27 Jun 2025

RIVER HEALTH – OPPORTUNITES TO RAISE AWARENESS

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Articles, At the Waters Edge, Game Fishing, Sidebar | 0

There are numerous threats to the complex life systems within our rivers and it is imperative that we all try and do what we can to give life a chance. Whilst salmon are perhaps the most iconic of fish they are perhaps the proverbial canary in the coal mine and their plight is an indication of the overall health of our planet. See below issues sent to me by James at Lance Nicholson’s.

The Issue

🐾 MILLIONS of doses of pet flea and tick treatments containing imidacloprid and fipronil are sold without prescription in the UK every year. These powerful insecticides — which have been restricted in farming for the past 7 years — are freely available in supermarkets and online to use on pets and are contaminating our rivers, harming wildlife – and us.

Recent studies show they’re found in 100% of tested UK urban streams, harming the very species our ecosystems rely on — mayflies, dragonflies, beetles, and the birds and fish that depend on them.

This is chemical pollution on a national scale, and it could be stopped now…

✍️ PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION

To: Baroness Hayman, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Call on the UK Government to end the non-veterinary sale of imidacloprid and fipronil pet flea and tick treatments

❗ THE PROBLEM

– Imidacloprid and fipronil are deadly to aquatic invertebrates even in minute quantities.

– These pesticides enter water systems when washed from treated pets, from their bedding, or even our hands

– One treated dog can contaminate 5 million litres of water above safe levels.

– Yet these treatments are sold without guidance, warning, or oversight.

🚫 WHAT WE’RE ASKING

We urge the UK Government to:

1. Ban the sale of imidacloprid and fipronil-based pet parasite treatments except by veterinary prescription

2. Immediately improve warning labels to highlight the environmental harm of these products

3. Support research into safer, eco-friendly alternatives for parasite control

✍️ PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION AND SHARE THIS WITH AS MANY OTHERS AS POSSIBLE

Let’s protect our rivers, wildlife, and national parks!

________________________________________________________________

About the Exmoor Society

The Exmoor Society is a registered charity working to protect and promote the unique landscape, wildlife and communities of Exmoor. We believe the environment and the economy must go hand in hand — and that protecting nature starts with knowledge, action and partnership.

See Petition Link Below :-

https://chng.it/QM7zvHPQqv

PREDATION

Dear Member,

There is growing recognition by environmental regulatory bodies that fish-eating birds,

Goosanders and cormorants, may have a debilitating impact on the population of salmonids in our rivers.

Natural England agree that simply scaring birds is likely insufficient to reduce the predation of our fish populations.

But it is essential to establish the population size in any given river system before any positive action could be considered.

There is now a real opportunity for fisherman and any other persons enjoying the river to be alert to the population of piscavores and take it in hand to report sightings. Adults have now had their chicks, and they are very successful breeders, and will stay on location in the early months.

We have designed a form that you can download to record sightings. The more detail you can provide the greater the validity of our evidence.

Tom Watts, our Fisheries officer / SEW Project Officer at WRT (Westcountry Rivers Trust ) will act as the co-ordinator of reported sightings

He has designed a google form that auto populates a spreadsheet in the form of an easy questionnaire.

This can be shared through the website, email, newsletter, social media etc.

You have a sighting? Just click on the following link. Please save the link to apply to each sighting

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSemjJ6iOSSmbSXXMda7DF94MnPVwFIErqamCvuMpANITEioOg/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=110697134527242215967

Please pass this on to any friend / interested party.

You may also wish to keep a record of your sightings so you can download the attached spreadsheet

and send it in to Tom at the end of September. Try the link first.

Thank you very much for your help

With best regards

Bruce Pearson, Secretary RETA

26 Jun 2025

A glimpse of silver – Arundell Summer Fishing

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Article, Articles, At the Waters Edge, Fishery Focus, Game Fishing, Sidebar, Uncategorised | 0

The season certainly seem to be drifting by on life’s current in an ever increasing speed and it seems only a short time since I was last at the Arundell for the grayling day back in early March. https://www.northdevonanglingnews.co.uk/2025/03/06/arundell-spring-grayling-day/

Over three months later and the grayling closed season has passed and summer sea trout are ascending the rivers of the Tamar catchment. The Arundell boasts twenty miles of water amidst lush landscapes of the Devon and Cornish borders. I had arranged a day’s fishing with my good friend Jeff Pearce and had arranged to meet at the Arundell tackle shop for 9:00am.

