South Molton Angling Club members fished Blakewell on a cold and frosty morning to fish for their Mac Trophy. All members managed to tempt rainbow trout from the chill waters but none were big enough to beat Steve Bendles rainbow trout of 5lb caught earlier in the season.
Wistlandpound Fly Fishing Club members fished their Christmas Competition at Bulldog Fishery where Colin Combe tempted a fine brown trout of 9lb.
Andre Muxworthy took the best bag of three trout totalling 9lb 6oz.
Dave Mock was second with three for 8lb 10oz and Dave Richards third with 8lb 4oz.
Dave Eldred was forth with three for 7lb 13oz.
The icy cold conditions do not deter rainbow trout that thrive in the cold well oxygenated water of winter. A variety of flies worked for members.
Local Fly Fisher and enthusiastic Fly Tyer Eddie Tyas spoke with me recently to say how well Bulldog Trout Fishery was fishing with plenty of good quality hard fighting rainbows being caught. Always keen to wet a line I arranged to meet Eddie at the venue. Looking at the weather forecast I half expected a phone call suggesting we call the trip off. Strong to gale force winds and heavy rain were on the way. On the optimistic side the worst of the weather wasn’t due until 11:00am.
As I pulled into car park at 9:00am large drops of rain were already dropping from a grey leaden sky a gusty wind ruffling the water.
The water was slightly murky with the river swollen by heavy rain over previous days. After such a long dry summer the rain is of course to be welcomed but on a cold bleak November morning I did question our sanity. Tom Early suggested a bright white lure and this was what I put on after a few casts with my normally reliable olive damsel. Within a few casts a solid thump resulted in a rainbow of close to 3lb soon to be followed by a slightly smaller trout of just over 2lb.
Eddie persisted as heavy rain and wind increased, after a couple of hours Eddie did the sensible thing and called it a day. I was keen to get my last fish so persisted and tied on an even bigger white lure. After a couple of casts a savage pull resulted in my final trout of the day a well conditioned rainbow of just under 2lb. It was one of those rare occasions when I was actually glad to finish fishing for the day.
I hope to join Eddie again when the weather is a little less hostile..
Simon Peters boated this fine rainbow from Wimbleball Reservoir. As water temperatures start to drop and rain oxygenates the water prospects are good for the remaining couple of months at Wimbleball. Boat fishing only at present due to the exceptionally low water levels.
In spite of recent rainfall, water levels are still low in many of the reservoirs, with many still under 40% capacity. South West Lakes’ brown trout waters (Colliford, Fernworthy, and Roadford) closed for the 2022 season on 15 October. The remaining rainbow waters are due to stay open until 30 November.
Fishing:
Kennick – The fishing has been slow at Kennick this month, with little surface activity, and most fish being taken on a slow-fished sunk or sink-tip line, with the deeper water by the dam, central midwater, Clampitts Bay, and off the East Bank producing the best sport. Various Damsel patterns and lures (Cormorants, and various Boobies) have been responsible for most catches – however there were no particularly large fish or outstanding bags recorded.
Burrator – Rods averaged 2.7 fish per angler over the month, with Longstone, Pig Trough, and North Shore the most productive banks. Fish were still looking to the surface to feed, and Daddies, Claret Hoppers, and Hawthornes all tempted fish, although generally sub-surface nymphs (Damsels, Diawl Bachs, Montanas, and Buzzers) and lures (Orange Tadpoles, Black Goldheads, Orange Blobs, Boobies, and Flash Minnows) accounted for most of the catches. Floating and intermediate lines along with medium retrieves proved to be the most successful tactic. Matt Baines and Andy Cottam (from Plymouth) both caught full bags of five fish up to 2lb 8oz.
Siblyback – Water levels are very low (just getting back to 30% capacity), and the fishing has been hard. Stocky Bay and the deeper water by the dam have produced the best sport, with anglers catching fish on Buzzers, Damsel Nymphs, Montanas, and Bibios using an intermediate line.
