BULLDOG FLY FISHING – MARCH COMPETITION RESULTS –
What a day we had at our Fly Fishing Competition on 29th March! 
We kicked things off under overcast skies with calm conditions—no wind in the morning, though the forecast warned us of high winds and rain later on. The fishing started slower than usual (no classic 30 minutes of madness this time!), but it didn’t take long for things to pick up, with fish coming out steadily and a couple of anglers already hitting their morning limits.
Lunch couldn’t have come at a better time. With the wind picking up and a touch of rain setting in, everyone was more than happy to tuck into one of Bulldog’s famous roast pork baps with roasties, warming up in the hut with the fire going. Plenty of chat and laughter—especially about Chris’s monster catch… a BIG tiger that had everyone talking! 
After lunch, we had a bit of a peg shuffle as the wind made casting tricky. With a redraw done, anglers got back to it, battling the conditions right up until the final horn. In perfect timing, Andrew landed his 6th and final fish of the day just before the end—great effort!
Then it was on to the all-important weigh-in…
Results
1st – Dave & Fred Chapman – 25lb 6oz
2nd – Nick “Lennie” Tamlin – 25lb 5oz
3rd – Pete Davey (Fishing for Heroes) – 24lb 8oz
Biggest Fish of the DayChris Dunn – 9lb 4oz Tiger Trout (NEW Tiger lake record!)
Honourable MentionsIan Connabeer – 5lb 15oz Rainbow
Mark Ison – 5lb 11oz Brown & 6lb 10oz Spartic
Pete Davey – 6lb 6oz Rainbow
Fred Chapman – 5lb 13oz Rainbow
Nick Tamlin – 6lb 1oz Rainbow
Plenty of quality fish came out in the 4–6lb range, meaning even those off the podium went home smiling 
Thanks to everyone who took part—great atmosphere, great fishing, and a brilliant day all round.
Roll on the May dry fly comp!
TROUT & SALMON GATHERING MARCH 2026
Fly Fishing enthusiasts flocked to the Fox and Hounds at Eggesford last weekend for a gathering organised by Trout and Salmon magazine. The event featured talks from a wide range of experts covering fishing tactics, their fishing lives and how this connects with the natural world at the water’s edge and beyond.
The weekend proved to be a resounding success, a great social occasion that helps the fly fishing community to flourish. Whilst Fly Fishers tend to be solitary throughout much of their time pursuing their quarry there is also pleasure in sharing the joy. This was apparent throughout this event. Pauline and I could only fit in the Sunday morning of the event but it was apparent from all we met that it had all gone exceptionally well with thanks to Pete Tyjas, all at the Fox and Hounds, the exhibitors, the speakers and of course the attendees.
The Fox and Hounds has a rich history as a Country Fishing Hotel and should be treasured for these establishments are at the heart of fly fishing tradition and history. Many once thriving hotels have ceased to exist, the Carnarvon Arms and Tarr Steps Hotel on Exmoor are two that readily spring to mind. I have fond memories of both hotels and view their demise with sadness. It is of course the decline of salmon that contributed to their closing for salmon and the anglers who chase them bring valuable economic benefits to the local area.
The Taw still provides excellent fishing for wild brown trout that seem to be thriving an indication that the main issues with salmon decline are at sea. The Fox and Hounds offer fishing on nearly 4 miles of fishing on the River Taw. The lightly fished beats are maintained in their natural state.
Pete Tyjas, Editor, Trout & Salmon Magazine
Fishing small streams
Pete delivered a heart felt talk on his fishing life with valuable tips on casting and how to approach the water. It seemed appropriate that as Pete prepared to start numerous martins appeared high above as they migrate into their Spring and summer home.
Harry Chance, West Country Fly Fishing
Fishing the duo in pocket water
Harry displayed dry fly and duo techniques with great enthusiasm explaining in detail how to read the water and manipulate the flies to best effect. Giving valuable advice as to tackle set up and how to apply.
Fred Brown, Fishpal.com
Fishing streamers on rivers
Fred Brown gave an inspiring talk on the use of streamers and how to fish them. He explained how these lures often tempt the largest inhabitants of the river. It really does make sense as the larger trout will generally turn cannibalistic to maintain size. I have recently finished reading the excellent book River Trout Streamer Fishing by Theo Pike and intend to explore some of our local rivers with streamers.
