24 Jun 2025

South West Lakes Trust Trout Fisheries Report June 2025

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South West Lakes Trust Trout Fisheries Report

June 2025

Water temperatures continue to rise, with plenty of insect activity on the surface and fish looking up to feed. Generally there has been little rain and some water levels are starting to drop. A spell of quite sudden very hot sunny weather in the final week of the month made conditions for anglers tough, with catch rates on most waters showing a sharp drop. The Trust’s beginners’ days continue, with a well-attended event held at Burrator.

Fishing:

Kennick – The fishery continued to produce some excellent sport, with anglers averaging 3.3 fish per visit, and bank anglers fairing slightly better than the boats. Fish were well spread out around the lake, although West Bank, Oak Tree Point, The Lawns and Forest Bay all proved popular with bank anglers, while the boats found the best fishing in Clampitts Bay and Central Boat Bay. While fish could be found throughout the water table, many would come up to dry patterns (especially when beetles were on the water and sedges hatching). Successful dry flies included Hawthorns, Black Gnats, Klinkhammers, Hoppers, Deer Hair Sedges and Beetles. Sub-surface feeders were caught on Damsel Nymphs, Buzzers, Diawl Bachs, Montanas and Hares Ears, while deeper feeders could be caught on Boobies, Tadpoles and Cats Whiskers. Lee Tatton caught a cracking rainbow of 3lb 6oz. The popular annual Peninsula Classic Bank Competition was held on 22 June, with the hot sunny conditions making the day challenging – the event was won by Rob Gale (from Ashburton), with Alex Venn runner-up. Water levels are now at 85% capacity.

Siblyback – The fishing at Siblyback just keeps improving as the season progresses, with anglers averaging six fish per visit, and with plenty of beetles being blown onto the water, fish are looking up to feed. Floating and intermediate lines with a slow retrieve were the order of the day, with Dry Sedges, Beetles and various Hopper patterns all catching plenty of fish. Successful sub-surface patterns included Montanas, Damsel Nymphs, Buzzers and dark Pheasant Tail Nymphs, as well as deeper fished lures (Boobies, Fritz, Cats Whiskers, Tadpoles and Orange Blobs). Stocky Bay, Crylla, Two Meadows and the West Bank all produced the most consistent sport. Phil Messenger Roberts caught a beautiful 3lb rainbow. Water levels are now at 81% capacity.

Burrator – The fishing proved to be consistent throughout the month, with anglers averaging 2.4 fish per rod. Longstone, Sheepstor, Bennetts Lawn and Lowery Point produced the best sport, with floating, sink-tip and intermediate lines fished with a slow retrieve proving to be the best tactic. While a few fish rose to a Hawthorn pattern, most were caught just below the surface on a wide variety of nymphs (Damsels, Buzzers and Montanas) and lure patterns (Orange Zonker, Orange and Yellow Blobs, Tequila Blobs, Black Mini-snakes and Orange Whiskey flies). Levels are now down to 86% capacity.

Stithians – The fishing improved as the month progressed, with anglers catching an overall average of 4.2 fish per rod (6.9 fish during the latter week before the hot spell). Golden Lion Point, Carmenellis, Yellowort and Pub Bay all fished particularly well, with anglers favouring an intermediate or sink-tip line and a slow retrieve. There was plenty of surface insect activity, with Sedges and midges hatching, as well as beetles being blown onto the water; dry patterns produced some spectacular sport (in particular, foam beetles, Deer Hair Sedges, Hoppers, CDC patterns and Black Gnats), while successful sub-surface patterns included Zulus, Blobs, Cormorants and Spider patterns. The water level is now at 91% capacity.

Colliford – The fishing greatly improved over the month, with anglers averaging 4 fish per visit; popular banks included Lords Waste, Middle Car Park, Stuffles, Browngelly Bay and along the East shore. With plenty of midges and beetles on the water and fish looking up to feed, floating line tactics proved most successful, with fish coming up to take foam beetles, Black Hoppers, CDC Emergers and Bob’s Bits in the surface film, as well as Hares Ears, Montanas, Dunkelds and pulled Soldier Palmers fished just beneath the surface. The water level is now at 77%.

