11 Jun 2026

SUMMER EVENING TROUT

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            It seems that time spins past ever faster as life passes by and with mid- summer approaching I decided to take full advantage of the long summer evenings. Wimbleball Reservoir offers an excellent value evening ticket catch and release with one fish for the table for just £25. Starting at 3.00pm until an hour after sunset gives six hours fishing at this time of year.

            I set out along the path through lush green vegetation intending to fish Rugg’s bank. There was a brisk cool westerly breeze blowing into the shoreline and after an hour I decided upon a move to the calmer waters of Bessom’s. There were fish present as I made brief contact with what felt like a big fish and had a couple of tugs. There were very few fish rising and I hoped a few beetles might be present where the wind was blowing off the land.

            Bessom’s was certainly far more comfortable and I could put out a good line with ease. I had set up a floating line, with a Montana nymph on the point a PTN on the middle dropper and a small black cormorant on the top dropper. I allowed the flies to sink before starting a slow erratic retrieve. On the second cast I missed a fish and then on the third the line zipped tight as a good rainbow powered away somersaulting from the lake amidst a flurry of spray. It was four pounds of full tailed power and a great start to the session.

            Two more fish were brought to the net in the next hour both hard fighting rainbows of around 3lb in prime condition both tempted on the PTN on the dropper.

Early evening sunshine illuminated the scene as gig rowers powered across the calm waters. Horses frisked on the fields across the lake adding an air of drama to the landscape.

Working the team of flies slowly I settled into a pleasing searching rhythm with the occasional missed fish keeping me alert. As sport slowed I changed over to a blue-flash damsel on the point trying differing speeds of retrieve. A slow retrieve was rewarded with a fourth rainbow of close to 3lb. Then a solid take brought connection with what felt like a big fish. After a minute or so the broad shouldered rainbow came adrift after a headshaking display.

 

 The next thirty minutes proved fruitless prompting a move twenty yards or so along the bank that proved no better. So as the light started to fade I moved back to my original position for that last cast or two. As I started the retrieve a good fish hit the lure hard erupting from the water before stripping line from the reel. After an exciting tussle a beautiful rainbow of at least five pounds graced the net provided a fitting end to the evening.

11 Jun 2026

RECENT RAIN BRINGS SILVER PRIZES

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Windows of opportunity are often brief on local rivers and getting to the waters edge when conditions are prime is the key to success.

Recent rain has brought the Taw and Torridge up a little encouraging a few fresh fish to forge upriver. Paul Carter fished a middle Taw beat to tempt a fine fresh run salmon.

Blakewell Fisheries Richard Nickell fished the middle Taw and tempted a fine brace of fresh run fish. A superb 10lb + sea trout and a fine fresh run salmon estimated at 13lb. For advice on catching salmon and sea trout from the Taw contact Richard at Blakewell Fishery.

I ventured to the River Torridge hoping to find a bar of silver but failed to drift my fly over a willing fish. The Rivers are a delight at the moment with luxuriant lush growth of early summer and an abundance of wildlife to watch. Hedging my bets I carried a light trout rod with a dry fly set up and before I left the river I dropped my fly over a rising fish to be rewarded with crimson spotted wild brown trout. When the rivers start to run clearer brown trout fishing should be excellent with the real chance of a bonus sea trout.

 

11 Jun 2026

From Land to Water: What is shaping our rivers?

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As part of our Waters of Exmoor campaign, we are delighted to welcome Professor Penny J. Johnes, Professor of Biogeochemistry at the University of Bristol, for a talk on the many sources of pollution affecting Exmoor’s rivers, streams and coastal waters. She will explain how pollution impacts ecosystem health, and what can be done to control it in ways that benefit wildlife and improve water quality.

Professor Johnes has spent more than thirty years researching the relationship between what happens on land and what happens in our rivers and seas. She is one of Britain’s leading environmental scientists and has advised the government on reducing water pollution. We are very grateful that she has agreed to speak to The Exmoor Society about her work. This is a not-to-be-missed talk for anyone who wants to understand more about the pressures facing our rivers and streams – and what can be done to help protect them.

Join us at Dulverton Town Hall on Tuesday 23rd June. Welcome drinks at 6.00  pm with the talk commencing at 6.30 pm.

Click link below for tickets and further information

From Land to Water: What is shaping our rivers?

