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. 
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
Always good to get the target species… an 8lb plus huss
The Arundell for an excellent talk by author John Bailey fishing consultant for the Mortimer and Whitehouse Gone Fishing Programme
The River Lyd running high as a new season approaches.
The Arundell Arms is a 300 year old Coaching Inn set in West Devon that is at the heart of the West Country Fly Fishing Scene. The Arundell has a rich fishing history and has hosted many influential anglers and gifted literary scholars during its history as one of England’s precious country hotels.
On the evening of February 28th Pauline and I joined with friends to listen to a talk by the well known angling author John Bailey who is also the lead angling consultant in the popular BBC Two series, Mortimer & Whitehouse : Gone Fishing.
I have many of John Baileys angling books and my favourite is ‘Travels with a Two Piece’ published in 1985. The book takes the reader on a journey around the UK with John and his trusty vintage split cane fly rod. Within the pages of this delightful book are stories of fishing in the West Country with particular relevance to the Tamar and its tributaries. The magic of night fishing for the wily sea trout of the Lyd are encapsulated in this pleasing prose from the book. “ The pool lies under the gloom and disorder of Gathered Wood. There is a silence there, enough to hear the small brown trout moving on the shallows, so silent you fancy you hear the moon above slowly spin in the sky, the owl float in the air or the mists actually rise from the meadow dips. There is a magic in the very earth this night.”
In the forty odd years since these words were written much has changed in this world and yet the rivers still flow and anglers still fish these waters hoping to connect with the wild fish that swim within.
In 2025 John revisited these waters as part of the Gone Fishing Team and his talk described in detail the processes involved in the production of this highly popular program its vital human element and the dynamics between its three main characters, Bob, Paul and Ted the dog. The entertaining and informative talk was delivered with a liberal sprinkling of humour. The genuine warmth and honesty of the show emphasised throughout.
There are many who watch Gone Fishing who are not anglers and yet they are entranced by the adventures of Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse as they cast their lines into waters across the UK and beyond. The program focuses on wild fish from wild waters a factor that is undoubtedly a reflection of John’s passion for such waters.
I expressed to John my belief that one aspect that makes the show so popular is that it relays the joys of companionship at the water’s edge and doesn’t actually take the fishing too seriously. For whilst John is a dedicated angler like myself many non- anglers would fail to grasp the depth and passion involved.
Wild rivers their value and the value of wild fish was discussed in depth along with the complex links between angling the community and the environment.
The impact of a changing society upon angling for young people was debated at length. I’m sure that many in the audience related to a time when children would fish alone and learn for themselves. Both John and myself could relate to a childhood spent at the water’s edge wandering free without fear in what is now a distant age. Few of today’s youth are likely to enjoy such freedoms.
The Arundell is a special place steeped in history and a tranquil oasis from the troubled world in which we live. After a delicious meal my wife and I retreated to the reading room its shelves abounding with angling and countryside titles in keeping with the hotels essence. There have undoubtedly been many interesting conversations within the timeless comfort of this room.
ANGLING REPORT
Flounder Season Conclusion
SHORE FISHING
Its starting to look a lot like Christmas at the local harbour and after a succession of dogfish a moderate Bull huss takes the bait.
TROUT FROM STILLWATERS
The Fluff Chucker’s Stillwater event is held on the calm waters of the Arundell’s lake. After coffee and bacon rolls a friendly competition is held and I am pleased to secure the biggest fish and runner up in the event netting eight trout the biggest brown trout of 43cm. Many thanks must go to Rodney Wevill who does the bulk of the work in organising these get togethers.
FLOUNDER FISHING
The Triple Hook Turkey Flounder Open is a popular fixture and its good to visit the estuary to dig a few ragworm before the competition. Angling certainly takes you to some interesting places.
The day of the competition coincides with the Winter Solstice and I savour the sunrise above Barnstaple as the tide ebbs. Skeins of geese fly over and the haunting cry of the curlew drifts through the morning air.
I even manage a brace of flounder the biggest of which secures turkey Christmas Dinner
Beach Fishing
Its Combe Martin SAC’s Festive Fish so I head out to fish a local beach sheltered from the bitter North East Wind I reel in a few dogfish and a small Bull huss. The best doggie is 2lb 7oz the biggest I have caught or a while.
PIKE FISHING
James and I spend a day exploring Tiverton Canal hoping to tempt pike or perch on lures. Its a bitter cold lazy east wind but after enjoying a full English at the appropriate Fishermans Cott we have a good day. A few small jacks follow the lures but we cannot get a hit. The kingfishers entertain and James manages to capture them with his camera.
Winter Mullet
On the last day of 2025 I fish for the elusive grey mullet. I glimpse a few good fish and the rod tip trembles a few times but I fail to connect. Its cold but there is not a breath of wind as the sun slowly sets on the year.
From Fly Fishing by Edward Grey of Fallodon (1930 Edition)
ANGLING REPORT
Flounder Season in full swing
The flounder season is in full swing with regular competitions being held in the estuary. Triple Hook Clubs South West Water Open was won by Robbie Hancock with a flounder of 1lb 71/2oz. Runner up was Steve Baker with a flounder of 1lb 67/8oz and Garry Vaughan third with a flounder of 1lb 61/4oz. Triple Hook Clubs Open last Sunday was won by Paul Ackland with a fine flounder of 1lb 111/4oz. Runner up was Mario Manley with a flounder of 1lb 63/8oz, third Mark Hancock was third with a flounder of 1lb 51/2oz and Kevin Hancock forth with a flounder of 1lb 41/2oz.
( Above) Paul Ackland won Bideford Angling Clubs monthly sea rover with a flounder scaling 1lb 121/2oz.
The estuary is also producing good numbers of bass with many being tempted with baits intended for flounder. Increased rainfall and colder weather is perhaps needed to result in increased catches of the humble flounder that provide easy fishing close to the town. One of the beauties of flounder fishing is that it can be enjoyed by anglers of all ages and abilities.
BASS FISHING
Jamie Steward has secured victory in Combe Martin SAC’s Lure Fishing League sponsored by High Street Tackle. The event ran from April 1st until October 31st with club members registering their top five lure caught bass. Jamie registered five bass for 354cm with Mark Drewer runner up with five bass for 351cm. The longest bass of 77cm was caught by Mark Drewer.
MATCH FISHING
Gary McClair won this year’s Stafford Moor November Silvers Festival with 31lb from Woodpecker Lake.
Bideford and District Angling Clubs team of fifteen travelled to Bude Canal for the second leg of their interclub match with Bude Angling Club. The match was a close run affair with Bude winning with 234 points to Bideford’s 230 points. Bideford secured overall victory carrying a thirty point advantage from the first heat held on their home water.
North Devon Match Group fished their latest Match at Oaktree Fishery where Paul Morris took top spot on the bottom lake with 62lb 10oz. Andy Preston was runner up with 38lb 2oz. On the top lake Nathan Underwood took top spot with 110lb 10oz. Daniel Underwood was runner up with 74lb 2oz.
Big trout continue to provide sport at Bulldog Trout Fishery with brown trout close to double figures featuring in recent catches. Mike Latham won the fisheries latest competition with six trout for 26lb 13oz. Nick Tamlin was runner up with six trout for 21lb 11oz and Ian Connabeer third with six trout for 13lb 10oz. Biggest fish of the day was a 9lb 10oz brown trout caught by Mike Latham.
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.
