on Tanners & Woodpecker lakes e at Stafford Moor.
The winner of the day was Wayne Grinney who bagged 287lb 2oz from peg 20
