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.