Fernworthy – Again the fishing improved as the month progressed (weekly averages from two fish a visit at the beginning of the month, to 4.3 fish toward the end). Generally floating and sink-tip line tactics with a steady retrieve  proved the most successful, with fish taking Beetles, Ginger Hoppers, Mini Scruffy Tigers, Humungous, Zulus, Black Buzzers, Diawl Bachs and Silver Invictas.  The Boat House Bank, Thornworthy, The Dam and Potters Bank proved to be the most productive locations. Rodney Wevill caught the best fish of the season so far – a beautiful brown trout of 3lb 2oz. During the Fluff Chuckers Fernworthy round, Wayne Thomas won the event with ten fish (the best at 47cm), followed by Rodney Wevill (also with ten fish, the best at 48 cm).

Roadford – Floating and intermediate lines down to 4 foot depth, fished with a fast retrieve, produced some amazing results at Roadford this month, with anglers averaging 5.9 fish per visit. Grinnacombe, South Wortha, Big Oaks, Gaddacombe and North Shop banks proved to be the best locations, with Dabblers, Bibios, Cormorants, Soldier Palmers, Zonkers, Black Tadpoles, Hares Ears and the occasional foam beetle all catching fish. The level is now down to 89%.

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 including a free fly fishing taster day at Roadford Lake on Sunday 20 July.

Chris Hall (June 2025)

 

22 Jun 2025

Bideford and District Angling Club – News

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Bideford and District Angling Club
Junior Competition No.2
Results :
1st Jenson Kiff 8 kilo 315 grams
2nd Hallie Osborne 4 kg. 615 g
3rd Leo Davies 4. 215
4th George Btten  3.170
5th Bailey Bramley 2735
6th Elis Evans 2 390
7th Amelia Bell 2 210
8th Joe Passmore 2 180
9th William Butler 2 155.
Another fabulous afternoon on George’s lake, Tarka Swims . 18 young members lined the banks on , this , our second 3 hour match in the 5 match summer league
Hot muggy conditions meant a slowish start , but towards the 5 o’clock finish the resident carp decided to have chew .
Jenson took full advantage and landed several decent specimens in the closing stages to secure victory off peg 19 mainly on a feeder to the island.
Hallie has put a lovely mixed catch together on peg 11
for a well deserved 2nd place.
Leo drew peg 4 and managed a very credible 3rd place.
Many thanks again to our helpers, without them these events would not be possible.
Richard Jefferies, Keith Mountjoy, Paul Elworthy
your help was essential.
The prize table was possible with help from Bait Tek.
Midweek evening competition No. 6
Results:
1st Craig Lamey  50lb 8oz
2nd Darren Polden 30lb
3rd Les Polden 28lb 15oz
4th Ian Croxton 21lb 15oz
5th Keith Copland 18lb 15oz
6th Keith Mountjoy 18lb 5oz
19 members fished.
Just pass the half way point in the league, Craigs convincing victory on peg 24 pushes him into 2nd place in the league, father and son ,Les and Darren,
took second and third places Darren on peg 6 and Les on 12.
The conditions were warm with a brisk wind mainly emanating from peg 16, where our new league leader took 4th place.
Meat corn pellet and paste have all featured in the mixed catches.
22 Jun 2025

PUTSBOROUGH 2025 – OPEN RESULTS

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Combe Martin SACs Annual Putsborough Open eventually got underway on the longest day of the year after rescheduling due to an oversight regarding the Spring Bank holiday and severe weather warnings.

The weather proved to be perfect as thirty eight anglers descended on the venue as the sun slowly set casting its golden rays upon sand and sea. I had been slightly apprehensive about the event as my good friend and club secretary Nick Phillips was unable to attend and as we have run this event together for over forty years a solo effort was a little daunting.

It was great to see a good number of familiar faces at the booking in and I am always encouraged by this annual migration to this splendid venue and value the long lasting cooperation of the Putsborough estate and in particular Trevor the security officer who always greets and guides participants to the assembly point.

With all booked in I opted to take the long walk to join fellow club members Kevin Legge and Craig Mcloughlin at the end of the line halfway along the beach. I set up shortly after 9.00pm and was pleased to take a look back along the beach at the anglers wading out into the surf to cast their baits.