Traffic at Bideford delayed my journey and it was 9:30am before I arrived and apologised for my lateness. Jeff had enjoyed chatting with fellow fishing guests and James Christoforou who is the venues head of Fishing.

James is a breath of fresh air with an abundance of passion and optimism befitting an angler from a younger generation. James talked of the recent upturn in fishing in the rivers following a good summer spate with good numbers of sea trout showing along with a few salmon. These migratory visitors really are the icing on the cake with abundant wild brown trout and some stunning grayling providing consistent opportunity’s for anglers.

It is always well worth listening carefully to advice from experienced local anglers and James certainly knows the hotels waters intimately explaining to Jeff and I where to fish and suggesting which flies to use and how to fish them.

Jeff is a keen exponent of nymph fishing and engaged in an in depth discussion with James delving into the intricacies of fly design. Like many other anglers I know including myself he carries an extensive selection of fly patterns yet in reality only fishes with a tiny proportion of them. My own interpretation of the discussion is to some extent that there is some basis in certain flies working well on specific rivers. This could be in part be due to anglers following trends and traditions. It is also likely that certain colours are more visible in certain tinges of water colour. The weight of a nymph is undoubtedly vital in ensuring that a fly gets down to where the fish are so the stronger and deeper the pool the heavier the fly needs to be. So the perfect nymph for the Arundell waters is perhaps a tungsten silver headed jig style with black body and sprinkling of silver flashy sparkle.

It was late morning by the time we actually arrived at the waters edge keen to start exploring the deep pools and runs. We both carried two rods one set up with a dry fly and the other with a nymphing set up.

We started fishing on Beat 2 and Bridge Pool where Jeff commenced the days quest drifting his team of nymphs slow and deep as a rather nonchalant duck observed proceedings.

The lush green foliage of late June hung over the river its course carved through rocky bed rock over thousands of years. As I often say each river has its own unique character and the River Lyd is undoubtedly one of the West Country’s finest and after recent rainfall to flush sediment its waters seemed to be in sparkling health.

BB that great Countryside Writers Children’s Book ‘The Little Grey Men’ is a classic tome that captures the magic of a rivers journey and the shaded waters of the River Lyd somehow resonated within the pages of the book. This morning could easily have been a day BB describes “ After a soft grey morning, the sun had slowly broken through the clouds, and every blackbird and thrush in Lucking’s Meadow began to warble and tune up; the first opening bars of a great symphony in praise of life”. My ponderings on gnomes dwelling in the shady banks of the River Lyd are undoubtedly deluded for BB states “ For secrecy was of utmost importance, especially in these modern days when discovery would mean the end of everything. Why these little creatures had survived for so long is puzzling, because though they lived in this rural countryside, it was by no means ‘wild’ in the sense that some parts of Devon and Cornwall are wild, and there are, to my knowledge, no gnomes left now in either of these last two localities, though I understand they are still to be found in some parts of Ireland”.

We fished carefully up through deep shady pools that hid their secrets as sunlight broke through the vibrant green canopy of midsummer. We were both using bright indicators to suspend our nymphs to just trip the riverbed. This was not traditional fly fishing and the purist would certainly not approve. We are going through a revolution in fly fishing at the moment as technics from across the wider world are embraced by a younger generation who push the boundaries and break down the barriers between disciplines.

Watching our bright indicators drift slowly through deep calm pools is little different to trotting with a float and what’s wrong with that?

There is no doubt that catching on an upstream dry fly is more satisfying and that delectable moment of deception is one to savour. However life is short and in these modern times if we want a younger generation to embrace the sport then perhaps we have to accept a wider range of tactics and values. It is perhaps possible to draw comparison with today’s cricket scene. The traditionalist will always extol proper Test match cricket; five days of endeavours to be savoured and analysed. A younger generation will perhaps prefer the wham bam thrust of 20/20 cricket that is all over in just a few hours.

Jeff was first to connect and I watched as a sea trout gyrated in the strong current as it was persuaded to the waiting net. The silver flanks glistened as we admired its beauty before slipping it back into the cool waters.

