The Winner of Stafford Moors November Silvers Festival weekend is Gary McClair who caught 31lb from Woodpecker Lake.
Weekly Angling Report, October 30th, 2025
BIG WEIGHTS AT STAFFORD MOOR
North Devon Match Groups latest Match at Stafford Moor was won by Nathan Underwood with 132lb 8oz. Tom Downing was runner up with 123lb 4oz.
The latest Open Match at the Moor was won by Mark Wyne with 108lb10oz.
The October Fisho 2025 Final was fished at Stafford Moor’s Woodpecker lake last Sunday. The winner of section one was Mark Layzell with 157lb 1oz and the winner of section 2 Martin Preston with 139lb8oz.
BIDEFORD & DISTRICT ANGLING CLUB
Bideford Angling Clubs Rod N Reel Match on their home water was won by Richard Jefferies with 31lb 1oz. Runner up was Reg Sutton with 29lb 1oz and third Keith Copland with 23lb 14oz.
LURE FISHING SUCCESS
Lure anglers have been enjoying some late season bass sport with several fine specimens taken from estuary marks. Jason Hayes and his friend banked a fine brace of bass each measuring 72cm.
SEA ANGLING
Bideford Angling Clubs forty eight hour sea rover was won by Paul Ackland with a dogfish scaling 2lb 2oz.
Kevin Legge took first and second place in Combe Martin SAC’s October Rover with small eyed ray weighing 8lb 12oz and 6lb 13oz. Third place was taken by Nick Phillips with a bull huss of 6lb 4oz.
Strong North West winds have curtailed the end of season boat fishing season out of Ilfracombe with many trips cancelled throughout October. This late Autumn period is historically a time of plenty for shore angling enthusiasts with a vast range of species worth targeting. If species fishing is your thing then Ilfracombe Pier and many local beaches can provide red mullet and perhaps sole. Big bass, ray, smoothound and even tope can be tempted from the surf beaches if conditions permit. Grey mullet sport is at its peak in harbours with five pound plus fish a real possibility. The flounder season is also in full swing with these obliging flatfish a popular target in both the Taw and Torridge estuaries.
TROUT FISHING
Wimbleball Reservoir is producing great sport from both bank and boat as Autumn brings cooler conditions with fish feasting on fry in the margins.
At Bulldog Fishery quality brown trout have been the reward for anglers visiting the lake with good numbers banked along with rainbow trout and spartic’s. Several big brown trout have been stocked recently and are proving surprisingly elusive with anglers glimpsing the fish in the clear water and occasionally hooking big fish that break free or slip the hook after stripping yards of line from the reel. It is always fascinating how big fish can remain uncaught for months even in relatively small waters.
FISHING WISDOM – By Dominic Garnett
posted in: Article, Articles, At the Waters Edge, Carp Fishing, Coarse Fishing, Game Fishing, Match Fishing, Sea Angling, Sidebar |
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FISHING WISDOM
A Miscellany of Angling Anecdotes, Facts and Folklore.
By Dominic Garnett
GMC Publications. ISBN 9781784947200
Dominic’s latest book delivers an array of wisdom and comment in his unique and at times quirky entertaining style. The book strips angling back to basics in the first few chapters adding clarity to tactics that will sharpen any anglers approach to the varied waters into which lines are cast.
The design of the book certainly oozes tradition and it is in many ways a timeless tome packed with information for anglers making their first tentative casts or reflecting upon a life time searching for that connection with those creatures that dwell within a fascinating and mysterious realm.
Dom is a multi-discipline angler like myself and I can relate to much within the book and found myself benefitting from the straight forward analysis of angling. It also stimulated my own thoughts on why we fish and its wider benefits.
As those darker winter nights approach it is a book well worth delving into deserving a place on any anglers bookshelf. My own personal favourite section is perhaps the Fishing and Culture section that celebrates anglings rich history and mythology.
It is a book that will never become outdated for its key themes are the timeless essence of angling through the ages.
Weekly Angling Report -October 23rd 2025
posted in: Articles, At the Waters Edge, Casting around North Devon, Coarse Fishing, Game Fishing, Lure Fishing, Match Fishing, Sea Angling, Sidebar |
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UNDERWOOD SECURES WIN AT BIDEFORD CLUB WATER
Bideford Angling Clubs monthly Coarse Match on their home water was won by Nathan Underwood with 84lb 2oz. Runner up was Darren Polden with 52lb 12oz and third Keith Mountjoy with 39lb 14oz.
Jamie Steward caught a stunning lure caught bass of 71cm to give him a narrow lead in Combe Martin SAC’s lure fishing league sponsored by High Street Tackle, Ilfracombe with five bass for 353cm. The league ends on October 31st with several members in contention. Runner up spot is currently held by Mark Drewer with five bass for 351cm and Seth Tuson third with five bass for. 347.5cm.
