Exciting opportunities to experience boat fishing off the North Devon Coast and beyond with new Ilfracombe based Charter boat Predator 2.
THE TEIGN BOOK – A REVIEW
THE TEIGN BOOK
THE STORY OF THE RIVER TEIGN RESTORATION PROJECT AND OTHER ASPECTS OF THE CATCHMENT
NEIL YEANDLE with photographs by Mike Rego
Rivers inspire with their unique histories as they flow through our green and pleasant lands and it is anglers who are amongst those with the deepest connection and passion. This is evident throughout the pages of the Teign book written by Neil Yeandle who has produced a very comprehensive and informative book on this fascinating and beguiling river.
Neil is a lifelong angler whose connection with the Teign commenced when he moved to the West Country in 1988. He became a member of the Lower Teign Fishing Association in 2001.
‘As a keen sea trout angler, he soon fell in love with the Teign, although night time angling and work were never a great combination. After setting up a business Partnership, and later his own company in 1988, he was fortunate enough to be able to retire in 2011, leaving him more time to pursue his passion for angling. Neil has served on the Lower Teign Fishing Association for many years and as secretary of the Teign Angling and Conservation Association since 2013. He volunteered to write a book as part of the River Teign restoration Project and this is the fruits of his labour.’
Passion and dedication to the river Teign the environment and of course its fish are apparent throughout the pages of this book. I was encouraged to write a review of this book by Roger Furniss, Chairman of The Teign Angling and Conservation Association. I feel honoured to have been given this opportunity and as an avid collector of fishing books it was a task I relished.
The Teign book is far more than a fishing book for it delights and informs readers with an evocative story of the river and its tributaries. The full life and extraordinary cycle of salmon and sea trout is explained in detail and enhanced with the colourful illustrations of Robin Ade . The fascinating natural history and man-kinds impact over the centuries is fully documented as the Teign plunges from the rugged heights of Dartmoor to the estuary at Teignmouth.
The book contains a wealth of photographs taken by Mike Rego and many others donated by many interested parties. These images are a valuable addition to a rich and informative text.
I have yet to fish the River Teign though I have developed a close interest in the river after reading of its fish in several books and articles over the years. My wife and I have also walked the banks of the Upper Teign as it flows through the deep wooded gorge below Castle Drogo and stayed close to the river during a short break at Chagford during the summer of 2024. I glimpsed good sized trout lurking in the sunlit waters that had that beer stained colour that always adds a sense of depth and mystery.
I also enjoyed some success whilst fishing at Fernworthy Reservoir at the head of the South Teign.
I have long held the belief that each river has a distinct and unique character undoubtedly influenced by its history and geological location. This belief was fully endorsed as I devoured the contents of this comprehensive account of the Teign. The stories and accounts of angling trips entwined with folklore and superstition add an entertaining and intriguing dimension to the book.
The fact that a rivers life spans millions of years is told within the pages and it becomes increasingly apparent how mankind’s hand has impacted in recent history. The key purpose of the Teign Restoration project is to raise awareness and engagement with the public in regard to the catastrophic decline of salmon and sea trout.
The sad story of salmon decline in the book is one that is replicated across the West Country and the Teign’s anglers have certainly shown determination to do all that they can to try and reverse this decline. The gathering of vital data over several years via walkover surveys, redd surveys, electro fishing surveys, river fly surveys, tagging projects, piscivorous bird surveys, in river works and temperature logging has provided an in depth knowledge of the rivers vital habitats and interconnected eco system. This data is used to channel effort into habitat improvement ensuring that work is invested wisely.
In addition to all of this work a salmon play, Our River Poetry competition and an exhibition at Castle Drogo have helped to engage with an audience far beyond the angling community.
https://www.medtheatre.co.uk/projects/river-teign-restoration-project/
The book is a celebration of hope for the future and how anglers and conservation bodies can work together. The Teign is a beautiful river its journey from source to sea through a vibrant landscape deserves to be told and this book gives a fascinating insight into a river as a living part of the land in which we live. After reading the book I am inspired to explore the rivers valley and maybe even search for those stunning fish that haunt its mysterious shaded pools.
Predator 2 – Charter Boat Ilfracombe – Opens Diary in Exciting New Venture
Exciting news!!! New booking site and 2025 Diary.
We said 2024 was the warm up and we would be going all out in 2025 and that’s exactly what we’re doing.
