2 Dec 2023

Barnstaple & District Angling Association Newbridge end of season report 2023

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Article, Articles, Club Page, Game Fishing, Sidebar | 0

BDDA Newbridge end of season report 2023

Another difficult year but it has had its moments , the Kelt run in March was spectacular ,all well repaired fish in the 6lb to 8lb range we had 14 reported in the first 2 days of the season before we asked for restraint and hope at least some make it back!! Also, Several good fish were caught during the year . I saw an old ghillie from the Tweed on TV recently explaining that salmon are called the fish of 10,000 casts .However we do actually have a new member who caught a salmon after just a couple of visits. This goes to show that Anything can happen at Newbridge but as ever “you have to be there”

A member sent an article from very first issue of Trout and Salmon in 1955 saying 100 fish were caught in the Taw Torridge tidal pools that year .They say it was a record and the result of restocking with Scottish fish a few years before. Food for thought.

We’ve had another year of low warm water ,leading to more angling restraint requested, the short spate in august brought a few fish up but the September spate was once again too late for us . Just as the fish started showing we had to stop.

Apart from Salmon ,Where are the sea trout? So, few have been reported even from traditionally prolific beats up river. It does seem that as the fish decline so does the fishing effort which doesn’t help with reported numbers.

We have good news ,as most are aware We have now finished the new club hut. This has been a huge effort by dedicated volunteers and the club are very grateful for it. It’s a lovely peaceful place to rest a while with a companion and watch the river pass by. We intend to have a formal opening on the first day of the season next year and Members will be notified nearer the time. Also, John and Hayden Kenyon led a working party for the installation of steps and a ladder to improve access to the railway swirl pit, now called the Chairman’s steps .They have our thanks for that.

You may not be aware but Earlier in the season our local wildlife trained police officer Lucy Robinson and our local EA bailiff Sam Fenner had a person excluded from our water due to antisocial behaviour connected to Elver poaching. This isn’t an easy process that included a difficult “home visit “and We are very grateful to them for this action. It’s good we have this level of support from our local enforcement officers. They always do as much as they can for us but they are under so many constraints and can only do what they are resourced for. The EA bailiff Sam Fenner also got involved with the cattle encroachment from just above the bridge .After a meeting The estate has now replaced the fencing and that is ongoing. The West Country rivers trust has installed water quality monitors just upriver from us and we’re all interested in any reports from that. Another item of interest is that Adi’s wife ,Caroline Podesta ,is in the citizen scientist project and takes monthly water samples at the bridge ,it all helps to keep the pressure up on abuse of the rivers and the genie is firmly out of the bottle in regard to that. Who does what about it is another matter though! We can but support any campaign we come across . We generally have a negative attitude to these agencies but mostly the people on the ground are on the same page as us and as frustrated as us when it comes to any deployment of resources. Please be patient with them if you have any personal contact, we have to support them too as they are doing their individual best under a lot of pressure .We are encouraged to call in incidents/events at least it will get logged.

As a club We always doing our best to protect and improve The Newbridge beat we’re but always happy for any suggestions. Very exciting news is the club is finalising the purchase of another beat further up river. All details regarding fees and access will be forwarded to all members ,hopefully in time for the coming season.

Club cups were awarded at the recent AGM and this year the committee cup went to Dave Winter for his efforts at Newbridge, Paul Meredith gets the most salmon cup for his 3 good fish, Chay Boggis gets the Bass on the fly cup for his lovely 7lb fish from Clovelly, and I was lucky enough to get the best Salmon 34inches estimated at 13.5lb.

Don Hearn

Newbridge river keeper

*Colin Ashby presents Dave Winter with the B&DAA Committee Cup*

1 Jun 2023

PUTSBOROUGH OPEN 2023

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Articles, Club Page, Sea Angling, Sidebar | 0

(Above) Some of this years superb prizes from our sponsors at Sakuma

Combe Martin SAC hope you enjoy this open competition with kind permission of the landowner.

The club is very grateful to local tackle shops and Sakuma for supporting the event.

SAKUMA, , Quay Sports and Braunton Baits.