Combe Martin SAC members have been catching specimen mullet from the North Devon Coastline with Daniel Welch catching a 4lb 2oz specimen and Graham Snow a specimen of 4lb 1.5oz.
The Fluff Chucker’s Fly Fishing Group followed up on a successful Brown Trout Masters series with a West Country Grayling Cup hosted by the Arundell on the Devon and Cornwall border. Roger Truscott once again demonstrated his skill with the Fly Rod winning the event with a fine grayling of 45cm. Runner up was Rodney Wevill. Winner of the morning session was Gary Brazier and Ozzie Gough winner of the afternoon session.
Grayling offer winter sport on a limited number of rivers across Devon with the Arundell waters offering fishing on the Tamar and its tributaries. The Upper Exe waters controlled by the Dulverton Anglers Association offer several miles of fishing for these ladies of the stream.
Bulldog Fishery is in fine form with big brown trout, spartic’s and rainbows being caught. The venue is launching its winter competition program of events with the first competition this Sunday.
Several North Devon based anglers have travelled to Cornwall and South Devon ports to sample the exciting tuna fishing that is currently thriving to bring a welcome boost to local economies. I joined four good friends out of Looe to share an awesome angling adventure that saw us bring nine tuna to the boats side all between 200lb and 300lb. The power of these fish is immense and a true test of an anglers stamina. It is truly amazing to witness such an abundance of life as these magnificent fish feast upon a shoal of fish along with dolphins and sea birds. It is to be hoped that this valuable catch and release big game fishery can thrive and focus minds on the long term conservation of our coastal waters.
Fluff Chuckers / Arundell Grayling Cup 2025
Overall winner Roger Truscott
Biggest fish of the day. Roger Truscott
Winner of Morning Session Gary Brazier
Runner up Rodney Wevill
Winner of afternoon session Ozzie Gough
Runner up. Graham Alcock Smith
Many thanks to Ozzie Gough for his account of the competition below :-
We had an early meet at The Arundell hotel on a cold but thankfully dry autumn day. Meeting with both new and old faces, who had the same keen expression upon their faces. And after a lovely bap we split into groups and sessions, Everyone geared up and hit the river. I pulled home beat for the afternoon session and was paired with a lovely chap named Philip Hoskins. After conducting Philip for his AM session I quickly realised it wasn’t going to be an easy session at all with Phil covering the water thoroughly and only managing a few small par and a lovely but out of season brownie of about 25cm. I geared my self up with 2 methods-euro nymph and Clink’n’dink. After covering water with reasonable efficiency and missing a few bites and with the clock running down. I dialled down my gear for simplicity and with the goal of 1 good grayling I put on a heavier self tied nymph to try get down to the bottom of the pool and after a few casts I got into my first scorable fish which was a lovely 30cm grayling which massively boosted my confidence after a lost grayling and an OOS trouts. After that with not long to go I covered a few more pools but to no avail. We headed up to the hotel as the rain began to come down and met with other anglers and realised the day had been a real struggle for the majority catching a fish or unfortunately blanking. However 1 man did extremely well and landed a 45cm grayling on his first ever session targeting them, so well done Roger and congratulations on winning the event . I was extremely pleased to get second place and was privileged to be a part of the event. A massive thanks to Rodney Wevill for all his hard work setting up such an incredible event. And I cannot wait for the next one.
Lower Tamar Multi Species Success
David Bastian has been having a great time down at Lower Tamar, not only getting amongst the Carp but also enjoying some great multi species angling with catching numbers of cracking Bream, Roach and Perch, demonstrating what a fantastic venue Lower is.
Looking back at a project that has brought joy to many……Great Memories
Neilsen Jeffery shared this post on Facebook today and he has kindly allowed me to share here on North Devon Angling News.
It’s a really positive post showing how flourishing Bideford Angling Lakes started since being dug out of a field over twenty years ago. Credit must go to Nielsen and Paul Carter of the Environment Agency who worked closely and tirelessly to create a lasting legacy.
On a personal level it brings home how long I have been contributing to the local angling scene with my reporting in the NDJ and here on North Devon Angling News.
Since this endeavour Neilson has continued to build angling opportunities with Horwood Lakes offering excellent fishing for both match and pleasure anglers.
