Jamie Steward decided to take up lure angling this year and got off to fine start… 5th trip out and he hooked in to something special.. “bounced a soft plastic down the crease in to a slack bit of water and seen my line pick up out the water and start running up river against the tide, reel was screaming few big ol head shakes and darting runs and i managed to tire out and guide through the bladder wrack this fine old warrior of a bass! Forgot to measure it as im new to the game but I did weigh it and she pulled the scales to 10lb on the dot! Was relieved to see it hit the magic double figure mark and set me a new PB. Probably the best scrap I’ve had on a rod and reel and its fair to say i quite like this luring malarkey was a pleasure meeting this Bass! cheers Danny Watson of high street tackle for the guidance on rod choice and quality lures
Water temperatures are continuing to slowly rise, although some chilly winds have meant that the fish are often still feeding below the surface. During warmer spells insect activity increases, and trout begin to look to the surface to feed during hatches. The Trust has run a number of successful introductory beginners’ days at the rainbow waters in conjunction with the clubs, with many newcomers managing to catch fish – Stithians hosted theirs on 4 May, with future events planned for Burrator (15 June) and Roadford (29 June). The annual Peninsula Classic bank competition will be held at Kennick on 22 June.
Fishing:
Kennick – The excellent sport continued, with anglers averaging 3.5 fish per visit. Generally the fish were well spread out around the water (particularly popular areas included the East Bank, Clampitts, The Narrows, Boat Bank and Poplar Bay), with both boat and bank anglers both enjoying similar success. Fish fed at most depths, so a variety of line types, from floating to fast sink, all caught fish, with the occasional buzzer and sedge hatch bringing fish up to feed. Hawthorns started to make an appearance toward the end of the month, with the fish starting to get a taste for them. With fish hungry to feed, a wide variety of patterns all caught fish, from deep sunk Boobies (other successful lure patterns included Orange lures, Cat’s Whisker, Tadpoles and Ace of Spades), to mid-depth nymph patterns (Damsels, Montanas, Buzzers, Diawl Bach, Hare’s Ear and Pheasant Tail nymphs), with the occasional fish rising to Hawthorns and foam Beetles. Graham Roberts caught the best fish of the month – a rainbow of 4lb; Michael Peppitt caught a rainbow of 3lb 8oz – one of six caught from the boat; Michael Herring (from Thurlstone) caught a rainbow of 3lb 3oz (also from a boat).
Siblyback – The excellent sport continued at Siblyback throughout the month, with anglers averaging 4.3 fish per rod, with the banks proving to be slightly more popular than the boats. Stocky Bay, Crylla, North Bank and Two Meadows were the most productive locations. Fish tended to be near the surface, with floating and intermediate lines combined with a slow or medium retrieve proving to be the best tactic. There were regular hatches of buzzers throughout the month, with beetles, hawthorns and caddis putting in an appearance toward the end of the month. As the trout were eager to feed, a wide variety of dry (Hawthorns, Daddies, Gnats, Beetles, Hoppers and Klinkhammers), nymph (Damsels, Hares Ear, Spiders, Buzzers), and lure patterns (Tadpoles, Orange Fritz and Cat’s Whiskers) all caught fish. Ben Lang and son, Harry Cinnamon, caught 11 rainbows to 2lb between them, mainly using a floating line, long leader, with a Damsel on the point and Diawl Bach on the dropper. Ron Wilday caught nine rainbows to 1lb 12oz, pulling Damsels and Cat’s Whiskers. The Lawson brothers (Al and Andy, from Plymouth) both had an excellent morning session, casting Black foam Hoppers and Hawthorn patterns to rising fish, and each catching a bag of rainbows averaging 1lb 12oz.
Burrator – Anglers averaged 2.8 fish per visit over the month, with most fish being caught at Longstone, Sheeps Tor, Pig Trough, Peninsular Bay, The Lawns and Lowry Point. The banks were marginally more popular than the boats, and with fish feeding generally within three feet from the surface, floating and intermediate lines proved to be the most successful (fished with a variety of retrieve speeds). As there was plenty of insect activity (buzzer and sedge hatches), fish were looking up to feed, and could be caught on dry Claret Hoppers, Brown Daddies, Tups Indispensable, Dry Adams, Black Gnats and dry Sedge patterns; sub-surface feeders were caught on various nymph patterns (especially Damsels and Montanas, Buzzers and Diawl Bachs) and lures (Cats Whisker, Tadpole, Orange Blob and Cormorant).
