ELDORADO PRODUCING THE PERSONAL BESTS!
Dave King fished at Anglers Eldorado at the weekend for a Day and Night fishing session and managed to catch 2 personal bests, a 20lb 5oz Common and a 20lb 8oz Mirror both from the Bottom Cat and Carp Lake. He also caught a 16lb Common and a 23lb 10oz Catfish in the night!
Dave caught the beauties using Sticky Baits Krill topped with a Sea Monster or a Hell pop up from Baitworks.
GREAT ANGLING DAVE AND CONGRATULATIONS!!
Match results @ Wooda Lakes,
1st Martin Turner 55lb 6oz
2nd Thomas Scott 32lb 8oz
3rd Steve Bailey 31lb 15oz
4th Keith Copland 25lb 4oz
5th David Bailey 23lb 9oz
6th Colin Gorman 19lb 11oz
7th Ian Owen 15lb 7 oz
8th John Lisle 14lb 11oz ,
14 keen members endured another Sunday of wind and rain. The prolific Wooda Lakes produced the goods again! Martin Turner fished on lake 4, alternating between feeder and margin pole , a 20 carp net sealed victory, Second place and top weight on lake 3 was another pole caught 11 carp net for up and coming Junior member Thomas Scott , Our Secretary Steve also on lake 3 found some nice edge dwelling carp in the closing stages of the event for third spot. April’s monthly match see’s us back at Tarka Swims.
Mark Jones and his brother enjoyed a cracking day at Wimbleball where Mark boated a personal best rainbow of 8lb and and another fine rainbow of 5lb 10oz. Marks fish plus another four over 4lb were tempted using dial bach’s and buzzers. Marks brother boated a 5lb rainbow first cast! The venue is certainly providing some superb sport despite the inclement early spring weather.
Kevin Legge secured first and second in Combe Martin Sea Angling Clubs Spring Rover landing a fine brace of bull Huss scaling 13lb 101/2oz and 11lb 8oz. The fish were tempted during heavy rain and were caught on consecutive casts. 
Both fish were retained in a large rock pool and returned after weighing and photographing in line with the clubs catch and release ethos.
Aaron Jones! Aaron sent this catch report to us. ‘cracking 24 hour session on Melbury ended up with a 16lb common and a target fish “the Crafthole Common ” at a great winter weight of 24.5lb. Fished over a kilo of 20mm Scopex squid and Lee’s Leads’.
Wistlandpound Fly Fishing Club held their presentation night at the Pack of Cards Combe Martin where club members and their partners enjoyed a delicious meal. The club was formed in the late seventies and is still going strong despite Wistlandpound being downgraded to a wild brown trout fishery. The small friendly club hold competitions throughout the year visiting the regions many still waters in search of trout.
(Below) Liam Brookes fished on the inlet swim on Beatties lake and had 3 fish out . All fish were caught on Sticky Baits Manilla sizes 12mm, 16 & 20 all soaked in Manilla liquid Liam used a max of 20/30 Baits which he scattered over the top with a throwing stick.
(Below) Neil Harvey and his friend Simon Allsop fished the Dam wall on Lodge lake and banked three carp., Simon had a 28lb 8oz mirror , Neil had 2 fish out up to 27lb 8oz a new pb for Neil caught on cell glugged in cell hookbait dip also added a few sticky baits Manilla boilies & crushed cell , Korda almond goo.
(Below)Lee Roper fished up on lodge lake and had 2 fish out up to 30lb on the nose ! Lee caught on banoffee flavoured boilies from Outlaw Pro Baits.
(Below) Andrew Van Koutrik and his friend Darren had one fish out each from lodge lake in a Day session Andrews fish was a 25lb 15oz and Darrens was a 21lb 10oz caught on Sticky’s baits Manilla boilies.
(Below) Kevin Waldron had five fish out from the inlet swim on Beatties lake all caught on DNA secret 7 plum flavoured boilies.
February 2020
At the time of writing, Kennick is the only South West Lakes Trust Trout fishery that has opened for the 2020 season and, in spite of three named storms, strong winds and heavy rains, anglers who have braved the elements have been rewarded with some excellent sport.
The opening weekend (14 February) produced a rod average of over four fish, with over half of the anglers recording a full bag. The fish are lying deep, so sunk lines fishing weighted lures (Blobs, Nomads, and Cats Whiskers, as well as Goldhead Damsels) have produced the best results, with fish being caught from the banks at Clampitts, Laployds, up to the Causeway. The best fish caught on opening day was a 2lb 12oz Rainbow, caught by Andy Gooding (from Liverton), while Andy Lobb braved storm Dennis to bag eight Rainbows weighing in at 17lb 5oz.
The following week continued to produce some fine fishing, with most anglers opting to fish from the banks (although boat anglers caught well in the deeper waters in Outer Clampitts), with the North end of the fishery producing the best results. Anglers averaged a rod average of 3.1 fish per rod, including plenty of strong overwintered fish, with Mike Malpas catching the best fish – a Rainbow of 3lb 12oz.
