A Day with the Fluff Chuckers

The calm expanse of Chew Valley Lake on an Autumn morning is an inspiring location to start a day if you are an angler. I have fished this renowned water on numerous occasions with mixed success but always relish the challenge that it provides. The water renowned for its huge pike brings a mixed response for as with all famous waters it brings with it the politics and traits of human nature born of egos and a desire to succeed.

I first fished the water for pike during the season it first opened to this branch of the sport and remember those early trips with fondness. Early morning breakfasts in the Lodge prior to loading the boats with tackle. The room packed with the big names of the day; legends of the pike and specimen angling world.

Even then the fishing wasn’t always easy despite the headlines in the angling press. Plenty of twenties, lots of thirties and even a few forties. These fish made the news but nobody read of the blank sessions that demoralised those who went to the lake expecting the fish of their dreams.

The seasoned specimen hunter eagerly spent hours on the phone trying to secure a day on the water that is presently run by Bristol Water. In those days there was a certain amount of friction between the trout fishers and the pikers. Fortunately, I think those days have to some extent gone as the angling world contracts and different disciplines to some extent diverge.

I had joined an online Facebook Group named the Fluff Chucker’s after speaking with my good friend Bruce Elston who is like me an all-round angler and occasional fly fisher. A species competition at Chew Valley Lake armed with the Fly Rods sounded fun so I messaged Bruce and suggested we give it a try.

And so, we found ourselves at Chew Valley Lake as the morning mist lifted from the water and low cloud hung in the autumn sky. An eager group of anglers assembled tackle and climbed into the flotilla of boats. The lakes surface was mirror calm with barely a breath of wind.

The boats headed off to various areas of the water as anglers used their intimate knowledge of the lake or followed their instincts. Bruce and I were somewhere between the two as we had both fished the lake on numerous occasions and knew the topography well.

We spent the first hour exploring the deep water in front of the Lodge hoping for a perch or trout without success. Deciding that we should get a pike under our belts we headed off to fish the shallower weedy areas where we expected to find the pike.

Casting a big pike fly into the vast waters of Chew Valley Lake is always filled with expectation and hope. The fish of dreams dwell within and each cast has the potential to connect so it is always particularly thrilling when the line draws tight as a pike hits the fly.

It only took a few casts before that exhilarating pull came as a jack hit the fly giving a spirited tussle before sliding over the rim of Bruce’s capacious net.

Pike came steadily to our flies throughout the day. I used a large black lure with marabou that pulsed tantalizingly as it was retrieved. Bruce swapped and changed using various pike fly patterns tempting several pike throughout the day. To be honest I’m not too convinced the choice of fly is that important when targeting pike. I just persist with a fly I have confidence in hoping I drop it in front of a feeding pike. Depth, speed of retrieve probably more important than the actual pattern?

We ended up sharing a haul of eight pike between us nothing over 5lb but good fun.

The trout proved harder to tempt. Bruce had a rainbow chase a large white pike fly which inspired me to try stripping a white cat’s whisker. Bang! A hard fighting rainbow trout of just under 3lb.

A steady stream of posts appeared on the phones telling of big pike and a few rainbows. The thought of that big pike lurking in wait somewhere kept us fishing hard until the competition closed at close to 5:30pm.

By now I think most anglers knew the result. The biggest pike caught was an impressive 28lb. Many thanks to Rodney Wevill, Jethro Binns, Bristol Water and Orvis for putting the event together.

Reconnecting with anglings simple pleasures

I was pleased to take my friend Rick fishing at Horwood Lakes taking advantage of the Angling Trust & Environment Agencies joint Take a Friend Fishing Campaign.

Rick had not cast a line since 1985 and had been inspired to return to the water’s edge after reading my book “ I Caught A Glimpse”. We started off taking a walk around the the venue with fishery manager Neilsen Jeffery who has transformed the lakes in over a decade of hard work. Trees and rushes have been planted around the lakes perimeter where we observed several large hawk moth caterpillars feasting upon the willow leaves. These were collected from the juvenile willows and moved to the more mature willows on the upper Lake.

