Simpson’s Valley is a fishery nestled in a valley near Holsworthy and has several lakes catering for carp anglers and pike anglers. There are also Fly Fishing Lakes and LRF trout fishing options.
(Above) Gary Ireland landed this stunning big ghost common from Upper Fuzzy at a weight of 29lb 8oz.
A fine double figure pike caught by Andrew Braunton from Upper Fuzzy Lake.
Mild winter weather is ideal for the winter carp anglers with every chance of the carp feeding at some point during the day.
TONY KINGDON Reports:-
Adam Seaward banked an absolute belter yesterday in the shape of Martin’s Mirror at 28.14 the fish are all well up in weight as this one is normally 26!!!!! Nice one mate on a cracking fish
Its been just over six months since I launched North Devon Angling News aiming to be the one stop for angling news in North Devon.
A special thanks to all who have supported the project by sending me news, taking out an advert or just taking a look. In the coming year I will continue to build the site and welcome any pictures, articles that will be of interest to anglers in North Devon. Since June the site has been viewed well over 20,000 times. Below are a few highlights from the year.
Blakewell Double
Autumn mullet – Dan Welch
John Shapland – Flounder brace
The tackle shop located in Queens walk arcade just off the car park in Bear Street Barnstaple has an extensive range of bait and tackle from popular brands including Korda, Drennan, ESP, Guru, North Devon Company Lakebed Leads, Mainline Baits and Sticky Baits.
When I first read of carp they were considered a fish of the summer months and seldom fished for. How times have changed with many factors meaning that the carp are caught all year round with many anglers having the ambition of catching a carp in the snow. The lack of winter snow is perhaps one of the factors that ensure we catch carp all year that and the warm clothing and modern bivvys that make winter fishing far more comfortable. It would be good to get a picture on here of carp in the snow! There’s a challenge!!!
Steve Pinn sent me these superb images of winter carp caught from Stafford Moor’s Lodge lake. 5 fish, not bad for December. 20Ib 12oz (yellow fish) and 17Ib 8oz (orange) – both on CC Moore Northern Special pop ups on a bed of free-by live red maggots.
Scott Bowden enjoyed a recent trip to Lower Tamar lake catching a lovely brace of fish. A 23.06 Common was backed up by a 23.12 Mirror both caught on homemade boilies using a small stick of crushed boilies with Korda semi stiff silt braid N Trap and lakebed Leads.
There is far more to fishing than catching fish and I always love to see images from the waters edge. I obtained this fantastic image from Stafford Moor from ‘Steve Pinn (aka The Bivvy Tramp)’ – As he is affectionately known by some of his mates. Photography and angling go together hand in hand especially in carp fishing where the angler is so often waiting expectantly amidst the natural landscape.
Fortunately I am sure the ice has gone now and with luck this will bring the fish on the feed!
There is no place better for buying tackle than your local tackle shop and before Christmas I intend to visit the local shops that have supported North Devon Angling News in its first six months. I started today at Summerlands Tackle at Westward Ho! This well established family run tackle shop has been trading for as long as I can remember and has a fantastic range of products for all angling disciplines. In my view its far better to walk into a shop and see the products. Tackle shops are also at the heart of the angling social scene a place where anglers often bump into old friends and swap tales from the waters edge.
Among the many offers in the store on the run up to Christmas are :-
PENN 525 Mag Reel RRP £169.99 on offer for £89.99 with free Rovex line
Preston Innovation Thermal Suit RRP £139.99 on offer for £119.99
Chub RS Flat bed+ Bed-chair RRP £109.99 On offer for £54.00 “Limited Stock”
All Subject to availability.
MAIN LAKE PRODUCES AGAIN!
(Above) 21lb 1oz mirror
Nathan Butterfiled, from Newark took a break from his Manager’s Role at Cromwell Lakes to fish the Main Carp Lake and landed a 17lb Common and 21lb 1oz Mirror.
Nathan caught both fish on a size 8 withy pool rig baited with a cc Moores Ns1 yellow hook bait with over 30 freebies.
(Above) 17lb 1oz common
NEVER GIVE UP!
Is the Moral of the story!
Michael Pearson from Mansfield took some ‘time out’ of the Netting Madness last week to do some fishing on the Main Lake, the fish were playing very hard to get but that didn’t stop him!
He booked an extra Night’s Stay and his persistence paid off as he landed this beauty of a 18lb 8oz Mirror right at the last minute!
Michael used a withy pool rig size 6 razor point hook to soft braided hook link with a 10mm northern special pop up.
(Above) 18lb 8oz mirror
Anglers Paradise are very pleased and proud to announce that this year they have raised a Total of £9000 in Fundraising throughout the year!!
Zenia reports below:-
We fund raise All Year Round with Weekly Raffles, Labels, Auctions and other Events and the Netting Week alone raised an amazing £2000 in just one week!! This total was raised with special events like – Bingo Night, Race Night, Zombie Party Night, Darts, Pool Competitions, Henna Tatoo’s, Nail Painting, Guess the weight competitions (of people!!), Treasure Hunt, BBQ (With Thanks to Warren’s Butchers of Launceston for Kindly Donating The Meat), Bonfire and Fireworks Night and more.
We would like to take this opportunity to say a BIG THANK YOU TO ALL that have contributed as without you – we couldn’t have done it!!
The Money was donated to the following Charities –
Devon Air Ambulance – £2000
Halwill Primary School – £2000
Halwill Church Tower (the 3000 year Tower is disintegrating and need restoring) – £2000
Repairs to Plymouth Cathedral – £2000
Holsworthy Food Bank – £500
Appledore Life Boats – £500
TOTAL = £9000!!
So a Round of Applause to us ALL!
Here is to 2017 and To Raising LOTS MORE For Great Causes!
