Jon Stevens sent me this stunning image from Woolacombe Beach;
Searching for a Spring ray -without any luck. But always worth it on evenings like those
EAT SLEEP FISH _ A Great Read
Stafford Moor – Spring Carp on Lodge lake
Adrian Yearley and Marcus fished on Lodge lake in the double swim 1 in a 24 hour session they had 3 fish out up to 22lb 6oz , Ade fished with CC Moore live system boilies & cream seed over the top with size 4 viper curve shank kd rigs, Marcus fished snowman with Sticky baits Krill bottom baits & CC Moore dairy supreme pop ups.
A few fish about!
March and April are generally quiet months out on the coast but there are always a few fish to be found and its often good to just be out there in the fresh air. Combe Martin SAC member Ross Stanway fished an Ilfracombe Rock mark with his young son Charlie and they both tempted shore rockling with Ross landing a new personal best of 13.5oz. Between them they landed pollock, dogfish and rockling.
There should be very chance of bull huss from rough ground marks and the fisrt ray should be showing from local surf beaches.
Reel Deal – Arrives in Ilfracombe for Summer Season
Dan Hawkins has brought New Charter Boat Reel Deal into its summer moorings ready for the Summer Season at Ilfracombe. Below is a brief update from Dan on the start of an exciting new venture for this season.
Well we’re home in Ilfracombe and nearly ready to start the season. Well it’s been a roller coaster of a month Adam Bruce,Tom aka marry berry and of course the man himself Mr Swifty Chris Dawson have made me a proud man with a beast of a boat that’s just made the journey back round the bottom half of the country in what I can say was testing conditions and she just ate seas for fun what a vessel. There’s lots of thank you’s todo firstly chris and the guys at swift cats for the boat and making me so welcome. Mr Mark Watts for coming to Essex and sticking in the hours with me on the fit out he’s been a god send ,my wing man Sonia Maslen who also came to Essex and helped with the boat and kept us fuelled up with grub. Peter Watts of Breaksea boats for supplying all the electronics and windlass top man. Kevin Jones of LGS marine for all our safety gear anchor ropes and chain. Rich lines of motor lines for all the unseen bit and pieces. Pete leathbridge and Adam for the stainless steel awesome job and really adds to the look of the boat. Mr steve causey for the engines and coming out of his way to do the rigging and commissioning of them and he extra call out needed. Paul Hutching and Benjamin Hopkins for taking time away and helping me get the boat home in the worst conditions I have ever been in. Wendy Hawkins for the lovely cabin cushion. Shane at design a sign for the graphics . Shannon Marie Sprague shay for the emergency lift home when in need. Thank you all so much for helping us get this boat to where she is today if you fancy booking a day on her drop me a message or call 07850984933 or book online at www.reeldealcharters.uk
Below – A few highlights from last season :-
West Country Fly Fishing Course 2018
I attended this event last year and it was a really great day out with plenty of learning for both newcomer and seasoned angler. See link to last years review:-
Sea Angling News and prospects
Sea anglers are certainly having a lean time with just three fish weighed into Bideford Angling Clubs Monthly Rover. Dick Talbot dominated the results with a brace of wrasse for first and second weighing 3lb 13oz and 3lb 6oz. Andrew Clements took third spot with a spotted ray of 3lb 1/4oz. In Appledore Shipbuilders Rover the eighteen competing anglers failed to find a fish big enough to bother the scales. Several members of the club ventured to south coast venues in search of plaice where they enjoyed some success but none above the qualifying weight for the scales.
As temperatures start to creep up fishing should improve and the first bass should soon be caught from the lower estuary. The local surf beaches will produce ray that move inshore to feed on sandeel in the surf. Grey mullet are already present along the coast and the first thin-lipps should be in the estuary’s as soon as the flood water subsides. Rough ground marks on the coast will yield bull huss and the occasional conger.
Anglers fishing Ilfracombe Pier with small worm baits can expect plaice and dabs.
Dogfish will provide plenty of rattles on the rod tips.
North Devon Tackle Club Match – Jennetts
Jennetts Reservoir
Top 4
1st Simon Poynter 27lb 10oz
2nd Kevin Wilton 22lb 15oz
3rd Andy Gratton 22lb 6oz
4th Steve Maynard 6lb 1oz
Nice to see the top 4 weights spread across the lake yesterday, also on varying methods…..
Simon caught on the long pole targeting larger fish, Kev was 2nd fishing for roach shallow on the pole, a close 3rd was Andy who fished the whip, with two bream and a perch included in his total, 4th place went to Steve who fished long pole for roach & skimmers.
North Devon Match Group Summer League No.1 Wooda Lakes
The pictures below sum up the Spring so far. Many thanks to Martin Turner for his new report from the enduring North Devon Match Group!
1st Kevin Shears 57lb 12oz
2nd Christopher Morris 52lb 13oz
3rd Martin Turner 42lb 13oz
4th Tom Downing 41lb 11oz
5th Paul Morris 41lb 6oz
6th Nathan Underwood 31lb 2oz .
Silvers James Grogan 7lb 1oz .
Despite our efforts that man Shears has secured yet another victory! Kevin drew on the road side on lake 4 and landed 20 carp on corn on the pole in the margins. Christopher drew on one of the reed beds on lake 3 for second also on corn on the pole. Martin was next peg to him , and caught on bread and maggots. The spring day started well for the 17 competitors but deteriorated in to sleet by the time we weighed in .Thanks to Start Sharp for allowing us to use both lakes and providing breakfast rolls.
Bull Dog Farm – New Fly Fishery
North Devon Fly Fishing enthusiasts have new a venue to fish that offers catch and release fishing for big brown trout along with catch and keep rainbow trout. The lake is approximately 1.5 acres and is close to River Yeo where day tickets are also available for wild brown trout and the occasional sea trout. A catch and release ticket is £20 per day and a four fish rainbow ticket £30. Owner Nigel Early is applying for Trout Master status at the venue. Nigel Early – [email protected]