Swallows and martins swooped over the water as the summer sun beat down upon the reed fringed waters.

We set up in adjacent swims and selected a float from a float box that contained a pleasing array of balsa floats that had not seen the light of day for close to forty years.

The depth was set so that a grain of sweetcorn rested lightly upon the lakes bottom. A handful of corn was sprinkled around the float. Moments later the float bobbed and disappeared, a tiny tench was swung ashore for a smiling angler reconnected immediately to the joys of angling.

 

After an hour catching tiddler’s we spotted a few larger carp slurping down offerings of floating crust. Repositioning the weights to sit beneath the float we cast out segments of crust.

The carp toyed with the offerings often rejecting our hook-bait whilst devouring the free offerings. Persistence paid off though and throughout the day we caught half a dozen carp each the biggest an immaculate common carp its flanks glowing bronze and gold in the late summer sunshine.

It was a perfect day’s fishing using simple tactics that should be savoured by all anglers from time to time.

Peaceful corner

As we left the fishery we paused for a moment to reflect upon the memorial to young lives lost when a Wellington Bomber crashed nearby during the Second World War.

 

Horwood Fishery.
Set in rolling rural Farmland.
2 Stunning Lakes very well Stocked with just carp and tench.
Bottom Lake :-
Carp to double figures ranging from 2 lb to 19lb
Tench up to 3.5lb.
Top Lake:-
Carp ranging from 1lb to 19lb
small tench (lots of )
Drive to your peg so no walking ,
Come and relax at what are 2 stunning lakes .
Limited membership is available at £30 for the year from Neilsen Jeffery (phone 01237 421123) Please Note there are no day tickets available for this water.

Ben Smeeth Leaves South West Lakes Trust

South West Lakes Trusts head of Coarse Fishing Ben Smeeth is leaving the trust after close to twenty years of sterling service. Ben will be missed by many in the angling community having contributed to a thriving Coarse fishing portfolio that includes several of North Devon’s favourite angling venues.

Ben Smeeth pictured at Upper Tamar Lake

 

“After nearly 20 years with the Trust it is time for a new challenge. I have made many friends and have worked with some fantastic colleagues during that time and am very grateful for the opportunities I have been given within the organisation. I feel very lucky to have worked on and around the amazing lakes for so long and I am very proud of the achievements that have been made. I am leaving to take up a fishery manager role with another organisation but leave with a heavy heart. I wish everyone at SW Lakes and everyone I have come to know during my time here a very happy, safe and prosperous future.
Ben Smeeth – Visitor Experience Manager North / Head of Coarse Fishing.”

Environment Agency – North Devon’s New Fishery Officer

The East Lyn River is one of my favourite locations a beautiful river that holds an array of personal angling memories accumulated over forty years. I arranged to catch up with North Devon’s new Environment Agency Fishery Officer Callum Underhill so this venue seemed a logical location to meet up and exchange notes.

 

Callum is filling the shoes of Paul Carter who retired from the Environment Agency after more than three decades patrolling and safeguarding North Devons waters. It was immediately apparent that Callum brings a great deal of dedication and passion to the role that involves a vast patch of North Devon with the Rivers Taw, Torridge and Lyn at the heart of operations.

A keen coarse angler originating from Somerset he is keen to expand his angling forays to include both Fly Fishing and Sea Angling. Before moving to the South West Callum worked as a fishery officer in the Midlands.

We walked the Lyn exchanging many fishy tales and lamenting the decline in salmon and sea trout stocks across the region. In particular we discussed the fabulous East Lyn and its excellent wild brown trout fishing that is available at a very reasonable £5.00 per day. This season has also seen several salmon caught and released close to 10lb.

We discussed a vast range of issues relating to North Devon including law enforcement, pollution, Climate change, regulations, Rod Licences and bylaws. We also discussed coastal issues and the work of IFCA and the overlap in responsibilities. Callum has a vast knowledge of the issues and the politics behind them and will I am sure prove a vital asset to North Devon assisting both anglers and conservation interests.