Stithians – Water levels are still very low here – at the time of writing only 19% full. Floating lines with Daddies or a selection of wets (Bibios, Soldier Palmers, Damsels, and Dunkelds) were responsible for most catches, with Goonlaze and the deeper water by the dam the most productive banks to fish.
Fernworthy – This brown trout fishery continued to produce good fishing, with anglers averaging over three fish per rod, either on dry sedge patterns or Pheasant Tail Nymphs, Black Pennels, and Bibios. Levels have now started to rise here to 50% capacity, and fish were caught from banks all around the fishery.
Colliford – Weekly catch rates tailed off as the month progressed, from 5.4 fish per rod, to 2.8 fish per angler. A wide variety of patterns caught fish, with dries (Sedges, Beetles, Daddies, and Hoppers) fished on a floating line and long leader, accounting for many; other successful patterns included Soldier Palmers, Buzzers, Black and Peacock Spiders, Bibios, and Mini Muddlers. Fish were well spread out around the banks, with most locations producing fish. Chris Tilyard (from Fradddon) caught six browns in one session, while Myles Gerard (from Tiverton) caught three superb naturalised fish of 1lb each.
Roadford – North Wortha Point and Grinnacombe proved to be the most productive banks, with Bibios, Foam Beetles, Zulus, Hares Ears, and Soldier Palmers fished on a floating lines catching the fish. Alan Judd (from Seaton) caught a bag of five browns to 1lb, taking fish on or just below the surface.
Please see South West Lakes’ website (www.swlakestrust.org.uk/trout-fishing) for more information on buying tickets (note that permit huts are not open), boat availability and booking, and forthcoming events.
Chris Hall (October 2022)
September 2022
Water levels have continued to fall (in some cases well below 40%) in spite of some welcome interludes of rain, meaning that large expanses of muddy banks have been exposed, and anglers are reminded to be aware of the dangers of soft mud. Water temperatures are still high, and the trout, rainbows in particular, are still not particularly eager to look at a fly, and are generally in the cooler deeper parts of the lakes. We should start to see an improvement in the fishing with fresher conditions and cooler nights now prevailing.
Fishing:
Kennick – Boat anglers continue to achieve the best results, with the deeper waters in Boat, Poplar, and Clampitts Bays producing the best sport. Either sinking lines or floating lines with a long leader fished with a slow retrieve in mid-water produced results, using either a variety of Damsel Nymph patterns or Black Tadpoles. Simon Emery (from Winkleigh) caught three rainbows to 3lb using an Olive Damsel fished on a sinking line and slow retrieve, while Chris Whiteman (from Exeter) caught a 2lb 8oz rainbow on a Green Damsel.
Burrator – Sheepstor, Longstone Bay, Pigtrough, and Discovery Point proved to be the best locations to fish, with anglers favouring floating lines with a sink-tip, and a variety of nymph (Blue Flash Damsel, Claret Buzzer) and lure patterns (Orange FAB, Viva, and Cruncher). Alan Bachelor, along with two companions, caught fourteen rainbows to 2lb, while Jon Rood (from Plymouth) caught three rainbows to 2lb using an Orange FAB, with an Orange Blob on the dropper, fishing from Sheepstor Bank.
Stithians – Water levels are very low here – at the time of writing only 25% full. The Dam area, Sluice Bank, and North Bank have produced the best sport, with Black Pennell, Goat’s Toe, and Dunkeld fished on a sink-tip line taking fish, while browns have risen to Daddylonglegs patterns.
Fernworthy – The recent rain has meant that the water level in this high Moorland reservoir has started to rise, with some fish activity. Nick Hawkins (from South Brent) caught two nice browns to 2lb 4oz using a sunk Kate McLaren on a slow retrieve.