The seventh annual South West Fly Fair (this year’s main show sponsor being Chevron Hackles) was held on 29 February at Roadford Lake and, yet again, the day proved to be a great success. In addition to the opportunity to try out the latest equipment available from the various trade stands, there were casting and fly tying demonstrations from the show’s patron, Charles Jardine, as well as demonstrations, including preparation and cooking your catch, from Gary Champion. A number of fly tiers were on hand to demonstrate and explain various techniques, with the opportunity to ‘have a go’ with the experts, as well as stands organised by local Clubs, fishery and environmental organisations. The day is always a great opportunity to buy that essential tackle for the new season, as well as to catch up with old friends and to talk fishing in anticipation of the forthcoming year on the water.
Annual Fly Fair Attracts Over 200 People to Roadford
The eighth South West Fly Fair got the Trout fishing season off with a bang on Saturday 29 February as fly fishermen from all over the region attended the annual show, held at Roadford Lake and hosted by South West Lakes Trust.
The show is always a great place to grab a bargain, watch some fantastic demonstrations from Trout fishing celebrities and speak to the many organisation and trade stands that attend. There was also a free fly casting and fly tying zone for anyone to have go.
The show was launched by Ben Smeeth, Head of Angling for South West Lakes Trust, and then officially opened at 10.30am by Charles Jardine, one of the country’s most respected fly-fishing gurus, England Fly Fishing Commonwealth Team member and patron of the show.
Activities throughout the day included casting demonstrations with Charles, who gave an entertaining and impressive display with the Trout rod, and Gary Champion, a local expert who travels worldwide teaching people to fish and give demonstrations.
More than 30 people took advantage of the free fly casting lessons and clinics for both newcomers to the sport and experienced anglers feeling a little rusty after the closed season. Gary Champion gave a fantastic demonstration on ways to prepare and cook your Trout once you have caught it with samples to taste. This was a real treat on a very cold day!
There were a variety of angling conservation organisations including The Westcountry Rivers Trust, The Wild Trout Trust and local custom rod maker, Luke Bannister, who has built up an international following for his beautiful hand-crafted split cane rods.
Those looking for new fishing opportunities in 2020 were able to speak to representatives from various fishing clubs throughout the region.
There was also a large selection of angling trade stands including impressive displays from the shows sponsor Chevron Hackles, with the opportunity to handle, try and buy this year’s latest equipment.
The 2020 Trout fishing season has started on the South West Lakes Trust Rainbow Trout water Kennick with Siblyback, Stithians and Burrator all opening on 7 March. The Brown Trout season for Roadford, Fernworthy, Colliford and Wistlandpound starts on 15 March. Full details and this year’s prices are on the Trust’s website – www.swlakesfishing.co.uk.
Peter Duckett was one of several anglers to enjoy a cracking opening day at Wimbleball. “We had well over 20 fish between the two of us including 3 lovely wild Browns amongst the hard fighting Rainbows. The weather did a bit of everything but that didn’t put the fish off. The Rainbows went to around 4lb “.
The South West Fly Fair at Roadford Lake has become a popular fixture on the West Country angling calendar and always attracts a healthy number of the regions fly fishing enthusiasts. Falling on the eve of a new season the event is always good for stocking up with tackle and catching up with fellow anglers rekindling old friendships and forming new ones.
There is always a strong focus on the environment that is vital to the health of ourselves and the fish we seek. After a stormy winter with exceptional rainfall anglers are looking forward to warmer months rising trout and perhaps silver sea trout and salmon.
This year’s event was sponsored by Chevron Hackles. Chevron are a local company who produce top quality fly tying hackles for the discerning Fly tyer.
The following stall holders were present :- Alan Riddell Rods, Arundell Arms, Turral, Homeleigh Angling Centre, Chevron Hackles ( Show Sponsor) Snowbee UK, Casterbridge Fisheries, Luke Bannister Split Cane Rods, British Float Tube Association, Second Hand Tackle Sale, Wild Trout Trust, Author Wayne Thomas, West Country River Trust, South West Lakes, South West Lakes Invasive Species, Virtual Nymph, Grayling society and Launceston Anglers, Milemead Fish Farm, Torre Trout Farms.
The following stall holders were present :- Alan Riddell Rods, Arundell Arms, Turral, Homeleigh Angling Centre, Chevron Hackles ( Show Sponsor) Snowbee UK, Casterbridge Fisheries, Luke Bannister Split Cane Rods, British Float Tube Association, Second Hand Tackle Sale, Wild Trout Trust, Author Wayne Thomas, West Country River Trust, South West Lakes, South West Lakes Invasive Species, Virtual Nymph, Grayling society and Launceston Anglers, Milemead Fish Farm, Torre Trout Farms.
