I joined fellow members of South Molton & District Angling Club on an evening Lure Fishing Trip out of Ilfracombe on Daniel Welch’s Predator 2. I had been looking forward to getting out on the water after having two trips cancelled already this year due to the weather.
I had already gathered that fishing had been difficult so far with the influx of bass and mackerel a bit behind expectations due partly to a prolonged May algal bloom. On climbing aboard we were greeted by Dan who gave us a choice of up channel targeting pollock with the chance of bass over the reefs off Hangman. Or to head down channel and fish the reefs off Morte for bass, wrasse and pollock. Dan explained that bass were proving elusive and that the sea would be a bit lively down West around Morte.
I kept quiet and left the decision to Chairman Ed the rest of the group. I was pleased when the option to head up channel was taken as I always relish time spent beneath the towering sea cliffs between Combe Martin and Heddon’s Mouth. The highest sheer sea cliffs in the UK descend beneath Great Hangman. These cliffs show scars of historical mining operations a reminder of a bygone age. In addition to fascinating history of mankind there is also a timeless aura to these wild cliffs.
This magnificent backdrop provided a spectacular setting for our fishing adventure. The fishing proved hard going despite large numbers of fish showing on the fish finder. I think everyone caught a at least one fish with pollock averaging around 1lb with a few fish of around 2lb. Dan worked hard searching the grounds and positioning the boat to drift over the fish that were reluctant to feed.
What a fantastic day on a fantastic venue with fantastic fish and more importantly fantastic people.
I can’t speak highly enough about the competitors at our events this year and today was simply top notch.
A full house entry 10 boats 20 anglers that had travelled from all over the South West, the deepest parts of Cornwall, Bristol, Somerset and Devon.
The standard of Angling this year has been exceptional and today was just brilliant, if you where a dry fly angler you where in for a fantastic day.
Those of us that pulled most of the day suffered with little action.
We fished from 9 till 4.30, with boat going off in all directions, some straight to the Upton arm to try for a Brown which held double points, but sadly no Browns to the net today even though a few where hooked and dropped early morning.
All boats caught from 2 fish to 14 fish.
Several 60cm plus fish with the biggest coming in at 70cm and a couple a bit bigger getting lost .
Congratulations to Tony Chipman & Pete Williams winning with 14 fish
Andrew Gooding & Andrew Watson second with 10 fish
Alex Venn & Harry Wilson third with 8 fish
Andrew Gooding winning the biggest Rainbow with a 70cm beast.
4th. Gary Jarvis & Adam Drescher 5
5th. John Huckins & Dave Perks. 5
6th. Gary Brazier & Paul McEvoy 4
7th. Kevin Sellar & Andy Jesson 4
8th Arron Gregory & Andrew Bellamy 3
9th. Rodney Wevill & Jethro Binns 2
10th Jonny Mac. & Luke 2
A special thank you to Jeff Pearce, Mark Underhill and all at Wimbleball Fishery for helping make today happen and the prize.
Lauren Harley and YETI Europe for your continued support, Lauren these event simply wouldn’t happen if it wasn’t for super stars like yourself.
Join us for an evening talk with Jack Perks on the launch
of his new book The Great British River
on Friday 26th June at The Arundell
Join us for an evening talk with Jack Perks on the launch
of his new book The Great British River
on Friday 26th June at The Arundell
In The Great British River, freshwater specialist Jack Perks explores the fundamentals of our rivers: the habitats they supply, how they transform on the journey from source to estuary and why certain species are suited to them. Discover ways to enjoy your local waterways and wildlife, as well as what can be done to help protect them.
Location: The Garden Room
Time: Starting at 7pm
Price: Tickets £14 per person including welcome drink
We will be taking reservations for dinner before and after the talk so please do book in advance to secure a table.
Please call 01566 784666 or email [email protected] to book your ticket today!