The prize table for 2023 is the best yet for the Putsborough competition.

The weather this year holds no concern light North East Winds forecast that will be right over our heads.

Outlook for Saturday to Monday: Met Office

Staying dry with high pressure remaining dominant. Plenty of strong sunshine but some cloud bubbling up at times. Warm days, albeit cool overnight. Breezy along the southern coasts.

Fishing is for single best specimen, with £100 for first place and £50 second plus pick of the prize table and so on. There is an optional £1 pool for the best specimen. There will be prizes for the top fifteen fish!

Small-eyed ray are the principal target and can show up anywhere — so pick your spot.

Sandeel is generally best but fish can be tempted at times with a whole squid or mackerel bait. Bass will show if there is some surf, the obliging dogfish is usually around — along with the odd small turbot, conger, smoothound and occasional blonde ray.

Low water is 00:24am and the best period to fish is usually two hours either side, with the last hour-and-a-half of the ebb and first hour of the flood often proving the most productive. There are some small pits and sandbanks along this beach, so if you can spy one out it might be worth heading for…

For the purpose of this competition two rods and four hooks may be used, with a pennell rig counting as two hooks. Combe Martin Competition size limits apply.

Please leave a space of approximately 20 yards between yourself and the next angler — it’s a large beach!

When you catch a fish, please check it against the sizes overleaf and complete the capture form, before showing it to another competitor and asking them to witness it.
[Witnesses: Please also print name so you can be identified if need be!]

Steward’s decision is final. All complaints must be issued in writing to organisers before the scales close.

Please do not bring fish to the scales in water, unless the intention is to release them alive. Each angler is limited to two fish per species, but we would ask you to minimise killing of fish and endeavour to keep only your single best specimen.

Please respect the beach and do not leave litter, discarded line or old tackle behind and do not start fires.

If possible, please ensure your vehicle is parked at the bottom of the car park to the far right.

https://www.putsborough.com/surf-cams/

23 Apr 2023

South Molton Angling Club – Adventures at the waters edge

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

South Molton Angling Club hold bank clearing sessions generally focussed early in the fishing season. I arrived at the River Bray an hour before the working party were due to meet and wandered down below the bridge with a rod to flick a heavy nymph and a spider pattern into a couple of deeper runs. It’s always interesting to take note of the signs at the water’s edge telling of previous visitors. I noted the likely prints of an otter and a Heron that had enjoyed an early morning fishing session before my arrival.

They would undoubtedly have been far better fishers than I as I smiled at my early season incompetence when I snagged my fly in the river bottom and gave it a tug. The fly came loose and was catapulted into the tree branch above, I then managed to knock my cap off into the river giving it a drenching.

As I walked back to the car and the work party I glimpsed a big brown trout in a deep pool and marked its location down for another day.

I met up with fellow club members and we headed off upriver where we carried out some minor pruning to improve casting access. We also removed several large trees from favoured fishing pools dragging them to the bankside where we hoped they would prevent further bank erosion.

We all headed off to our homes and families after a good mornings work beside the river as signs of spring were bursting forth all round.

Details of South Molton & District Angling Club can be found below :-

https://www.northdevonanglingnews.co.uk/category/club-page/

SMAC had a good day on Charter boat Susie B out of Lyme Regis the fishing was slow at times but we had some good fish

Pollack to 7lb and huss to 12lb, mackerel, plaice, cuckoo wrasse, pouting, poor cod, conger and dogfish.

Shawn, our skipper was very helpful with advice, good gear, tackle, bait, tea and even filleted our fish for us. The consensus was we’d go again.

12 Apr 2023

SOUTH MOLTON and DISTRICT ANGLING CLUB – WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Article, Articles, Club Page, Game Fishing, Sidebar | 0

The South Molton and District Angling Club was established in 1970 and has 5 miles of fishing on the picturesque River Bray for wild Brown trout. The River Bray is a tributary of the River Mole, which in turn is a tributary of the River Taw. It rises in Exmoor National Park, and our fishing beats are near Brayford on the southern edge of the moor.

