Bulldog Fly Fly Fishing competition 1st March
They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder and I guess that is to some extent what raises the excitement level when returning to a favourite venue after a few months absence. Wimbleball Reservoir nestling in Exmoor’s rolling countryside is a special fishery that has been rejuvenated over the past decade under the management of Mark and Trudi Underhill. It’s hard fighting rainbow trout provide exciting fishing set in a lake that gives pleasing the illusion of wild fishing.
The last time I had visited the lake was back in October when the water level was alarmingly low at around 25% and the boat jetty was a good walk from the water’s edge.
On the second day of the season on February 27th we found the lake brim full after a very prolonged spell of wet weather that was in truth what was needed to replenish the lakes and rivers across the country.
Reports from opening day were encouraging with a good number of big trout banked and plenty of good catches. Top fish being a stunning double figure rainbow for Roger Truscott who had travelled up from Cornwall.
After negotiating Exmoor’s water logged roads I arrived shortly after 8.00am to find Bruce all tackled up and ready to go at the boat departure area. Several other anglers were already eagerly waiting to launch as fishery staff bailed out the boats and fine-tuned the outboards.
The top end of the lake has a good track record early season so we set off to Rugg’s and Bessom’s to try our luck. And so the search began with Bruce and I casting our choice of lures on sinking and intermediate lines. I was expectant from the off and fished a black lure and cormorant slowly with occasional twitches to impart life.
( Above) My normal early season go to flies.
After an hour without so much as a pull the reality that its not always easy started to dawn. But with the misty rain easing and occasional glimpses of brightness in the sky all was good and as the sweet melody of a wren’s song drifted from the marginal tree’s I just relished the moment.
It’s always wise to keep a close eye on other anglers to determine if they are catching noting where and with what tactics. Constantly moving boats tends to indicate a lack of action whilst clusters of boats is often an indication of shoaling fish.
Whilst it is improper to crowd in too close its also wise to sidle a little closer as Fly fishers are generally a friendly bunch willing to share info and help each other. It’s not a competition after all and guys just wanna have fun.
After trying several areas Bruce and I had not had so much as a pull and by midday my confidence was just starting to ebb a little. Early season experience told me that a black fly fished on either an Intermediate or sinking line would work. However watching the anglers fishing other boats it appeared that they were catching on floating lines with a slow retrieve.
Our Friend Jeff appeared close to our boat and after a cheery greeting asked how we were doing. As I relayed our lack of success the line ripped tight and I was into a hard fighting rainbow that nailed the black lure with startling savagery.
My friend fishing on a nearby boat spoke of floating lines, long leaders black lures and cormorants. Encouraged that my fly choice was good I swapped my new Snowbee Intermediate for a Floater. I tied a Montana to the point and put a dial-bach and a cormorant on the droppers. Bruce meanwhile also changed to a floating line and tied on a bund drifting a team of nymphs as he enjoyed lunch.
Over the following three hours we enjoyed consistent action fishing teams of nymphs slowly. This was delightful fishing as a gentle breeze rippled the water and late winter sunshine illuminated the lake and leafless trees.
Birdsong filled the air and I watched a pair of grebes practicing their Spring courtship routine. It seemed that Winter was losing Its grip as the day drifted along on calm waters.
With an hours fishing left and sport slowing we decided to have an hour in the boat bay before leaving. Other anglers had also had the same idea and several boats fished as a heavy squall swept across the lake.
Heavy rain beat down but failed to dampen our enthusiasm. As the rain passed by sunshine broke through and a rainbow appeared adding vivid colours to the fading day.
We banked the boat and compared notes with fellow anglers. It seemed that all had enjoyed success with floating lines and small dark flies most effective. Bruce and I had boated nine good rainbows averaging 2lb to 3lb. Other anglers had faired equally well with one angler reporting eleven trout to the net along with tales of bigger fish coming adrift.
It was good to be back and I look forward to my next trip on this wonderful lake.
CHRIS ARNOLD – February 2026
Fly anglers from across the region flocked to Roadford Lake for the annual South West Fly Fair hosted by South West Lakes Trust an event that is a firm fixture in the fly fishing community’s calendar. The event was opened by guest of honour Charles Jardine who has attended the event for many years bringing his ever optimistic and buoyant presence. The fair was sponsored by Turral, Chevron Hackles and Snowbee.
The event above all is a wonderful opportunity for the Fly Fishing community to gather and socialise with plans made for the season ahead. The breadth of species and tactics employed by fly fishers is continually evolving and it is fascinating to debate these topics with fellow anglers who share their vast experience freely.
There seems to be a good upbeat vibe in the fly fishing scene at the moment and this was apparent as I wandered between the stallholders and attendees. A new season commences at South West Lakes Trusts rainbow trout waters on Saturday February 28th. At Wimbleball Reservoir fishing gets underway on Thursday, February 26th and anticipation is high for the wonderful sport enjoyed on this water high on Exmoor.
Fly casting is an important skill and Hywell Morgan, Charles Jardine and Gary Champion all gave excellent demonstrations making the art of casting look exceedingly easy. This illusion is testimony to their level of expertise and double haul, snake rolls were demonstrated and a wealth of tips cast out to a keen audience.
In the Fly Tying hall an impressive array of flies, lures and nymphs were created to tempt a wide range of species with tiny flies to tempt trout and grayling along with big gaudy lures for big pike.