Stithians – Stithians fished fairly consistently throughout May, with anglers averaging 2.7 fish per visit. Most popular locations included Pipe Bay, Mossopps, Goonlaze, Pub Bay and Yellowort, with plenty of fish feeding tight into the shallows, and floating lines with a medium/slow retrieve producing the best results. Plenty of gnats and hawthorn flies on the water meant that the trout were looking up to feed, and could be caught on dry Black Gnats, Black Hoppers, Hawthorns and beetles. Deeper feeding fish took Black Buzzers, Diawl Bachs, Damsel Nymphs, Hares Ears, as well as various lure patterns (Orange Blob, Snake, Tadpole, as well as the occasional Booby).
Colliford – Anglers averaged 2.7 fish per rod, and while fish were well spread out around the reservoir, the most productive banks included Redhill Point, the Dam, Lords Waste, The Slipway, The East Bank and Pines. With plenty of fish showing, floating lines with a slow retrieve proved popular, with fish taking dry Hawthorns, Hoppers, Black Gnats, and Foam Beetles. Subsurface feeders were caught on a selection of nymphs and lure patterns (including Goldhead Bibio, Soldier Palmer, Zonker, Tadpole, Pheasant Tail, Kate McLaren and Alexandra). Kevin Rushton caught a grand brownie of 4lb 3oz (the best fish from Colliford so far this season), while Dean Boucher caught a brown of 2lb 4oz (as part of a bag of eight fish).
Fernworthy – The catch rates improved to an average of 2.9 fish per visit over May, with fish being caught at Thornworthy, Brownhills, the Boathouse and along the south bank, as well as in the deeper water by the dam. Floating lines fished with a long leader produced the best results, and when there was a buzzer hatch, fish could be caught on small beetle patterns, Hawthorns and hoppers. Deeper feeders were caught on Damsels, Buzzers, Blue Zulu, Pheasant Tail, Soldier Palmer, Connemara, Bibio, Mini Scruffy Tiger and Hares Ears.
Roadford – Floating lines with varied retrieves proved to be the order of the day, with the best sport to be had from the deeper water by the dam, The Oaks, Grinnacombe, Gaddacombe, Shop Bay and Wortha. Weekly catch rates varied, with anglers averaging 5.6 fish one week, and 3 fish per visit over the whole month. While some fish rose to dry patterns (Daddies and Black Gnats), most were caught in deeper water, taking a selection of nymphs (Damsel, Buzzer, Blue Diawl Bach and Hares Ear) and lure patterns (Blue/Gold Humungous, Cormorant, Leach, Muddler Minnow and Mini Scruffy Tiger).
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.
Summer sea sport is underway with long warm spell resulting in some exciting fishing off Ilfracombe. Predator 2 is the latest Charter boat to join the Ilfracombe fleet and its skipper Daniel Welch is taking anglers to Bristol Channel Reefs where good numbers of wrasse and pollock are being tempted using the latest lure fishing tactics. A recent trip resulted in new Combe Martin SAC club record cuckoo wrasse weighing1lb 6oz to the rod of Ross Stanway. A seaqualizer device to return fish to water without harm a device that is available from the Angling Trust and is also proving a valuable conservation tool for returning pollock caught in deep water.
Dan Welch also caught a spectaculary coloured cuckoo wrasse of 1lb 5oz using a small lure.
The colours on wrasse are truly awesome and a match for any in tropical waters.
Matches will be fished to full international rules and AT-TEFF River Qualifier scoring system. Measure, catch & release basis. Only in season fish 18cm and above be eligible for measuring / scoring / awarding fish points.
Entrants will be split into 2 groups:
Morning Group fishing am & controlling pm.
Afternoon group fishing pm & controlling am.
Draw to take place the evening before the qualifier at 7pm Fingle Bridge Inn
CLOSURE OF WATER
Competition water will be closed to competitors from Clifford Bridge to Dogmarsh Bridge (Mill End) from sunset on Sunday 11th May 2025. Members will be asked not to fish on the Sunday and the river will be closed to day-ticked anglers on the competition water for the Sunday as well.
PRACTICE TICKETS : £40 Practice permits include any 7 days of practice from 15th March – 11th May on all club water.