Neilsens post
One good thing I’ve found out today about moving house is that you go through everything tucked away in the loft, I came across these great memories from 20 years ago when I actually had a bit of hair
and I took on a massive challenge to build a lake for the local club solely helped by Paul Carter from the EA three years later it was completed and three years of bloody hard work I might add, however a great achievement if I might say so myself and very proud
and I took on a massive challenge to build a lake for the local club solely helped by Paul Carter from the EA three years later it was completed and three years of bloody hard work I might add, however a great achievement if I might say so myself and very proudFirst photo L-R
Danny Hill
Paul Carter
Simon McCarthy
Andy Merrick
Myself
Andy Grey
Dave Lewis
CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF ANGLERS PARADISE
A few words from Zenia at Anglers Paradise
CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF ANGLERS PARADISE 
What a great weekend it was…literally Fun…Fishing and Friends! The party went down a storm, our Chef Paul Casey did a great job with the food, Emma Knight did us proud with her live performance of beautiful acoustic music 
to start the night, great live music in the bar and then one hell of a disco!! People danced, got merry and most importantly enjoyed celebrating 40 years of Anglers Paradise! It was lovely to have special friends attend in the likes of Mark and Judith Pitchers, Dean Macey, Daryl Hodges and Ian Jones from Dynamite, the GoCatch Team, Bob Roberts & Sue, Bill and Virginia Rushmer and of course all our amazing guests that joined us for the party of the year!! We are pleased to say that the GoCatch Team have filmed the Weekend’s shenanigans and we can’t wait to see it and share it with you all! Thank you to all that joined us in making it a weekend to remember…
WINNERS 
OF THE 40TH CELEBRATION OF ANGLERS PARADISE DYNAMITE 
SPECIES CHALLENGE!
OF THE 40TH CELEBRATION OF ANGLERS PARADISE DYNAMITE SPECIES CHALLENGE!Well, not only did we party like it was 1985 last weekend but we also had a Species Challenge amongst the party goers! The baliffs said it was like watching Tom and Jerry around the Lakes!
The results and Winners were –
1st PlaceDAN WILLIAMS-SHARPE – 10 Species
DAN WILLIAMS-SHARPE – 10 Species2nd PlaceSAM WAHID – 8 Species (caught from 4 different Lakes)
SAM WAHID – 8 Species (caught from 4 different Lakes)3rd Place MARK HAWITT – 8 Species (caught from 3 different Lakes)
MARK HAWITT – 8 Species (caught from 3 different Lakes)Great angling boys! Congratulations and well done to you all!
Catch sheets are in the comments!
A MASSIVE THANK YOU to Dynamite Baits for the AMAZING Prizes that the winners went home with (cars were definitely full on departure!!)
Thank you to Alex Lister for helping with the Presentation and being a representative for Dynamite 
OAKTREE FISHERY – FISHING MATCH
REMEMBERING GEORGE
Oaktree Fishery are holding a celebration of the life of the late, great George Eury who sadly passed away earlier this year.
The celebration will take the form of a fishing match with all profits going to Devon Air Ambulance
Places are expected to go fast so get your name down asap for a great cause
Plenty of prizes, breakfast and dinner available!! For full details simply click the link below
A Danglers Diary – September 2025
posted in: Articles, At the Waters Edge, Coarse Fishing, Game Fishing, Sea Angling, Sidebar, Uncategorised |
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I sometimes wonder what anglers want to read on North Devon Angling News in addition to the latest news from around the region. I thought it might be worthwhile taking a look back at the beginning of each month at the venues I have fished over the preceding month and the triumphs and trials I have encountered.
In early September Pauline and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary. It is a testament to Pauline that she has accepted my obsession with angling throughout those fiorty plus years supporting me great with patience. (Most of the time; for there are times when I have undoubtedly overstepped the mark a little).
We celebrated at the Tarr Steps Inn beside the glorious River Barle that once teemed with salmon during the Autumn months. I remember catching a silver grilse on the day of Princess Diana’s funeral back in 1997. The river like many has suffered a dramatic decline in its salmon stocks though its wild brown trout are still abundant.
In the Exmoor Town of Dulverton it was good to see minnows shoaling in the leat that runs past Rothwell & Dunsworth the book shop that always has a tempting array of fishing books.
The Glorious Wye
Whilst the River Wye in Herefordshire frequently makes the headlines regarding effluent from Chicken farms and agriculture it is still a beautiful rIver. its salmon runs have plummeted but it is still home to some wonderful Coarse fish. I extracted a few bronze flanked chub on a trip in the middle of September.
Evening light on a tranquil Wye.
HOME WATERS
The quiver tip back on home ground…
CORNISH REEF
The annual trip to fish in the Looe Basher was once again an enjoyable excursion visiting familar haunts.
Spectacular red gurnard
Broken tips for two!
IN HOPE OF SALMON
THOSE WILD BROWNS ALWAYS OBLIGE
The beauty of a wild brown trout from the higher reaches of a local river.
Many thanks to Anglers Paradise for inviting Pauline and I to their 40 year celebrations.