We have two main fishing sections:

The first beat is called the Stucley Water, which is approximately three miles long and, for the most part, there is fishing on both banks.

The second beat is the Hunter Water, where again there is fishing on both banks for approximately one mile.

Both beats are very well maintained by way of regular bank clearing sessions, annual redds count, Riverfly inspection, along with Westcountry CSI water quality monitoring. This regular programme of maintenance is conducted by club members, and all members are welcome to join in.

The river is a spate river to a degree but does not stay coloured for very long due to the high water quality coming off Exmoor and not too intensive farming in the catchment. Fishing access for the most part, is easy.

Although some restrictions apply to salmon and sea trout fishing, the sport is usually fishing for wild brown trout, on fly only.

We have a series of six, still water, competition events throughout the year, and our chairman organises sea fishing trips off the coast of North Devon.

As a club, we hold monthly meetings, in the relaxed atmosphere of a local hostelry. Fishing business is discussed and fishing tales exchanged! We also have our yearly, more formal AGM which usually includes a speaker and is followed by a meal.

In the autumn we have our annual dinner to which partners are invited.

If you are interested and would like to find out more, then please email:

The Secretary [email protected] or The Chairman [email protected]

25 Mar 2023

River Torridge Fishery Association – Friday 24th March 2023

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Article, Articles, Club Page, Game Fishing, Sidebar, Uncategorised | 0

The River Torridge fishing community gathered at the Half Moon Inn at Sheepwash for the AGM of the River Torridge Fishery Association. Pauline and I always enjoy the twice yearly coming together of the membership for the AGM in the Spring and the annual fund raising dinner at the seasons close at the end of September.

The Inn was reassuringly busy as we stepped inside the familiar bar where many members of the association were catching up on all the latest news. After half an hour of rekindling friendships and fostering new ones it was time to head the meeting room for the formal proceedings to begin.

As with many angling clubs the River Torridge Fishery Association’s officers are long standing stalwarts with Secretary and treasurer Charles Inniss and Chairman Paul Ashworth controlling the meeting with an ease born from long experience in their roles.

Thanks to Charles for the below summary:=

“Over 30 members attended the agm on Friday 24th March. The Chairman announced that for personal reasons the North Devon Fishery Protection Officer had been transferred to work nearer his family home. The EA were currently interviewing for a replacement to the vacancy. The EA proposals for the mandatory release of salmon throughout the season had been deferred for twelve months. Members were keen for the hatchery project to continue and several members offered their support. Izzy Moser gave an interesting and informative talk on the work of The Devon Wildlife Trust, particularly the pros and cons of the inevitable spread of beavers into the headwaters of the Torridge catchment. After the meeting The Half Moon provided an excellent buffet.”

I would suggest that any anglers who fish the Torridge join the association and help support sterling efforts to protect the river for future generations. Subscription is just £20 per year. For details visit their website http://www.rivertorridge.org.uk

The report from 2022 was very concerning with the drought conditions resulting in perhaps the worst salmon season in living memory. A total of 15 salmon were landed from the river all of which were returned.

Fortunately, as I write this the rivers are brimming full last summer’s drought seems long ago. However, Roadford Reservoir is still at only 62% and Colliford in Cornwall 47%. In the Spring of 2022 these reservoirs were close to 100%. It doesn’t take a genius to conclude that another drought summer would have serious consequences. There is concern that South West Water would be forced to consider abstracting from the regions rivers an act that would be devastating for the rivers eco systems. Discussion reflected upon the apparent lack of water resource planning with no significant reservoirs constructed since Roadford in 1989. A new reservoir takes many years to come into being with years of consultation, planning and construction my own estimate would be at least 25 years before a new reservoir could be completed. One has to question why with an increasing population and climate change at the top of the agenda this is not happening?

The Associations Hatchery has been an ongoing project that unites the membership. The past few seasons have seen the project stalled by COVID and issues with permissions from the EA ,largely around risk assessments and health and safety concerns. The committee are working hard to progress with significant help and expertise from within the angling community many of whom bring skills from their roles within society.