Contact Harry Chance on the number below to purchase a ticket via BACS and to inform him of the days you intend to fish.
Practice day tickets can be purchase for £15 which can be bought on a Westcounty Angling Passport Scheme or from Fingle Bridge Inn, Mill End Hotel or direct from the club. Contact Harry Chance on the number below to purchase a ticket via BACS and to inform him of the days you intend to fish.
AT TEFF Rivers National Qualifier – River Teign – Sunday 18th May 2025
Parking for practice: Dogmarsh Bridge on the side of the road, please be careful – what3words ///writings.shrug.count. There is parking at the other locations on the map further up the river at Chagford swimming pool and you can walk down to the top of the beat. Parking for the competition will be the same.
DRAW : 7:00 pm Saturday 17th May at the Fingle Bridge Inn all are welcome .
Match Briefing 07:20am
Fishing Times: Morning group: 09:00 am – 12:00 noon – Single bank session – download map here. Parking in public cap park at Clifford Bridge (bottom of the beat) and FingleBridge – the beat end is at the bridge – download map above
Afternoon group: 14:00 pm – 17:00 pm is at Fingle Bridge (bottom of the beat) to Dogmarsh Bridge – download map here. Parking is at Fingle and walk up the foot paths on both sides of the river to the suspension bridge. From the suspension bridge to Dogmarsh Bridge the foot path is on the true left bank.
Harry is trying to sort parking in a farmer’s field next to the bridge. Otherwise, parking will be on the road which can be busy – download map above.
BRIEFING : 07:20 am at Fingle Bridge
Entry Fee : £30
Fishing Fee : £12.00 payable in cash on the day
Min entries : 12
For practice tickets : Please contact Harry Chance on 077919 302747 to make payment or if you have any further enquiries regarding tickets .
Match Organiser Simon Caddy 07884492300
AT-TEFF matches now have an AT membership requirement. If you need to renew or sign up please visit www.anglingtrust.net/membership or call 0343 5077 006 (option 1).
Cancellation/Refunds: Please note: If you wish to cancel a ticket, please inform [email protected] by email, and include your name, the name of the qualifier you would like to cancel, your membership number & postcode. We require 3 days-notice prior to the qualifier in order to process a refund. Any notification outside of this time scale will not be entitled to receive a refund. Please note: There is no secondary market for the sale or transfer of any tickets.
The Arundell are thrilled to host a Team England Fly Fishing qualifier competition right here on their home waters during peak trout season.
This exciting competition focuses on catching wild trout on the fly, and offers a fantastic opportunity for fly fishers, especially local anglers to showcase their skills.
Successful competitors will earn a place in the finals, with the ultimate chance to represent England
Don’t miss out on this incredible day of friendly competition, camaraderie, and world-class river fishing!
Entry fee is £55 (£30 TEFF fee and £25 for a day ticket)
Wistlandpound Fly Fishing Club fished their May competition at Torridge Fly Fishing Clubs water at Gammaton Reservoir. I won the competition with three trout for 5lb 15oz. Nigel Bird was runner up with a brace of trout weighing 5lb with Colin Combe and David Eldred equal third with trout weighing 2lb 10oz.
Upper and Lower Gammaton Reservoirs hold many memories for me personally as I worked there over forty years ago when I worked with South West Waters reservoir maintenance gang. Whilst the old slow sand filters are long gone the actual reservoirs and the surround are little changed so returning always brings a sense of life passing as I ponder upon those who I worked with now undoubtedly long gone.
Conditions seemed promising as we approached the water with cloudy thundery skies. It was very still at first but I guess that a breeze would stir as the morning passed.
Within ten minutes Nigel Bird fishing to my left had a hooked trout which seemed a promising omen.
I set up with a floating line and a team of nymphs expecting fish to be high in the water. After an hour with very little sign of surface activity and no takes I decided to go deep and changed to fast a sink line. After half an hour a rainbow of perhaps 2lb 8oz seized my black booby lure and gave a spirited account before being dispatched.
I persisted and lost another trout a while later when it took the booby as I lifted it from the water. I tied a bright pink blob onto my top dropper and had a few follows before hooking another trout that was a lean sliver rainbow that again gave a good account.
It seemed that my tactics were worth persisting with as only three other trout had been tempted by members. I reverted to the black booby on the point after trying various lures and was rewarded with my final trout to complete my limit.
I walked back to the car relishing the wild orchids and May blossom.
