WEEKLY ANGLING REPORT – August 28th 2025

            Members of Combe Martin SAC spent a day off Ilfracombe fishing on Daniel Welch’s boat Predator 2. Whilst the hoped for tope failed to show members found ten different species fishing on the seabed as cloudy water hampered lure fishing. The species caught included mackerel, scad, black bream, bull huss, smoothound, gurnard, conger, pollock, bass and dogfish.

             Combe Martin SAC host their annual fun fishing event this Sunday on Ilfracombe Pier with fishing starting at 2.30pm and ending at 4.30pm. This easy going event has been running for several years in conjunction with the Sea-Ilfracombe Festival. All young anglers should be accompanied by a responsible adult. The club would like to thank the ongoing support of High Street Tackle, Barnstaple Bait and Tackle and Ilfracombe Aquarium. Prizes are awarded for anglers under 16 who catch the most species and longest fish. The heaviest fish caught by and the top family points total.

 

            Late summer and early Autumn offer a wide range of species to target in saltwater as the seasons transition. All tactics can work at this time of year with both bait and lure tactics proving effective dependant on the prevailing conditions. An increasing number of anglers are now compiling records of the fish species they catch. A branch of angling I would compare to keen birdwatchers often referred to as twitchers. This can become very addictive with anglers traveling long distances and adapting tackle to target species not caught on standard sea tackle. Some mini sea species are caught using tiny hooks and gossamer thin lines paired with miniature rods. I recently bought Jack Perks excellent book “Field Guide to British Fish- Freshwater and Marine”. The book contains information and quality photo’s of 200 species found in UK waters. It has a useful tick list in the back of the book to record your own tally of species.

The book is a perfect companion to Alwynne Wheeler’s Key to the Fishes of Northern Europe that was first published in 1978. It is fascinating to compare the two books that illustrate the significant changes that are happening in both marine and freshwater eco systems.

            Ben Evenden won Stafford Moor’s Sunday Open with 197lb 9oz.

            Stafford Moor’s Carp Lakes are in fine form with plenty of multiple hauls. Dan Hoskin and his son fished Beattie’s Lake to bank sixteen carp twelve of which were over twenty pounds with the best a fine fish of 28lb. Martin Burton banked four carp to 32lb and Owen Thrumble banked forty carp over five days to 30lb 5oz.

Bideford & District Angling Club – Rod and Reel match results date 24.8.25 at Tarka

B.D.A.C.Rod and Reel match results date 24.8.25 at Tarka All anglers caught fish with some very good weights weighed in today weather was lovely with a light wind blowing. The winner was Nathan Underwood on peg 6 with a fantastic weight of 96lbs 3oz mainly carp with some lovely silvers mixed in as well 2nd place went to Martin Turner on peg 10 with a nice mixed bag of fish for 40lbs 7oz, 3rd place went to Kevin Shears on peg 9 with 37lbs 14oz and 4th place went to Keith Copland on peg 17 with 32lbs 1oz. Next Rod and Reel match will be on the 21.9.25 at Tarka. Congratulations to Nathan Underwood on your win today and congratulations on getting the highest weight of fish caught in a club match. New record now stand at 96lbs 3oz.

Weekly – ANGLING REPORT – August 21st 2025

Grey Mullet offer exciting summer sport

Graham Snow won Bideford Angling Clubs forty eight hour rover with a fine thin lipped grey mullet scaling 5lb 4oz. Runner up was Dale Kiff with a smoothound of 10lb 13oz and third Graham Snow with a thin lipped grey mullet of 4lb 3.5oz.

The hot sunny summer weather provides ideal conditions for mullet fishing with all three species seeming to thrive in hot settled conditions. There are three types of grey mullet in UK waters, thick lipped grey mullet, thin lipped grey mullet and golden grey mullet. All can be caught using light tackle more often associated with freshwater tactics. Thick lipped mullet are generally tempted using bait, generally bread presented on float tackle or legered. The thin lipped mullet are fished for with baited spinners and inhabit estuaries. The golden greys haunt the shallow sandy surf beaches and can be tempted using small bunches of ragworm.

All three species can also be caught using fly fishing tactics a style of fishing that has recently gathered almost cultlike status. These challenging fish offer an exciting alternative for trout anglers whose sport is impacted upon by reservoirs and rivers suffering from a prolonged summer drought.

Tench and carp are providing great summer sport in lakes across North Devon and can tolerate high water temperatures.