Boosted by this success we both searched intently drifting the nymphs through the pools. I hooked a small brown trout that shook the hook and caught a couple of small parr.

We then took a break to drive a short distance to the fish beat 3 a stretch of river that we had fished back in early March when Jeff had caught a grayling and I had lost one.

We went our separate ways now alternating between pools immersed in our own endeavours to a large extent. When we met up a short while later Jeff was excited to recall the capture of a fine sea trout estimated at around 2lb at had made his reel scream as it battled gamely.

It is often the case that when I fish with Jeff we seem to mirror each other’s catch’s and when one of us enjoys a good first half the other succeeds in the second half. This was certainly my hope as I searched the pools attempting to read the water carefully focussing on those sections that took my fancy.

The deep fast water towards the head of the pools and runs tempted me and I searched these areas in preference to the slower deeper areas.

I undoubtedly missed a couple of fish as my indicator dipped beneath the surface or twitched vigorously with my strike finding no connection.

Then that wonderful moment of connection came and a bar of silver erupted from the water leaping almost to eye level before coming adrift after just a few seconds of adrenalin fuelled excitement.

Ten minutes later I hooked another larger fish that battled hard again leaping from the water before diving deep and under the far bank where I feared the line would catch in the roots of bankside trees. I savoured the bending rod and feel of a good fish in the strong current. I knelt at the water’s edge and guided the sea trout towards the waiting net. Then elation turned to dejection as the hook hold gave and my silver prize disappeared with flick of its tail.

The two glimpses of silver leaping and gyrating on my line are lodged in that deep file of memories in the mind. Merging with the lush green of early summer clear glistening water following a summer spate. The electric blue of kingfisher and the cheerful echoes of chiff-chaff and wren song in a river valley. Damsel flies and dragon flies haunting the river margins. As many of BB’s books commence,

The wonder of the world

Its beauty and its power,

The shapes of things,

Their colours lights and shades,

Look ye also while life lasts.

I caught up with Jeff at the weir pool and told of my losses. We chatted and fished the deep water above the weir together. A few trout dimpled the surface and Jeff switched to dry fly tactics whilst I persisted with the deep nymph tactics and missed a couple of chances.

We had planned to pack up at around 5.00pm but a glance at the time revealed it was now past 6.00pm and after ten or so last casts we reluctantly walked back across the waterside meadows to return home. Already plotting further trips with a youthful enthusiasm that belied our years. The indicator deep fished nymph will certainly be used elsewhere to explore those deeper pools when the fish are not rising.

22 Jun 2025

PUTSBOROUGH 2025 – OPEN RESULTS

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Articles, At the Waters Edge, Club Page, Sea Angling, Sidebar, Uncategorised | 0

Combe Martin SACs Annual Putsborough Open eventually got underway on the longest day of the year after rescheduling due to an oversight regarding the Spring Bank holiday and severe weather warnings.

The weather proved to be perfect as thirty eight anglers descended on the venue as the sun slowly set casting its golden rays upon sand and sea. I had been slightly apprehensive about the event as my good friend and club secretary Nick Phillips was unable to attend and as we have run this event together for over forty years a solo effort was a little daunting.

It was great to see a good number of familiar faces at the booking in and I am always encouraged by this annual migration to this splendid venue and value the long lasting cooperation of the Putsborough estate and in particular Trevor the security officer who always greets and guides participants to the assembly point.

With all booked in I opted to take the long walk to join fellow club members Kevin Legge and Craig Mcloughlin at the end of the line halfway along the beach. I set up shortly after 9.00pm and was pleased to take a look back along the beach at the anglers wading out into the surf to cast their baits.

There is something special and slightly poignant about the longest day as the year turns and we look to the ebbing of another year.

With rods poised and lines stretching into the watery dimension I savoured the scene before strolling over for a chat with Kevin who wound in a small school bass as we talked.

A few moments after arriving back at my rods I noticed a sharp tap on the rod tip followed by a slow pulling over and ticking ratchet. I picked up the rod and pulled into what for a moment felt like a good fish. To my dismay all went solid. Was it a big ray hugging the bottom? Surely I couldn’t be snagged up on the expanse of clean sand? After applying maximum pressure with the rod for a few minutes I placed the rod back in the rest slackened the clutch and waited to see what happened. With no further movement I picked up the rod, pointed the rod to the sea and walked slowly back. Suddenly the tackle pulled free and I wound in a mangled bait. Had I lost a big ray or had I found a snag?