Colliford – The fishery continues to buck the trend, with anglers averaging 4.7 fish per rod, and fish well spread out around the lake (Browngelly Bay, Lords Waste, and East Bank producing a lot of catches). Fish are being tempted to take dry patterns (Foam Beetles, Bobs Bits, Foam Daddies, Black Gnats and Small Sedges) fished on a floating line and long leader, as well as sub-surface patterns (Gold-head Daddies, Diawl Bachs, Soldier Palmers, Montanas, and Buzzers). Chris Tilyard (from Fradden) caught ten browns to 2lb 11oz in an early morning session using a Soldier Palmer and Zonka.
Roadford – Sport at Roadford continues to improve, with anglers averaging 6.7 browns per rod in one week. Daveys Bank, East Wortha, and the South Bank produced the best sport, with fish taking a variety of patterns (including Black Hoppers, Ginger Shipmans, Soldier Palmer, Zulu, and Black Tadpole) on floating lines. Dean Boucher (from Gunnislake) caught thirteen browns to 1lb 4oz in one session on pulled wets (Soldier Palmer, Zulu, and Black Tadpole) fishing a floating line. Rodney Wevill (from Launceston) caught seven browns on a floating line with static and medium retrieves.
South West Lakes Trout Fisheries Report
August 2022
The continuing hot, dry and sunny weather conditions have meant that water levels in the reservoirs across the South West have been low (below 50% full) and continue to drop, while water temperatures have been high – this means that although more bank is exposed, thus opening up new areas for bank anglers, the fish have been sulking in the deeper, cooler water, and have not been particularly eager to feed, resulting in some difficult fishing on most of the lakes. Prospects for September should see a welcome improvement, with cooler temperatures and some rain to freshen the waters.
Fishing:
Kennick – Boat anglers, able to access the deeper water, achieved the best results when fishing with weighted flies (Gold Head Damsels in particular), Boobies and Lures, along with the occasional Buzzer. Clampitts Bay, Boat Bay, The Narrows, the deep midwater and the area by the dam produced the best sport, with anglers averaging 1.2 fish per rod. As part of National Fishing Month, Kennick hosted a free Trout Fishing Taster day on 21 August, supported by Snowbee UK and Turrall flies. The event was well attended, with qualified coaches on hand to provide tuition throughout the day, as well as fly tying demonstrations and tackle to purchase.
Burrator – Sinking lines with a selection of wet patterns (Damsels and Montanas in particular) and lures produced the best results, although a large dry pattern (a Daddy or Hopper) occasionally brought fish to the surface. Rods averaged 2.4 fish per angler, with Sheepstor, Longstone Point and Bank, and Pig’s Trough Bay the most productive areas.
Stithians – A variety of techniques and depths fished met with some success at Stithians – floating lines with dry patterns (Hare’s Ear Parachute, Coch-y-Bondhu, Daddies and Hoppers), fast sinking lines with Bloodworm and Shrimp patterns, as well as the washing-line method, all primarily from the bank and well spread out around the lake (although Dam Wall, Pipe Bay, and Deep Bank featured in many catch returns).
Fernworthy – The South Bank produced the best sport, with Black CDC emergers, Black Gnats, Black Buzzers and Black Tadpoles fished on floating or intermediate lines accounting for all the catches, with anglers averaging just under one fish per rod.
Colliford – While the other waters struggled to produce good sport, Colliford came into its own in August, with weekly rod averages rising from 3.75 to 6.5 fish per angler. Rising fish meant that Floating lines with long leaders accounted for nearly all the fish caught, with a selection of dry patterns (Hopper, Hawthorn, Deer Hair Sedge, Daddies and Beetles) or sub-surface nymphs and wets (Hare’s Ear Nymphs, Bibios, Spider patterns, and Soldier Palmers) all catching well. As is usual at Colliford, fish were well spread out around the banks (although Lords Waste, Spillway, and Redhill Downs all produced consistent results). Chris Tilyard (from Fraddon) caught twelve browns in one session, while his son, Brody, caught his first ever brown trout on his first fly fishing session. Gary Stickland (from Chagford) caught twelve browns to 1lb 8oz, using a floating line and long leader in one session.
