19 Feb 2018

Threats to the vital arteries of the land!

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

Spring seems to be in the air today and thoughts are turning to running water, spring salmon and crimson spotted wild trout that thrive in Devon streams.

We must not take these delights for granted as there are threats to these vital arteries of the land brought home to me as I read through the latest emails from Chairman of the River Taw Fisheries Association Alex Gibson.

Open the below link to see what a badly managed dairy operation can do. The pollution here was on the Taw system, but fortunately did not affect the main stem of the river. Nevertheless the damage to fish stocks was extensive. If you come across anything of this kind when at or around the river please report it immediately to the EA Emergency Hotline – 0800 807060

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dallyns-dairy-stream-thick-with-cattle-dung-near-barnstaple

The Pollution Threat from Sewage Treatment Works (STWs) on the Taw System

As we are all well aware, the importance of water quality in our river cannot be overstated.

The Committee has come across a new, to us, cause for concern in this area, namely the STWs on our system which are owned and managed by South West Water (SWW). Simply put – Are these STWs currently fit for purpose and will they be fit for purpose when all the planned house-building in our catchment’s towns and villages has been completed? For example, South Molton is planning over 1,200 homes and Chulmleigh over 90. Is the right amount of maintenance being carried out by SWW and is sufficient investment committed for the future?

There are at least 35 STWs on our system, all of which discharge into the main stem or its tributaries. SWW like other water companies runs STWs on the basis of “operator self-monitoring” which immediately raises an amber or even red warning light in our opinion. Also there is a question about how rigorous the Environment Agency is or indeed can be in this area given recent cut-backs.

This is not a Taw specific problem and we have raised it regionally with South West Rivers Association so that individual rivers in the south-west can take their own action. From discussions with Angling Trust we understand that they are aware that this is a national problem and are working with World Wildlife Fund.

As for the Taw specifically, we are working with Fish Legal to discover whether in relation to STWs the EA is fulfilling its role to protect and improve river quality under the Water Framework Directive and carrying out its duties towards fishermen. Other initiatives to raise awareness of this problem are being undertaken.

The Committee believes it is important that members are aware of this threat, particularly those who fish directly below STWs. Any obvious signs of pollution from STW sources should be reported to the EA emergency hot-line – 0800 807060. Also, as we understand more about the STW situation it may be that we will need to mount a campaign with the support of our membership.

Alex Gibson

2 Oct 2017

Game Fishing News

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

The salmon fishing season on the River Taw came to an end last Saturday and rods enjoyed some late season sport on the Weir Marsh and Brightly Day Ticket beats. Len Francis landed salmon of 9lb and 5lb. John Shrimpton a 9lb salmon and Graham Nichols a grilse of 5lb. Over on the Torridge around at least a dozen salmon were caught during September with most from Mid to upper river beats.

(Below)England Junior Fly Fishing Team Member Seth Tuson caught his first salmon from a middle river Torridge beat.

Torridge Fishers can enjoy salmon fishing on the Torridge until October 14th but must obtain a special permit from Charles Inniss prior to fishing that is strictly catch and release with single barb-less hooks only.

Following a Committee Meeting the River Taw Fishery Association has decided to follow the lead of the Angling Trust and South West Rivers Trust in its response to the Environment Agency Consultation on Managing Salmon Fisheries. In brief the, RTFA considers that all salmon netting should be stopped and that rod fishermen should continue to operate under voluntary catch and release while aiming for a very high release rate and adhering to appropriate good practice.

Salmon anglers are being urged to respond the consultation by visiting the E.A website and completing the relevant documentation. Submissions must be completed by October

Fly Fishers missing the river can ensure they keep their casting action in good shape by fishing for the hard fighting rainbow and brown trout in local stillwaters. Blakewell, Bratton Water and Exe Valley.

31 Dec 2016

STUNNING BROWN TROUT – FROM BRATTON WATER

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

My friend Danny Ford dropped a me a Facebook message to say he was visiting Bratton Water; would I like to join him. Whilst I had not got time to fish I had got time to pop down for a chat and a catch up. On arrival the lake was mirror calm with the trees and reeds casting reflections across the still-water that was punctuated by the pleasing rings of feeding trout.

Danny was casting a line from the Dam and fishing a team of small buzzers very slowly watching the tip of the line intently for any movement that could indicate the deception of a wily trout. Danny pulled a fine prize from his trout bag a stunning brown trout of around 6lb. Its flanks were decorated in crimson spots. its tail was full, a perfect brown trout that would please any angler.

We chatted about fish, waters and prospects for the coming year. I told Danny I wanted some action shots and for a while he struggled to get a take. This is so often the way with trout in small still waters, Danny had caught three trout within his first hour and had taken a short rest to find that the fish had stopped feeding. Eventually after half an hour of varied retrieves the line drew tight and Danny played a beautifully marked brown trout to the net.

Danny undoubtedly went on to catch his final fish of a five fish limit bag. We talked briefly of flies and concluded that one of the most important aspects of fly is that the angler has confidence in it. Danny carries a small selection of flies on most outings and has total confidence that he can catch on all but the hardest days.

