Stuart Kerwood tempted a stunning double figure bream from Lower Tamar Lake on a pink krill pop up.
Just a few of the fine carp tempted from Upper Tamar Lake over recent weeks.
Upper Tamar is not just a carp water it also has a vast range of other options with specimen perch, roach and eels along with bream and plenty of silver making it a fine match venues. (Below)Stuart Burridge had a cracking day at Upper Tamar with 42lb of roach and skimmers on the tip. 
Big perch are a worthwhile target at this time of year with fish to over 4lb a real possibility from several venues. A prawn or lobworm bait is likely to bring results either beneath a float or fished on a running leger rig. Lures can also prove effective for these handsome looking predators. Matt Dart fished a North Devon venues where he tempted a fine brace of perch scaling 3lb 3oz and 2lb 8oz. Both fish were tempted using float fished prawn. Following his success Matt returned too the water to tempt another fine perch of just under 4lb.
Chris Mono of www.remixbaits.co.uk changed species moving away from carp for a session after perch and tempted this stunning specimen of 2lb 15oz using a good old traditional lobworm. The venue was a North Devon Reservoir.
Respected West Country based Specimen Hunter Julian Chidgey is presenting a talk on catching Big Pike across the UK and beyond.
For details contact :- Julian via his facebook or instagram pages,
Dan Spearman fished Upper Tamar Lake to bank this fine specimen perch scaling 3lb.
I have had several anglers message me regarding fishing in lockdown and what the position is. The Angling Trust have successfully lobbied Government resulting in angling being allowed within the lockdown guidelines. See updated guidelines below from the Angling Trust.
The problem with the guidelines is that it leaves a certain amount of freedom to interpret for example what is local. Local is within your town or village, though you can drive a short distance to access an open space. I have reluctantly decided to hang up my rods until after lockdown as I live ten miles from the coast. Could I justify travelling ten miles to go fishing? Is it essential travel? Everyones circumstances are of course different and angling could be a lifeline to many giving valuable exercise for both body and soul. The sooner we can get on top of this COVID nightmare the better and staying home for a few weeks is surely worth the long term result.
In the mean time I will be enjoying a couple of books I received at Christmas that will hopefully inspire me in the coming spring and summer.
I will also be sorting through my fishing gear putting new hooks on old lures, tying rigs and having a general tidy. Might even stock up on a few flies, lures and bits and pieces. In the mean time I will try and write a few features on North Devon Angling plus report on any catches reported to me from those fortunate enough to live close to fish filled waters.