A short while later I caught a small ray of just over 4lb that was an encouraging start. I added another small ray and a smoothound to my own tally but knew I was unlikely to feature in the prize list.

The next three hours passed by in a familiar scene as the tide flooded and stars winked high above in those familiar timeless reassuring constellations.

I packed up at midnight to trudge back across the sand and prepare for the arrival of competitors and the sorting of fish entries. I knew that Kevin and Craig had tempted good fish and was intrigued to see what else had been caught.

At this point I will give my heartfelt thanks to Craig McLoughlin of Braunton Bait Box for offering to assist with the sorting of entries. As anglers arrived back there were undoubtedly mixed fortunes but overall catches were encouraging with good numbers of small-eyed ray and smoothound along with a few bass, a solitary sole and refreshingly few dogfish.

Hopefully we got the results together with accuracy. Many thanks go to all those who supported the event by attending. Special thanks to our generous sponsors Sakuma and Barnstaple Bait and Tackle. The club greatly appreciate the ongoing support of Putsborough Estate in permitting us access to this beautiful venue.

Results of the 2025 – Putsborough Open

1^st – Craig Mcloughlin – Small eyed ray – 9lb 8oz 95%

2^nd – Stephen Found – smoothound – 9lb 2.5oz 91%

3^rd – Craig Mcloughlin – small eyed ray – 8lb 5oz 83%

4^th – Nathan Clements – small eyed ray – 7lb 14.5oz 78%

5^th – Kevin Legge – small eyed ray – 7lb 8oz 75%

6^th – Lee Algar – bass – 5lb 13oz. 72.5%

7^th – Rob Hancock – smoothound – 7lb 2oz 71%

8^th – Stephen Found – smoothound – 6lb 15.25oz. 69%

9^th – Tony Gussin – small eyed ray – 6lb 14oz 68.7%

10^th – Steve Webb – small eyed ray – 6lb 13oz 68.1%

Top Junior – Ted Childs – small eyed ray – only fish registered by a junior angler.

Received a tee-shirt and a gift voucher from our sponsor Barnstaple Bait and Tackle.

Craig Mcloughlin received the £150 cash first prize and choice from the prize table.

Runner up Stephen Found received £50 cash and choice of prizes from the table.

The top ten chose prize bundles from our generous sponsors Sakuma who have supported the event for many years. Combe Martin SAC look forward to hosting the event again next year and welcome any constructive comments to help the event prosper.

20 Jun 2025

FLY CULTURE – GATHERING – June 19th – 2025

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Articles, At the Waters Edge, Game Fishing, Sidebar | 0

The Fly Culture Gathering at The Fox & Hounds Eggesford was a simple affair that like many things that work so well masked a great deal of effort from its primary organiser Pete Tyjas. Seventy or so passionate Fly Anglers gathered in a riverside field in mid-summer as the River Taw glided timeless on its journey to the open sea.

Fly Culture is a community that embraces the joys of fly fishing and the pursuit of fish and happiness in wild surroundings. In this modern world it highlights the good that can come from Social Media for much communication is undoubtedly derived from modern media despite the aging demographic.

There were anglers from far and wide at the gathering and it was great to catch up with those that have become friends over the years and make new acquaintances. The first hour of the evening drifted with the current as beer and burgers were relished and conversation’s of life fish and fishing flowed.

Pete then called order as a series of speakers delivered a fascinating narrative that told of small and beautiful trout from Devon’s brooks and rivers. The passion for elusive Atlantic salmon and that magical connection. The art of tempting wily trout and what trout prefer to eat based upon in depth observations. World-wide obsessions with Arctic grayling from Northern waters. Tarpon and bonefish from tropical seas. Fishing, mental health and being with nature.

Michelle Werrett reads from her book – Song Of the Streams

Harry Chance told of Dartmoor’s jewels and much more…

Peter Cockwill – Inspired with stories from Arctic grayling adventures.

Snowbee’s Simon Kidd talked of the competitive fly fishing world and other fishy tales.

Peter Hayes delved deep into trout behaviour and how to tempt the wily fish.

Matthew Wright entertained with tales of tropical adventures and life as a fly angler.

