Daniel Hawkins landed this fine coalfish of 5lb 10oz whilst fishing over a reef off the North Devon Coast. Not often you see these caught off North Devon and when I first saw it I thought it was a post from Norway! The biggest coalfish I know of from the North Devon coast was landed by Barry Hill from a shore mark near Ilfracombe and weighed 18lb! It held the British Record for several years.
Steve Dawe enjoyed a trip out of Ilfracombe aboard John Barbeary’s Bluefin:- see his report and pictures below…
“So nice to get out again with so many cancelled trips this year, today was aboard Bluefin chasing Spurdogs. Not as prolific as they can be but we still managed several double figure fish. The Eels were a bit scarce and a few Huss turned up but my fish of the trip was a lovely Starry Smoothound right at the death. Great company Chris Hodgson, Steven McDonald and as usual John delivered some great skippering. Next week we are back out from Ilfracombe on Bluefin with Holsworthy Sea Anglers.
Ricky Lawrence caught this stunning 24lb Mirror from Upper Tamar Lake, on the Cornwall and Devon border. Ricky fished during gale force winds and rain to tempt the fish which was stocked in 2017 at 21lbs and is known as ‘Flower’. the fish took a liking to a sticky krill boilie fished off the back of the wind.
Its been very quiet from the shore over recent weeks with poor weather deterring many anglers from venturing forth. The water temperature is up for the time of year and this could encourage a few fish close inshore to start feeding. Ollie Passmore found success landing this fine small-eyed-ray of 10lb 4oz. His good friend Kody Chugg also succeeded landing a fine bass of 8lb that was carefully released after a quick picture.
Competitors in Stafford Moors 2019 Silvers Festival battled against some seriously inclement weather conditions with heavy rain and gales throughout the week. The winner of the match was Preston Innovation’s sponsored Des Shipp with 98lb 7oz. In runner up spot with 80lb 12oz was Mark Goddard of Bait tech and third Terry Malloy with 70lb 6oz.
As we enter the Spring and summer season it seems a good time to promote good practice when handling members of the shark family. Please take note of these guidelines handle all fish with respect and consideration. I will take this into account when publishing images on this site so please follow the above when trying to capture those memories.
South West Lakes Trust once again hosted the Annual South West Fly Fair at Roadford Lake. This popular fixture in the Fly Fishers Calendar is sponsored by Turrall and Cortland and attracted a good number of Fly Fishing Enthusiast’s despite gale force winds and an unfortunate clash with the Six nations Rugby.
Casting, cooking and Fly Tying demonstrations entertained the audience with numerous trade stands offering an array of flies, clothing, tackle and art. Conservation was high on the agenda with Westcountry Rivers Trust, Wild Trout Trust and South West lakes highlighting the issue of Invasive species. Fixtures like this are vital in bringing anglers together to share in enthusiasm for the coming months. A poster declared that; “Time is Precious Spend it Fishing”; wise advice in these turbulent times.
(Below) Charles Jardine always puts on a great demonstration of Fly Casting manipulating the fly Line effortlessly even when faced with gale force winds that would ensure certain tangles for the average angler.
( Below) In the warmth of the Fly Tying lounge a wide range of flies and lures were tied up to trick the wariest of fish.
In the Main Hall anglers mingled rekindling friendships and waxing lyrical about days at the waters edge both close to home and far away. Stands included Second Hand Tackle, Dry Fly Powder, Arundel Arms, Homeleigh Angling Centre, Invasive Species, Turrall and Cortland, Snowbee UK, West Country Rivers Trust, Luke Bannister Split Cane Rods, Rawson Fly Rods, Robin Armstrong, Wild Trout Trust, Upper Teign Fishing Club, Crediton Fishing Club, SWLT, Virtual Nymph and Milemead Trout Farm were amongst those in attendance.
(below) Raising awareness of Invasive species.
(Below) Robin Armstrong with some of his works of art.
(Below) Ben Smeeth observes as Gary Champion gives a fascinating cooking demonstration explaining the method of marinating trout in lime with garlic and ginger – Ceviche is I believe the term. The resulting trout tasted delicious ; an ideal starter to try on friends.
(Below) West Country Based Snowbee UK
(Below) An array of flies from West Country Fly Firm Turrall
North Devon Match Group Championship No.3 @ Wooda Lakes
Results
1st James Grogan 37lb 8oz
2nd Shaun Stenton 32lb 2oz
3rd Paul Elworthy 30lb 9oz
4th John Lisle 29lb 13oz
5th Neilsen Jeffery 29lb 11oz
6th Ian Brooks 28lb 8oz
7th Tom Downing 24lb 12oz
8th Pete Slade 22lb 2oz .
23 anglers fished . James Grogan drew peg 10 on lake 3 , he has fished around the margin reed beds on the pole, for around 20 carp and a convincing victory. Shaun Stenton landed around 25 smaller fish on corner peg 6 on the top pool ,his second place fell to corn and paste on the pole. Maggot on the feeder tactics helped, consistent performer, Paul Elworthy into third place also on the top pool. Match organiser John fished with paste in the reed beds on lake 3 for 4th , top weight on the bottom pool and 5th overall was Neilsen Jeffery a pole and corn bag.
After several years I of work I can announce that my new book ” I Caught A Glimpse” is due to be published in late Spring/early summer. I will give full details in the next few weeks.