Check out our 2025 diary on our new booking site.
Our 2025 diary has something for everyone. We’ve got a few different sections in the booking site including some specials.
The dairy has been built around the tides and my previous catch records giving us the best chance of success.
All the trips are trips that I love doing as an Angler I now have the opportunity to share them with you.
We have moved to deposit based booking as I was let down a number of times last year but it also has the benefit of allowing anglers to spread the cost rather than having to pay everything on the day.
Most of the trips are set as individual space but with the option to book the full boat.
Full Report from Bulldog Fishery
Full Report from Bulldog Fishery
Heavy frost 
bright sunshine 
and an Easterly wind 
Everything you DON’T want for a days fly fishing… However, the anglers that fished the postponed February fly comp today took on the challenge!
bright sunshine and an Easterly wind Everything you DON’T want for a days fly fishing… However, the anglers that fished the postponed February fly comp today took on the challenge!First to hook up on one of Bulldogs finest hard fighting rainbows was none other than Mr Denis Ives, a mer 12 seconds after the starting horn! This puts Denis in second place on the wall of Fame for fastest hook up in a comp!
Many fish were hooked and landed throughout the morning with some truly heartfelt moments with some of the bigger stock lost at the net! It was certainly the case for Ian! Losing what can only be described as a colossal Tiger trout at the net.There were a few choice words shouted in anger that won’t be repeated here! But as they say, every cloud has a silver lining and with the next rotation on the lake, Ian landed 2 fish in quick succession. One of which being a 6lb12oz rainbow! 
Then a big cheer came from the opposite side of the lake, Graham Turner had landed a Tiger weighing in at 5lb9oz!
Although tough conditions the anglers persevered throughout the morning and rods kept bending. After the lunch break where Nigel and Tom could be heard bickering about who makes the best roast potatoes (we all know it’s Tom 
) it was time to get the lines back out.
) it was time to get the lines back out.Numerous fish could be seen chasing the fly but not committing! But thankfully the fishing Gods were smiling on us and more fish were soon bagged. Lee Newton was the first to fill his 6 fish limit, shortly followed by Rod!
Eventually the final horn blew and it was time for the all important weigh in! Results as follows:
1st – Rod Daniel 6fish- 27lb2oz
2nd – Denis Ives 6fish-22lb2oz
3rd – Lee Newton 6 fish – 19lb
Biggest fish of the day:
Rod Daniel -7lb brown trout
As always Tom was on hand with his filleting knife to raise what we can for the vets charity by means of a gut/filleting service! Thank you to everyone that kindly made a donation! 
A great day with a great bunch of anglers 
Ps if anyone finds Will Cory wondering around looking lost it’s because he can’t find what peg he’s supposed to be fishing, please return him to one of the Lee’s ASAP 
Roll on the March comp!
The 2025 River Trout Fishing Season Underway
The 2025 trout fishing season got underway on rivers across North Devon on March 15th and with rivers in prime condition it was good to see that several anglers had enjoyed success as I glanced through my social media accounts.
Whilst I would have enjoyed a day on the river I was privileged to have been asked to be guest speaker at the Taw Fishing Club’s AGM at the Fox & Hounds Hotel at Eggesford.
The Taw fishing club was established in 1912 and is a flourishing club of predominantly wild brown trout devotees. The AGM signals significant change with long standing and hard-working Chairman Professor Gordon Murray standing down after several years of sterling service. In his passionate closing speech Gordon gave his thoughts on the past present and future of the club emphasising the need for younger anglers to gradually replace the aging dynamic of the club. The club is at present in a very healthy and robust state with five miles of excellent trout fishing.
Conservation of the river and its eco system were key throughout the AGM and as I attend numerous such meetings across Devon I realise just how big a part anglers play in helping to maintain vital habitats across the region. There was also conversation about how we need to work with other interested parties to protect our rivers. Surfers Against Sewage and Wild Swimming Groups have certainly done a great deal to ensure that rivers are now higher on the political agenda and we should give them credit for their success where we have sometimes failed to get the message across.
