(Below) Leon Vledder fished on swim 6 the Rhododendron Bush swim on Beattie’s lake to land a 23lb mirror fishing with Sticky Baits 16mm Manilla boilies.
(Below)Jason shipway caught six carp out up to 19lb from the inlet swim on Beattie’s lake using Mainline cell Boilies.
(Below) Lewis clarke had this 19lb 14oz catch from the beach swim on Beattie’s lake using
C C Moore live system 10mm pop up it was Lewis’s first time here. Lewis was here with dad Alan Clarke.
Otters have become a controversial topic within the angling world with the reintroduction of the species into areas where their numbers have dwindled proving disastrous in some instances. I have no expertise in this area so can only give my own views and feelings without any scientific facts. I have seen otters on the rivers around North Devon on many occasions and I am always thrilled when I glimpse them as they hunt the river. Otters have been present on North Devon rivers for many years and have a big place in peoples hearts this is in part due to literature like Henry Williamson’s famous tome “Tarka the Otter” and the film ‘Ring of Bright Water’.
I believe that wild otters are part of North Devon’s natural Eco-system and belong as the damage they do on the river is acceptable. Sadly eel numbers have plummeted as have salmon and sea trout numbers and this undoubtedly forces the otters to look elsewhere for food. When they find a lake stocked with big meaty fish like carp they undoubtedly feel that they have stumbled upon a natural bounty. The fact that a specimen carp can be worth several thousand pounds is of no consequence to the otter. To the fishery owner an otter visit can be devastating which is why responsible fishery owners are investing thousands of pounds in building otter fences around their lakes.
Anglers Paradise are investing many thousands into the building of an otter proof fence to protect the valuable stock within their lakes.
See post below from Anglers Paradise.
PROTECTING ANGLERS PARADISE
Sadly, with the ever increasing threat of Otters being released in the UK, means that all Fisheries need to take action in protecting their stock.
We have commenced work on our Otter Fence which will protect the Anglers Paradise Lakes, it’s a BIG job but we have had to do it for the future of Anglers Paradise.
Otter Fence
Construction on the Otter fence has progressed. The fence now runs from the Trout Lake to Easy Access Lake and beyond, a mammoth project in order to protect our stock from Otters and other predators. Evidence of Otter damage is a constant reminder that the population has soared in recent years.
The fence should hopefully be completed within the next couple of weeks.
Paul “Percy” Leamy smashed his personal best whilst fishing at Furzebray Carp Lake setting a new lake record at the same time when he banked Charlotte at a massive 46lb 9oz from Jezzers!!! Fishery owner/ manager Tony Kingdon stated “She was looking in great condition and has held a fantastic weight through the winter, lets hope this mild weather continues and drags them out there winter slumber and onto the food!!! Well done Paul on a fantastic capture”.
Alex Charlton caught six carp to 18lb 6oz during a twenty-four hour session from the Dam Wall of Stafford Moor’s Beatties lake. The fish were tempted using bait works scent from hell pop up and trimmed Wafters.
Steve Pinn fished Furzebray Carp Lakes Willow lake in stormy conditions and was thrilled to catch his first three carp from the venue the best a fine carp of 21lb 6oz. All the fish were tempted using UBER baits.
Luke Howell enjoyed a successful first trip to Stafford Moor landing three carp from the double swim on the Dam Wall of lodge lake this weekend all caught on Sticky baits Buchenberry pop ups. (Below)
Adam Atkins and dad John had six fish out up to 20lb 10oz from swims two & three on the Dam Wall on lodge lake using Sticky Baits Manilla 16mm Boilies topped with Sticky Baits signature squid pop ups. (Below)
Ali Aiken had this fine carp from Albert square on Lodge lake using Sticky Baits Manilla pink pop up. (Below)
Tom Keer fished a 24 hour session on Beatties and had 2 carp from big fish corner on Sticky Baits Manilla Wafters. (Below)
Once again I am prompted to mention the contentious issue of litter and angling. Last year there was talk of a ban on angling at Clovelly as a result of anglers leaving litter, bait and urinating against the harbour wall. Clovelly is a picturesque village that is currently in the running for Channel 4’s Village of the Year with Penelope Keith. it is completely understandable that the owners of the village and the community do not want their beautiful village to be tarnished by irresponsible anglers who undoubtedly have no respect for the environment or local community.
When I have posted about this previously I have provoked strong protestations about this issue with many anglers condemning the culprits. This vitriol on Facebook and social media achieves little. In my view local anglers need to take action and work with the Clovelly Estate to address this issue. As Bideford and District Angling Club are closest it would be useful if they could take the lead and I have contacted them to this end and the issue will be discussed at their AGM. I would hope that anglers from other areas of North Devon will join in with a possible beach clean and show that we do care. If this is considered a good idea I will promote the event both here on NDAN and within my Angling Column in the NDJ.
It may well be that there is a need to control angling access in future so that any culprits can be identified and banned from future visits.
Adam Atkins who fished on Lodge swim 3 aka spit bay had two fish out up to 22lb 10oz using Sticky Baits Krill & Manilla Boilies.
Mark Downing had twenty carp in a forty eight hour session this weekend on swim 1 on the Dam Wall of Lodge lake using Sticky Baits Manilla boilies.
Ryan Butt landed this stunning carp of 30lb from Furzebray Carp Lake before his session was cut short when Storm Eleanor smashed his bivvy bringing the session to a premature end!