24 Nov 2022

Bulldog Trout on a wet and windy morning

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Local Fly Fisher and enthusiastic Fly Tyer  Eddie Tyas spoke with me recently to say how well Bulldog Trout Fishery was fishing with plenty of good quality hard fighting rainbows being caught. Always keen to wet a line I arranged to meet Eddie at the venue. Looking at the weather forecast I half expected a phone call suggesting  we call the trip off. Strong to gale force winds and heavy rain were on the way. On the optimistic side the worst of the weather wasn’t due until 11:00am.

As I pulled into car park at 9:00am large drops of rain were already dropping from a grey leaden sky  a gusty wind ruffling the water.

The water was slightly murky with the river swollen by heavy rain over previous days. After such a long dry summer the rain is of course to be welcomed but on a cold bleak November morning I did question our sanity. Tom Early suggested a bright white lure and this was what I put on after a few casts with my normally reliable olive damsel. Within a few casts a solid thump resulted in a rainbow of close to 3lb soon to be followed by a slightly smaller trout of just over 2lb.

Eddie persisted as heavy rain and wind increased, after a couple of hours Eddie did the sensible thing and called it a day. I was keen to get my last fish so persisted and tied on an even bigger white lure. After a couple of casts a savage pull resulted in my final trout of the day a well conditioned rainbow of just under 2lb. It was one of those rare occasions when I was actually glad to finish fishing for the day.

I hope to join Eddie again when the weather is a little less hostile..

21 Nov 2022

Free Lifejacket Clinic

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Are you involved in any type of watersports, including fishing from land?

Come along to our free lifejacket clinic and get advice about your lifejacket – Is it fit for purpose? Are the essential elements in date and in working order? When is it due for its next service? Not got a lifejacket or floatation devise and not sure which type to buy?

Appledore and Clovelly RNLI Water Safety Team are holding a free lifejacket clinic on Saturday 26 November between 10 am and 2 pm at Appledore Lifeboat Station and will provide advice and check over your lifejacket with you – and with the shop open you can buy your RNLI Christmas cards and presents at the same time, and meet the Face to Face Fundraising Team.

Please do not be the one we can’t save – Please come down and have your lifejacket checked.

 

Simon McCarthy of Summerlands Tackle
15 Nov 2022

ANGLERS PARADISE 2022 report from Zenia

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ANGLERS PARADISE 2022 report from Zenia
NETTING 2022 A HUGE SUCCESS!!
Well, what a week last week was!! The Netting of the Main Carp went extremely well and all fish were transported safely and happily.
If we could describe last week’s events we’d say it was full of FUN, FRIENDS AND MORE FUN!
Throughout the Netting week, we hold many Fundraising Events and this years events were a HUGE SUCCESS!
Here’s a breakdown of what we got up to and what was raised for Charity –
**Saturday Burgers and Hot Dogs – Special Thank you to Phillip Warrens Butchers and Jim Williams
£200
**Party Games Night – Special thanks to Party Game King – Joe Drury, & helpers Wendi Postma, Jaz Trent and Di Mepham
£76.70
**Pool and Darts – Special thanks to Johnathon Clark and friend Carl
£53
**Connect 4 Battles – Special thank you to Nicky Lock
£54
**Irish Bingo – Special thanks to Di and Andy Mepham
£136
**Toga B-I-N-G-O – Special thanks to Di and Andy Mepham
£192
**Netting Badges – Special thanks to Di Mepham
£97.56
**Fishing Match – Special thanks to the Sam Wahid and his boys
£115
**Naughty, Farty, Burpy Party and Ghost Hunt – Special thanks to Wendi Postma and Co
£122.35
**Guess the biggest Catfish weight – special thanks to Step Pearson and Treasure Hunt
£175
**Zeejay’s Sparklers – Special thanks to Zeejay
£27
**Raffle – Special thanks to Jaz Trent for selling the tickets throughout the week and thank you to all that donated prizes and bought tickets
£490
**Quiz Night throughout the year – Special thank you to the Quiz Master – Paul Teggy
£527.80
**Charity Wine throughout the year – Special thanks to Anglers Paradise
£545
SO – LADIES AND GENTLEMEN – THIS YEAR’S TOTAL OF OUR FUDRAISING ANTICS IS………..
**£2,811.41!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, wow, wow!!!!!
A MASSIVE THANK YOU TO EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU, WE COULDN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU!!
Here’s to 2023!!
Anglers Paradise
13 Nov 2022

Barnstaple & District Angling Association

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Barnstaple & District Angling Association held their AGM at the Ebberly Arms on Tuesday, November 8th.