I left shortly after 9:00pm with plans for next year’s fishing already brewing. So many fish, so much water and so little time as life’s tide ebbs ever faster.

And then there are the lawns, the garage window and the decorating. Still in between jobs I can always enjoy reading Fly Culture and plotting a few more casts.

15 Jun 2025

PREDATOR 2 – COMBE MARTIN SAC – BOAT TRIP

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Articles, At the Waters Edge, Lure Fishing, Sea Angling, Sidebar | 0

June 12th 2025 was Combe Martin SAC’s first club boat trip out of Ilfracombe aboard Predator 2 with Dan Welch. I hope that it will be a new chapter in the clubs long history and I look forward to plenty more trips with Dan who works hard to find the fish that are all too often hard to find.

We headed up channel as a result of strong Westerly winds that would have made the waters closer to the mouth of the Bristol Channel uncomfortable. It is always enjoyable watching the familiar coastline from the boat as those landmarks pass by along with a lifetime of memories. The headland of Rillage and the coastguard station, Widmouth Head, Watermouth and the Sexton Burrow, Burrow Nose. Broadsands, Sandy Cove, Combe Martin, Wild Pear Beach and Little Hangman. North Devon’s dramatic northern edge looked splendid with verdant lush green providing a glorious back drop. As we surveyed this beauty I also reflected on the access that has been lost to us as anglers over the last fifty or so years. Restrictions due to private ownership and Coastal erosion all contributing and exacerbated by human behaviour, an increasing population and of course funding for access projects.

Past Combe Martin Bay and the dramatic sea cliffs immortalised in the book “The Hidden Edge of Exmoor”. Access to this shoreline restricted by geographical splendour has always been difficult and it is fascinating to reflect upon past generations who descended these cliffs to harvest natures gifts.

“While over a thousand people may have climbed Mount Everest and may thousands may have walked England’s South West Coast Path, very few have traversed the whole of the Exmoor Coast down at sea level along what we have called The Hidden Edge of Exmoor. The Exmoor Traverse is a serious mountaineering venture that is compounded by a tide that can rise vertically at six feet an hour and by cliffs that tower over six hundred feet in places. Out of sight of civilization it is an awe-inspiring wilderness, boasting the highest marine cliff in England, a waterfall as high as Niagara and a colony of ancient stunted yew trees that may prove to be the largest in Britain.”

The book goes on to record the historical stories of those who descended the cliffs in Victorian times to gather birds eggs, laver, driftwood and botanical data. Not to mention the scars still visible on the cliffs from mining operations.

On this day as a brisk west wind blew up channel it was without a doubt the dramatic scenery that stole the show for the fishing proved difficult. The morning started well as we dropped anchor off Woody Bay. We hoped for tope that had been abundant over recent days. These proved elusive but a couple of small eyed ray proved encouraging along with a few huss and the inevitable dogfish. A couple of pollock succumbed to baits when we moved a little inshore over the rough ground to avoid the stronger tide and this prompted a short lure session with several pollock brought to the boat.

*An 8lb 4oz small eyed ray for Peter Robinson*

*One of several huss caught but not as big as the one that dropped the bait later in the session!*

*Skipper Dan Welch with a 6lb 4oz small eyed ray*

*Nick Phillips with a lure caught pollock*

*Wayne Thomas with a pollock tempted on a Fillish minnow*

*Jack Phillips with a pollock caught on bait.*

The wind was steadily increasing as we moved out to fish offshore where we once again hoped to find the hard fighting tope. The wind buffeted the boat causing it sit awkardly at anchor making keeping contact with our baits challenging resulting in a few minor tangles. There was little that Dan could do and we chose to move closer inshore seeking shelter and perhaps that illusive tope. An hour passed and with just a few dogfish Dan suggested we call it a day and paused for few mackerel on the way home to top up our bait freezers and perhaps savour for tea.

A few drifts in a lively sea off Rillage produced a few nice mackerel one of which was consumed a couple of hours later after pan frying with a dash of pepper and lemon juice. We all look forward eagerly to the next trip when we hope for better weather and a few more fish.

*The Waverley passes us as we drift for mackerel providing a timeless view as it steams past.*

11 Jun 2025

One cast is all it takes to make a memorable day!