North Devon based Pete Tyjas is the new editor of Trout and Salmon Magazine that has been in circulation since 1955. Fly fishing is undoubtedly enjoying an influx of new thinking with a younger generation embracing tactics from across the globe. There is of course a rich vein of history and tradition interwoven in Fly fishing evolution over the centuries that should also be treasured.
Whilst away in the Cotswolds recently I spotted an interesting book entitled ‘The Diary of a Test Fisherman’ 1809 to 1819. I have skimmed through the book and will read fully in due course. It will be fascinating to note how times have changed as this book was published before F M Halfords; Dry Fly Fishing in Theory and Practice that was published in 1889.
Whilst Pauline and I were only present for the Sunday morning and Sunday lunch it was obvious that all who attended had been privileged to enjoy a unique weekend full of warmth and laughter. It was reassuring to witness the experts finding the tree branches from time to time. When I catch the branches I hope to avoid any spectators yet; I would appreciate a dedicated team of assistants to untangle fly and leader from the guilty branches!
The raffle at the end of the event raised £410 towards river conservation projects.
Sunday lunch was extremely enjoyable with a vast range of topics debated covering the natural world and the more worrying wider world.
I think all present over the weekend would agree that in these uncertain times fishing is the great escape.
BLAKEWELL FISHERY – SPRING FLY FISHING COMPETITION
Blakewell Fishery are holding a Spring Time Fly Fishing Competition on April 25th. See details below :-
Torridge Fly Fishing – Gammaton Reservoirs – Quality Trout Fishing
Torridge Fly Fishing Club manages the fishing at Gammaton Reservoirs near Bideford, North Devon.
The top lake at Gammaton has been restocked. Day tickets remain at £28 for 3 fish this season .
Membership for the season is also available at £190. Members can catch 6 fish a week up to a maximum of 40 .
Membership enquiries to Robert Chugg: 07491931003. Email : [email protected]
QR Code below to book tickets:-
Gammaton Reservoirs are nestled in a peaceful valley just a short drive from Bideford. They are reguarly stocked with quality rainbow trout averaging between 2lb and 3lb. Dry fly and buzzer tactics can work well along with all standard tactics. The lower lake also contains a few perch and other coarse species that can be tempted on fly tactics.
Round 1. Fluff Chuckers / SWLT Brown Trout Masters , Colliford.
Thank you to Rodney Wevill for the report below :-
We kicked off the first round of the Brown trout masters event today on Colliford Reservoir on Bodmin Moor.
This year we are pleased to see a few new anglers to the series, with four rounds this year it’s going to be a great series of events.
Today saw extremely difficult conditions with NW winds and very bright sunshine, the kiss of death for the Brown trout fishing.
And the results echoed the conditions with only 9 brown to the net and several blanks,
The overall winner was the ever consistent Keith Burnett with 4 fish and a total length of 112cm.
In second place came Andrew Gooding fishing the Brown Trout masters for the first time with 2 fish and a total length of 59 cm.
In third place came another first timer to the Brown Trout master Tony Chipman and biggest fish of the day winner with a fish of 37cm
Fourth place was Wayne Thomas with a single fish
Fifth place Gary Brazier with a single fish .
Equal sixth place to
John Huckins
Garry Boyde
Dave Perks
Paul Mc Evoy
Rodney Wevill
Pete Williams
Steve Retallack
Standings after Round 1. Points
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Keith Burnett. 1
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Andrew Gooding. 2
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Tony Chipman. 3
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Wayne Thomas. 4
5 . Gary Brazier. 5
John Huckins. 6
Garry Boyde. 6
Dave Perks. 6
Paul. Mc Evoy. 6
Rodney Wevill. 6
Pete Williams. 6
Steve Retallack. 6
Next Round May 2nd Wistlandpound
As Rodney reported it was a difficult days fishing with a bitter cold North West Wind sweeping across the lake. Despite this it was great to be out fishing and I was pleased to avoid a blank. I missed one other take and searched hard. I used the same flies from the start of the day until the end. A red head black wolley bugger on the point, a black zulu and small black spider pattern on the droppers. I have confidence in these flies and not catching was I believe largely down to conditions. Well done to those who found more fish. A few images below from my wanderings around the lake.