In form Bulldog Fisheries have announced the date of their May Competition that will probably be the last until the Autumn. Big fish have been stocked so should be a good day.
Three boats took part in Appledore Shipbuilders the May Boat competitions.
Weather was lovelly with calm seas.
Andrew Atkinson won with a lovely Huss of 13lb 8ozs. Kevin Pike was 2nd with another Huss of 13lb 7ozs and Andrew 3rd with another specimen Huss of 13lb 4ozs.
Arriving at Winsford in the heart of Exmoor my wife Pauline and I were delighted to find the Village Hall packed with attendees all assembled for this conference focussing on the waters of Exmoor. Amongst the crowd were many familiar faces all of whom I knew shared a passion for rivers. After coffee and cake we took our seats to listen to the speakers the details of which I have added at the end of this feature.
Kate O Sullivan, Chair of the Exmoor Society welcomed us to the venue and gave a brief introduction highlighting the overall concerns relating to our rivers and efforts and collaborations to address the many issues.
Professor Charles Foster delivered an evocative story of a salmons life journey from its birthplace in the headwaters of the Exe to the sea, to its distant feeding grounds of Norway and Greenland and then its epic and miraculous journey back to its home water. The tale was a master class in story telling captivating the audience without a power-point presentation. The story was punctuated by the multiple perils faced by the salmon at each stage of its life long journey. The complexities of a salmons epic journey were the perfect start to the day’s proceedings in effect setting the agenda to follow..
The salmons strive to stay alive is so strong from birth to death in a constant evolutionary stream of life that has endured for millennia that is today threatened by mankind’s disregard for the natural world.
Mark Lloyd Chief Executive of the Rivers Trust gave a passionate assessment of the state of the nation’s rivers. In brief too much, too little, too dirty, too hot and too little nature. The situation has accelerated since the 1970’s with extremes of temperature and rainfall. Agriculture, Abstraction and urban pollution from sewage outfalls etc all impacting and overlapping to exacerbate the issues.
Mark then highlighted some of the solutions and how working with nature can help to address.
Professor Alistair Boxall delivered a very concerning and thought provoking presentation highlighting the issue of pharmaceutical pollution of the National Parks. Sampling of water across National Parks showed high levels of pharmaceutical residue including paracetamol, metformin, caffeine, carbamazepine, gabapentin and fexofenadine. All commonly used by many in society and discharged into sewage networks that are not designed to remove them. The long term effects on our rivers are not yet known.
Professor Sir Dieter Helm delivered an economists perspective on a fresh approach to how we address the many issues using a catchment based approach. I found his delivery enlightening and inspiring as he pointed out the uncomfortable truth that we are all collectively to blame. He set out sensible solutions to the issues highlighting that what we do is not sustainable. Food production, sewage infrastructure we create the demand yet we do not want to pay. We need to rethink, design, polluters must pay and those who do not should be rewarded for their endeavours.
Question time was skilfully coordinated by Mark Lloyd who introduced the panel.
The panel face a packed Village Hall
Each panellist introduced themselves highlighting their work.
Dr Rose O’ Neil talked about the vital importance of rivers that flow through National Parks.
Dr David Smith outlined the work of South West Waters dedicated team who look after the regions catchments and rivers. South West Water are large landowners and invest in invasive species control and many fish passage schemes. Upstream Thinking is one of the company’s flagship projects and focuses on the headwaters that are vital to a catchments overall health. David acknowledged the need for future water storage and told of collaboration between Wessex Water and Bristol Water with the planned construction of Cheddar 2 adjacent to the existing Cheddar Reservoir that will help to preserve Wimbleball for the South West region.
James Thomas delivered an extensive and passionate overview of the work being undertaken by the National Trusts Wetlands Team across North Devon. James explained the historic connections of landscapes to water and how working with nature helps to improve water quality, reduce flood risk, act as carbon storage, improves drought resilience, and boosts opportunities for wildlife both increasing abundance and biodiversity.
Toby Diggens talked enthusiastically and with infectious optimism for setting rivers free using descriptive illustrations and art work to portray the long term benefits of restoring natural meandering flow of rivers.
Toby Diggens talks of the benefits of setting rivers free
A Personal Perspective
Walking out of the Village Hall we were inspired by the passion shared by all the speakers to a receptive audience. The fact that so many came together on this beautiful spring day brings hope for the future.