15785736_10154537989783110_1035135450_o — Danny’s five fish bag

10 Nov 2016

Troutmaster winner Exe Valley

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

In this months Trout Fisherman mag (issue 490) John Gilmore took top spot in the Sept/Oct round of Troutmasters at Exe Valley with a fish of 10lb 6oz In second place was Dave Bull with an 8lb 14oz Rainbow while Keith Ratcliffe managed third with a fish of 6lb 10oz Well done to all the badge winners.

-0:19

24 Sep 2016

KINGDON FOLLOWS ENGLAND QUALIFICATION WITH £2000 WIN AT BEST OF THE BEST!

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

Congratulations to Matt Kingdon on winning South West Lakes Trust’s Best of the Best competition at Wimbleball. Full report below from Ben Smeeth of South West Lakes Trust

Matt Kingdon has won the Best of the Best £5000 final at Wimbleball Lake held on 18 September after being the only angler to catch a limit of 10 fish. The competition, now in its third year, is run by South West Lakes Trust and sponsored by Snowbee (www.snowbee.co.uk).

Matt, from Barnstaple, bagged his limit with more than an hour to go from the Bessoms Bridge area of the lake. Successful tactics were a team of three flies consisting of a Peach Blob on top, a Red Holographic Cruncher in the middle and a Black Lure with Malibu Tail and a Green Sparkled Body with Red Rib on the bottom fly. A slow to medium retrieve to jerk the Malibu Tail accounted for seven of Matt’s ten fish. He collected £2000 for the win, following on from his third place finish where he won £1000 in the 2015 final. It completes a great week for Matt who qualified for the Home International Loch style in 2017.

57 anglers fished the final after 92 had qualified throughout the season from Kennick, Wimbleball, Stithians, Siblyback and Burrator. After the briefing was done, there was a mad dash for the favoured fishing spots with most anglers opting for Bessoms and Ruggs end of the lake. The weather conditions were pretty good with a slight ripple on the water, overcast mainly but warm sunny spells at times. A lot of fish were showing out of casting range and catches were much slower than the previous week which was expected after the pressure from anglers practising.

Rob Gale, from Ashburton, finished second catching eight fish from the Narrows to claim the £1250 prize pot with Alec Hoare, Newton Abbot, claiming the £750 third place with seven fish for 11lb 4oz with only 5 ounces separating fifth place from third!

There was a strong Kennick Fly Fishers Association showing at the top of the individual standings with the top five finishers all members. After winning it the last two years Andrew Gooding finished a creditable 8^th.

The largest fish in the final (not finishing in the top three) was won jointly by Mike Stone (Starcross) and Roger Truscott (Liskeard) who shared the £500 prize fund with a Rainbow of 2lb 2oz each.

The blind pairs was introduced this season and the winners, claiming £150 each, were Matt Kingdon and Steve Ebdon (Exeter) with Rob Gale and John Huckings (Camelford) finishing second to win £100 each.

There were 127 Rainbows caught in total giving a 2.3 rod average per person for the competition with a further 30 Browns also caught and released.

Simon Kidd from Snowbee was on hand to give out the prizes and here is the full list of prize winners:

POSITION	PRIZE
Winner – Matt Kingdon 10 fish for 15lb 6oz	£2000 BOB trophy and name on the honours board in the permit room
Runner up – Rob Gale 8 fish for 13lb 4oz	£1250 BOB trophy and name on the honours board in the permit room
Third – Alec Hoare 7 fish for 11lb 4oz	£750 BOB trophy and name on the honours board in the permit room
Heaviest Fish (not finishing in the top three) Mike Stone and Roger Truscott 2lb 2oz	£250 each
Second heaviest fish (not in top three) Andy Watson 2lb 1oz	Snowbee Fly Vest and Back pack worth over £100
Blind Pairs winners: Matt Kingdon and Steve Ebdon 18lb 12oz	£150 each
Blind Pairs runners up: Rob Gale and John Huckings 17lb 15oz	£100 each
4^th – Andy Watson 7 fish for 10lb 15oz (won on countback with largest fish 2lb 1oz)	Snowbee 9ft #6 Geo Nano rod worth £350
5^th – Paul Wicks 7 fish for 10lb 15oz	New Snowbee Classic Fly rod worth over £200
6^th – Pete Kempton 6 fish for 9lb 11oz	Snowbee stripping basket worth £50
7^th – Nick Tompkins 5 fish for 7lb 9oz	Snowbee Slim Line fly box kit worth £40
8^th – Andy Gooding 5 fish for 7lb 8oz	Snowbee Slim Line fly box kit worth £40
9^th – Dave Perks 5 fish for 7lb 6oz (won on countback with largest fish 1lb 12oz)	Snowbee Competition Fly Box worth nearly £30
10^th – Tony Chipman 5 fish for 7lb 6oz	Snowbee easyvue competition fly box worth £20
QUALIFYING PRIZES
Heaviest fish Wimbleball – Howard James 6lb 8oz	Snowbee Fly Line worth £50
Heaviest Fish Kennick – Mark Brimblecombe 7lb 6oz	Snowbee Fly Line worth £50
Heaviest Fish Burrator – Allan Lawson 5lb	Snowbee Fly Line worth £50
Heaviest Fish Siblyback – Duncan Kier 6lb 8oz	Snowbee Fly Line worth £50
Heaviest Fish Stithians – Nigel Burley 6lb 11oz	Snowbee Fly Line worth £50

The top three will also have their names engraved onto the honours board in the permit room at Wimbleball.