It was a pleasure to attend the meeting and share in the club members enthusiasm. John Webber the clubs Chairman is to be thanked for ensuring that the club continues to thrive and appears to be entering a new era of prosperity. The clubs roots stretch back over 100 years and it was fascinating to view some of the clubs historic trophies that carry the names of many well known local anglers.

I have been a member of the association on and off for close to fifty years and have many fond memorys of fishing with the club and on its waters. I am pleased to say that plans are being made to rebiuld the clubs hut on the River Taw. I have waxed lyrical on several occasions about the hut and the anglers that rested there as they talked of fish and fishing.

The clubs committee are enthiuastic and committed to the clubs future and that of the River Taw and the salmon and other species that swim within.

This  year the club has used un-taken honorariums  to give a little help to local worthy causes.

We  chose two , The Wave Project , who run surf  therapy programs to improve the mental health of children and young people. I watched them at Croyde beach .It was wonderful to see the beaming smiles on their faces  as they surfed in with the help from the volunteer surf mentors

Our other choice  was the local Barnstaple Ability Football Club, they are totally self funded and rely on just donations. They  have nearly 80 disabled & special needs adults playing football in the club., including 30 new members and Lynn Ashman who helps run the club said our donation will go towards buying new kit for these new members

 £150 to each one odf these commendable causes.

Full details on the club and membership can be found at the below link.

https://barnstapledistrictangling.co.uk

 

 

 

 

13 Nov 2022

Anglers urged to sign petition to tackle river pollution

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Keen local angler Tony Watkins is urging fellow anglers to sign a petition to promote efforts to improve water quality in rivers across the UK.

Increase penalties and fund increased enforcement for river pollution

We want the Government to amend legislation governing offences for polluting rivers, from industrial or agricultural sources, and fund increased enforcement action against polluters.

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/627440?fbclid=IwAR2I2zbyByTLk76nZn8i1LuFl8wwN-iGPHkf6KDtYF79wLREY5nJg8zuNfs

“6,000 trout and salmon die in ‘largest ever fish kill in Devon’
The Environment Agency blames a “pollution incident” for the deaths of at least 6,000 fish in a Devon river.”

River Taw Fisheries & Conservation Association – Respond to Mole Pollution Incident

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/627440?fbclid=IwAR2I2zbyByTLk76nZn8i1LuFl8wwN-iGPHkf6KDtYF79wLREY5nJg8zuNfs

4 Nov 2022

Autumn Pike from South West Lakes Trust Waters

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There is something reassuring about home waters and the continuity of revisiting each year through the seasons. I have been fishing at Upper and  Lower Slade reservoir for close to forty years and remember when they were both trout fisheries stocked with rainbow trout. It also had a population of wild brown trout that grew to over 6lb.

Sometime in the 1980’s the lakes were stocked with coarse fish and a new era began. Some of the lakes carp from this time still reside within the lake and this season saw the thirty pound barrier breached for the first time. The lakes also held tench, bream, roach and perch. The Upper Lake was closed to angling on health and safety grounds when maintenance of the perimeter path was deemed impractical.

In 1994 the Lower lake was stocked with twenty one pike from what is now the country’s top pike water Chew Valley Lake. Several of these pike were in excess of twenty pounds and they provided fine sport for several seasons. These fish eventually perished due to old age and angling pressure. Fortunately, some of the fish bred successfully and the lake now holds a good head of pike and has produced its own fish to over twenty pounds.

I have fished for the pike since 1994 when I caught the majority of the original stocking with my best from the water a fine fish of 21lb 3oz. Pike fishing is very cyclical and seasons tend to fluctuate with some years producing lots of jacks and a sprinkling of doubles. At the peak of the cycle waters can if the  environment is suitable produce those specimen pike of over twenty pounds that dedicated pike fishers seek.

The dilemma with all good pike waters is that pike thrive when fishing pressure is low meaning that if good pike are being caught it is best to keep it under wraps. South West Lakes Trust manage several waters containing pike with Lower Slade being the only on in North Devon. There are also other lakes within their portfolio including Trenchford, Porth and Argal.

