15 May 2026

SOUTH MOLTON & DISTRICT ANGLING CLUB AT BULLDOG

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I joined eight members of South Molton Angling Club at Bulldog Fishery for their latest Mac Trophy event. I arrived shortly after 8:00pm to find several members already enjoying sport with the venues hard fighting rainbows.

High above I noted several swifts swooping high in the sky as a brisk North West breeze brought a chill to the morning air. I set up in the first available swim and put out a floating line and a long leader with an olive damsel with a bit of sparkle in its dressing. As is often the case fishing was easy for that first hour and most members caught fish. I put four into my bag by 9:00am and decided to switch tactics swapping my 7wt for a lighter 5wt rod and a single Pheasant tail nymph on the point. After a couple of missed takes I put another pleasing rainbow into my bag. With five rainbows averaging 3lb I decided to stop fishing and a take walk around the lake rod in hand hoping to spot a big cruising trout in the clear water.

This proved difficult as good visibility was only possible when a drop in the wind coincided with a burst of sunshine. On a circuit of the lake it was good to catch up with fellow club members and compare notes. Whilst chatting I watched several good trout cruising just a rod tip out and it was apparent that the trout had largely switched off.

Burger and chips were due at 12:30 and I hoped to complete my bag by then to get home and catch up with a few jobs. I had every confidence in the PTN and moved to a deep area that had a few fish rising within casting range.

The rippled surface made targeting individual fish difficult so I decided to fish blind again. Whilst some anglers believe in big flies for big fish I have every confidence that small flies work just as well especially when the fish are not feeding hard. I missed two takes and lost two fish in quick succession as the hook lost its hold.

Sometimes you get a lucky break as was the case when the line drew tight as I started a slow retrieve. I immediately felt sure that this was a better fish as it moved with a slower powerful movement with heavy thuds down the line as it shook its head. I was slightly apprehensive as I glimpsed its flanks and hoped that the 6lb b.s point and small fly would take the strain.

I was relieved when an impressive spartic trout rolled over the nets rim. Club Chairman Edward Rands was close at hand to secure an image of the fish and to hoist it onto the club scales that read a pleasing 7lb 13oz.

I spent the last half hour of the morning taking a few pictures and chatting with fellow club members before sitting down for burger and chips in the fishing hut. Mike Latham had a good spartic of 5lb 12oz and all members caught fish with three limit bags and several five fish bags.

11 May 2026

DRY FLY DELIGHT ON NORTH DEVON RIVERS

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A bit of old carpet adds a bit of life to waders as one sets up ready for a walk to water.

North Devon’s many miles of pristine river environment offer anglers splendid sport with wild brown trout many stretches can be fished at a very reasonable cost. I fished a splendid bit of the River Bray controlled by South Molton & District Angling Club and enjoyed a short session of exciting dry fly sport. The banks were decorated with bluebells and wild garlic, the air filled with the sound of birdsong. The only other fisher on the water a grey heron that lifted from the water as I intruded upon his fishing.

I was surprised how low the river had dropped since I last visited and watched many small trout dart for cover as I approached. Concentrating on the fast water at the head of the pools I brought several fish to the surface including a beauty of 12″ +.

It was often reward enough to bring a fish to the fly from a difficult cast into tricky woody debris lies. One of dry fly fishing greatest joys is asking the question with each cast when fishing blind and of course to drop the fly into rings of a rise is sublime.  I did glimpse one particularly good fish that I intend to try for on a another occasion.

 

 

5 May 2026

News Alert: Channel 4 News RIVER TAW

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News Alert:

Alex Thompson Channel 4’s Chief News Correspondent will be running an item on an investigation into the way Enforcement Undertakings are decided on, implemented and then monitored on tomorrow night’s Channel 4 News 4 News at 7:00 pm.
Interestingly, it will contain references to the R Taw/Mole pollution and major fish kill incident that we had a few years ago and an interview with Alex Gibson, former Chairman of RTFCA regarding our experiences of the way EU’s are set up and run and why it was that we decided not to take that particular course of action in our search for the right outcome.

Should be an interesting watch!

 

5 May 2026

BUDE BAIT & TACKLE – OPENS

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Bude Bait and Tackle offers anglers in North Cornwall and North Devon a wide range of tackle covering all disciplines. Close to the coast and premier coarse angling venues the store is ideally placed to serve anglers within the area. I wish Chris and the team all the best for a successful and prosperous future.