Roadford – Deep fished lures (Wooly Bugger, Booby Damsel, and Tadpole) fished from a boat with a slow retrieve, particularly over the Boils, Shop Inlet, and Boat Bay produced the best results, although generally sport was slow and challenging.
As the hot weather conditions persist stillwater trout fishing can be very challenging. The larger reservoirs are undoubtedly the best venues to head for and deep water offers the best chance of fish. Wimbleball can be well worth a visit during even the hottest of days. The below map gives a guide to the deeper areas worth concentrating on. On most reservoirs water close to the dam is deepest and well worth a try. A benefit of the low water levels is that it opens up large areas of bank normally out of reach to bank anglers.
Saturday 20 August, Kennick Reservoir- Free Trout Fishing Taster Day (Booking Essential).
National Fishing Month (1-31 August) is all about celebrating the social, wellbeing and environmental benefits of angling.
Angling offers you a chance to get outside, experience nature at its best, get the whole body moving, take a breath and allow your mind the time it needs to reset.
We would like to extend a warm welcome to all new beginners to our sport, and of course any established anglers who would like to come along. Join us at Kennick Reservoir for a ‘Have a Go Session’ with local and experienced Fly- Fishing guides and anglers.
The event is kindly supported by Snowbee and Turrall. As well as tuition, there will be Fly-Tying demonstrations with Brian Ratcliff and Colin Nice, casting Demonstrations with Simon Kidd at Snowbee, fishing gear and accessories available to buy from Turrall (cash only please as no card facilities at Kennick) a raffle, as well as countless tips and tricks to use going forwards. Plus a gift bag from Turrall for participants.
Wellies or old footwear advised as it can be muddy in places. Equipment is available to use on the day but feel free to bring your own if relevant. Bring a Packed lunch (Tea, coffee and biscuits provided).
Raffle tickets available in advance. Raffle prizes include Snowbee Classic Fly Rod, Fly Reel and Fly Line, Rod Kits from Turrall, Kennick Day Permit, Boat Permit. Tickets cost £2.50 each or five for £10.
If you would enjoy the chance to try fishing for the first time or brush up on techniques as well as catching up with some friends over coffee and biscuits then we look forward to seeing you. The kettle is on!
There are three sessions to choose from: 10am-11.30am, 12pm-1.30pm and 2pm-3.30pm.
Tickets are free but booking is essential.
https://www.swlakestrust.org.uk/free-trout-taster-day
South West Lakes Trout Fisheries Report
July 2022
Hot sunny weather conditions have meant that, as the month progressed, water temperatures have started to rise quickly, levels dropped, and fish (rainbows in particular) have generally preferred to move to and feed in deeper water during the heat of the day, when boat fishing has proved to be popular. South West Lakes stress that during these conditions, fish welfare must remain paramount, and care must be taken to limit handling fish, and that catch-and-release must be done promptly to avoid stress.
Fishing:
Kennick – Anglers found, unsurprisingly, that success rates dropped as the month progressed and the water warmed. The monthly rod average was 2.5 fish per rod. The fish were well spread out earlier on, but moved to the deeper waters by the dam, Clampitts Bay, and Boat Bay as the water warmed, and fishing from a boat with a long leader or sinking line resulted in the best sport. Traditional dry fly techniques (black gnats and daddies) worked well in the early mornings during buzzer hatches, but otherwise nymph, lure, and booby patterns accounted for most catches. Graham Roberts (from Totnes) caught six rainbows to 4lb, mainly on lures and nymph patterns; Brian Sedgebeer caught two rainbows to 3lb 4oz fishing from a float tube with a sinking line and slow retrieve, while Malcome Ure caught seven rainbows to over 3lbs in one session.