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Article, Articles, At the Waters Edge, Game Fishing, Sidebar | 0

I always relish my trips to Wimbleball savouring each day at this wonderful fishery located deep in the heart of Exmoor. Early to mid-June is undoubtedly one of the best times to visit with Exmoor’s valleys alive with the vibrancy of early summer. Hedgerows and trees that wonderful verdant green that lasts all too briefly before taking on the darker hues of July and August.

I arrived at the boat launching pontoons shortly after 8.00am and set up a pair of rods and tackle before pouring a coffee from my flask and enjoyed the view whilst I waited for my good friend and fellow Snowbee Ambassador Jeff Pearce to arrive.

It was a mellow cloudy morning with a gentle breeze blowing from the West and there was the chance of sunny spells as the day progressed. Perfect conditions I thought but Jeff cautioned my optimism as catch returns reflected that the fishing had not been easy despite a very high stocking campaign.

We were fishing from a boat giving the freedom to search for the fish across the lakes 370 acres. After a cheery greeting Jeff and I discussed our plan for the day. It was hoped that the beetles would be on the water as good numbers of fish had been tempted when conditions were right as the trout feasted upon this annual glut of food.

We decided to commence activities in the deeply wooded Upton Arm an area that has a unique atmosphere with its steep wooded banks flanking the water. Far up at the head of the arm all was calm as bird song drifted through the air. We made our first casts searching the water as we drifted slowly.

After fifteen minutes or so we moved to the middle area of the arm and resumed our search. I glimpsed a couple of good sized rainbows and made contact with a wild brown trout that shed the hook after an all too brief tussle.

A second drift brought no action and so we headed for the deep water off the dam that seems to produce fish on a regular basis throughout the year.

I was now using a fast sinking line with my favourite olive damsel on the point and a cormorant on a dropper. I was confident of success and seeing very little surface activity assumed the fish were deep. Jeff however persisted with a floating line and a more subtle imitative approach.

We drifted slowly adjacent to the dam area rope cordon and I scanned the water as I always do with my polarised glasses giving a glimpse into the water through the surface glare.

Two good sized rainbows swam purposely through the clear water. I immediately swapped over from the sinking line and lure set up to a floating line with a foam beetle pattern on the point and a larger foam hopper three feet further back.

I watched the water intently and spied another couple of trout. I placed my flies a few feet in front of the cruising fish. The trout inspected the offering but showed disdain. Jeffs floating beetle proved more appetising and was slurped down by a hard fighting rainbow of around 2lb.

This was exciting fishing and my turn soon came as I dropped my flies in front of a trout that gave a good account on my 5-wt set up before shedding the hook.

It was obvious that the trout were on the look out for surface food as close study of the water revealed plenty of cruising fish.

There are often defining moments in a day’s fishing that can live long in the memory. One such moment came on this day as I watched a good sized rainbow cruising just beneath the surface. I extended my Snowbee Thistledown line and dropped my fly’s five feet in front of the trout.

I watched with anticipation as the trout converged upon my offering. I gave Jeff a running commentary as the trout paused and inspected my offering circling warily before slurping the beetle from the surface in a delightful ring of deception upon the calm water.

I lifted the rod to feel that thrilling moment of connection. The trout powered away the light rod taking on a steep curve and the trusted Snowbee Fly reel singing as line was ripped off at a rate of knots. This was undoubtedly a good fish and considerably larger than my initial estimate as I had seen it take my fly. After several powerful runs the fish dived deep stripping line from the reel as I put as much strain on the 6lb b.s point as I dared.

The 10ft 5-Wt rod was well hooped over as I relished the opportunity to test my tackle as the fish shook its head far below the boat in over 60ft of water. The fish held its position deep down the rod absorbing each lunge as for a few moments it was stalemate. Maximum pressure was applied and slowly the fish came up in the clear water and we glimpsed a deep silver flank. I readied the net; Jeff exclaimed that it was probably a double and I breathed a sigh of relief when the rainbow was safely within the folds of the net.

The fish was in splendid condition with deep flanks and wide spade like tail. I slipped the small barbless hook from its jaws. Held it in the net for several minutes and lifted it from the water for a quick photo before slipping the fish back into the depths.

We fished on a for a while missing several fish before it went quiet and we decided to search elsewhere. We headed to the far end of the lake to search Bessom’s and the shallower water. Several bank anglers were enjoying good sport in the area.