The problems that face our rivers are many and extremely complex. I have long held the belief that rivers are the arteries of the land. As an angler my connection with rivers has been life long and I have witnessed a dramatic and sad decline in my lifetime. I was able to share this story as we embarked upon a strenuous walk that took us to a high viewpoint that enabled us to view the beautiful valley of the river Exe.
Exmoor surely the star of the show…and top of the bill!
I bought the new book from Seven Fables by acclaimed author Robert Macfarlane who asks the question ‘ IS A RIVER ALIVE’ ? I look forward to reading this tome. But in answer to the question if we consider the entire planet a living entity then is it not sensible to consider the rivers as the veins and arteries that carry the planets life blood for water is vital to life on earth.
As we paused for lunch between the conference and our walk. I noted the martins swooping to gather mud from the stream, swifts swooping high above quaint thatched cottages their evocative screams of summer drifting through the valley and swallows those birds that are surely the true harbingers of summer. It was easy to be lulled into a sense that all is good. And yet I looked into the stream a tributary of the Exe and noted the sediment and algae in the stream and how this was far more pronounced below the ford where cars frequently drove through washing mud and oil from their undersides.
Beneath the fordAbove the ford the river runs clear its gravels less tarnished by sediment
A lady walked her dogs that splashed across the river potentially releasing powerful toxins designed to kill the ticks that are now prolific throughout the seasons, a result of infrequent winter frosts. The lack of rain throughout the spring reduces dilution of this toxic mix that enters the river. All is certainly not as it should be and the insidious invisibility is perhaps the greatest concern.
It brings hope that our eyes are slowly opening to the many issues and yet there are still too many in society who are either oblivious or turn the proverbial blind eye for it is convenient not to see.
On a final word many thanks to the Exmoor Society for all the hard work that is involved in hosting and organising such a thought provoking and informative event.
SPEAKERS PROFILES BELOW
Kate O’Sullivan
Chair of the Exmoor Society
Kate O’Sullivan has been chair of The Exmoor Society since September 2022, where she has concentrated on nature recovery. For many years she worked at the BBC as a science documentary producer, making films for the BBC-2 Horizon series and then at BBC Films. Since moving to Exmoor, she has worked on the family’s farm at Old Stowey to improve the pasture, hedges, woodland, and soil. She has a master’s in the history and philosophy of science from Imperial College.
Sarah Bryan
Chief Executive of ENPA
Sarah Bryan is the Chief Executive of the Exmoor National Park Authority. She has worked on Exmoor for more than 25 years, since joining the organisation as a Conservation Officer (Landscape) in 1992. She has used her roles to engage with landowners and land managers, forging strong partnerships with external agencies and partners, and leading key conservation and landscape projects. She has a degree in Environmental Science from the University of East Anglia, a second degree in Landscape Design from Manchester University, and is a Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute.
Professor Alistair Boxall
Professor, Environmental Science
Alistair is a Professor in Environmental Science in the Environment Department and Director of the NERC-funded ECORISC Centre for Doctoral Training. Alistair’s research focuses on understanding emerging and future ecological and health risks posed by chemical contaminants in the natural environment. Alistair is a past member of the Defra Advisory Committee on Hazardous Substances and past Chair of the Pharmaceutical Advisory Group of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. He regularly advises national and international organisations on issues relating to chemical impacts on the environment and has published extensively on the detection, fate, effects and risks of emerging contaminants (including pharmaceuticals, nanomaterials and transformation products) in the natural environment.
Professor Sir Dieter Helm
Professor of Economic Policy at the University of Oxford
Dieter Helm is a Professor of Economic Policy at the University of Oxford and Fellow in Economics at New College, Oxford. From 2012 to 2020, he was Independent Chair of the Natural Capital Committee, providing advice to the government on the sustainable use of natural capital. Dieter provides extensive expert advice to UK and European governments, regulators and companies on his three specialist areas: Energy & Climate; Regulation, Utilities & Infrastructure; and Natural Capital & the Environment. In his book ‘Legacy: How to Build the Sustainable Economy’, Dieter looks at what the sustainable economy would look like and what it would take to live within our environmental means. Dieter is a Vice President of the Exmoor Society, a Vice President of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust, and Honorary Fellow, Brasenose College, Oxford.