4 May 2026

ANGLERS PARADISE FOUNDER ZYG GREGOREK HAS DIED

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ANGLERS PARADISE FOUNDER ZYG GREGOREK HAS DIED

I am sad to report that Zyg Gregorek founder of Anglers Paradise has died. Zyg leaves a lasting legacy in Anglers Paradise a holiday complex with lakes that has become famous across the angling world. Zyg excavated lakes driven by an ambitious vision. He worked tirelessly with his family to grow the complex from a marshy plot of land back in the early eighties to become the thriving holiday venue of today.

Zany Zyg as he was often affectionately referred to was  a larger than life character who travelled the world in search of specimen fish. His robust humour and passion for angling endearing him to many within a wide angling community. A trip to the Safari bar at the heart of Anglers Paradise gives a glimpse into a life well lived, its walls adorned with trophy fish and images that reflect many big names from across the angling world and beyond.

 

Zyg his family and the angling community have helped to raise many thousands of pounds for good causes and local charities.

Zyg’s infamous homebrewed wine fuelled many late nights of fun and laughter as anglers and their families gathered after a hard days fishing forging many lifelong friendships.

 The angling world will be poorer without Zyg, his legacy lives on with the Gregorek family, the fabulous fish and the lakes that provide a great platform for the future of angling.

3 May 2026

Fluff Chuckers / SWLT Brown Trout Masters Round 2.. WISTLANDPOUND

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Report by Rodney Wevill

A day of two half’s on Wistlandpound Reservoir for the 2nd round of the Brown trout masters.
The morning was warm , bright and calm and slow fishing, only 2 browns to the net in the morning, 1 each for Paul McEvoy and Keith Burnett , 33cm and 35cm
Pete Williams and Rodders found a shoal of Rudd and had hour of fun, we must have had 25 plus between us , most taking a Mini Scruffy tiger and black lure.
The later afternoon brought some hard rain and three more angler caught 1 fish each, Rodney Wevill with a 38cm, Wayne Thomas with another fine 38cm and Andrew Gooding with a 30cm.
Must anglers reporting losing fish in the afternoon.
So 5 fish in total on a difficult day, but the standard of fish caught was very good, all full tailed and very plump .
Today was a little bit of a trial, we weren’t sure about adding Wistlandpound to the Brown Trout master series, with it being a non stocked water,
But everyone liked the venue, loved the condition of the fish and it added another challenge to the overall competition.
So that’s a yes we will be back in 2027 👍
We also had the pleasure of John Deprieelle and his camara skills.
John was filming the event and discussing tactics with Rodders on behalf of Turrall Flies and SWLT so keep your eyes peeled for the short film’s release.
Once again a massive thank you to Turrall Flies, YETI Europe , Lakedown Brewing Co. & Tap Room and Trout Fishing South West Lakes Trust
For all the prizes and continued support.
Results
1 Wayne Thomas
2. Rodney Wevill
3. Keith Burnett
4. Paul Mc Evoy
5. Andrew Gooding
6.John Huckins
6. Pete Williams
Overall Standings after 2 Rounds
1. Keith Burnett. 4 points
2. Wayne Thomas. 5
3. Andrew Gooding. 7
4. Rodney Wevlll. 8
5. Paul McEvoy. 10
6. Pete Williams. 12
6. John Huckins. 12
7. Tony Chipman. 17
8. Gary Brazier. 19
9. Garry Boyde. 20
9. Dave Perks. 20
9. Steve Retallack. 20
Next round June 6th Fernworthy.
The day from a personal perspective.
Wistlandpound is local to me so it was a pleasant change to fish an event that didnt require an early rise and two hour drive. It was also a great start to the day with The Whistling Bean on hand with great coffee and breakfast rolls.
I was concerned that the algal bloom would impact upon the fishing but conditions were the same for everyone and it is a beautiful place to spend a day.

The fishing did prove difficult and it was very much a one chance day with five trout banked between the eight keen competitors. My own tactics were very much based on fishing a team of flies I had confidence in a black bead head woolly bugger on the point and two small black flies on the droppers. I persisted with this for 98% of the day only changing the point fly for a few casts on a whim. I had four takes throughout the day and converted just the one that produced a stunning wild brown of 38.5 cm.

On difficult days like this its often just a case of roving about trying here and there and keeping the fly in the water as much as possible in the hope that a feeding fish sees the lure.

Whn the algal bloom clears as it does every year sport will improve and those wild browns will succumb to good angling. Several good fish were lost and I’m sure the lake holds some really big specimen brown that grow large predating on the abundance of rudd fry.