There were no fish visibly rising so I decided to try lure tactics again. Jeff wisely persisted with dry beetle pattern and soon rose a fish. Switching back to my dry fly tactics I too enjoyed success and in the next hour we added three more fish to the days tally missing numerous takes as we failed to connect with the fly that was hard to watch as the brisk breeze rippled the surface.

A lesson learnt was that the fish were undoubtedly looking for beetles on the surface. Whilst there were very few beetles showing the fish were still preoccupied with this food source and would intercept our artificial whilst ignoring lures.

We returned to the boat jetty shortly after 6.00pm reflecting upon a rewarding day afloat on this jewel of water high on Exmoor. It had not been an easy day and that one opportunist cast had made it another day to remember. It is always worth reflecting that it only takes one cast in the right place at the right time.

8 Jun 2025

2025 Fluff Chuckers / SWLT Brown Trout Masters Round Two Fernworthy Reservoir.

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Articles, At the Waters Edge, Game Fishing, Sidebar | 0

2025 Fluff Chuckers / SWLT Brown Trout Masters Round Two Fernworthy Reservoir.

REPORT FROM Rodney Wevill

What a day we have had today on Dartmoor .

The high winds never came even though it was windy enough, but the rain was extremely heavy and tested all our waterproof gear. And by and large most of the jackets failed at some point.

Funny that the non fishing gear worked a lot better than the ultra expensive stuff

We signed on at 8.30 for a 9 am start and a 5pm finish.

A real close day for three anglers, the series leader Roger Truscott and Wayne Thomas and Rodney Wevill all shadowing each others catch totals and Wayne and Rodders neck on neck for biggest fish of the day.

By the end of the day Wayne came out on top with 339cm total length and 10 fish, Rodders runner up also on 10 fish and a total length of 336cm and Roger Third also on 10 fish and a total length of 289cm

Rodders taking the biggest fish , with a very nice 48cm from Wayne’s 47cm.

John Huckings coming in Fourth with 4 fish.

All the other anglers sharing out the points with 3, 2, 1 fish and a couple blanks.

As always a special thank you to Turrall Flies the main sponsor, YETI Europe, Lakedown Brewing Co. & Tap Room, Trout Fishing South West Lakes Trust our partners in these events, thank you for all your continued support

And thank you to all the anglers that turned up and gave it a go and had some fun even if a damp day .

Results round 2.

1. Wayne Thomas. 339cm

2. Rodney Wevill. 336cm

3. Roger Truscott 289cm

4. John Hickings 118cm

5. keith Burnett 100cm

6. Richard Adeney 70cm

7. Steve Retallack 25cm

8. Dave Cook 23cm

9. Matthew Woods 15 cm

10. Pete Williams

11. Ben Elliot

Standings after 2 rounds. Points

1. Roger Truscott. 4

2. Wayne Thomas. 6

3. John Huckings. 6

4. Keith Burnett. 8

5. Rodney Wevill. 10

6. Steve Retallack. 13

7. Richard Adeney. 18

8. Matthew Woods. 18

9. Steve Lawes. 18

10. Simon Peters 21

11.Kevin Sellar . 24

12. Peter Williams. 25

13. Phillip Hoskins. 27

14. Ben Elliot. 28

Many thanks to Rodney Wevill who is head Fluff Chucker and chief organiser of these enjoyable and friendly events. The Fernworthy heat proved challenging with epic rainfall throughout several hours of the 8 hour long event. I was fortunate to secure top spot with ten brown trout the best a stunning fish of 47cm. All but one of the fish was tempted using a red headed black tadpole. To some extent I would have to say that my success was in part due to the old adage that the harder I try the luckier I get.

It is sometimes puzzling why fish are caught by an angler whilst another angler fishing just a few yards away blanks. Whilst this can be luck it is often a subtle difference in retrieve, depth or perhaps a bottom contour that attracts the fish to a certain area.

Calm waters after the rain

3 Jun 2025

PUTSBOROUGH OPEN – RESCHEDULED TO SATURDAY JUNE 21st

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: At the Waters Edge, Sea Angling, Sidebar | 0

Due to a forecast of large swells and a strong North West Wind CMSAC have reluctantly decided to reschedule the annual Putsborough Open to Saturday June 21st. Same times etc see poster below : – The decision has been made with the clubs sponsors in mind. Once again we thank the owners at Putsborough for allowing the event to be held.