My own talk was delivered to an attentive and polite audience with a degree of trepidation for following Gordon Murray a well-respected and eloquent speaker was a little daunting. My bullet point notes are included below :-
Notes for talk
- Thank you for asking me to talk today at the start of a new trout and salmon fishing season; hopefully I strike a cord with members and stimulate some thought and discussion
- I didn’t intend to write many notes but I have ended up with a couple of pages! So much for the intended free ramble…
- So onto my life of Fly Fishing and rivers
- I remember fondly where it all started: – As a child fishing the tiny River Umber in Combe Martin . Worms, bread, soft cheese and grasshoppers. Freedom, those crimson spotted wild brown trout were abundant’ There were even the occasional large sea trout. The valleys stream were full of life brown trout and eels.
- I guess many here have similar memories of younger days at the water’s edge?
- From trout and worms I eventually progressed to Fly Fishing and despite what some may think the method is often far more effective at deceiving the fish.
- Before I talk more of my Fly Fishing thoughts I will reflect upon our rivers.
- I often think of rivers as the arteries of our living planet and their health is vital to us all not just as anglers.
- I always relish exploring new rivers and I believe that each river has a unique character established over millions of years with history and geology influencing each river. Sadly in recent years mankind has generally been a destructive force.
- Many of Devon’s larger rivers embark upon their Journey high on Dartmoor or Exmoor often within a relatively small area. The Taw, Torridge and Tamar all sharing sources just a few miles apart. The Exe and Lyn sharing sources close together on Exmoor yet the rivers meet the sea far apart sometimes on different coasts. Whilst the Twin rivers Taw and Torridge follow their own routes eventually converging at the Taw and Torridge Estuary.
- Both rivers are very different and even the fish within are vary with their own unique DNA.
- I recently obtained a copy of The TEIGN BOOK – The Story of the River Teign Restoration Project and other aspects of the Reading this book has certainly made me aware of how a river is impacted upon by many factors.
- I would also note that whilst we think of our rivers being in a poor state now many were impacted upon by significant pollution in the past from mining and untreated sewage etc. In many case they recovered but it could also be that many pharmaceutical chemicals that leach into our waterways are more sinister than we think.
- An article in the Spring Trout and Salmon Magazine by Uli Zellweger highlights the issue of Tick and flea treatments on dogs that end up in rivers having a devastating impact upon insect life.
- I caught my first salmon from the River East Lyn in 1981 a time when these iconic fish were relatively abundant. Now we are talking of their potential extinction in West Country Rivers within a couple of decades…
- In the past fifty years we have lost an estimated 50% to 70% of insects and between 1970 and 2014 we have lost an estimated 60% of wild vertebrates. Data is often suspect but surely our own eyes and memories tell us a story.
- Cast your minds back and remember clearing smeared windscreens of insects? Not an issue these days is it but … Shifting Base Line Syndrome perhaps masks the decline over time. Each generation calibrating to its own sense of normality. Fifty years and a doubling of the world’s population; we certainly need to get the natural world higher on the political agenda!
- Angling is great for connecting with nature but we have to accept that young people need to garner that connection with rivers and nature and this could via so called wild swimming, canoeing or simple exploring. With luck they will perhaps become anglers somewhere along the line.
- We all know about the sterling efforts regarding conservation by angling clubs and wildlife trusts etc. But there is a worrying divide between many within Country Sports and a growing urban country divide. We need to focus on common ground perhaps? On a controversial note we have a government that plans to ban fox hunting yet is determined to build, build, build and to grow the economy with scant regard for nature.
- I am often dismayed at the way success is measured by GDP. Can we continue to push for growth at all costs?
- Enough of politics let’s get back to fly fishing.
- I recently attended the Dulverton Anglers Association AGM where I was privileged to meet author Nicholas Fitton whose book “ Gently Down the Stream” Has recently been published. I asked him to sign my copy and we had a good chat about fly fishing and fishing. I was shocked a couple of weeks later to receive the very sad news that he had passed away suddenly as the result of a heart attack. A stark reminder of life’s fragility and the importance of relishing every moment.
- Nick challenged the upstream dry fly purist within the pages of his book and my eyes were opened further when I attended a Euro nymphing tutorial at the Arundell a couple of weeks ago.
- James Christoforou and Lewis Hendrie gave a fascinating demonstration on using tungsten nymphs to search the river. The use of wiggly worm patterns drew comparisons to LRF fishing techniques. Perhaps these new approaches will encourage a new generation to embrace fly fishing?
- There is a balance between new tactics and long standing tradition and it is perhaps for each angler to decide?