Toby Diggens
Landscape Architect
Toby is the founder of Digg & Co. Studio, an ecological landscape practice which focuses on large-scale nature recovery projects and ecosystem and landscape master planning. He is also on the committee of the River Exe’s dedicated habitat and in-river restoration and improvement group – RETA (River Exe and Tributaries Association). Toby and his team oversee and design projects where ecological uplift, enhancement and revival are core principles. Their work spans river restoration, farm and estate designs and urban projects which prioritise wild self-willed systems to proliferate with people at their heart. He lives near Exmoor, where he and his wife Bella holistically graze 500 acres of mixed natural farmland and wilderness with their herd of pedigree Red Devon’s.
Professor Charles Foster
Writer and academic
Charles Foster’s books include Being a Beast (a New York Times Bestseller), Being a Human, Cry of the Wild, and The Screaming Sky. He is a Fellow of Exeter College, Oxford.
Mark Lloyd
CEO, The Rivers Trust
Mark Lloyd read Geography at St. Catherine’s College, Oxford and then completed a Master’s in Environmental Water Management at Cranfield. He founded Thames21 in 1994, a charity cleaning up London’s rivers, which he led for 11 years. He has since been CEO of a number of angling and conservation organisations before taking up his current role in 2019 as Chief Executive of The Rivers Trust, the umbrella body for the rivers trust movement, which comprises 67 independent charities in the UK and Ireland employing over 550 staff. The Rivers Trusts work in partnership to restore wild, healthy, natural rivers, valued by all.
Dr Rose O’Neill
CEO, Campaign for National Parks
Dr Rose O’Neill is Chief Executive of the Campaign for National Parks, the independent charity dedicated to the National Parks of England and Wales. Founded in 1936, Campaign for National Parks brings together a campaigning collective of organisations, including the Exmoor Society, and individuals from all walks of life united in a common cause: nature-rich National Parks for everyone. In previous roles, Rose was principal social scientist at Natural England and headed the rivers programme at WWF-UK. Rose has a Master’s in geology and a PhD in environmental science. Rose lives just outside the South Downs National Park and loves exploring its chalk streams with her young family. She is a trustee of Wessex Rivers Trust and a member of Natural England’s Landscape Advisory Panel.
Dr David Smith
South West Water
David is South West Water’s Natural Resources Team Manager. The team of over 20 leads SWW’s work on species, habitats, biosecurity and Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS), fish and eels. It also delivers Upstream Thinking, SWW’s flagship catchment management programme. David has worked in the water industry since 2010, leading on peatland restoration, catchment management, and biodiversity, and he previously worked as a farm advisor and an ecologist for National Parks and led the Exmoor Mires restoration Partnership. David is an ecologist from a farming and horticulture background, with a D.Phil in peatland regeneration in Northern Ireland. He has co-authored publications with research partners at Exeter, Bristol, and other UK Universities on peatland restoration hydrology, water quality, greenhouse gas modification, and vegetation changes.
James Thomas
National Trust, North Devon Riverlands Team
The Riverlands Team are working across four portfolios at Arlington Court, West Exmoor, Hartland, and Woolacombe. They are restoring significant areas of wetland habitat across North Devon. This is being done by identifying areas where drainage and modification of watercourses have had a detrimental impact on the environment, and working closely with natural processes to allow the hydrology of the land to function more naturally. Working with partners at a landscape scale, a multitude of opportunities are being explored to maximise gains; from simple measures such as creating new ponds and scrapes to increase open water, strategically blocking land drains and drainage ditches to expand wetland habitat, all the way through to wet woodland creation and floodplain reconnection and resetting the land through innovative ‘stage 0’ style techniques. These measures will all combine to hold water across a wide area for longer, thereby improving water quality, reducing flood risk, acting as carbon storage, improving drought resilience, and boosting opportunities for wildlife, increasing abundance and biodiversity.
seen my line pick up out the water and start running up river against the tide, reel was screaming 
few big ol head shakes and darting runs and i managed to tire out and guide through the bladder wrack this fine old warrior of a bass! Forgot to measure it as im new to the game but I did weigh it and she pulled the scales to 10lb on the dot! Was relieved to see it hit the magic double figure mark and set me a new PB. Probably the best scrap I’ve had on a rod and reel and its fair to say i quite like this luring malarkey was a pleasure meeting this Bass! 
cheers Danny Watson of high street tackle for the guidance on rod choice and quality lures 
