18 Jul 2024

REEL TIME – Volume Two – Christopher Yates

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

The postman delivered the latest offering from the Little Egret Press a pleasing collection of writings by Christopher Yates. Whilst I have only just started reading Reel Time Volume Two I have no doubt that it will become one of my favourites as are all of Chris’s books. It is difficult to describe how Chris is able to convey the magic of angling so fluently. His writing is easy to read and has a delightful simplicity that manages to ooze tales from the water’s edge in an evocative flowing style that takes you there.

The book is illustrated with fine artwork by North Devon based David Blackaller and David Cowdry.

I was privileged to interview Chris several years ago for Angling Heritage and it was an enjoyable and enlightening experience that I treasure.

My own book “I Caught A Glimpse”. Was published by the Little Egret Press in 2019.

https://thelittleegretpress.co.uk/product/i-caught-a-glimpse-ltd-edition-hardback/

11 Jul 2024

Barnstaple Bait and Tackle Opening Saturday July 13th

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Articles, Carp Fishing, Coarse Fishing, Game Fishing, Lure Fishing, Match Fishing, Sea Angling, Sidebar | 0

Barnstaple Bait and Tackle Opens on Saturday July 13th ensuring that Barnstaple anglers continue to have a well stocked tackle shop to visit for all their needs. I called in to the shop prior to its opening and chatted with Chris who is full of enthusiasm for the new venture. The shop carries on the legacy of Quay Sports where Chris was the manager. A wide range of bait and tackle from well-known brands is stocked. The shop caters for Coarse, Carp, Sea and Fly Fishers. It is essential that anglers use all of our excellent local tackle shops that provide far more than just bait and tackle. Friendly advice, a social meeting hub and convenience add value not found on line.

READY FOR YOU!!

So, after a lot of hard graft from friends and family, we are 99% kitted out, stocked up and ready for your presence at our grand opening on Saturday (13th)!!

You will find us at 6 Queen Street, EX32 8HJ. Currently, the large carpark nearby is closed but you will find a smaller one to the rear of the shop and another, Belle Meadow, just the other side of the bus station.

We should have a full compliment of baits for sea and freshwater, both frozen and live.

Can’t wait to see you all!!

BBT

Opening Hours – Monday 9:00- 18.00

Tuesday. 9:00- 18.00

Wednesday 9:00- 18.00

Thursday 9:00- 19.00

Friday. 9:00- 18.00

Saturday 9:00- 17.00

Sunday. 10.00 – 14.00

2 Jul 2024

Lower Slade Thirty

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Carp Fishing, Sidebar | 0

Ian Ross fished Lower Slade and banked this beautiful mirror carp scaling 31lb. The fishery balliff informs me that there is a common carp in the lake that is heavier.

1 Jul 2024

Hacche Moor – Lake Record

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Carp Fishing, Sidebar | 0

David Jenkins has banked Hacche Moors ‘Bottom Lakes’ big common at a new personal best and lake record of 42lb 14oz.

1 Jul 2024

KRACKING CARP – 46lb 2oz

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Carp Fishing, Sidebar | 0

Congratulations to 5C’s member Sam Passmore on catching Parrot at 46lbs 2oz from the Kracking Carp Lake.

Sam used a German rig made up of DSD end tackle fished with a snowman hook bait over a small bed of Boilies and crumb.

27 Jun 2024

Mainline Baits Pairs competition – Friday 19 July – Sunday 21st July 2024

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Carp Fishing, Sidebar | 0

Mainline Baits Pairs competition – Friday 19 July – Sunday 21st July 2024 The Mainline Baits Carp Pairs competitions are held at our fantastic 81-acre fishery, Upper Tamar Lake. This is a fun, friendly competition, open to all, with some fantastic prizes up for grabs! The competition is limited to 34 pairs so book your place now to avoid disappointment 👇https://www.swlakestrust.org.uk/mainline-baits-carp-open-pairs-competitions or 01566 771930 1st Prize – £2000 2nd Prize – £1000 3rd Prize – £500 There are also prizes for biggest fish and section winners up for grabs. Each person who enters will get a goody bag with some fantastic Mainline products inside. All tackle and equipment is transported to and from your swim. There is also a full menu for the weekend with food delivered directly to your swim!