There was certainly plenty to engage with and it was difficult to decide on watching the demonstrations or to attend the fascinating talks. I attended two talks and sadly missed Charles Jardines talk on the Fishing for Schools programme that helps young people from all backgrounds, including those facing disadvantage or profound learning difficulties, by taking learning out of the classroom and into the natural world. More information can be found at their website. www.fishingforschools.co.uk
Shaun Leonard of the Wild Trout Trust gave an enlightening talk on wild brown trout populations. The complexity of genetic diversity within trout populations is a subject that science is starting to build a greater understanding of and this data is vital in conserving these incredible fish. Shaun’s passion and love of trout was very apparent as he reeled off a series of spectacular images of trout and their environment.
He emphasised the importance of river environments the value of trees and wood in rivers and how scruffy shaggy rivers provide shelter, food and varied flows. He explained the challenges faced by trout from agricultural pollution, poor river management, sewage pollution and climate change.
The importance of catch and release was emphasised with hen fish of particular value. The key points were : –
A trout is not just any old trout…
Massive natural variety & toolbox for change?
Each hen can be really important
Scruffy rivers are the business
Trout need to move around
Long lived if given a chance
Fabulous bellweather
Huge challenges…nature to help?
Brown trout are a key environmental indicator and if their populations are dwindling something is wrong. It has been suggested that if climate change progresses as expected many rivers will be devoid of trout if temperatures rise as expected. There is however hope as some trout populations have adapted to live within river systems where temperatures exceed those previously thought intolerable for trout. www.wildtrout.org
The next talk I attended was given by Rodney Wevill of the Fluff Chucker’s and took us to the tropical waters of Mexico where tarpon, bonefish, permit and rooster fish provide exciting sport for the fly angler. Rodney gave valuable advice on how to embark on the fishing trip of a lifetime at an affordable cost.
Rodney’s humorous accounts of warm water fishing and fish that strip lines from reels at an incredible rate certainly whetted the appetite for adventure. The dangers of sharks and crocodiles were also highlighted along with some alarming encounters with officialdom.
Leaving the fair late afternoon I was buzzing with anticipation at the coming months by river, lake and sea.
COMMUNITY SPIRIT IS VITAL FOR ANGLING
Angling clubs traditionally hold their AGM’s at the start or end of the season and these events are an important social gathering for the membership. The meeting is a reset point for the club enabling members to guide the committee as to the direction the club should follow and an opportunity for the committee to engage with members.
I attended two AGM’s in the past week the first was that of South Molton & District Angling Club on February 10th and the second was Dulverton Anglers Association on February 12th.
South Molton & District Angling Club’s 57th AGM was held at South Molton’s Masonic Lodge. Close to thirty members attended and it was very much business as usual as club Chairman Ed Rands addressed the members and introduced the committee officers as they delivered their reports.
Before the formal meeting commenced Daniel Skeat’s and Karen Saunders of the West Country Rivers Trust gave an informative presentation outlying the valuable work undertaken across the region via the Teign and Taw Fisheries plan. The funding for much of this work is from the governments Water Restoration Fund.
Karen and Daniel gave an outline on work with the farming community to effectively manage maize crops to reduce soil run off that is causing serious issues for salmonids spawning sites.
Electro fishing results across the Taw catchment gave some room for optimism with fry counts encouraging across some sites.
The Taw shad eDNA survey results were inconclusive with only a tiny percentage of samples giving a positive indication of the presence of shad. It is known from anglers catches and observations that both twaite and allis shad are migrating into the River Taw and as this is an annual event spawning is probably taking place though there is not yet conclusive evidence.
The West Country Rivers Trust are working closely with the North Devon Biosphere , National Trust and other organisations to improve river and wetland habitat.
The club continues to thrive in an everchanging world with members enjoying excellent wild brown trout fishing on the River Bray. The long dry summer impacted upon fishing during the latter part of the season though a few migratory fish were contacted during the final days as rivers responded to rain.
The Dulverton Anglers Association AGM was held at the Anchor Inn, Exebridge, on Thursday, February 12th. The venue meeting room was packed with close to fifty members keen to support the club and hear a talk from Pete Tyjas the new editor of Trout and Salmon Magazine.
The hard working committee briefed the members on a successful year with the club in excellent financial health. The club now has close to 300 members who enjoy access to fishing on nine beats of the Upper Exe, Barle and Haddeo.
Habitat improvement was high on the agenda and it was clear that there is a dedicated team who carry out regular work across the associations waters.
Devon based Pete Tyjas was given a warm welcome and delivered an inspiring, entertaining and informative talk on West Country Fly Fishing, his life and Trout and Salmon Magazine.
The future of Fly Fishing and the direction of Trout and Salmon was high on the agenda with social media and AI constantly influencing society and readers habits. Pete oozes passion and optimism for the future believing that there could be a shift back towards traditional print media as what is seen online becomes increasingly false.
Angling can by its nature be a fundamentally solitary pursuit and yet its community is vital for it to thrive. Fly fishing like all disciplines of angling continues to evolve as long established traditions are challenged. Club meetings, talks, shows and tackle shops are at the heart of angling and fresh ideas are essential for the pastimes future.
The West Country Fly Fair is being held at Roadford Lake this Sunday and is always an enjoyble curtain raiser to the Spring and Summer Fly fishing season.
Dale Kiff won Bideford Angling Clubs 48hour Rover with a Bass of 5lb 10oz.