Always a great night with a friendly vibe and plenty of fish over the past couple of years

1 Jun 2025

WILDFISH – BIN THE BILL CAMPAIGN

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Articles, At the Waters Edge, Game Fishing, Sidebar | 0

Wild salmon are endangered so join Wildfish in their passionate effforts to raise the issues that threaten these iconic fish.

Welcome to our May newsletter. The prolonged dry weather has remained a defining feature of the year so far – and May has been no exception. Drought is no longer a distant possibility; it’s becoming a growing reality in the UK. Yet, despite the warning signs, water companies have failed to plan ahead – and it’s our wild fish populations that are paying the price. This month, we’ve launched our “Bin the Bill” campaign in response to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. We’re calling on the Government to rethink its approach and deliver a planning system that protects wild fish and the waters they depend on. Scroll down to learn more about this and what else we’ve been working on throughout May.

Join our call to Bin the Bill

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill is central to the Government’s plan to “get Britain building” and boost economic growth – but at what cost? This Bill poses a serious threat to wild fish and would dismantle environmental protections that have been in place for generations. Some are willing to compromise. But when nature is on the line, there is no middle ground. Join us and show the Government what’s really at stake.

📸 Take a photo that shows what it means to you

📱 Post it on social media with the caption below

#️⃣ Add the hashtag #BINTHEBILL

🔗 Finally, don’t forget to tag @wildfishcons !

Social Media Caption

If the Planning and Infrastructure Bill goes ahead, this is what we all stand to lose. Wild fish and the wildlife that depend on our rivers will pay the price. I stand with @wildfishcons to #BINTHEBILL

30 May 2025

South Molton & District Angling Club Trip – Bluefin

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Articles, At the Waters Edge, Sea Angling, Sidebar | 0

I joined South Molton AC members and boarded John Barbeary’s Bluefin at just before 8.00am. The plan was to go and fish the waters close to Lundy Island but with a brisk Westerly and fair sized residual swell after a couple of rough days John suggested plan B. And so we left Ilfracombe harbour and headed up channel.

The spectacular cliffs that plunge from Exmoor’s Northern edge are always a joy to witness especially as the morning sunlight reflects upon the waters creating a silvery seascape framed by the dramatic cliffs.

We started the day drifting the reefs off the Hangman’s where several pollock smashed into our strings of lures. We kept half a dozen to use as fresh bait when we dropped anchor. John explored several reefs but the fishing proved slow. As it was now high water with little tide flow we dropped anchor.

It wasn’t long before rod tips were nodding as huss, conger and the inevitable dogfish intercepted our baits. Ed Rands and Lathum both caught conger into double figures and Ed boated what was to be the biggest huss of the day at close to 10lb.

As the tide pull slowly increased John up anchored and we tried drifting a few marks further up the coast to no avail. John received Info from fellow Ilfracombe boat skipper of Carrick Lee who’s party had caught several bass on a drift further up channel. Its always good to witness how Ilfracombe’s skippers work together sharing information to help each other.

It seemed we had missed this opportunity as after several drifts our bass tally remained at nil.

We then enjoyed an hour in the relative shelter of Woody bay with its densely wooded slopes and admired the exclusive properties nestled within the woods.

John was uneasy at the slow sport and decided it was time to head back to the waters off the Hangman’s. Down went the big baits and again the rod tips nodded to the pull of huss, conger and dogfish.

A sharp pull resulted in a pleasing bass of around 4lb to my offering of a bluey and squid wrap.

Ed hooked into a very good fish that put a serious bend in his rod. We all watched the drama waiting in anticipation to glimpse what we thought was a big conger. Sadly whatever it was came adrift close to the boat before we had the chance to see it? The touch of drama added a hanging question over the day.

And then its gone……..

For the next hour we fished on as the tide eventually swung the boat so that we faced into the brisk breeze. A steady succession of huss, small conger and dogfish visited the boat before John started the engines and we headed back to Ilfracombe.

The pier was busy with crabbers and tourists as we climbed ashore. Sausage and chips beside the harbour to round off a good days fishing.

http://www.ilfracombeaquarium.co.uk