Anglers are encouraged to report any concerns regarding illegal fishing activity, poaching or pollution to the Environment Agency

Incident hotline
Telephone: 0800 80 70 60
24-hour service

 

 

Zenia banks new personal best catfish

posted in: Coarse Fishing, Sidebar | 0
Zenia Gregorek posted this on her social media page.
My buddy “Scar Face” the Catfish! A few pounds bigger than last year making her my new personal best Catfish at 37lbs.
“As always she gave me a great fight and it was great to see her again, I definitely have a special bond with this fish, she’s a precious one to me that’s for sure!!

Bideford and District Angling Club Junior Competition No.4. :

Bideford Angling Club have done a sterling job in helping to promote angling amongst their Junior membership throughout the summer.
Results :
1st Thomas Scott  15lb 14oz
2nd Mia Bell 10lb 4oz
3rd Tyler Scott  10lb
4th Lilly Bell 9lb 14oz
5th Adam Wheeler  8lb 9oz
6th Charlie Heddon 6lb 5oz .
Lucky, the pessimistic weather forecast proved unfounded , and our Juniors enjoyed another lovely afternoon on Georges lake . Thomas fished the pole on peg 17 with corn for a great net of skimmers to win the last match of the series. Mia fished her first match on peg 16 and added a 3lb carp to her net of tench to finish 2nd. The final points tally resulted in a draw in the over 14’s for first place between the Scott brothers , 56 points apiece.Count back on weigh saw Thomas take the Gold medal. In the under 14’s category Charlie Heddon collected Gold with 42 points.
Huge well done to all competitors and helpers for making this event possible. Thanks to BaitTech, for generous donations of prizes , Mervyn Beal for sponsoring the medals also to Summerlands for their support.

QUAY SPORTS – RECRUITING STAFF

Quay Sports are looking for experienced anglers to join their friendly team  at their new fishing tackle store – See Advert post below –

Job description

Company description

Quay Sports is a fishing tackle shop catering for all types of angling including carp, coarse, sea and game. We aim to provide a wide and extensive range of fishing tackle to the Devon area and online.

Job description

Quay Sports fishing tackle store require an enthusiastic and keen angler with an all-round knowledge of carp, coarse, match, sea & game fishing. Our busy Barnstaple based store needs another team member to help with daily tasks such as serving customers, offering guidance to customers, re-stocking and managing inventory, entering products onto a database, and various other store related jobs.

A good knowledge of angling is essential as we would expect the successful applicant to be able to offer advice to the customers on all aspects of angling.

Previous customer facing experience and I.T experience would also be advantageous.

We are looking for someone that has an approachable and cheerful character to fit in with our established and well harmonised team.

This is a permanent full time position with 28 days paid leave per annum.

In return we can offer an attractive salary working in a sector that you would love, great staff discounts and working within a friendly team.

Applications should include your CV but most importantly you’re angling knowledge and experience.

Reference ID: QS-1

Application deadline: 09/07/2021

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: From £16,700.00 per year depending on experience.

Applications should be initially by email to [email protected].

QUAY SPORTS – OPENS ITS DOORS

QUAY SPORTS  – Opened on Saturday, June,26th with its staff greeting over 100 customers.

Chris Connaughton & Nick Cole at Quay Sports

I called into the newly opened Quay Sports conveniently located on the Roundswell Industrial Estate close to Lidl’s and Sainsbury’s. To find an extensive range of tackle to cater for all disciplines and levels of expertise. The company has already established a strong online presence with its Roddarch Tackle label and is expanding to offer an over the counter service for local anglers. Owner Mark Potter is supported by store manager Chris Connaughton who is well known on the local carp scene. Nick Cole is a keen sea angler. Local companies like Lakebed Leads are well represented along with many mainstream brands. One of the benefits of a tackle shop is the increased interaction between anglers with rigs, tactics and locations often hot topics. There is also the advantage of being able to see and handle the available tackle before purchasing.

The shop offers a discount to all blue light emergency service workers. They also produce a guide to fishing for beginners at a cost of 50p with all proceeds going to the Children’s Hospice.