- There is no doubt in my mind that the ultimate delight is to see a wild brown trout slurp down a well presented dry fly but as fly life dwindles and trout lurk deep should we deny ourselves the opportunity to enjoy a well bent rod?
- For our pastime to continue we need clean rivers and young anglers ensure it continues. Key to this is perhaps the Angling Trust but many in today’s society do not join holding a what’s in it for me attitude to life.
- We are very lucky to share a passion for angling and as a new season starts let’s look forward with a sense of optimism for we must relish and savour what we are so fortunate to still have access to.
-
What are everyones thoughts here?
After a moment of silence I was relieved when the membership embarked upon a lengthy discussion stimulated by my rambling delivery. I sincerely hope some of the ideas generated will sow seeds for future generations to immerse themselves in this wonderful pastime.
At the Arundell Arms opening day was celebrated in style with a gathering of keen anglers enjoying conversation, complimentary coffee and bacon rolls before a traditional toasting of the river. Several beautiful wild brown trout were tempted by anglers despite the cold North East wind.
ARUNDELL – SPRING GRAYLING DAY
Meet in the tackle shop for complimentary tea, Coffees and a bacon roll followed by a day learning about fishing, fishing and then a film on the fish. All at one of the West Country’s most revered Country Hotels THE ARUNDELL located on the Devon Cornish Border. A great agenda for a day for sure, what’s not to like?.
Early March and grayling and nymph fishing tactics were top of the agenda. Though an early salmon from the River Torridge headed the early discussion as anglers from far and wide chatted over warm drinks. The tackle shop provided plenty of quality products for the fly angler and I took the opportunity to buy a few heavy nymphs as recommended by James Christoforou and Lewis Hendry. Our expert tutors for the morning session.
Spring sunshine soon cleared the early frost and mist from the rolling hills and valleys revealing a bright blue sky and roadsides brightened with yellow daffodils and primroses.
Close to twenty anglers were booked into the mornings tutorial on Euro Nymphing tactics and after a lengthy time of chatting and mingling we head for the river some of us enjoying a pleasant stroll the river situated half a mile from the hotel whilst others jumped into cars and Landrover’s.
We all gathered beside the River Lyd that was looking in fine trim; its clear water glistening in the bright morning light. The Arundell team was headed by James Christoforou accompanied by fly fishing guru Lewis Hendrie and long-time Arundell stalwart and much respected David Pilkington.
James waded out into the clear waters and started to explain the basics of modern Euro Nymphing. It was explained that Euro Nymphing is a phrase coined to describe a range of nymphing tactics created primarily by anglers from Poland, Czechoslovakia and France. The technique basically embraces the use of long light rods paired with a very light line and heavy nymphs that are propelled into the river using their weight instead of the line as is the case with traditional fly fishing.
The approach to the river is vital if success is to be enjoyed the first objective being to get close to the fish without alerting them. Slow and low was the motto; a useful tip being to use knee protectors available from builders merchants to protect those knees and expensive waders from wear tear, brambles and barbed wire.
Lewis Hendry followed on bringing even more in depth advice on tactics frequently driving home points already made earlier by James in his own enthusiastic and unique style.
Take a note of where the light is shining from, read the water to guess where the fish lie and pause to look around for those fly hungry trees.
The intricacies of sight leaders, nymphs and how to present them were explained with passion, humour and clarity. The main thrust is that tradition is largely forgotten in this refreshing and enlightening approach to catching trout, grayling and even salmon and sea trout.
The key is to present the nymph to where the fish are lying, into the taking zone, offering an easy meal a tactic that can very often tempt a big wily fish lurking in the deep waters of the river when traditional dry or downstream wet fly tactics pass over the fish.
I personally found the whole tutorial enlightening picking up various tips as is always the case when hanging around with highly experienced anglers. It was also very reassuring to learn that my own tactics were pretty sound even if my delivery sometimes goes astray. Though we were assured that even they get hung up in the odd branch and that losing the occasional nymph to a snag on the riverbed is par for the course if you are searching for the feeding zone correctly.
Wiggly worm nymphs jigged deep are far from traditional tactics and those from an older generation would undoubtedly frown upon these tactics that I felt had much in common with LRF fishing tactics. There are undoubtedly those who would say it’s not cricket but if we want young anglers to come into the sport perhaps we need to adapt and learn fun new tactics.