Photo – Lee Algar

There is something special and slightly poignant about the longest day as the year turns and we look to the ebbing of another year.

With rods poised and lines stretching into the watery dimension I savoured the scene before strolling over for a chat with Kevin who wound in a small school bass as we talked.

A few moments after arriving back at my rods  I noticed a sharp tap on the rod tip followed by a slow pulling over and ticking ratchet. I picked up the rod and pulled into what for a moment felt like a good fish. To my dismay all went solid. Was it a big ray hugging the bottom? Surely I couldn’t be snagged up on the expanse of clean sand? After applying maximum pressure with the rod for a few minutes I placed the rod back in the rest slackened the clutch and waited to see what happened. With no further movement I picked up the rod, pointed the rod to the sea and walked slowly back. Suddenly the tackle pulled free and I wound in a mangled bait. Had I lost a big ray or had I found a snag?

A short while later I caught a small ray of just over 4lb that was an encouraging start. I added another small ray and a smoothound to my own tally but knew I was unlikely to feature in the prize list.

The next three hours passed by in a familiar scene as the tide flooded and stars winked high above in those familiar timeless reassuring constellations.

I packed up at midnight to trudge back across the sand and prepare for the arrival of competitors and the sorting of fish entries. I knew that Kevin and Craig had tempted good fish and was intrigued to see what else had been caught.

At this point I will give my heartfelt thanks to Craig McLoughlin of Braunton Bait Box for offering to assist with the sorting of entries. As anglers arrived back there were undoubtedly mixed fortunes but overall catches were encouraging with good numbers of small-eyed ray and smoothound along with a few bass, a solitary sole and refreshingly few dogfish.

Hopefully we got the results together with accuracy. Many thanks go to all those who supported the event by attending. Special thanks to our generous sponsors Sakuma and Barnstaple Bait and Tackle. The club greatly appreciate the ongoing support of Putsborough Estate in permitting us access to this beautiful venue.

Results of the 2025 – Putsborough Open

1st – Craig Mcloughlin – Small eyed ray – 9lb 8oz        95%

2nd – Stephen Found – smoothound – 9lb 2.5oz         91%

3rd – Craig Mcloughlin – small eyed ray – 8lb 5oz         83%

4th – Nathan Clements – small eyed ray  – 7lb 14.5oz  78%

5th – Kevin Legge – small eyed ray –  7lb 8oz                  75%

6th – Lee Algar – bass – 5lb 13oz.                                      72.5%

 

7th – Rob Hancock  – smoothound – 7lb 2oz                    71%

8th – Stephen Found – smoothound  – 6lb 15.25oz.       69%

9th – Tony Gussin – small eyed ray – 6lb 14oz                 68.7%

10th – Steve Webb – small eyed ray – 6lb 13oz              68.1%

Top Junior – Ted Childs – small eyed ray  – only fish registered by a junior angler.

Received a tee-shirt and a gift voucher from our sponsor Barnstaple Bait and Tackle.

Craig Mcloughlin received the £150 cash first prize and choice from the prize table.

Runner up Stephen Found received £50 cash and choice of prizes from the table.

The top ten chose prize bundles from our generous sponsors Sakuma who have supported the event for many years. Combe Martin SAC look forward to hosting the event again next year and welcome any constructive comments to help the event prosper.

20 Jun 2025

PUTSBOROUGH OPEN – INFORMATION UPDATE

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Putsborough Open – Please note Ocean Fest is taking place in Croyde so this could result in delays if approaching via this route. Consider alternative routes.

Please weigh all fish in imperial pounds and ounces not metric or US. If you do not have compatible scales please convert weights prior to meet up.

Low water is at 9:00pm expect fish from the start smoothound, small-eyed-ray are likely to dominate if they dont show a dogfish could win you a prize.  As always there is an extensive prize table with a prizes down to tenth place plus a special junior prize. Junior entry is £5.00 or full price optional giving chance to win top prize.

Note if you catch a  worthy specimen please give me call and I will try and get to you with a camera.Please try and secure an image of all fish with the exception of dogfish.