The final match of Bideford Angling Clubs Junior Summer league was held last Saturday and was won by Leo Davies with 6.540 Kilo. Runner up was Archie Thorne with 5.1 Kilo and Hawkon Wilson with 4.720 Kilo. The junior league has proved a popular series with all matches well attended with over twenty young anglers fishing each event. The events were generously supported by Anglers Heaven, Barnstaple Bait and Tackle and other local businesses. Club members Martin Turner, Richard Jefferies and Keith Mountjoy invested a great deal of time and effort into running the events. The overall winner of the league was Leo Davies.

Bideford Clubs Coarse fishing sector is thriving with their two club lakes providing excellent fishing for carp, tench and silver fish. The club matches are generally fully subscribed and the recent extension to their portfolio with access to fishing at Higher Shorston Lakes near Holsworthy ensures that members get excellent value for their moderate membership fees.

North Devon Match Group fished Upper Tamar lake where Ian Grey won the match with 67lb 5oz. Runner up was Nathan Underwood with 48lb 6oz and Ian Croxton third with 43lb 8oz.

Stafford Moor’s lakes continue to produce stunning Match weights. Benn Hagg won last Sundays Open match with 277lb 1oz. Jamie Bradshaw won the weekends residents match on Oak Lake with an amazing 487lb 1oz.

Martin Burton with a 32lb Mirror carp caught from Albert Square on a 16mm Sticky Krill Active wafter up on lodge lake

The venues specimen lakes are also in fine form with Riley Saunders and Kirsten Parkhouse enjoying a forty eight hour session on Beatties Lake during which they banked sixteen carp to 30lb 4oz.

A Fish of Summer Lakes

A fish that conjures up the essence of summer lake fishing is surely the tench with its glistening smooth olive flanks and bright ruby eyes. In my mind’s eye there is always an image of tranquil waters at the heart of which is a crimson tipped float poised between water lily’s.

            My good friend Steve Dawe had invited me to fish his complex of lakes so aptly called sanctuary lakes, nestled deep within Devon’s rural heartland these three lakes offer carp, crucian carp and tench.

            It had taken me a while to schedule in a trip but with summer ebbing I arranged a trip to the venue with my wife Pauline promising a relaxing day far from the madding crowd with all facilities at hand. This wasn’t to be a serious fishing session just a day emersed in nature with the chance of a few fish if I nurtured my luck.

And so it was no traditional crack of dawn start after tench but a more leisurely preamble to Lizzies Larder in Milton Damerel for a full English before heading to the lakes for a midday start. It was one of the summers hottest days with temperatures predicted to reach the high twenties. There was a clear blue sky and little breeze as we wound our way through country lanes following the sat nav whilst noting old country cottages, quiet villages and hamlets along the Devon lanes.

We eventually reached our destination to be given a warm and friendly welcome from Steve who then gave a proud tour of the three lakes. The first of the lakes was created in 2009 and it is astonishing how they have matured into an oasis of wildlife habitat in such a short time. An abundance of dragonflies could be seen swooping and hovering above the calm waters.

After circumnavigating all the lakes it was time for Pauline and I to set up for the day and with tench the number 1 target I followed Steve’s advice choosing a swim that offered some shade from the hot sun. Conditions were certainly not ideal for fishing so I did not set my expectations too high. One tench would be a result.

Pauline settled into the camping chair and digested ample reading matter while I engaged with the business of fishing. We delighted in the occasional glimpse of kingfishers darting across the lake and swallows and martins swooping to and fro. It really was a summer idyl to be savoured.

A couple of small rudd fell to a grain of sweetcorn on the float tackle and tell-tale bubbles indicated that a few tench were routing about in the bottom silt. After half an hour I put the kettle on and we enjoyed a fresh brew whilst absorbing the tranquil scene that was only troubled by the sound of farm machinery as farmers took advantage of the good weather to cut silage.

It was no surprise when late afternoon arrived and no tench had graced the net. I suggested we stretch our legs and have a wander around the lakes. We ambled past the smaller lake and onto the carp lake where some good sized carp were basking on the surface in the warm sunshine. It would have been easy to become side-tracked at this point as a well- placed floating crust would surely result in a well bent rod? Well, fish watching is second best to fishing and we lingered a while spotting the carp as they cruised around the lake.

After this short interlude we returned to the tench lake and recast my two rods. I have often found a break brings a fish and it was the case on this occasion for after a few minutes my float promptly sank and I felt that delightful resistance as the hook gained a hold. The tench plunged amongst the lily pads and I held it on as tight a line as the 6lb b.s line would take, the old Drennan tench rod absorbing the tension and cushioning the line.

At 3lb 5oz the tench was a pleasing catch and we admired its olive green flanks and crimson eye before slipping the fish back into the warm water. I had caught this fish on a small segment of luncheon meat and elected to persist with this same bait on the float rod. A few streams of classic tench bubbles drifted to the surface and with these signs my confidence grew. The float again sank and a second tench of a similar size to the first followed.