Many thanks to Rodney for organising the events. I look forward to the next round at the picturesque Fernworthy high on Dartmoor.

Many thanks to my wife Pauline for a few additional images of the day.

31 Mar 2026

Torridge Rivers Association – AGM at the Half Moon Inn

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A month into a new salmon fishing season and the scoreboard is ticking on both Taw and Torridge with five pristine Springers of between 8lb and 10lb from the two rivers. This is heartening in these days of decline as these iconic fish are often referred to as the proverbial canary in the mine.

These incredible fish were high on the agenda at the Torridge Fisheries Association AGM at the Half Moon Inn, Sheepwash, where William Entwistle gave a passionate and no punches pulled talk to a packed meeting room highlighting the efforts being undertaken by the South West Rivers Association who founded the West Country Rivers Trust in 1994.

            William highlighted the catastrophic decline in salmon over recent decades and focussed on the industrial scale fishing in the open sea that is decimating salmon numbers taking thousands of adult salmon and smolts. The SWRA are lobbying the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation to work towards international action to protect salmon. William also emphasised the potential value of hatcheries and smoltification in aquaculture. William likened the artificial preservation of salmon stocks as a modern Noah’s Ark to ensure survival until political power provides a long term solution to overfishing.

            The impact of climate change undoubtedly a major issue across the Northern Hemisphere. Salmon eggs need temperatures below 10 degrees if water temperatures are above 12 degrees in January the eggs will die. During last summer water temperatures on Dartmoor reached 25 degrees a level that will kill salmonids.

            Prior to Williams talk Environment Agency Fishery Officer Sam Fenner had announced the total salmon catch for the Torridge in 2025 was twelve. This would have been a good days total thirty or so years ago!

Sam Fenner highlighted the work the EA are doing across the region despite the low numbers of fishery officers. Once again it was reiterated that any pollution or suspicions of illegal activity should be reported to the EA via their hotline 0800 807060. Anglers are the ears and eye of the river.

            Beavers featured widely in debate at the meeting with varied opinions expressed regarding the environmental impacts they bring, both positive and negative.

            Whilst there was a sense of sadness at the decline in salmon and sea trout there was a strong sense of community and an appreciation of the river. Brown trout are thriving and anglers are focussing on these beautiful fish and enjoying great sport with the emphasis on catch and release of all wild fish.

            The association work tirelessly at their hatchery and have stocked out close to 23,000 salmon fry over recent days.

For more information on the Association visit their website :- Link below

http://www.rivertorridge.org.uk/the-association/

31 Mar 2026

BULLDOG FLY FISHING – MARCH COMPETITION RESULTS –

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What a day we had at our Fly Fishing Competition on 29th March! 🎣
We kicked things off under overcast skies with calm conditions—no wind in the morning, though the forecast warned us of high winds and rain later on. The fishing started slower than usual (no classic 30 minutes of madness this time!), but it didn’t take long for things to pick up, with fish coming out steadily and a couple of anglers already hitting their morning limits.
Lunch couldn’t have come at a better time. With the wind picking up and a touch of rain setting in, everyone was more than happy to tuck into one of Bulldog’s famous roast pork baps with roasties, warming up in the hut with the fire going. Plenty of chat and laughter—especially about Chris’s monster catch… a BIG tiger that had everyone talking! 🐯
After lunch, we had a bit of a peg shuffle as the wind made casting tricky. With a redraw done, anglers got back to it, battling the conditions right up until the final horn. In perfect timing, Andrew landed his 6th and final fish of the day just before the end—great effort!
Then it was on to the all-important weigh-in…
🏆 Results
🥇 1st – Dave & Fred Chapman – 25lb 6oz
🥈 2nd – Nick “Lennie” Tamlin – 25lb 5oz
🥉 3rd – Pete Davey (Fishing for Heroes) – 24lb 8oz
🐟 Biggest Fish of the Day
Chris Dunn – 9lb 4oz Tiger Trout (NEW Tiger lake record!)
👏 Honourable Mentions
Ian Connabeer – 5lb 15oz Rainbow
Mark Ison – 5lb 11oz Brown & 6lb 10oz Spartic
Pete Davey – 6lb 6oz Rainbow
Fred Chapman – 5lb 13oz Rainbow
Nick Tamlin – 6lb 1oz Rainbow
Plenty of quality fish came out in the 4–6lb range, meaning even those off the podium went home smiling 😁
Thanks to everyone who took part—great atmosphere, great fishing, and a brilliant day all round.
Roll on the May dry fly comp!
30 Mar 2026

TROUT & SALMON GATHERING MARCH 2026

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Fly Fishing enthusiasts flocked to the Fox and Hounds at Eggesford last weekend for a gathering organised by Trout and Salmon magazine. The event featured talks from a wide range of experts covering fishing tactics, their fishing lives and how this connects with the natural world at the water’s edge and beyond.

