NORTH DEVON RIVERS TO FEATURE ON BBC COUNTRYFILE

This Sunday’s forthcoming BBC Countryfile episode features North Devon’s Taw and Torridge the two major rivers that feature in Henry Williamson’s classic tomes, ‘Tarka The Otter’ , ‘Salar the Salmon’ and A Clear Water Stream. The program features interviews with prominent local anglers reflecting upon angling history, the iconic salmon and the efforts to ensure the future of these marvellous fish.

The ever cheerful Charles Inniss at the Half Moon with my wife Pauline.

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Charle Inniss returns a fine fresh salmon to the Torridge

Combe Martin SAC Fun Fish 2025

Hard to believe that another Combe Martin SAC Fun Fish has come and gone signalling the end of the Summer season in conjunction with the annual Sea-Ilfracombe Festival.

This popular event is very much what it says on the tin so to speak; a fun fishing event with few rules and the focus very much on family fun. Once again a big thank you from Combe Martin SAC for generous sponsorship from High Street Tackle, Ilfracombe Aquarium and Barnstaple Bait and Tackle.

This year’s event saw over twenty taking part with several young anglers catching or seeing their very first fish. The move to use lighter tackle and small barbless hooks has certainly boosted the catch rate ensuring that plenty of fish were tempted.

Nine species were caught including pollock, conger, blenny, red bream, tompot blenny, smelt, ballan wrasse, corkwing wrasse and poor cod. A good number of red sea bream were donated to Ilfracombe aquarium where they can be seen along with other fish caught on previous fun fishing events over recent years.

The Welch Family won a trip to Ilfracombe Aquarium that they kindly donated to runner up family Jesubaul and Becky Mringer. The longest fish was a 54cm conger caught by Louie Cameron and the heaviest a ballan wrasse of 1lb 1oz to the rod of Daniel Welch. The top individual points scorer was Ben Clarke with 25 points and Jesubaul runner up with 24 points.

Daniel Welch with the heaviest fish a ballan wrasse of 1lb 1oz
The Cameron Family with Archie (right) holding his brothers conger

The event cast off at 2.30pm as a strong swell surged close to the pier landings and a heavy shower threatened to dampen the spirits.

Fortunately the storm clouds soon drifted past and a vivid rainbow appeared off Hillsborough as bright blue skies brightened the rest of the afternoon.

Fish were caught from the start despite the murky water stirred up by heavy swells throughout the previous week. Four or five lobster were caught which is far more than any previous Fun fish. Another interesting feature was the large number of small red bream caught throughout the two hour long event.

Apologies if I have spelt any names wrong, a strong breeze, aging ears and a rain smeared score sheet undoubtedly contribute to any errors. Everyone who registered a fish took home a prize from our sponsors and in my view everyone who took part was a winner. I hope that those smiles convert just a few to enjoy the marvellous pastime that can forge a deep and lasting connection with the natural world.

Bulldog Carp

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Following a short closure to allow repairs to a water pipe Bulldogs Carp Lakes re-opened  and group of six anglers enjoyed great fishing on a lake exclusive. They banked 42 carp two of which where over 30lb one common 32lb 10oz and a mirror at 33lb 13oz loads of mid twenties and smallest being 9lb 6oz all lovely and strong fighting fish, “can’t thanks Nigel and Tom enough very welcoming and even done us burger and chips for our exclusive booking”.

 

WEEKLY ANGLING REPORT – August 28th 2025

            Members of Combe Martin SAC spent a day off Ilfracombe fishing on Daniel Welch’s boat Predator 2. Whilst the hoped for tope failed to show members found ten different species fishing on the seabed as cloudy water hampered lure fishing. The species caught included mackerel, scad, black bream, bull huss, smoothound, gurnard, conger, pollock, bass and dogfish.

             Combe Martin SAC host their annual fun fishing event this Sunday on Ilfracombe Pier with fishing starting at 2.30pm and ending at 4.30pm. This easy going event has been running for several years in conjunction with the Sea-Ilfracombe Festival. All young anglers should be accompanied by a responsible adult. The club would like to thank the ongoing support of High Street Tackle, Barnstaple Bait and Tackle and Ilfracombe Aquarium. Prizes are awarded for anglers under 16 who catch the most species and longest fish. The heaviest fish caught by and the top family points total.