Lunch time and my friend Jeff Pearce and I headed back to the Arundell to enjoy a coffee and cake from the deli before heading off to beat 3 on the River Lyd for a couple of hours late afternoon fishing.
It was a joy to walk across the fields to explore the River and try to locate those hot spots where the grayling dwell. Inspired following the mornings tuition we sent our nymphs plopping into deep pools and promising runs.
The afternoon sun illuminated the bankside trees, spring flowers and the bright clear sparkling waters are a perfect tonic to this increasingly troubled world.
I watched my bright orange leader, it stabbed down, I lifted the rod and a good sized grayling splashed and twisted in the strong current. Sadly it came off after a few seconds but at least I knew I was doing something right.
We left the river as the sun slowly sank and returned to enjoy a delicious meal in the bar before heading to the Tamar room to watch the film.
The angling world is undoubtedly a very connected community I observed as we chatted with fellow angling guests. Plotting future excursions and debating various aspects of this fascinating piscatorial world.
Close to forty assembled for the showing of Jack Perks acclaimed film Britain’s Hidden Fishes.
“Britain’s Hidden Fishes” is a not-for-profit documentary by Jack Perks, a renowned British Wildlife videographer. This captivating film explores the fascinating underwater world of the UK. From chalk streams to the open sea, the documentary shines a spotlight on some of the UK’s most overlooked and underrated wildlife, fish.
Narrated by Jeremy Wade ( Of River Monsters), Britain’s Hidden Fishes was filmed over two years to capture never-before- seen stories, behaviours, and footage of British fish.
The film is undoubtedly an outstanding insight into the precious and spectacular world of UK fish. It is hoped that the film will eventually be shown on mainstream television where it deserves to be aired to a far wider audience.
The talk was followed by an enlightening question and answer session with Jack Perks whose passion for fish and fishing was plain to see.
A NEW SEASON UNDERWAY AT WONDERFUL WIMBLEBALL
A NEW SEASON UNDERWAY AT WONDERFULL WIMBLEBALL
The Exmoor landscape glistened with frost as the sun climbed in the clear sky. I negotiated the icy roads on my way to Wimbleball on the last day of metrological winter.
A veil of white mist hid the reservoir from view as I approached with not a breath of wind.
Several anglers were already at the water’s edge and had enjoyed early success. I was meeting with my good friend Jeff Pearce who had assisted with the launching of several boats offering advice based on the previous days opening.
I had already set up my Snowbee Diamond 2 Fly Rod #7 4-Piece – 10′, in combination with a 7wt, Intermediate line with black lure on the point and small diawl bach on a dropper. This was my go to set up early season and I was to use this throughout the day. I had a few casts in the boat bay whilst Jeff continued to assist arriving anglers with the boats.
The mist was lifting quickly as late winter sunshine quickly warmed the air. The lake was mirror calm only the departing boats rippling the waters. I captured a few images of the scene and poured a coffee. It was good to be back at this jewel in the crown of West Country Fly Fishing.
This was day two of a new season and anglers the previous day had enjoyed most success fishing from the bank. The most successful flies were undoubtedly black and green perpetuated by the fact that most anglers choose this pattern early season.
Jeff and I had a cunning plan to utilise our boat to move around beaching the boat at promising areas and fish from the bank. Our first point of call was Bessom’s an area that gives access to reasonably deep water. I was full of optimism and belief but the first hour passed without any connection to the lakes residents.
Jeff was first to connect tempting a typical hard fighting rainbow on a black booby fished deep and slow. Despite lack of success I persisted casting out and working my lure back slowly inch at a time with the occasional speedy twitch and pause.
Persistence and belief generally pay off and suddenly the line zipped tight and I enjoyed the delectable throbbing of life transmitted through the line the rod absorbing the feisty rainbows attempts to shed the hook.
We spent another hour or so catching another six rainbows the best around 3lb 8oz. Whilst we could have stayed and caught steadily we decided upon a change of scenery moving to Cowmoor and an area of bank that has been cleared to allow easier access and plenty of room for the back cast.
It didn’t take long before the rods were bending and reels singing as rainbows hit our lures treating us to acrobatic antics as the fish leapt cartwheeling on our lines end. Jeff had by now changed over to a similar set up to me and tempted fish on a regular basis. We ended the day on fourteen trout averaging 2lb 8oz the best probably 3lb 8oz. Jeff lost what felt like a big fish of which many have been stocked the best topping 10lb.
