River Mole polluters not off the hook yet
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Please see below the latest report from SWLT. Not included in the report but shown in the pictures are several coarse fish landed by Fly Fisherman. These coarse fish can offer excellent sport with carp present in Roadford, Colliford and Kennick. Large numbers of Rudd also offer great sport at Wistlandpound and Stithians. Large perch are also present at Roadford where lure fishing boats are available.
All of the South West Lakes Trust trout fisheries continue to be operated under strict Covid-19 restrictions, in line with the Angling Trust and Government guidelines. At the time of writing, the on-site permit huts are still not yet open, so day tickets, season tickets and boats should be pre-booked online (www.swlakestrust.org.uk/trout-fishing). Water levels are currently about 90% full.
Fishing:
Kennick – The month proved to be one of very mixed weather, with some very hot bright days, followed by heavy rain and winds – the main overriding feature was of warm muggy conditions, and water temperatures gradually rising (to 19º), which in many cases drove the lethargic fish to deeper cooler water, with boat anglers tending to achieve the best results. In spite of plentiful hatches of sedges, buzzers, and damsels, surface feeding was mainly restricted to early mornings and late evenings. Generally intermediate or sinking lines with a slow retrieve proved to be the most successful method, with a wide selection of nymph and lure patterns all working well, although the occasional floating pattern (Claret Snaffler, Black Gnat, Daddies and Hoppers) did bring fish to the surface, with fish well spread out over the lake. Mark Skelley enjoyed a great dry fly session during a buzzer hatch, catching six rainbows between 2 and 3lbs, as well as a beautiful 2lb brown. Matt Baines had great sport from a float tube, catching nine 2lb rainbows; Adam Dale caught six 2lb rainbows using a Booby fished from a boat on a sinking line.
Siblyback – A tough month’s fishing at Siblyback produced disappointing results, particularly at the beginning and end of the month. The majority of fish caught were taken from Stocky Bay or North Bay (from a boat), with most of the action in the late afternoon or early evening. A slow retrieved Bibio on a floating line produced a 2lb rainbow and an 8oz brown for Andy Dexter, while Phil Messenger-Roberts caught five rainbows up to 2lb 4oz.
Burrator – The fishing proved challenging this month, with the warm conditions making the fish lethargic and not keen to feed, although sport did improve toward the end of the month. A variety of methods worked, and fish were caught on both floating and sinking lines, with a variety of retrieval speeds. Longstone and Pig Trough Bay produced the best fishing, with both nymph (Buzzers, Hares Ears, and Damsels) and lure patterns (Persuader, Kennick Killer, and Woolly Bugger) catching fish. The best fish caught in the month was a 3lb rainbow caught by Jon Rood; M. Cekella caught three rainbows to 2lb 8oz.
Stithians – The fishing improved at Stithians, with weekly averages up to 2.11 fish per angler, and fish chasing fry in the margins. Pipe Bay, Goonlaze Point, Pub Bay, Chapel Bay as well as the deeper water by the dam all produced good sport, with a wide selection of dry, nymph and lure (including fry) patterns all catching fish, and floating line and washing-line tactics working well. Simon Peters (from Truro) enjoyed two excellent sessions, catching seven rainbows to 2lb in one, and two rainbows and three browns to 1lb 8oz four days later, using a washing-line set up (FAB on point, with Daddies and Hoppers) and slow figure-of-eight retrieve. Simon Peters caught 11 rainbows using a Damsel Nymph.
Colliford – The warm conditions did nothing to deter the eager feeding brown trout at Colliford, with anglers enjoying an overall monthly average of 4.2 fish per rod. Fish were well spread out around the lake (the best approach here is to keep on the move and cover as much water as possible), and floating lines were the most productive approach, with a selection of dry patterns (Beetles, Hoppers, Sedges, and Black Gnats), nymphs (Hares Ears, Damsels, and Bibios), and some lures (Black Tadpoles and Cormorants) as well as pulled Soldier Palmers all catching well. Dean Boucher caught twenty eight fish in two visits, using a red Hopper and foam Beetle. Chris Tillyard caught fourteen fish in two sessions using a dry Hares Ear and a Black Spider pattern; Chris also caught nine browns to 30cm on dries on another visit, and 5 browns to 33cm using a Silver Sedge dry and a Soldier Palmer Snatcher on yet another session.