I visited Lower Slade on this early November day as heavy showers drifted past driven by a strong south westerly wind. These showers were interspersed with periods of bright sunshine. I started on the road bank with the intention of moving swims every couple of hours fishing two rods with float-fished dead-baits. In addition to the float’s I also used electronic bite alarms to alert me to a take if my eyes wondered from the crimson topped floats.

Pike floats bobbing optimistically on dark waters are one of winters joys and I tend to opt for floats even though straight legering is equally effective.

After a short time, a robin alighted upon the rods a welcome presence that brightens many a bleak winter day.

In the first swim the alarms sang out twice and the floats disappeared pleasingly. These were both jacks the biggest estimated at 8lb.

I moved to the far bank later in the day and was surprised that no runs were forthcoming in the next two swims. As afternoon passed I noticed the float lift slightly in the water. The float trembled and then disappeared beneath the dark water. I wound down and lifted the rod but failed to make contact.

It was to be my last chance of the day. I will be back in search of those bigger pike that surely lurk in Slade’s dark waters.

Pike are precious and need treating with care and respect. Always use tackle strong enough to ensure the fish is banked. Wire traces are essential as are unhooking tools including long handled forceps and side cutters. A suitable unhooking matt should also be used at all times. South West Lakes Trust rules state that single hooks must be used. I used a size 4 hook with a hair rig arrangement to ensure that there was no impediment to hooking cleanly.

 

(Above) Great catch from Callum Hardwick recently at Argal🎣 Callum and his mate had a great day fishing, landing 3 pikes to 15-17lb on Mackerel.

(Above) John Deprieelle and his sons Dylan and Leo, with a couple of pike they had from Trenchford this year.

30 Oct 2022

COMBE MARTIN SAC LURE FISHING COMPETITION

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Combe Martin Sea Angling Clubs Lure Fishing Competition generously sponsored by High Street Tackle concluded on Saturday, October 29th, with presentation of prizes at Danny Watsons High Street Tackle Shop in Ilfracombe.

I ( Wayne Thomas) was fortunate to take the first prize of a Penn Conflict XR Lure Rod with Dan Welch securing the runner up prize of a lure bundle worth close to £100.

Results – All lengths are actual with weights estimated via B.A.S.S Calculation charts for length to weight.

Wayne Thomas – Bass

74.5 cm                                 9lb 12oz

69    cm                                   8lb

68.5 cm                                   7lb 12oz

Total 212 cm

Daniel Welch

68 cm                                      7lb 12oz

66 cm.                                          7lb 2oz

61 cm                                      5lb 1oz

Total – 195cm

 

Solly Welch ( Junior)

58 cm                                      4lb 12oz

58 cm                                      4lb 12oz

57 cm                                      4lb 8oz

Total – 173cm

James Corner

62 cm                                      5lb 13oz

60 cm.                                      5lb 4oz

Total 122 cm

David Jenkins

55 cm                                      4lb

53 cm                                      3lb 12oz

Total 108 cm

Peter Robinson

62 cm                                      5lb 13oz

Effie Welch

53 cm                                      3lb 12oz

The club would like to thank Danny at High Street Tackle for his generous support throughout 2022. We look forward to working with Danny in 2023 whe he have exciting plans for another bass lure league for club members and an Open Lure Fishing competition fished over a weekend.  More details and dates to be confirmed in the New Year.

North Devon has a vast potentail for lure fishing with beaches, rocks and estuaries providing a wide variety of opportunities. The fishing on offer can certainly match fishing in more high profile areas like Southern Ireland, Pembrokeshire and Cornwall. We owe it to our local angling community to promote what we have to support the local economy.

27 Oct 2022

Grey Mullet – Provide Fine Autumn Sport

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October and early November can offer some of the best mullet fishing of the year as these fish often feed hard prior to the onset of winter. In past decades the end of October signalled the end of the mullet fishing season but now these wily fish can be caught throughout the year. Harbours and rock marks are well worth fishing throughout North Devon.

White bread the best bait for thick lipoped grey mullet
A near 4lb mullet tempted from a North Devon harbour.