A huge thank you to all of the Marshalls, especially Danny Ford for all his work leading up to and during the competition and also the sponsor Snowbee who very generously donated over £1000 worth of prizes.

Ben Smeeth

Technical Lead for Fishing

24 Aug 2016

Trout Fishing News

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

August is often a poor month for trout fishing with high water temperatures making the trout reluctant to feed. Excessive weed growth also impacts on many of the regions smaller still-water’s resulting in temporary closure. Blakewell Fishery is presently closed for maintenance and is due to reopen in early September as is Exe Valley near Dulverton. I will post here when both of these excellent fisheries reopen and may well pay a visit to them both myself. It is unfortunate that these conditions coincide with the busy time for tourism as fishery’s stand to lose income as a result of closure. Perhaps it would make sense to have a short close season each summer to allow for weed clearance with the fisheries reopening in early September as temperatures drop and the trout resume their feeding in earnest. Trout anglers would return to the lakes full of enthusiasm after the short break. Keen Fly Fishers can always find sport in the estuary along the coastline targetting bass and grey mullet. On the rivers they can target salmon and sea trout when conditions allow. There are also many miles of river to explore with a light weight fly rod, wild brown trout are beautiful fish that give great sport in beautiful surroundings.

Extracts from South West Lakes Trust Latest news update.

General:

The warm, dry weather continued throughout most of the month with a few very hot sunny days. Water levels are dropping and water temperatures rising (to over 20 ºc), resulting in many of the fish moving out to sheltered, cooler deeper water.

Fishing:

Wimbleball – Boat fishing over the open, deeper, cooler water, particularly nearer the dam, has proved to be the most productive, particularly on the drift, while bank anglers have struggled to locate feeding fish. Weekly rod averages varied between 1 and 2.5 fish per rod. Evenings have been the best time to fish on or near the surface when dry Daddies, Claret

Hoppers, Bobs Bits and Ant patterns have caught fish. Nymphs (Diawl Bachs, Buzzers, Hares Ears and Pheasant Tails) fished on the washing line method, while Orange Blobs and

Boobies on sinking lines have caught the deeper fish. The best fish of the month was a 4lb 3oz Rainbow caught by Mr Ormston, while Paul Grisley caught a full bag of fish up to 3lb. Water level is 67% full.

Roadford – Roadford exploded into life at the end of July and has fished brilliantly all month. Regulars Duncan Kier and Andy Birkett have both had red letter days fishing by boat over the ‘boils’ (aeration pipes near the tower). Duncan managed 56 Brownies in one day up to 3lb 4oz with Andy catching 30 fish the following day up to 3lb. Duncan has returned to take 9 fish followed by a further 32 fish in separate sessions. Successful flies have been a Squinky, Muddler and Leach on the drift over the boils. Boats and engines are available on 01409 211507.

31 Jul 2016

BRATTON FLEMING CRICKETS BIG FISH OFF

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

Close to twenty members of Bratton Fleming Cricket club descended upon the normally tranquil waters of Bratton Water Trout Fishery for what will undoubtedly become an annual event. A mixture of experienced fly Fishers and first timers enjoyed the event that was blessed with warm summer sunshine. In the clear water small imitative patterns proved most successful with a gold headed pheasant tail nymph responsible for the demise of several of Bratton Waters hard fighting residents.

On arrival at the fishery I found experienced local trout fisherman and Bratton Water regular Glyn Rees who had enjoyed a good day at the water landing four brown trout to 4lb targetting the fish using dry fly tactics.

Whilst the fishing fraternity cast their offerings to the lakes trout the remaining members of the Cricket club prepared the BBQ and played a primitive form of cricket using bats made from old sticks. Others watched the anglers and helped with the netting of fish.

Most anglers landed their brace of trout despite the warm sunshine that beamed into the water. A pair of Polaroids were a distinct advantage enabling individual fish to be targetted with the two trout I caught both actually seen to take the tiny fly. The fish were a mixture of brown and rainbows with Debbie Tucker landing the biggest brown trout at 3lb 1oz. James Thomas landed a hard fighting of rainbow of 3lb 8oz that was leading the biggest fish of the day when we left the event to join another local event. Rob Scoines fresh back from a trip to Norway chasing big fish adapted to the finesse of trout fishing landing a brace of rainbows each weighing 2lb 9oz.

The Cricket club give special thanks to fishery owner Mike Williams for hosting the event that raised valuable funds for the Cricket Club.