Fernworthy – The fishing improved as the month progressed (the conditions were too hot earlier), and fish started to feed near the surface (mainly on Buzzers and Sedges). Thornworthy Bank and the South Bank proved to be the most productive locations, with Black Gnats, Midges, Beetles, Dry Sedges, Hawthornes, and Bibios fished on a slowly retrieved floating line producing the best results. Simon Madden caught a 2lb brown using a Damsel Nymph, Clive Garland (from Bampton) caught nine browns on a dry sedge, and Patrick Murphy (from Plymouth) caught six browns on a team of midges.
Roadford – The middle of the month produced the best results at Roadford, when anglers averaged just under four fish per rod. Daveys Bank, Gaddacombe, and the deeper water by the dam all fished well. Sub-surface patterns produced the best results, with either nymphs (Damsels, Montanas, Bibios, Buzzers, and Daiwl Bachs) or dark lures (Black Tadpoles, Black Wooly Buggers) producing the best results. Jamie Gillman (from Plymouth) caught ten browns to 2lbs using a Diawl Bach; Duncan Kier (from Belstone) caught eight browns to 2lb 8oz; Dean Boucher caught twelve browns in two sessions, all on a floating line.
Please visit the South West Lakes Trust website (www.swlakestrust.org.uk/trout-fishing) for details on ticket prices, fishery information, clubs, competitions, and boat availability.
A lack of rain has undoubtedly contributed to another poor season on North Devon’s rivers with salmon and sea trout numbers below expectation. As the last month of the season looms anglers will be hoping for a big spate to bring in the fish that are hopefully waiting in the estuary. Good sport in last few weeks can very often restore many an anglers season.
Ian Blewett tempted this stunning River Taw salmon on Size 12 Stoat’s tail. The fish was hooked in the fading light of dusk and eventually unhooked and released after darkness had descended. An exciting encounter in what Ian described as a poor season so far.
President: Lord Clinton
Chairman: Paul Ashworth Secretary:
Charles Inniss Beeches
Sheepwash Beaworthy
Devon
EX21 5NW
tel: 01409231237
NEWSREEL: SUMMER 2021:
The Annual Dinner and Raffle: will take place at The Half Moon Inn, Sheepwash on Saturday 25th September. Please book direct with The Half Moon. Tel: 01409231376. e-mail: [email protected]
The Half Moon has recently changed hands and the new owners, Haydn Beynon and his wife Kim are keen to meet as many of you as possible. They want to retain The Half Moon as a traditional fishing inn and in particular wish to encourage newcomers to take up river fly fishing. Our new fishery officer, Callum Underhill, will be joining us and is looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible.
The Hatchery: it’s that time of the year again: in early November we will be trapping the broodstock of five hens and five cocks. This winter we are again planning to rear 30,000 swim-up fry to stock out into the headwaters next spring. After the disappointment of not being able to operate last year, the EA are happy for us to run our hatchery this year with 50% of our eggs being grown on to “swim-up” fry at the Colliford hatchery in Cornwall.
The season so far: it’s been an unusual year. An exceptionally cold and dry April was followed by a month of incessant rain and not until early June did the river come into good fishing condition. Because of the Covid restrictions there have not been so many visiting anglers but several large sea trout over 5lb have been caught by those fishing after dark: mostly from middle river beats. An 8lb bass was recently caught in the weir pool at Beam!!
The AGM: the agm could not be held this year, but all being well will take place next spring.
SUBSCRIPTIONS: most of the £20 subscriptions for this year have now been paid. Thank you all very much. I would be grateful to receive the few that are outstanding. Please make cheques payable to the Torridge Fishery Association and forward to me at the above address. If paying by BACS: a/c no: 0082770: sort code: 51 70 16. Ref: Torridge Owners Association. Raffle ticket money and subs can be paid with one cheque.
We look forward to seeing many of you at the dinner: it is always a most enjoyable evening.
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
Mole Pollution Incident July 2019 – EA Prosecution
In the recent prosecution brought by the Environment Agency the guilty pleas were appropriate and not unexpected. The fines however, appear derisory – £2,000 and £667 against a fish kill of around 16,400. These fines don’t reflect the severity of the incident, the damage done to our fish stocks and the ecology of the Mole. Where is the deterrent message to the farming community at a time of poor water quality in our rivers which remain under continuing threat from unsafe farming practices?