19 Oct 2022

Summerlands – Promote Life Saving Jackets

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🧡🎣NEWS🎣🧡 (longer post than normal but please read and share if you can)… Sea safety has been brought right to the forefront this week and I cannot reiterate again how grateful I am that all ended well last weekend. 🎣🧡 FIRST NEWS 🧡🎣 Just to remind everyone that we stock two sorts of life jackets instore, both Crewsaver and both the automatic type which we recommend, different sorts all available to order too. Rearming kits are available and Appledore Station will also be holding a lifejacket clinic, date to be confirmed…**Payment plans are available for lifejackets please see below for details.🎣🧡 SECOND NEWS 🧡🎣 As many of you are aware Simon is an Appledore RNLI crew member and Appledore Station will be bringing the boat along side Appledore Quay this weekend from 3.30pm – 5pm so please pop down and have a look around and make a donation if you can. **We are aware that everything is all a bit tight at the moment and payment plans are available instore for lifejackets (subject to eligibility) Please ask for details in store. A donation is also made to Appledore RNLI for each one purchased from us at Summerlands Tackle. Thanks for reading.
Take care and tight lines always 🎣
16 Oct 2022

Minehead – Teddie Boy – Blonde Ray on the Feed

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Mid October is a great time to venture out of Minehead with a wide range of opportunities on offer. I had booked onto Teddie Boy Charters with my son James Thomas, Rob Scoines and a friend from my working life Derek Walters. There were three other anglers already booked onto the boat two of whom turned out to be ex Combe Martin SAC members who I had last met up with twenty years or so ago.

            Mike Webber is one of the UK’s youngest charter skippers but has accumulated a mass of knowledge beyond his years after crewing with his father Steve of Osprey Charters for many seasons.

www.teddieboycharters.co.uk 

            The plan was to enjoy some of the mixed general fishing on offer close to Minehead. Ray, huss, conger, smoothound and bass were all on the agenda.

            Sailing from Minehead is always very tide dependant and today’s departure was at  11:00am allowing us time to grab a Full English at the local spoons before grabbing bait from Mike’s Speedbait outlet.

            We gathered on the Quay just before 11:00am and chatted about the day ahead noting the autumn shades of the trees on the hillside overlooking the harbour. It was good to exchange a few words with Mike’s father Steve who has taken myself and other CMSAC members out to sea on many occasions.

            The boat turned West out of the harbour and steamed down channel to a mark off Porlock Weir where Mike predicted huss, conger and the chance of a ray. The first mark proved a little snaggy and we lost a couple of rigs and hauled up numerous small conger.

            Mike up anchored and moved the boat a few hundred yards before resetting the anchor. This proved to be cleared ground and we lost no more rigs. The conger were undoubtedly present in good numbers and a succession of hard fighting eels were brought to the boat. Derek hooked into an eel that put a substantial bend into his rod before eventually being brought to the boat. The eel estimated at around 15lb was hauled in for a quick photo. Next drop down Derek was into an even bigger eel that was released boat side.

            A couple of decent huss were brought into the boat along with a thornback and a blonde ray. As the tide eased the action slowed and Mike said it was time to head up channel for a blonde ray.

            This new mark was clean ground so Mike stated that conger should be less plentiful. Wrong! A succession of small eels seized our baits intended for blonde ray. Mike was however proved correct as the tide eased to low water. Rob Scoines hooked a decent fish that proved to be a lovely looking blonde of around 8lb.

This was followed a few minutes later when I hooked a good fish that put a healthy bend in my rod before eventually being pulled over the rim of the net. I estimated the ray at around 12lb and slipped it quickly back after a photo. A few years ago, I would have been keen to put a number to the fish but these days I seem to have lost that urgent need for gathering statistics.

            A few moments later it was Robs turn to do battle and this fish definitely deserved a number and was recorded at 16lb 3oz a specimen rating of 107%. Another blonde of close to double figure was also boated by our fellow boat fishers from Bristol.

            As the tide began to flood the bites again eased as the blonde ray appeared to switch off. It was now time to move once again to our final mark of the day half a mile or so off Dunster.

            It was now early evening and the sky was painted in wispy pink clouds. We all savoured the magical fading light over  fresh brews of tea and coffee. These moments of quiet contemplation and expectation are to some extent what fishing is all about.

A few eels gave strong bites and tussles in the strong tide. A couple of thornback were also added to the days tally along with a hard fighting smoothound for Rob.