The day will be remembered for the warmth of the sun the beautiful scenery, good company and of course those hard fighting full tailed Wimbleball rainbows. In many ways it was another perfect day that ended all too soon.
Opening Day Report from Wimbleball Fishery.
Seven boats and twenty-nine bank anglers attended opening day on Thursday. Some great catches were had, pictured was Simon Peters, from the bank at Cow Moor the fish were cruising the bank, you’d get 1 or 2 quick succession then it would go quiet for a while, ended up with 15 fish between two anglers, including pictured one around 5lb.
Peter Duckett had 3 right off from by the flagpole.
Anthony Cartwright had a great day on Friday fishing the bank from Ruggs, catching 16 fish on a mixture of floating lines with lures to shooting heads and boobies. Picture of decent fish in margin by rod, not far off 10lb.
Kieron Jenkins with the best of a 21 fish total from the boat saturday, with most fish coming from Bessoms with some lovely overwintered fish from around the Pontoon.
Best method was fishing di7 and two boobies (pink and black) slowly at depth. Plenty of positive vibes from anglers, bank seemed to outfish the boats weather was so different from previous seasons and the cold temperatures with bright sunshine put the fish down a bit but some still caught on floating lines and diawl bachs! Get those online returns in, as at the end of the month Wimbleball admin will pick a random catch return for a free take 2 fish then catch and release ticket.
Celebrating the Salmon Season 2025
March 1st and the commencement of a new salmon season on North Devon’s Taw and Torridge. I joined members of Barnstaple & District Angling Club at Newbridge to celebrate the occasion at their bankside hut. Warm spring sunshine brought smiles and optimism a contrast to last season’s start with a raging torrent of dirty water combined with hail and thunder.
A Hang glider drifted high above in a clear blue sky. We chatted warmly of seasons gone and those who had walked the river banks at this very spot. It was good to share the spring day with a band of fellow piscators those stories of silver bars bringing hope for the season for anglers are an eternally optimistic bunch. A cool beer, hot dogs, Lemon drizzle and a cup of afternoon tea.
The river was running high with that healthy aqua tinge of spring. With the biggest tides of the season any salmon were likely to be well upriver by now but it was perhaps still worthwhile savouring the throb of a spinner as it traversed the currents or the drift of the fly over well-known taking lies.
Daffodils, celandines and primroses brought that touch of yellow to the lanes and river bank. We will soon glimpse the first martins and swallows and who knows perhaps that silver tourist will bring a touch of silver to enrich some lucky anglers life. I look forward to reporting on the first spring salmon of 2025.
POPULAR FLY FAIR SIGNALS EVE OF A NEW SEASON
The South West Fly Fair hosted by South West Lakes Trust and held at Roadford Lake has become a popular fixture in the West Country angling calendar and is seen by many as the curtain raiser to the season ahead. I have been attending the event for many years and always enjoy the opportunity to catch up with familiar faces and forge further connections within the fly fishing community. The main sponsors for this year’s event were once again Turrall, Chevron Hackles and Snowbee.
Gale force winds and heavy rain failed to dampen enthusiasm as keen fly fishers gathered around the many stalls within the spacious conference rooms. There was an impressive array of tackle, clothing and fly tying equipment on display along with representation from local angling clubs, associations and the hospitality sector. As always river conservation was high on the agenda with a real passion for the preservation of our rivers and wildlife within.
The River Teign Restoration Project that brings a story of salmon decline and the efforts to restore the river to its former glory was of particular interest to myself and I look forward to reading all about it in ‘The Teign Book’ written by local angler Neil Yeandle. The book now sits on my desk ready to read over the coming weeks. Glancing through its pages I can already see that it is an evocative story of catastrophic decline and sterling work to restore habitat that brings hope for the future.
Former head of angling at South West lakes Trust Ashley Bunning was present with South West Waters Invasive species team highlighting the threats posed to our environment and native species. https://www.southwestwater.co.uk/about-us/latest-news/tackling-invasive-non-native-species-to-help-protect-our-wetlands
Talking with various organisations it would seem that 2025 is set to be a busy year for the regions anglers with plenty of events planned.