See link to EA press release below
We are pleased that the EA carried out a successful prosecution, but extremely disappointed with the final outcome.
Andy Gray, Chairman, RTFCA
This year we have received a number of reports of wild Atlantic salmon exhibiting ventral haemorrhaging consistent with Red Skin Disease (RSD). We are monitoring the situation on all our major salmon rivers and working with partners across the UK to better understand its cause and impact. We have been collating reports of skin lesions in wild salmonids from across England and have issued regular guidance to our staff, anglers and stakeholders on what to look out for, what to do if disease is suspected, and the need to report any cases to us promptly. We are also working closely with colleagues in Natural Resources Wales to monitor and collate reports. We have had no reported cases of mortality associated with ventral haemorrhaging in wild salmonids in England, but have received reports of a small number of fish caught by anglers showing changes consistent with RSD. Our staff who operate salmon traps as part of our national index monitoring programme have also observed a small number of cases. We are asking anglers to be vigilant but not to remove or handle any fish in distress. Also for anglers to carefully take photographs of fish exhibiting any unusual marks if safe to do so, to practice good biosecurity, and to adhere to our guidance on disinfection or to ‘Clean, Check, Dry’ equipment after fishing and before moving to other waters. To report dead or dying fish, please contact our incident hotline immediately: 0800 80 70 60. For further information on RSD please contact our National Fisheries Laboratory: 02084 745244 or 07825 111723 / [email protected] |
The North Devon company that caused a pollution incident leading to a devastating fish kill on the River Mole near South Molton has been fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £9,836 in costs.
The charges:
A J Sing and Son Ltd pleaded guilty to the following offence:
Between 29 July 2019 and 1 August 2019 on land at Gortonhill Moors, South Molton you caused a water discharge activity not under or to the extent authorised by an environmental permit, namely by the deposit of organic matter derived from an anaerobic digestion plant on to said land, which subsequently entered the river Mole. Contrary to Regulations 12(1)(b) and 38(1) (a) Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.
Ryan Adams pleaded guilty to the following offence:
Between 29 July 2019 and 1 August 2019 on land at Gortonhill Moors, South Molton A J Sing and Son Limited caused a water discharge activity not under or to the extent authorised by an environmental permit, namely by the deposit of organic matter derived from an anaerobic digestion plant onto said land, which subsequently entered the river Mole and said water discharge activity was caused by an act or default on your part. Contrary to regulations 12(1)(b) and 38(6) Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.
COMMENT – North Devon Angling News
Many anglers and conservationists are appalled at the paltry fine issued following a court case relating to a devastating fish kill on the River Mole. The EA estimated that 15,600 fish were killed.
The River Mole is one of North Devon’s premier game fishing rivers a major tributary of the River Taw. Over recent seasons the River Taw Fisheries & Conservation Association have invested and assisted in major schemes to improve the river habitat and improve upstream migration. This destruction of a pristine river environment will impact upon the river for years to come.
After a long and protracted court case and extensive work by the EA the outcome is appalling. The rivers are vital arteries that flow through our countryside and this generation owes it to those who follow us to ensure a healthy environment. Salmon and sea trout are iconic species that are a barometer to the health of our world. The destruction of habitat should in my view be severely punished to deter any future negligence in agricultural practice.
For more information on the River Taw Fisheries & Conservation Association click on below link.
Several North Devon sea anglers expressed concern when they spotted large numbers of net floats in the area off North Devon’s headlands. Rumours spread rapidly that this could be illegal fishing activity. A call to the local Environment Agency confirmed that the nets were part of an important research programme to help protect salmon and sea trout stocks. The SAMARCH Project Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust . www.gwct.org.uk For further information on this project visit https://www.samarch.org
SAMARCH is a five-year project with a grant of €5.8m from the EU’s France (Channel) England Interreg Channel programme.
The SAMARCH project will :
There is close working between the IFCAs and the EA in coastal waters with the EA focussing on migratory fish within I believe six miles off the coast. Anglers are urged to contact the EA on 0800807060 if they have any concerns regarding illegal fishing or pollution.
I was delighted to receive this wonderful image of Graham Dunn fishing the Middle Torridge during the early dawn. During these hot summer days it’s better to be at the waters edge either at first or last light as the temperature is more comfortable and the fish more likely to take. During this short trip Graham tempted a dace, five brown trout and a sea trout all carefully released with minimal handling.