14 Jun 2024

11 YEAR OLD BOY CATCHES A MONSTER 60LB+ CATFISH

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: At the Waters Edge, Carp Fishing, Coarse Fishing, Sidebar | 0

11 YEAR OLD BOY CATCHES A MONSTER 60LB+ CATFISH

Massive congratulations to Riley John who caught a huge new personal best 62lb 5oz Catfish from Nirvana’s Specimen Cat Lake!!

Riley’s Dad shared –

“Riley has been coming to anglers paradise for 5 years now, normally in August with his family but this year was treated with his dad and uncles. We arrived Friday to fish the specimen catfish lake.

It was a quiet night for Riley with his dad having a 2 during the night, and Riley woke up feeling disheartened not to have had a beep.

Then all of a sudden after breakfast, his rod beeped into action & after a long hard battle & a little help from his dad, he landed a monster!! Hopefully beating his 33lb from last year….it weighed 62lb 5oz!! A fish that was as long as himself & an attitude to match what a great start to the week!!”

Wow! Well done Riley, a fish that many adult Anglers still dream of catching and you have at such a young age!!

NEW LAKE RECORD COMMON

Massive congratulations to 5C’s member Joe Dietrich who fished Nirvana’s day ticket Xanadu Lake for a quick 24 hour session and only goes and catches the biggest Common of the Lake at 30lbs 2oz!!

14 Jun 2024

A new chapter for North Devon’s anglers.

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

Quay Sports closed on June 14th after trading for close to three years it has been a valuable stop off point for North Devon’s Anglers providing a wide range of tackle for all disciplines. Fortunately the shop manager Chris Connougton is opening a new tackle shop that will ensure that Barnstaple still has that vital ingredient to enable a social hub and source of those essential items of tackle and bait. It is essential that local anglers support this new venture and all other local tackle shops. We are very fortunate to have a range of tackle shops across North Devon a fact that I will promote in the coming weeks.

Last day of the shop today. Come and grab yourself some last min bargains. We would also like to say a huge thank you to you all for your support over the last 3 years, we have made some great relationships and friends. We wish Chris all the best for the future with Barnstaple Bait & Tackle and sure will see some of you on the bank.

Quay Sports

( Above) Mark Potter and Chris Connaughton on their last day at Quay Sports

CHRIS CONNAUGHTON Comments

“I am proud to announce that I will be opening a fresh new bait and tackle store at 6 Queens House, Barnstaple, EX32 8HJ. I am hoping to be open by the 1st of July but more will follow on this.

There will be all the usual sea and freshwater baits available along with a vast range of tackle from leading brands.

My aim is to create a local social hub where like-minded people of all ages can meet, shop and chat about all things fishing!

It hasn’t been easy so come show some support when open and keep a tackle shop in Barnstaple for many years to come.

Watch this space for further details, a new facebook page, deals and events.

I look forward to welcoming you through the door

Chris

(I would also like to say a massive thank you to Mr Pinn of Pinndart for all his help with the logo etc).”

10 Jun 2024

BARNSTAPLE BAIT AND TACKLE – Opening July 2024

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

Chris Connaughton is well known and respected across North Devon as the manager at Quay Sports. Quay Sports has been the hub for anglers across the region since it opened a few years ago. Many were very saddened to hear of its closure as tackle shops are vital for angling to flourish. It is great news for the North Devon Angling community that Chris is opening a new store in Queen Street, Barnstaple. It is essential that local anglers support the shop as there is no substitute for having a shop where you actually pop in and buy bait and tackle.