We brewed a fresh cup of tea and coffee and delved into the picnic bag. Throughout the session I had fished a method feeder and noticed just a couple of trembles of the rod tip.

We both relished the quiet warm summer evening and Pauline was content to relax as I continued to focus on the promising crimson tip that projected from the lakes mirror calm surface.

            The late summer sun slowly descended casting its reflection on the lake as martins and swallows swooped above the lake feasting in preparation for the long voyage that they will embark upon in just a few weeks. It is fascinating to ponder on nature and how these tiny birds migrate over these vast distances. Programmed from birth they surely have no perception of where or why they have to leave? No fear no apprehension just that inbuilt instinct to survive and thrive.

            I ponder on these matters as my float dips, I lift the rod and miss but at that very moment the other rod lurches over and the bait runner screams. The third tench of the day is the biggest at 3lb 9oz and it seems an appropriate time to pack away. The light is fading as we make our way to the car and glance back at Sanctuary vowing to return again.

Sanctuary Lakes are run by Steve Dawe via  a small limited membership club that is presently fully subscribed. Membership enquiries can be made to Steve via email :- [email protected]

Ilfracombe Aquarium – Offers an intimate view into local waters

Ilfracombe Aquarium offers an insight into the abundant life that resides in the varied waters of North Devon and Exmoor. Situated in a corner of Ilfracombe’s busy Pier Car Park. Anyone with an interest in life beneath the surface will be fascinated by the abundance and variations of life in our regions waters. The colours of many fish a match for those of far off tropical seas.

Conservation is very much at the heart of the exhibits with information from Exmoor National Park, The National Trust and River Trusts displayed throughout. The Aquarium staff share their extensive  knowledge of exhibits with plenty of personal observations to enliven their narrative.

            Whilst the venue perhaps lacks the punch of the larger venues it offers a more intimate experience that can be savoured across the generations. I remember my own childhood visits to sea side aquariums with fondness and always relish getting up close to life in that other realm. The magic of gazing into clear rockpools and streams with a child’s eyes is rekindled in these smaller aquariums.

            The Aquarium has supported Combe Martin Sea Angling Club’s annual Fun fish over the past twenty or so years and has once again offered a family ticket as a prize in this years event.

 

            The Aquarium Café offers great coffee and light snacks that can be enjoyed on a warm day relaxing on the elevated decking overlooking the bustling pier and harbour.

 

 

Weekly ANGLING REPORT – August 7th 20205

Stunning Carp Brace

Shaun Thorne tempted a stunning brace of carp from Lower Tamar lake including a stunning common carp of 32lb 12oz and a mirror carp of 25lb 2oz. The lake on the Devon Cornish Border holds a stock of stunning specimen fish including carp, bream, roach, tench, perch and eels.

Carp sport

Carp anglers are enjoying sport across the regions lakes with Hacche Lane producing several thirty pound plus specimens. At Stafford Moor Owen Thrumble fished four nights on Beattie’s Lake to bank forty carp to 30lb 5oz. Adam Atkins banked sixteen carp to 35lb 7oz.

Bass Fishing

Bass anglers continue to enjoy good sport with lure tactics from both boat and shore.  I took a good friend to a local shore mark recently and despite lots of weed in the water and a brisk wind we managed a fish each. I was delighted to introduce him to the excitement of bass fishing in shallow water and enjoyed his success as much as my own.

Rivers

High water temperatures are still a concern for river anglers across the region. Barnstaple and District Angling Association have extended their advice to members requesting a refrain from fishing until water temperatures drop below 20 degrees. Abundant algae is also causing concern as it clogs the river bed and reduces oxygen levels.

Match Fishing

Stafford Moor continues to produce excellent bags of fish for match anglers. Scott Puddy won the mid-week open match at the venue with 274lb 3oz and Rich Yeo won last weekends match with 250lb 1oz.

Sea Angling 

Bideford Angling Clubs Monthly sea rover was dominated by smoothound with Richard Jefferies heading the field with a specimen of 11lb 9oz. Tony Gussin was runner up with a hound of 10lb 10oz and Dale Kiff third with a hound of 10lb 4oz.

Appledore Shipbuilders monthly rover was also dominated by smoothound with Andrew Atkinson taking first and second with hounds of 12lb 4.25oz and 9lb 3.75oz. Third was Michael Hammett with a hound of 8lb 12oz.