SEE Specimen list below : –

20 Jun 2025

FLY CULTURE – GATHERING – June 19th – 2025

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The Fly Culture Gathering at The Fox & Hounds Eggesford was a simple affair that like many things that work so well masked a great deal of effort from its primary organiser Pete Tyjas. Seventy or so passionate Fly Anglers gathered in a riverside field in mid-summer as the River Taw glided timeless on its journey to the open sea.

Fly Culture is a community that embraces the joys of fly fishing and the pursuit of fish and happiness in wild surroundings. In this modern world it highlights the good that can come from Social Media for much communication is undoubtedly derived from modern media despite the aging demographic.

There were anglers from far and wide at the gathering and it was great to catch up with those that have become friends over the years and make new acquaintances. The first hour of the evening drifted with the current as beer and burgers were relished and conversation’s of life fish and fishing flowed.

 

Pete then called order as a series of speakers delivered a fascinating narrative that told of small and beautiful trout from Devon’s brooks and rivers. The passion for elusive Atlantic salmon and that magical connection.  The art of tempting wily trout and what trout prefer to eat based upon in depth observations. World-wide obsessions with Arctic grayling from Northern waters. Tarpon and bonefish from tropical seas. Fishing, mental health and being with nature.

Michelle Werrett reads from her book – Song Of the Streams

Harry Chance told of Dartmoor’s jewels and much more…

Peter Cockwill – Inspired with stories from Arctic grayling adventures.
Snowbee’s Simon Kidd talked of the competitive fly fishing world and other fishy tales.

Peter Hayes delved deep into trout behaviour and how to tempt the wily fish.
A captivated audience
Matthew Wright entertained with tales of tropical adventures and life as a fly angler.

 

I left shortly after 9:00pm with plans for next year’s fishing already brewing. So many fish, so much water and so little time as life’s tide ebbs ever faster.

And then there are the lawns, the garage window and the decorating. Still in between jobs I can always enjoy reading Fly Culture and plotting a few more casts.

18 Jun 2025

SEA ANGLING – Latest news

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Peter Robinson won Combe Martin SAC’s June Rover with a boat caught Small-Eyed-Ray of 8lb 4oz. Runner up was Daniel Welch with a small-eyed ray of 6lb 4oz. Both fish were on Predator 2 during the clubs boat trip.

Note the clubs boat trip at Minehead is featured in the July edition Sea Angler on sale Friday 20th June.

Bidefords 48-hour results

1st Paul Ackland Sole 1lb 10 1/2oz 94.642%
2nd Andrew Clements Smoothhound 9lb 4oz 92.5%
3rd Dale Kiff  Smoothhound 8lb 10oz 86.250%
Combe Martin SAC member Jason Hayes enjoyed a shore session the remmber beaching five top to an estimated 30lb during a recent session.
A quick report on South Molton Angling Clubs latest trip evening trip to clovelly from their Chairman Ed Rands
A reasonably calm sea awaited us when we arrived at 4:30.
We were soon anchored on the “gore” 10 minutes from the harbour.
It wasn’t long before the fish started coming with the inevitable dogfish, a few smoothound and huss and then my highlight of tope putting in an appearance.
Danny boyles had one chase the bait right to the surface and then took it and 5 minutes later his first ever tope of around 17lb was landed, he ended up with 2 and jim rickets did the same catching his first, followed by another.
We also had a few scad and mackerel.
The fishing slowed up so we headed home at about 9.
Good fun, good fishing and we got home before they closed the road at clovelly Cross.
Thanks to everyone that attended and kev harris (non member), danny boyles and Craig for driving.
Tightlines and enjoy the weather.
Ed
18 Jun 2025

Combe Martin SAC – Lure Fishing Update

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Mark Drewer has taken a lead in Combe Martin SAC’s Lure Fishing League submitting a brace of 70cm bass plus a 64cm fish to add to his existing entries. He now has a total of 326.5 for five bass.  His fish were caught on Wolf Needlefish and white gravity sticks.

Fellow member Ross Stanway also enjoyed success with a brace of bass of 66cm each.

1st – Mark Drewer – 326.5

2nd – Seth Tuson – 316

3rd- Reece Woolgar- 263

4th- Ross Stanway – 132

5th- Robert Hurst – 121.5

6th- Wayne Thomas -53cm