Burrator – Again catches dropped off each week as the month progressed (with weekly rod averages falling from 3.8 to 1.5 fish per angler), and the fish moved out to deeper water. Longstone, Lowry Point, Pig Trough, and Pines Bay proved to be the best locations, and while dry fly techniques worked well in the earlier part of the month (with Beetles, Black Gnats, and Hoppers all catching fish), as the water warmed, nymphs (Montanas, Damsels), blobs, and boobies fished on intermediate or sinking lines proved preferable. Mike Lunney (from Douseland) enjoyed some great sessions, catching bags of six rainbows on two visits, and a bag of three to 2lb 2oz on another.
Siblyback – A mixed bag this month at Siblyback, when some days provided excellent sport and others proved to be challenging. When there was a bit of cloud cover and a surface ripple, fish were keen to rise to Sparkle Hoppers and foam beetles, but otherwise sub-surface tactics with nymphs (Red Diawl Bachs, Buzzers, Damsels, and Montanas) and lures (Cats Whiskers, Blobs, and Orange Fritz) accounted for most fish. Stocky Bay, Two Meadows, and the West Bank proved to be the most productive locations. While no exceptionally large fish were caught during the month, there were some decent bags of fish, including five rainbows each for Andy and Al Lawson (from Plymouth) on dries, and Paul Bancroft (from Plymouth) also caught five rainbows to 2lb.
Stithians – Anglers averaged 2.3 fish per rod over the month, with plenty of rising fish throughout, particularly in the evenings, when Daddies, Beetles, Black Gnats, and Hoppers gave rise to some great sport, and floating line tactics have produced the best catches, even with sub-surface patterns (Spiders, Damsel Nymphs, and Diawl Bachs) on a slow retrieve. The Dam Bank, Goonlaze, Yellowort, and Hollis Bank proved to be the best locations, although other banks also produced fish. Simon Peters (from Cusgarne) caught fourteen rainbows to 2.5lb, starting on dries at 5am to catch seven fish, and switching to the washing line method as the sun rose to catch a further eight. John Henderson (from Falmouth) caught six rainbows and seven browns in one session using a floating line with beetles and a damsel nymph on the point.
Fernworthy – Has produced consistently good sport, with anglers averaging 4.4 fish per rod, and fish looking to the surface to feed in spite of the hot sunny conditions. Floating lines with a variety of dry patterns (Hoppers, Beetles, Sedges, and Black Gnats) worked well, otherwise nymphs (Damsels, Spiders and Montanas) fished just below the surface on a slow retrieve caught fish. South Bank, Lowton Bay, the bank by the Dam, and Permit Hut bank all fished well, although it pays to keep on the move and cover as much water as possible. Alan Green (from Plymouth) caught twelve browns to 1.5lb in one session using Bibio and black dry patterns, with fish often chasing a medium retrieve strip. In another session, Richard Buckingham (from Helston) caught five browns.
Colliford – Anglers enjoyed outstanding sport this month at Colliford, averaging over 6.4 fish per rod. Fish were well spread out around the lake, although Stuffle, Lords Waste Bay, and Menaridian banks recurred repeatedly on catch returns – the recommended tactic is to keep on the move to cover the most water. Floating lines with dry patterns (Black Gnats, Bob’s Bits, Beetles and Sedges) caught well, as did sub-surface spider patterns, buzzers, Hares ears, Soldier Palmers, and Sedgehogs. Tim Laws (from Falmouth) caught a 3lb 4oz brown (in a bag of three fish) – the best fish of the month (and the season so far). Chris Tilyard (from Fraddon) had four excellent sessions, catching three bags of fifteen browns, and one of thirteen, using black spiders and Bob’s Bits fished close to the bank, or pulled wet patterns fished into the wind. Paul Rollings (from Polperro) caught seven browns to 30cm, initially using Soldier Palmers, and then moving on to dry patterns.
Roadford – Floating lines with dry Hopper patterns or sub-surface nymphs (Diawl Bachs, Damsels, or Soldier Palmers) accounted for most fish, with Wortha and Davey’s Bank the most productive locations. Dean Boucher (from Gunnislake) caught fifteen browns to 14” in one session, using Soldier Palmer, Zulu, and Black Tadpole patterns fished on a floating line.