Comment

The summer holidays are now upon us and it is to be hoped that some young anglers will take their first steps into a pastime that can provide a lifetime of enjoyment at the water’s edge. The world today is very different to when I started fishing over fifty years ago. Many believe it is the online and gaming  world that has taken many young people away from outdoor pursuits whilst others consider cost to be a major issue. Reflecting upon my own journey as a young angler I would suggest that the main obstacle is the lack of freedom given to young people in an increasingly protective society. This is perhaps ironic when the world of social media may well pose more threats to mental well- being than those physical dangers of a life at the water’s edge.

Bideford Angling Club have been running a brilliant series of Summer competitions for junior anglers at their home water. Bailey Bramley won the latest event with 7.840 kilo. Max Chapple was runner up with 6.085 kilo and Leo Davies third with 5.795 kilo. Twenty one young anglers took part in the latest match that has been generously supported by local tackle shops. This Saturday is the last in the series in which close to forty young anglers have taken part over the five events.

🎉Celebrating 25 years of South West Lakes Trust 🎉

Catch up offers 25% discount on its fisheries across the region.
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🎉Celebrating 25 years of South West Lakes Trust 🎉 SWLT turns 25 this year, and to celebrate we are offering 25% off day and 24hr permits when purchased between 25th July – 31st August 2025. Discount will be automatically applied on the Catch app. Use the interactive map on the App or search “South West Lakes” to choose one of our 13 stunning fisheries 🎣 Anglers using the Catch App also get other great discounts including 25% off camping, glamping, equipment hire and self-launch for the rest of the summer using code CATCH25 ✨ Find our camping options here https://www.swlakestrust.org.uk/Pages/Site/activities/Category/camping And our water sports options here https://www.swlakestrust.org.uk/activities Don’t forget – children fish for free with a paying adult 🐟

Weekly – ANGLING REPORT – July 31st 2025

MAINLINE CARP PAIRS RESULT

South West Lakes Trust’ Mainline Carp Baits Open Pairs Competition at Upper Tamar Lake has been won by Terry Vincent and Ben Combes with three fish totalling 63lb 7oz. The pair take home a prize of £2000 plus trophies. Runners up receiving £1000 were Jason McEvoy and Paul Thomas with three carp for 61lb 15oz. In third place was Nigel Woods with 57lb 1oz. Over thirty carp were registered in the popular event held on South West Lakes Trusts premier carp water on the Devon and Cornish border.

Zenia Drury-Gregorek of Angler’s Paradise took a break from her busy schedule to celebrate her birthday and a enjoy fishing session with her husband Joe on the complex’s new Nirvana Syndicate Lake. The session proved very successful with Zenia banking a complex record common carp of 44lb, a 45lb mirror carp along with grass carp to 32lb and a 29lb mirror carp.

 

Anglers Paradise

Bideford & District Angling Clubs Rod N Reel match at Tarka Swims was won by Kevin Shears with 67lb 14oz. Runner up was Keith Copland with 61lb 14oz and Paul Elworthy third with 45lb 10oz.

Andy Edge won the latest Open Match at Stafford Moor with 255lb 14oz.

Boat anglers are enjoying some fine bass sport off Ilfracombe with Predator 2 Charters putting anglers amongst some large shoals of feeding bass, Skipper Dan Welch took time out for a bit of fishing himself and registered a brace of 58cm bass and one of 55cm.

Combe Martin SAC’s Lure Fishing League Sponsored by High Street Tackle is attracting a good number of entries from club members reflecting an excellent year for the species. Mark Drewer and Seth Tuson are currently joint first with five bass for 344.5cm. In runner up spot at present is myself with five bass for 313cm and in third place Reece Woolgar with four bass for 263cm.

Reel Deal Charters has taken anglers to the North Cornish Coast where several porbeagle shark have been brought boat-side.

The regions rivers are continuing to suffer from a lack of significant rain and warm temperatures. Barnstaple and District Angling Club control fishing on two beats on the River Taw and have closed both beats after recording water temperatures in excess of 24 centigrade. Water temperatures this warm are very concerning and can cause stress for both salmon and trout. The advice of the West Country Rivers Trust is to cease fishing above 20 degrees C.


WEEKLY – ANGLING REPORT – July 24th

Andrew Clements secured top spot in Bideford Angling Clubs forty eight hour rover with a specimen smoothound scaling 11lb 14oz. Tony Gussin was runner up with a smoothound of 11lb 1.5oz and Stephen Found third with a bass of 7lb 11oz.

Bideford Club have recently acquired fishing rights for club members at Higher Shorston Lakes near Holsworthy. Full details can be found via the clubs website. Access to these waters adds extra value to membership of this thriving and long established angling club.