 

            Late summer and early Autumn offer a wide range of species to target in saltwater as the seasons transition. All tactics can work at this time of year with both bait and lure tactics proving effective dependant on the prevailing conditions. An increasing number of anglers are now compiling records of the fish species they catch. A branch of angling I would compare to keen birdwatchers often referred to as twitchers. This can become very addictive with anglers traveling long distances and adapting tackle to target species not caught on standard sea tackle. Some mini sea species are caught using tiny hooks and gossamer thin lines paired with miniature rods. I recently bought Jack Perks excellent book “Field Guide to British Fish- Freshwater and Marine”. The book contains information and quality photo’s of 200 species found in UK waters. It has a useful tick list in the back of the book to record your own tally of species.

The book is a perfect companion to Alwynne Wheeler’s Key to the Fishes of Northern Europe that was first published in 1978. It is fascinating to compare the two books that illustrate the significant changes that are happening in both marine and freshwater eco systems.

            Ben Evenden won Stafford Moor’s Sunday Open with 197lb 9oz.

            Stafford Moor’s Carp Lakes are in fine form with plenty of multiple hauls. Dan Hoskin and his son fished Beattie’s Lake to bank sixteen carp twelve of which were over twenty pounds with the best a fine fish of 28lb. Martin Burton banked four carp to 32lb and Owen Thrumble banked forty carp over five days to 30lb 5oz.

Bideford & District Angling Club – Rod and Reel match results date 24.8.25 at Tarka

B.D.A.C.Rod and Reel match results date 24.8.25 at Tarka All anglers caught fish with some very good weights weighed in today weather was lovely with a light wind blowing. The winner was Nathan Underwood on peg 6 with a fantastic weight of 96lbs 3oz mainly carp with some lovely silvers mixed in as well 2nd place went to Martin Turner on peg 10 with a nice mixed bag of fish for 40lbs 7oz, 3rd place went to Kevin Shears on peg 9 with 37lbs 14oz and 4th place went to Keith Copland on peg 17 with 32lbs 1oz. Next Rod and Reel match will be on the 21.9.25 at Tarka. Congratulations to Nathan Underwood on your win today and congratulations on getting the highest weight of fish caught in a club match. New record now stand at 96lbs 3oz.

South West Lakes Trust Trout Fisheries Report   August 2025

Another hot dry month means that water and air temperatures have continued to rise, while levels continue to fall. Generally fish have been in the cooler deeper water, and fishing from boats (where available) with sinking or intermediate lines has often been the best option.

Fishing:

Kennick – Rods averaged 2.4 fish per visit, with boat anglers having the edge over bank anglers, managing to access the deeper water locations. Sinking, Intermediate or sink tip lines with a variety of retrieval methods (from slow ‘figure-of-eight’ to a fast pull) proved to be the best tactic, fishing the deep water or near the bottom in most cases. The Narrows, Boat Bay, Clampitts Bay, The East Wall, Smithacott, Oak Tree Point and The Causeway all proved to be popular locations. Some fish would rise to take a dry pattern (Foam Beetle, Daddy or Hopper), but most preferred to feed deeper, taking either Lures (Orange or Tequila Blobs, Green and Black or Orange Fritz, White Minnows, Yellow and Orange FABs) or deep nymphs (Buzzers, Damsels, Montanas and Hares Ears). Andrew Algar caught five rainbows to 3lb 7oz in one session, and seven to 3lb on another, fishing from a boat on both occasions, using dark flies and a slow retrieve on sinking lines. Joseph Croy caught five rainbows to 3lb; Graham Roberts and his boat partner caught nine rainbows to 3lb between them, again fishing the deep water. Water temperatures are now up to 21ºC, with the level down to 57% capacity.

Siblyback – The warmer conditions have proved challenging for anglers, with rods averaging under one fish per visit. A few anglers have found success with a floating line, with the occasional fish rising to a Daddy or Black Hopper, but most fish have fallen to Orange Blobs, Green Boobies or Orange Fritz, as well as some nymph patterns (Buzzers, PTNs, Invictas and GH Montanas), all fished with a medium retrieve on a sinking line. Popular locations included Stocky Bay, Two Meadows, West Bank and the deeper water by the dam. Levels are now down to 56% capacity.