The Arundell Arms is set to host several events over the coming months starting on March 5th with a grayling day and showing of Jack Perks acclaimed film ‘Britain’s Hidden Fishes’. This Country Hotel steeped in angling history since 1932 has a sound future with the vastly experienced David Pilkington working with new fishing guide James Christoforou.
Leon Fisher is the new head of fishing at South West Lakes Trust and welcomed well respected angler and long-time supporter of the show Charles Jardine to open proceedings. Shortly after Charles took to the wet and windy outdoors to demonstrate the art of fly casting. Charles as always wielded his fly rod with deceptive ease to propel the fly line into the gale force gusts whilst casting valuable advice to the anglers sheltering in the porch area.
Charles stressed the importance of stance and how to hold the rod pointing out that these basic foundations are the key to consistent delivery of the fly to the target. A very important point is that protective glasses should be worn at all times. It was refreshing to hear Charles reflect upon the design of rods and their price tags. Whilst top of the range rods are a joy to use the actual performance is largely in the hands of the angler.
https://www.hanak.eu/en/about-us/company-hanak
I chatted with Local angling guide Lewis Hendrie who was on the Hanak stand with their team of dedicated fly anglers. Lewis has his routes on Exmoor having grown up in the village of Exford learning his art on the wonderful rivers and streams that cascade to Devon’s North and South Coasts. Chatting with Lewis he pointed out that he had featured as a rising star in the Fly Fishing world in my North Devon Journal Angling column twenty five years ago. It is the mixing and mingling with fellow anglers that is at the heart of this event. Whilst fishing is the vital link conversations often flow far wider contributing to a healthy community.
Andrew Beattie of https://abtfishr.co.uk
Always interesting to see new and Innovative products ABT have a range of robust products for fly fishing and other disciplines designed by Andrew. The LRF Critter cradle with disgorger caught my eye as a useful tool for the growing band of sea anglers exploring the fascinating miniture world of species hunting.
The ideas behind the CritterCradle are as follows:-
- Primary objective is fish care during for LRF angling
- Provides a clean fish friendly surface for unhooking
- Photography – a neutral grey compatible with camera exposure meters for good image exposure
Features
- Competition card slot 68mm wide
- Integral knot tightener (on the measure extension)
- Measure & measure extension up to 300mm
- Small hook disgorger
- Light weight/ compact size for carrying
As a result it is a good tool for teaching & engraining good fish care techniques in young anglers (old too!).
Fly tying features extensively at the fair those present creating a wonderful range of flies, lures and nymphs to tempt a wide range of species in many waters. Tiny dry flies and nymphs to temp wily wild brown trout and grayling. Gaudy lures for freshly stocked rainbows and those big mouthfuls for ferocious pike. Fly tying can be a hobby itself filling those long winter nights spent dreaming of those warmer brighter days ahead.
We are very fortunate in the West Country to have a vast range of waters to explore. One of the discussions at the expert forum between Charles Jardine, Rodney Wevill and Gary Champion was the wonderful places that fly fishing takes anglers to across the world. With a vital connection to nature highlighted by the speakers.
I returned home from the fair with my mind buzzing and full of inspiration for the coming season. The value of life and savouring each day and moment emersed in angling and the natural world is always highlighted at these events.
John Aplin (Centre) from Casterbridge Fisheries Ltd
Grayling in a timeless Valley
Trout Fishing for Beginners – with Directions for Dressing Flies for Trout and Grayling and useful Recipes
By Devonshire Fisherman ( Rev A Hughes)
The month of January is, unfortunately for the fisherman Artic in its conditions to tempt him to leave the fireside and pursue the gentle art: but February though it has well-earned itself the cognomen of “fill Dyke.” Is not always a wet month. There are many of its twenty eight days which possess a charm as fascinating to the piscator as the more genial breath of spring: when the fish are alert, and rise to the fly with exceptional readiness.
“About the year 1896 grayling were first introduced into the River Exe”. Five hundred yearlings.
The River Haddeo joins the River Exe a couple of miles downstream of Dulverton and has a character all of its own. This is probably in partly due to the influence of Wimbleball reservoir that has impacted upon flows reducing flooding as the dam takes the sting out of any heavy rainfall events.
The Dulverton AA beat runs for about a mile upstream of the junction with the Exe and has a wealth of interesting features to explore. Grayling are a fish I have a fondness for part in due to the fact that they give an excuse to fish the river during the winter months when the landscape has a unique and beguiling atmosphere.