*Torridge members at the Hatchery pre COVID*

The decline in salmon and sea trout stocks is alarming and many feel that the hatcheries are the only hope for slowing this decline. The EA hatchery at Colliford is to be an integral part of the future plans to rear ova to swim up fry stage. This hatchery has the facilities to enable essential temperature control a major problem for salmonoids as global warming takes a hold.

It is of course essential that the habitat into which these future salmon are stocked is suitable. The Torridge faces many challenges with intensive farming resulting in pollution from sediment and nutrients and sewage discharge resulting in further issues with phosphate levels that promote algal growth.

The Torridge River Association are working closely with the Devon Wildlife Trust and the West Country Rivers Trust to seek solutions to many of the issues. Guest speaker Izzy Moser delivered an inspiring illustrated talk on projects to restore the river and the environment. These include slow the flow initiatives like leaky dams, meandering river courses, gravel introduction and creation of wild flower meadows and wetlands. The introduction of beavers was discussed with some concerns about their impact on fish migration and woodland.

https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/northern-devon-natural-solutions

There was considerable interest in Citizen Science Monitoring to flag up any pollution incidents and to assess the ongoing health of the river. River Fly Monitoring has also proven to be a valuable tool in tracking keystone species. Data gathering is essential in tracking success in any projects in our rivers.

Invasive species are an ongoing concern with signal crayfish reported from several locations along the Torridge. Any sightings should be reported to the Devon Wildlife Trust.

A good news story on the Torridge is the healthy population of wild brown trout that were caught in good numbers last season with wild fish to over 4lb caught and released. Dry fly tactics also resulted in several good sea trout. With dwindling salmon numbers many feel that the future of the rivers angling very much lies with trout fishing that I hope to promote over the coming season.

24 Feb 2023

WISTLANDPOUND FLY FISHING CLUB 2023

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Club Page, Game Fishing, Sidebar | 0

WISTLANDPOUND FLY FISHING CLUB 2023

Wistlandpound Fly Fishing Club was formed back in the 1970’s and its members enjoyed fishing the venues from which it takes it name. With the changes in Wistlandpound stocking over the years the club has now adapted and enjoys visiting trout fishing venues across the South West.

Members assembled on February 23rd at the Ye Old Globe Inn, Berrynarbor. Top of the agenda was the calendar of events for the coming year.

The events were discussed and dates set up with all members looking forward to getting together at the water’s edge for a bit of friendly competition.

The club welcomes new members of all ages and abilities. Membership is just £10 per year. Contact club secretary David Richards for details:-

Mobile 07748685155 email – [email protected]

Club Events – 2023

March 12^th – Wimbleball 10:00am 4.00pm Bank only

April 16^th – Clatworthy 10:00am 4.00pm Bank Only

May 5^th – Tavistock Trout Fishery 10:00am 4.00pm

June 25^th Wimbleball – Boat or Bank 10:0am 4.00pm

July 12^th – Gammaton – Evening Rise 6.00pm 9:30pm

September TBC

October 8^th – Wimbleball 8:30am to 12:30 pm Lunch at the George Inn

November, December, January & February; Winter challenge at small Stillwater venues full details TBC

19 Feb 2023

Bideford Angling Club – Presentation Night

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Club Page, Coarse Fishing, Game Fishing, Match Fishing, Sea Angling, Sidebar | 0

Bideford and District Angling Clubs annual presentation night was held at the Conservative Club where members enjoyed an evening filled with good humoured banter and a celebration of a succesful years angling.

A big well done to all the winners of 2022 who have all been recognised and celebrated at the clubs annual presentation night. Guests Wayne Thomas, Simon McCarthy, and Chris Connaughton for presented the trophies and awards.

https://www.bidefordanddistrictanglingclub.com/copy-of-game

Club man of the year was Nathan Clements who does a sterling job running the clubs shore fishing section.

COARSE FISHING AWARD WINNERS

Monthly Competition Champion : Nathan Underwood

Runner-up Craig Lamey

Third Keith Mountjoy

Midweek Series: Winner Nathan Underwood Runner up Martin Turner

Best bag in competition Richard Jefferies

Pairs winners Nathan Underwood and Darren Polden Junior series winner Imogen Babb Runner up Hope Polden.