Combe Martin SAC’s Annual Putsborough competition is a popular fixture that always attracts a keen field of anglers from across the region. As Chairman of CMSAC the event always brings a degree of apprehension for there are often a few hurdles to overcome. The biggest factor is probably the weather and this year we certainly struck lucky with high pressure calming things down on the day of the competition with a light westerly breeze, clear skies and a light surf caressing the golden sands.
At the booking in point in the car park a steady stream of eager anglers arrived many of them familiar faces and names though putting the two together as they signed in was a challenge. Conversations flowed and were interspersed with the business of the competition. To all that came many thanks for supporting the club and this popular event. The total entry was 44 seniors and 3 juniors which is probably just abut right for the venue. Sakuma were once again very generous in their sponsorship with a splendid prize table. Thanks also to those who donated prizes on the night and to Barnstaple Bait and Tackle for a Junior prize.
The anglers spaced out across the sands with lights flickering from the beach almost as far as Woolacombe at the far end of this vast expanse of sand. It was a perfect summer evening as we set up at the water’s edge and launched our baits to coincide with the setting of the sun.
One aspect of the Putsborough Competition that is fascinating is how the fishing has changed over the decades. When we started the event over thirty years ago we had concerns that no fish would be brought to the scales. Fortunately whilst fishing has sometimes been slow there have always been fish caught. In recent years the fishing has improved with lots of fish registered each year with this year’s result once again very pleasing.
During those early years the competition was dominated by small eyed ray and the inevitable dogfish. Recent seasons have seen smoothound start to dominate the event with eight places of the top 13 being won with hounds.
Mario Manley with a 9lb smoothound (Runner Up)
This years event certainly kept Nick and I busy at the registration point sorting through fish entries by headlight on scribbled forms is always interesting and we are both pleased if we negotiate and calculate without incident.
Fish caught included smoothound, small eyed ray, bull huss, small conger, dogfish and dab.
The full list of winners below :- Once again many thanks to those that took part, to our main sponsor Sakuma, to Barnstaple Bait and Tackle and to Rob Tucker and his team at Putsborough Sands for allowing us access to hold the event.
Runners up Bella Mitchell & Lyla Mitchell with a dogfish and a bull huss
Combe Martin SAC look forward to hosting the event again next year. These events are vital for the angling community bringing participants together to share the angling experience.
Whilst there is a competitive aspect I know that is not what brings anglers along as the expenditure and effort involved is considerable. Its all about sharing a passion for angling and maintaining those long lasting connections.
Thank you to those who sent images If you have any more please send over to [email protected]
It seems that time spins past ever faster as life passes by and with mid- summer approaching I decided to take full advantage of the long summer evenings. Wimbleball Reservoir offers an excellent value evening ticket catch and release with one fish for the table for just £25. Starting at 3.00pm until an hour after sunset gives six hours fishing at this time of year.
I set out along the path through lush green vegetation intending to fish Rugg’s bank. There was a brisk cool westerly breeze blowing into the shoreline and after an hour I decided upon a move to the calmer waters of Bessom’s. There were fish present as I made brief contact with what felt like a big fish and had a couple of tugs. There were very few fish rising and I hoped a few beetles might be present where the wind was blowing off the land.
Bessom’s was certainly far more comfortable and I could put out a good line with ease. I had set up a floating line, with a Montana nymph on the point a PTN on the middle dropper and a small black cormorant on the top dropper. I allowed the flies to sink before starting a slow erratic retrieve. On the second cast I missed a fish and then on the third the line zipped tight as a good rainbow powered away somersaulting from the lake amidst a flurry of spray. It was four pounds of full tailed power and a great start to the session.
Two more fish were brought to the net in the next hour both hard fighting rainbows of around 3lb in prime condition both tempted on the PTN on the dropper.
Early evening sunshine illuminated the scene as gig rowers powered across the calm waters. Horses frisked on the fields across the lake adding an air of drama to the landscape.