Burrator – Levels were down to 45% capacity by the end of the month, thus opening up additional areas to bank anglers. In spite of the warm conditions, anglers enjoyed some excellent sport, averaging 3.2 fish per visit, which included some great bags of up to ten fish. The best locations included Lowery Point, Longstone, Sheepstor, Bennetts, The Pines and Pig’s Trough. Fish fed throughout the water column, with anglers catching on Floating, Intermediate and Sinking lines, generally using a fast retrieve. Successful dry patterns included Black Gnats, Claret Hoppers, Sedges, Bobs Bits and Foam Daddies. Otherwise, Damsels, Buzzers, Diawl Bachs and Montanas took the sub-surface feeders, as did lure patterns such as Tequila Blobs, Orange Blobs, Vivas, Cormorants and Boobies. Al Green (from Plymouth) caught ten fish in one session, fishing early in the morning, with feeding fish showing on the surface – he fished with floating and intermediate lines and a fast strip or fast ‘figure-of-eight’ retrieve. Richard Peel also netted ten fish from a boat. Kevin Sellar (from Plymouth) caught a bag of nine rainbows, as did Nick Forrester. Levels are at 45% capacity at time of writing.

Stithians – Anglers managed just under one fish per rod, mainly using floating or sink-tip lines, with fish being caught at Pub Bay, Goonlaze, Yellowort, Ray’s Reach and Pipe Bay, generally between four and five feet down. With fish coming up to the surface, Beetles, Black Gnats, Daddies and Hoppers all caught trout, while deeper feeders took Montanas, Diawl Bachs, Buzzers and Soldier Palmers. Levels are now down to 65% capacity.

Colliford – This month anglers averaged just under two browns per visit, with most anglers favouring floating lines with a variety of retrieves. Productive banks included Lord’s Waste, Menaridian, Stuffles and the deeper water by the dam. Dry patterns were popular, with fish taking Beetles, Orange Daddies, Claret Hoppers, Deer Hair Sedge and Dry Red Ants; successful sunk patterns included Soldier Palmers, Peter Ross, Zulus and Black Pennells.

Fernworthy – Anglers averaged 1.2 fish per visit this month, with most fish being caught off Lowton, Permit Hut, Thornworthy, Brownhills and the South Bank. Floating lines proved to be the order of the day, with Sedges, Black Gnats, Daddies and Bibio Hoppers catching rising fish, while Diawl Bachs, Buzzers and Black Pennells took the deeper feeders. There has been a good hatch of buzzers in the evenings. Water levels are now down to 83%.

Roadford – It proved to be a quiet month at Roadford with anglers averaging 0.6 fish per visit. Fish were found at Grinnacombe, Shop Bay, Davey’s Bank and the deeper water by the dam, with nymph and wet patterns catching most fish (Buzzers, Invictas, Black Pennells and Soldier Palmers). Water levels are at 77% at the time of writing.

Please see the Trust’s website (www.swlakestrust.org.uk/trout-fishing) for more information on buying tickets, boat availability and booking, and forthcoming events.

 

Combe Martin SAC – Predator 2 Boat Trip

Combe Martin SAC’s Boat trip on Predator 2 was a trip we had been anticipating eagerly and with a fine day forecast optimism was high as we set out of Ilfracombe harbour on a calm morning.

As expected Skipper Dan Welch had a plan and it was to be a down channel day. Buoyed by stories of bass and tope we bounced over the calm waters and were overtaken by ever speedy Dan Hawkins on Reel Deal who was destined for the reefs of the North Cornish coast.

First stop was the turbulent tide race off Morte Point where bass and wrasse were targeted with lures. The water clarity was disappointing and after a short drift it was decided to head to mixed ground a short distance off the headland and drop the anchor. I opted to fish my light rod with a two hook paternoster baited with small strips of squid on size 4 Sakumu Chinu hooks. The rod tip was soon rattling as scad hit the baits, these were kept fresh as they would surely prove good baits for tope later in the day.

