As anglers we are seeing the impact of Climate change and Im sure the numbers of deny’s are dwindling?
With record May Temperatures over recent days this is perhaps a timely reminder as we head into Summer.
It’s Bloody hot
CARP FISHING NEWS
Chris Connaughton owner of Barnstaple Bait and Tackle has caught a personal best carp from Furzebray Lake. The mirror carp known as ‘Dropscale’ weighed an impressive 50lb 4oz. Furzebray Carp Lakes near South Molton opened in 2007 have matured into one of the West Country’s finest carp waters with numerous carp exceeding thirty and forty pounds.
Kyle Greenall’s biggest carp prior to his visit to Bulldog Fishery was just over 12lb. He pushed this to just over 23lb within hours of setting up and two hours later netted a stunning common carp of 37lb 4oz.
The hot weather over recent days has triggered carp spawning across many waters so it is wise to check with fishery owners before setting out to fish. Whilst there are still anglers who lament abolishing the old closed season for coarse fish it is perhaps more sensible to close fisheries at the appropriate time when spawning is witnessed. This ensures fish welfare during spawning and helps maintain the commercial viability of waters.
SOUTH MOLTON & DISTRICT ANGLING CLUB AT BULLDOG
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.
Blakewell – A Premier Trout Fishery
DRY FLY DELIGHT ON NORTH DEVON RIVERS
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.
News Alert: Channel 4 News RIVER TAW
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!
BUDE BAIT & TACKLE – OPENS
posted in: Articles, At the Waters Edge, Carp Fishing, Coarse Fishing, Game Fishing, Lure Fishing, Match Fishing, Sea Angling, Sidebar |
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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. 
Torridge Fly Fishing Club
Located at Gammaton Reservoirs ( 2 four acre lakes). Annual membership £190 . Members can catch up to 6 fish a week (4 taken or C&R)
Day tickets £28 (3 fish) available from Barnstaple Bait & Tackle & Tarka Country Pursuits, Torrington.Also you can use the QR code below to purchase tickets.
Membership enquiries to Robert Chugg: 07491931003. Email : [email protected]
ANGLERS PARADISE FOUNDER ZYG GREGOREK HAS DIED
posted in: Articles, At the Waters Edge, Carp Fishing, Coarse Fishing, Lure Fishing, Match Fishing, Sidebar |
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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.
Fluff Chuckers / SWLT Brown Trout Masters Round 2.. WISTLANDPOUND
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.