Bideford Clubs Junior competition is proving very popular and is fully subscribed most weeks with twenty three participants in last weekend’s event which is very encouraging to see as it bodes well for the future. Hallie Osbourne won the latest match with 7.105 kilo. Runner up was Bailey Bramley with 6.935 kilo and Jenson Kiff third with 4.925 kilo.

This weekend is the first weekend of the summer holidays and I still relish the memories of those distant times when I fished the River Umber in Combe Martin to catch small brown trout and eels that were abundant in those days. The open coast and local ponds were also visited and our generation seemed to enjoy a greater freedom than todays. Angling is undoubtedly a pastime that is beneficial to mental health and connecting with nature and it is to be hoped that the joys are discovered by a few more young people this summer.

Predator 2 Charters operate out of Ilfracombe and in this their first full season of operation they are gaining a reputation for putting anglers amongst the fish. Skipper Dan Welch has fished the North Devon coast for many years and is putting that experience to good use having considerable success targeting bass and wrasse using the latest lure fishing techniques.

Good numbers of tope are also being tempted from waters off Ilfracombe with plenty of fish over 30lb boated.

High water temperatures have eased on many local rivers enabling angling to resume though extra care should be taken to ensure all fish are returned as soon as possible preferably unhooked in the water. During hot summer days fly fishing enthusiasts can enjoy some superb and at times challenging sport targeting bass and mullet in saltwater. Mullet have become something of a cult species to target with their wily reputation and powerful fights sometimes compared to the bonefish of tropical waters. On a warm summers day it is undoubtedly a joy to stand ankle deep in the cool waters as bass and mullet swirl close by in the flooding tide.

Stuart Kennedy won Stafford Moor’s latest residents Match with 269lb 10oz. This followed success for Stuart in the venues Open match when he put together a net of 262lb 15oz.  On the venues Lodge Lake Zack Skinner banked a personal best carp of 32lb.

West Country Rivers Trust – Shad Survey

The Westcountry Rivers Trust recently  arranged a volunteer workshop at the Fox and Hounds Hotel at Eggesford to train members of local angling clubs to embark on DNA data collection in relation to shad migration in the Taw catchment. Barnstaple & District Angling Association, South Molton & District Angling Club, Taw Fishing Club and the River Taw Fisheries and Conservation Association were all represented and issued with sampling equipment.

Samples have now been taken from selected sites ranging from the estuary in Barnstaple, tributaries on Exmoor’s fringe and the central stem of the river in deepest rural Devon. Exeter University will be analysing the samples to trace where shad have been present in the catchment.

I joined fellow South Molton Club Member and River Taw Fisheries and Conservation Association member Ed Rands to sample various tributaries of the Taw. It was an enjoyable way to spend a Sunday morning visiting various locations including the River Bray and Mole at Meeth Bridge, The Bray at Stags Head, Filleigh, The Mole at Alswear ,the Little Dart at East Worlington and Chulmleigh Bridge. Along with the Taw at Nymet Roland.

Ed’s intimate knowledge of the Devon countryside and its people proved fascinating and his reminiscences of fishing at the various locations was revealing. Devon has countless miles of narrow country lanes and meandering rivers that dissect a rich and varied landscape. Pretty thatched cottages, manor houses and country churches that exude a rural idyl.

Ed Rands takes a sample from the Little Dart

Through this seemingly perfect rural idyl flow the rivers that are the proverbial arteries of this green and pleasant land. If you talk with anyone who has spent time over the years beside our rivers a picture develops of a much degraded eco system. It is tragic that we have allowed this to happen over recent decades as industrial farming and extensive development spreads across the region.

Whilst there is a need for progress and growth in our economy this should be tempered by a respect for the environment. A healthy environment can bring us wealth both spiritually and economically. Healthy rivers with good numbers of fish can provide an escape from urban life as sporting hotels offering fishing and outdoor pursuits prosper. Sustainable farming can produce healthy food. We just need to work with nature not against it.

In addition to this further DNA testing will look for salmon, eels and lamprey. Whilst this testing is not a panacea to extensive knowledge it will start to build a valuable indication of fish migration within the river system. It seems strange that even today we only have limited knowledge of what swims beneath the surface with angling records over decades often the only data available. We have without doubt lost much life in our rivers over recent decades without knowing what we once had.

Shad migrate into rivers in May and June to spawn with the tiny fry returning to the sea in early autumn. There are two species, the allis shad and the twaite shad both of which migrate up a small number of rivers in the West Country and South Wales. The River Severn and Wye are undoubtedly the historic strongholds for the species.

Shad caught from the River Wye several years ago.
Shad caught from the River Wye several years ago.
Shad caught from the River Wye several years ago.