Jennets Brace
Adrian Kemp caught these two belters from Jennetts recently, weighing in at 25lb and 33lb respectively.
Bideford Angling Club – ROD AND REEL MATCH RESULTS DATE 22.3.26 at Tarka.
First place today went to Martin Turner on peg 17 with a nice net full mainly carp for a weight of 36lbs 15oz, 2nd place was Kevin Shears on peg 4 with a weight of 32lbs 13oz ,3rd place was Stefan Clarke on peg 9 with 27lbs 1oz and 4th place today went to Antony Bentley on peg 6 with 27lbs. The next Rod and Reel match will be on the 26.4.26 at tarka. If you would like to book on to the next Rod and Reel match you can do so 30days before the match in advance on clubmate. 
LAKE RECORD TIGER TROUT @ Bulldog Fishery
David Minall has caught a new lake record tiger trout weighing 9lb at Bulldog Fishery. The fish was one of a five fish bag all taken on buzzer patterns.
RIVER TAW FISHERIES AND CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION AGM – 2026
The Fox and Hounds was the venue for the River Taw Fisheries and Conservation Associations AGM last Friday. Forty or so members assembled at the hotel with river conservation at the top of the agenda. Chairman Andy Gray highlighted the extensive work being undertaken across the River Taw catchment with a collaborative science based approach to tackle the many issues that impact upon the rivers health. Agricultural pollution, and sewage discharge identified as being the most impactful. The association are working closely with the Environment Agency, West Country Rivers Trust and North Devon Biosphere in a catchment partnership. The collection of data is a vital part of forward planning and the association are working with Exeter University and West Country Rivers Trust to help gather this information for science lead solutions.
Daniel Skeat’s and Karen Saunders gave informative presentations regarding the shad eDNA project and electro fishing results across the catchment. There were some positive results from the fry surveys in some areas that give a glimmer of hope for the future.
The Taw salmon rod catches were probably better than expected with around 90 fish recorded. Most of these were caught during a brief productive spell at the end of the season with most fish caught lower down the catchment despite good water levels.
It is apparent that anglers observations from the water’s edge are vital in revealing the full picture. Rod catches are an important indicator of fish populations. It is only through anglers that the presence of rare migratory shad have been highlighted in the Taw catchment. Anglers are often the first to spot pollution incidents and those that participate in River-fly Surveys provide vital data to monitor long term river health.
Sam Fenner and Harry Chance from the Environment Agency both gave updates on the sterling work they are doing across North Devon in both fishery enforcement and farm visits. Their efforts are to be welcomed and supported whole heartedly by all anglers. The Environment Agency is undoubtedly underfunded and this will only change as public opinion puts the environment higher onto the political agenda.
The Channel 4 program ‘Dirty Business’ has stimulated much discussion regarding water companies and enforcement. These emotive productions are beneficial in stirring public opinion but anger seldom proves productive as the issues are complex. In a world driven by social media and polarised opinions solutions are not often easily found.
In my opinion the work being done in our rivers is vital to help salmon and sea trout survive. But addressing the destruction of salmon at sea via industrial fishing is where action needs to be coordinated to give any realistic hope for the long term future. As to climate change its effects can perhaps be combatted to a limited degree by careful river management with tree planting.
An online auction is being held to raise valuable funds to enable this work to continue full details can be found on the associations website.
RTFCA ANNUAL FUNDRAISER
Welcome to the RTFCA annual fundraiser. Donations from our members and supporters go to raising to funds for the Association.
All of the funds raised are spent on in-river projects designed to improve water quality or deliver environmental improvements. Some of our previous projects can be seen on our website at https://rtfca.co.uk/
This year we are hosting the fundraise online. Please follow the link and instructions and bid generously. Leave a tip if you are able.
We are very grateful for your participation and support.
The link for the fundraiser is: https://app.galabid.com/rtfca-fundraiser/items
Many thanks and good luck
Ian Blewett
Sec
The Fox and Hounds at Eggesford are hosting a Trout and Salmon Spring gathering between March 27th and March 29th. This will include talks screenings, demonstrations and the chance to meet and mingle with fellow anglers and their families at this historic fishing hotel. Call 01769 580345 to secure a place.