SEA ANGLING AWARDS

Valentine bowl – most points in the Monthly Rover.

Andrew Clements 54 points

Keira short trophy – most points in 48 hour rover.

Julien Stainer + Andrew Clements 13 points

Stephanie Vanstone – Best specimen caught from the shore.

Stephen Found thick-lipped mullet 7lb 175% 5^th August

Jason Talbot memorial plate – Best specimen ray caught from the shore.

Antony Smith Thornback Ray 12lb 8 138.888% 2^nd October

Snake Plate – best specimen Conger caught from the shore.

Richard Jefferies Conger eel 22lb 8 112.5% 21^st August

Best round fish from the shore

Stephen Found thick-lipped mullet 7lb 175% 5^th August

Best specimen flat fish caught from the shore ( no ray)

Stephen Found Flounder 1lb 11 ¼ 86.156%

Best specimen shark from the shore.

Andrew Clements Bull Huss 15lb 11 ¼ 157.041% 29^th March

Winner of end of season competition

Stephen Found spur 14lb 1 ½ 140.937% 29^th January 2023

Big Mike Memorial vase

Nathan Clements bass 4lb 27^th August

GAMES FISHING SECTION – Competition League

1st- John McCulham 34pts

2nd- Dan Lock 32pts

16 Feb 2023

South Molton and District Angling Club AGM

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Club Page, Game Fishing, Sea Angling, Sidebar | 0

I joined fifteen members of South Molton and District Angling Club at the Coaching Inn South Molton for their AGM. As always the event ran smoothly thanks to the sterling work undertaken by the club’s officers. Club Chairman Eddie Rands and Secretary/Treasurer Roger Bray gave their reports to the membership reflecting upon a year plagued by low water levels. The environment and river health were top of the agenda throughout with grave concerns regarding pollution from agriculture and South West Waters numerous sewage treatment works.

South Molton Club is a small friendly club that welcomes new members at a very reasonable cost offering superb wild brown trout fishing on five miles of the river Bray. The club also organise forays to the coast with both boat and shore fishing events.

https://www.southmoltonanglingclub.co.uk

(Below) The cup winners for 2022.
From left to right
Richard Power 30lb tope, Wayne Thomas bass just under 10lb,Steve Bendle 5lb rainbow and Steve Edmonds 7lb pollack.

After the meeting I was priveleged to deliver a talk on my fishing and the variuos paths it has taken me on.

22 Aug 2022

South Molton Angling Club – Report good River Fly Results despite low water.

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Club Page, Game Fishing, Sidebar | 0

South Molton & District Angling Club carried out Riverfly and CSI monitoring sessions at Brayley Bridge and Brayford Bridge on Sunday the 21st of August included our chairman Ed Rands, Steve Bendle (Riverfly), Roger Bray (CSI), and club member Mike Coulson.

However, CSI results for both locations were excellent despite the low water levels. Riverfly count for Brayley Bridge results was a little low but the count at Brayford was more encouraging despite the water level being a little low.

8 Aug 2022

Bideford Angling Club & Appledore Shipbuilders – August Rover

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Club Page, Sea Angling, Sidebar | 0

Bideford August rover results

13 angler’s fished 3 fish caught

1st Tony Gussin – Ballan wrasse 4lb 0 1/2oz 89.582%

2nd Stephen Found – thick-lipped mullet 3lb 2oz 78.125%

3rd Tony Gussin -Ballan wrasse 3lb 3oz 70.832%

11 people fished Appledore Shipbuilders August rover. “Lots may think that fishing at this time of year is easy but many will know that it’s always a tricky month. Several anglers reported fishing more than one mark to try and locate a fish eligible to be weighed in over 60%”

Winning today was Andrew Atkinson who caught a nice Ballan Wrasse of 4lb 6 3/4 ozs. Josh Atkinson was second with a Smoothound of 8lb 6ozs. Andrew also secured 3rd with a Bull Huss of 7lb 2ozs.