The weekend proved to be a resounding success, a great social occasion that helps the fly fishing community to flourish. Whilst Fly Fishers tend to be solitary throughout much of their time pursuing their quarry there is also pleasure in sharing the joy. This was apparent throughout this event. Pauline and I could only fit in the Sunday morning of the event but it was apparent from all we met that it had all gone exceptionally well with thanks to Pete Tyjas, all at the Fox and Hounds, the exhibitors, the speakers and of course the attendees.

The Fox and Hounds has a rich history as a Country Fishing Hotel and should be treasured for these establishments are at the heart of fly fishing tradition and history. Many once thriving hotels have ceased to exist, the Carnarvon Arms and Tarr Steps Hotel on Exmoor are two that readily spring to mind. I have fond memories of both hotels and view their demise with sadness. It is of course the decline of salmon that contributed to their closing for salmon and the anglers who chase them bring valuable economic benefits to the local area.

The Taw still provides excellent fishing for wild brown trout that seem to be thriving an indication that the main issues with salmon decline are at sea. The Fox and Hounds offer fishing on nearly 4 miles of fishing on the River Taw. The lightly fished beats are maintained in their natural state.

 

Pete Tyjas, Editor, Trout & Salmon Magazine

Fishing small streams

Pete delivered a heart felt talk on his fishing life with valuable tips on casting and how to approach the water. It seemed appropriate that as Pete prepared to start numerous martins appeared high above as they migrate into their Spring and summer home.

Harry Chance, West Country Fly Fishing

Fishing the duo in pocket water

Harry displayed dry fly and duo techniques with great enthusiasm explaining in detail how to read the water and manipulate the flies to best effect. Giving valuable advice as to tackle set up and how to apply.

Fred Brown, Fishpal.com

Fishing streamers on rivers

Fred Brown gave an inspiring talk on the use of streamers and how to fish them. He explained how these lures often tempt the largest inhabitants of the river. It really does make sense as the larger trout will generally turn cannibalistic to maintain size. I have recently finished reading the excellent book River Trout Streamer Fishing by Theo Pike and intend to explore some of our local rivers with streamers.

            North Devon based Pete Tyjas is the new editor of Trout and Salmon Magazine that has been in circulation since 1955. Fly fishing is undoubtedly enjoying an influx of new thinking with a younger generation embracing tactics from across the globe. There is of course a rich vein of history and tradition interwoven in Fly fishing evolution over the centuries that should also be treasured.

Whilst away in the Cotswolds recently I spotted an interesting book entitled ‘The Diary of a Test Fisherman’ 1809 to 1819. I have skimmed through the book and will read fully in due course. It will be fascinating to note how times have changed as this book was published before F M Halfords;  Dry Fly Fishing in Theory and Practice that was published in 1889.

Whilst Pauline and I were only present for the Sunday morning and Sunday lunch it was obvious that all who attended had been privileged to enjoy a unique weekend full of warmth and laughter. It was reassuring to witness the experts finding the tree branches from time to time. When I catch the branches I hope to avoid any spectators yet; I would  appreciate a dedicated team of assistants to untangle fly and leader from the guilty branches!

The raffle at the end of the event raised  £410 towards river conservation projects.

Sunday lunch was  extremely enjoyable with a vast range of topics debated covering the natural world and the more worrying wider world.

I think all present over the weekend would agree that in these uncertain times fishing is the great escape.

30 Mar 2026

Torridge Fly Fishing – Gammaton Reservoirs – Quality Trout Fishing

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Torridge Fly Fishing Club manages the fishing at Gammaton Reservoirs near Bideford, North Devon.

The top lake at Gammaton has been restocked. Day tickets remain at £28 for 3 fish this season .

Membership for the season is also available at £190. Members can catch 6 fish a week up to a maximum of 40 .

Membership enquiries to Robert Chugg: 07491931003. Email : [email protected]

QR Code below to book tickets:-

Gammaton Reservoirs are nestled in a peaceful valley just a short drive from Bideford. They are reguarly stocked with quality rainbow trout averaging between 2lb and 3lb. Dry fly and buzzer tactics can work well along with all standard tactics. The lower lake also contains a few perch and other coarse species that can be tempted on fly tactics.