I waded beneath the old stone bridge that carries the A396 to enter the peaceful Haddeo valley. Working upstream the left of the River consists of woodland and pheasant pens used by the local shoot. High above on the hill are the remains of Bury Castle believed to have been built by William de Say before his death in 1144. A google search for William de say brings little reward so the history just adds a bit of mystery to the valley. To the right is farmland with sheep grazing and young lambs already in evidence.
The river is running clear and at a good height as I start to explore its pools and runs with a pair of heavy nymphs. Evidence of winter storms are all about with plenty of fallen trees and woody debris some of which will add to the rivers health and biodiversity even if it renders a few swims unfishable in the short term.
I fished this beat in January of 2024 over twelve months previous so I already have an inkling on the best areas for grayling. It is remarkable how the river often seems devoid of fish during the winter months. During the late spring and summer wild brown trout are abundant darting for cover in the clear waters and rising for flies. I catch a couple of out of season browns during the day but I often wonder where the majority retreat to in winter.
It’s an overcast misty day, cock pheasants, survivors of the shooting season strut arrogantly on the far bank eyeing me with suspicion. Snow drops add a welcome brightness to the gloomy day and foretell of the Spring days to come. A shallow pool is full of frogspawn a sight I have relished since a young boy fascinated with ponds and the life within.
It is a joy to work my way slowly upriver allowing the nymphs to trundle close to the river bed. I watch the bright tip of my nymphing line intently lifting the rod each time it pauses feeling for a fish. After half an hour or so in a small pool I lift the rod and feel that wonderful life throbbing at the end of the line. The 3 weight rod bends pleasingly as I glimpse the silver flanks of a grayling its crimson sail like dorsal fin adding momentum as it holds in the fast flow. A pleasing fish of perhaps 8oz is soon safely in the net and slipped carefully back into the river.
Catching that first fish of the day always brings a certain contentment for whilst it doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things it does bring satisfaction for when asked later about the day you can at least report upon a degree of success.
I fish on upriver and eventually come to a deep lie from which I extracted a grayling on my visit last year. To some extent success always encourages that little extra perseverance next time you fish. A fact that often leads to the belief that you have located a hotspot when you may perhaps have just had an extra drift or two because you believe. Anyway the line twitch’s just where I expect it to and the second grayling of the day is soon netted.
A few yards upriver there is a tempting deep looking pit where I prospect carefully. The line again pulls tight and there is another pleasing tussle with a lovely plump grayling of 12oz or more. Whilst these Devon grayling seldom reach the weights of their fellows in Dorset or Hampshire they can only be judged on the rivers they dwell in and on light tackle they offer superb and challenging sport.
Before starting to work my way back down river I pause to savour the scene. Country cottages across the valley woodsmoke drifting into the still cool air. An ancient oak tree stands beside the river its immense worn and weathered trunk testament to its age. It is fascinating to ponder for a moment or two on the history of this tree and what has transpired through its long life. Generations of anglers have fished this stream. Children from the village have undoubtedly caught trout here in days gone by drifting worms perhaps ignored and tolerated by the river keeper of the day. Poachers would undoubtedly have taken salmon from these waters during the late autumn and winter. Both types of poacher are seldom seen these days for children sadly seem to have lost the freedom and inclination to connect with rivers whilst the salmon are no longer there to poach in any number.
These observations only relate to the past fifty or so years. The old oak could be four hundred years or more old dating from before the Industrial revolution and witness to the many wars and tribulations of mankind. I guess the reassuring ever rolling stream and majestic oak bring a certain grounding to ones soul as we fish these pleasing rivers of life. In his new book due to be released this spring Robert MacFarlane askes the question. “ Is a River alive?” .
https://www.sevenfables.co.uk/product-page/book-is-a-river-alive-robert-macfarlane-1
Standing within these cool, enchanting waters the answer is surely yes and that its life is long, unlike our own lives in the words of the rock group Jethro Tull,
“Life’s a long songBut the tune ends too soon for us all”.
I retrace my steps back down river as the afternoon light begins to slowly fade. Ancient trees towering in the misty landscape. I look forward to returning in a month or so when those crimson spotted brown trout will rise, spring flowers will decorate the river bank and birdsong will reverberate through this peaceful timeless valley.