A steady trickle of species were caught including a bass, red gurnard, pollock, smoothound, dogfish, small conger and scad. As the tide eased Dan suggested we move out into deeper water with more tide flow.

 

“Peter the conger charmer”

This was big bait territory and large fish baits were sent to rest on the sea bed. Peter Robinson proved to be the conger charmer tempting a good fish of around 20lb along with others throughout the day. A few bull huss seized our baits and bent the rods. The tope proved elusive and we moved again further out to an area that had been producing some good tope in recent weeks.

The water was very murky and Dan thought this was the result of algae blooms and the dead algae being stirred up by the big tides. Bideford Bay had been alive with bait fish, bass, dolphins and birds a few days before this trip. It seemed devoid of life today with no signs of activity and little or no action as we dropped our baits to the seabed.

An increasingly frustrated Dan could only suggest we head back to where we had started the day and resume sport with the multitude of species that lurk close inshore.

We enjoyed the last couple of hours fishing off the spectacular headland of Morte point. Black bream, bull huss, conger, mackerel and pollock were brought to the boat with Peter Robinson catching a good number of fish from the boats stern.

Dan said it had been one of the toughest days of the season. But we all had a very enjoyable day boating ten different species of fish without actually focussing on amassing a large tally. The next few months will offer an array of opportunities and when the water clarity improves I feel sure sport will take off as it so often does in early autumn.

Weekly – ANGLING REPORT – August 21st 2025

Grey Mullet offer exciting summer sport

Graham Snow won Bideford Angling Clubs forty eight hour rover with a fine thin lipped grey mullet scaling 5lb 4oz. Runner up was Dale Kiff with a smoothound of 10lb 13oz and third Graham Snow with a thin lipped grey mullet of 4lb 3.5oz.

The hot sunny summer weather provides ideal conditions for mullet fishing with all three species seeming to thrive in hot settled conditions. There are three types of grey mullet in UK waters, thick lipped grey mullet, thin lipped grey mullet and golden grey mullet. All can be caught using light tackle more often associated with freshwater tactics. Thick lipped mullet are generally tempted using bait, generally bread presented on float tackle or legered. The thin lipped mullet are fished for with baited spinners and inhabit estuaries. The golden greys haunt the shallow sandy surf beaches and can be tempted using small bunches of ragworm.

All three species can also be caught using fly fishing tactics a style of fishing that has recently gathered almost cultlike status. These challenging fish offer an exciting alternative for trout anglers whose sport is impacted upon by reservoirs and rivers suffering from a prolonged summer drought.

Tench and carp are providing great summer sport in lakes across North Devon and can tolerate high water temperatures.

The final match of Bideford Angling Clubs Junior Summer league was held last Saturday and was won by Leo Davies with 6.540 Kilo. Runner up was Archie Thorne with 5.1 Kilo and Hawkon Wilson with 4.720 Kilo. The junior league has proved a popular series with all matches well attended with over twenty young anglers fishing each event. The events were generously supported by Anglers Heaven, Barnstaple Bait and Tackle and other local businesses. Club members Martin Turner, Richard Jefferies and Keith Mountjoy invested a great deal of time and effort into running the events. The overall winner of the league was Leo Davies.

Bideford Clubs Coarse fishing sector is thriving with their two club lakes providing excellent fishing for carp, tench and silver fish. The club matches are generally fully subscribed and the recent extension to their portfolio with access to fishing at Higher Shorston Lakes near Holsworthy ensures that members get excellent value for their moderate membership fees.

North Devon Match Group fished Upper Tamar lake where Ian Grey won the match with 67lb 5oz. Runner up was Nathan Underwood with 48lb 6oz and Ian Croxton third with 43lb 8oz.

Stafford Moor’s lakes continue to produce stunning Match weights. Benn Hagg won last Sundays Open match with 277lb 1oz. Jamie Bradshaw won the weekends residents match on Oak Lake with an amazing 487lb 1oz.

Martin Burton with a 32lb Mirror carp caught from Albert Square on a 16mm Sticky Krill Active wafter up on lodge lake

The venues specimen lakes are also in fine form with Riley Saunders and Kirsten Parkhouse enjoying a forty eight hour session on Beatties Lake during which they banked sixteen carp to 30lb 4oz.