Working the team of flies slowly I settled into a pleasing searching rhythm with the occasional missed fish keeping me alert. As sport slowed I changed over to a blue-flash damsel on the point trying differing speeds of retrieve. A slow retrieve was rewarded with a fourth rainbow of close to 3lb. Then a solid take brought connection with what felt like a big fish. After a minute or so the broad shouldered rainbow came adrift after a headshaking display.
The next thirty minutes proved fruitless prompting a move twenty yards or so along the bank that proved no better. So as the light started to fade I moved back to my original position for that last cast or two. As I started the retrieve a good fish hit the lure hard erupting from the water before stripping line from the reel. After an exciting tussle a beautiful rainbow of at least five pounds graced the net provided a fitting end to the evening.
Windows of opportunity are often brief on local rivers and getting to the waters edge when conditions are prime is the key to success.
Recent rain has brought the Taw and Torridge up a little encouraging a few fresh fish to forge upriver. Paul Carter fished a middle Taw beat to tempt a fine fresh run salmon.
Blakewell Fisheries Richard Nickell fished the middle Taw and tempted a fine brace of fresh run fish. A superb 10lb + sea trout and a fine fresh run salmon estimated at 13lb. For advice on catching salmon and sea trout from the Taw contact Richard at Blakewell Fishery.
I ventured to the River Torridge hoping to find a bar of silver but failed to drift my fly over a willing fish. The Rivers are a delight at the moment with luxuriant lush growth of early summer and an abundance of wildlife to watch. Hedging my bets I carried a light trout rod with a dry fly set up and before I left the river I dropped my fly over a rising fish to be rewarded with crimson spotted wild brown trout. When the rivers start to run clearer brown trout fishing should be excellent with the real chance of a bonus sea trout.
As part of our Waters of Exmoor campaign, we are delighted to welcome Professor Penny J. Johnes, Professor of Biogeochemistry at the University of Bristol, for a talk on the many sources of pollution affecting Exmoor’s rivers, streams and coastal waters. She will explain how pollution impacts ecosystem health, and what can be done to control it in ways that benefit wildlife and improve water quality.
Professor Johnes has spent more than thirty years researching the relationship between what happens on land and what happens in our rivers and seas. She is one of Britain’s leading environmental scientists and has advised the government on reducing water pollution. We are very grateful that she has agreed to speak to The Exmoor Society about her work. This is a not-to-be-missed talk for anyone who wants to understand more about the pressures facing our rivers and streams – and what can be done to help protect them.
Join us at Dulverton Town Hall on Tuesday 23rd June. Welcome drinks at 6.00 pm with the talk commencing at 6.30 pm.
Click link below for tickets and further information
To mark World Oceans Day on June 8th, the Association of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (AIFCA) is proud to launch its latest film, Conserve, showcasing how IFCAs work to protect sensitive species and habitats in England’s inshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), while ensuring sustainable fisheries can thrive.
The film explores the role of IFCAs in managing fishing activity within inshore MPAs, ensuring that the conservation objectives of these important sites are achieved while enabling sustainable use of these areas.
Conserve highlights the principles that underpin the IFCAs’ approach to MPA management:
Using high-resolution scientific data alongside local knowledge and lived experience
Working collaboratively with stakeholders to develop effective management measures
Ensuring management decisions are focused on meeting the conservation needs of each MPA
Adapting approaches in response to changing environmental conditions and emerging evidence
The film demonstrates how effective management of MPAs can support both thriving marine ecosystems and sustainable fisheries.
Produced by Mindfully Wired, Conserve follows the successful release of the Association’s previous films, Lead, Champion and Protect. Together, the four films provide an insight into the work of IFCA officers and members who are dedicated to protecting our coastline and fisheries.
As we celebrate World Oceans Day, Conserve highlights the important role Marine Protected Areas play in safeguarding healthy seas for future generations.
Combe Martin have an excellent prize table once again from our sponsors Sakuma. Looking forward to another exciting night on the beach. It’s two rods, catch and release with weigh witness and photo. Always an enjoyable night and a chance to catch up with fellow anglers in the community.
JUNIOR ENTRY £5.00 with Junior prize and choice from prize table.