7 Jun 2026

Fluff Chuckers / SWLT Brown Trout Masters Round 3 Fernworthy…

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Report from Rodney Wevill

What a day high up on Dartmoor for Round 3 of the Brown Trout Masters.
We faced 8 hours of heavy rain and 45 mph plus winds.
But that wasn’t going to dampen the spirits much and with 30 Browns to the nets.
Andrew Gooding was the winner with 9 fish with Andrew Watson runner up with 5 fish beating Rodney Wevill 6 fish by 2cm in overall length.
Steve Retallack won the largest fish with an excellent 43cm specimen.
A special thanks to John Deprieelle for filming today in such testing conditions, look out for the Round 3 video in the next week or so.
And also special thanks to the event Sponsors and Partners YETI Europe Trout Fishing South West Lakes Trust Lakedown Brewing Co. & Tap Room Turrall Flies
More photos will be posted soon.
Result of round 3. Points
1. Andrew Gooding. 1
2. Andrew Watson. 2
3. Rodney Wevill. 3
4. Wayne Thomas. 4
5. Steve Retallack 5
6. Keith Burnett ! 6
7. Brendan Cooper. 7
8. John Huckins. 8
9. Pete Williams. 9
9. Paul McEvoy. 9
Standing after 3 rounds.
Position. Points
1. Andrew Gooding. 8
2. Wayne Thomas. 9
3. Keith Burnett. 10
4. Rodney Wevill. 11
5. Paul McEvoy. 19
6. John Huckins. 20
7. Pete Williams. 21
8. Steve Retallack. 25
9. Andrew Watson. 30
10. Tony Chipman. 31
11. Gary Brazier. 33
12. Garry Boyde. 34
12. Dave Perks. 34
13. Brendan Cooper. 35
My day :-
I had been looking forward to this annual excursion for some time as Fernworthy high on Dartmoor is a beautiful venue and as a result of its location gets everything nature can throw at it. Gale force winds heavy rain its all part of the fascinating game that is fishing. In a competition like this it is the same for everybody and there is certain pleasure in sharing the experience as a community for the Fluff Chuckers is very much a part of large community of like minded individuals.
My own strategy based on previous visits was to persist with a tried and trusted set up. Three flies, a black lure on the point and two small black flies on the droppers. I chose spot  where I could put out a line into a wind lane and covered the water.  It proved a frustrating day with eight fish hooked, four brought to net and several takes missed. If I had the day again would I have fished differently ? Hindsight is great but If I fished the same conditions again I would probably do the same but might have focussed more on some areas that brought more takes and cut back to two flies as in the conditions I probably lost half an hour throughout the day sorting minor tangles.
5 Jun 2026

JO-IN-THE WATER

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Pauline and I went to Scott’s Cinema in Barnstaple Last night to watch the film Jo in the water. The film tells the inspiring story of Jo Batemans ongoing court case against South West Water.

Sea swimming is Jo Bateman’s sanctuary—until sewage spills threaten the waters she loves.

A passionate sea swimmer turned reluctant activist, Jo Bateman takes on one of the UK’s biggest water companies in a David-and-Goliath battle to protect our oceans from devastating sewage pollution.

As Jo’s courage helps ignite a growing movement, this film exposes the dire state of our water system and asks: who will stand up for our right to swim in clean natural waters, for the species and communities that rely upon them?

Jo in the Water is a powerful, emotional feature-length documentary film. It is not just about water pollution; it is about connection—to nature, to our own sense of place, and to our responsibility for the world around us.

https://www.jointhewater.com

A PERSONAL VIEW

The film is an emotive production that provokes anger at the state of our rivers and the failure of water companies. The evidence is clear that water companies are failing in their duty. But as someone who feels passionate about these issues I despair at the lack of interest shown by the wider populate regarding the environment.

The environment is climbing the political agenda but MPs will only go where there are votes and sadly pot holes and the cost of living get more votes than rivers. Those who swim, fish, surf canoe and walk the rivers and coast have a vital connection but they are not in the majority.

The Environment Agency are generally underfunded and lack the power to regulate and prosecute. They are the environmental police overwhelmed by corporate greed, industrialisation of agriculture and a growing population that impacts upon our precious environment.

Nationalising the Water Industry will not be a panacea to all ills for treating sewage and water is far more costly than many believe. The infrastructure is inadequate and as house building expands the infrastructure is not upgraded adequately. Policing, education, NHS, Social Services, Public Transport, Roads are these all as they should be?

It is vital to raise the tragic decline in river health for as I often say the rivers are the vital arteries of the land. We need the debate, yes we need to campaign and activists are vital in raising awareness of the issues.

Those reading this can help to spread the word. Get involved in water testing, reporting issues and joining organisations that care.

The next local showing is at Torrington :-

https://www.theploughartscentre.org.uk/event/jo-water

5 Jun 2026

Euro Nymphing With Katka Švagrová

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1 Jun 2026

ANGLING BRINGS CONNECTION TO THE NATURAL WORLD

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ANGLING BRINGS CONNECTION TO THE NATURAL WORLD

                        One of anglings greatest gifts is the connection that participants enjoy with nature. As anglers we are privileged to witness many wonders of the natural world. Last week I spent a day fishing on Chew Valley Lake in Somerset. Our target species was pike that grow large in this vast rich lake. It was the hottest May Day on record and not the day we would have chosen but having booked a boat in advance we proceeded ensuring that we had plenty of water and sunscreen. The fishing proved hard going with just four small pike tempted by our large flies.

A highlight of the day was an encounter with a juvenile grass snake that was swimming across the lake. I lifted the snake from the water and admired it before slipping it back into the lake hoping it would survive as it seemed to be extremely vulnerable with so many potential predators in the vicinity. Dragonflies and damsel flies fluttered over the mirror calm lake and bird song filled the air.

Each day at the water’s edge has the potential to bring exciting encounters with the world around. I have witnessed whales, otters, kingfishers, foxes, osprey, deer, nightjar, eagles, crocodiles, scorpions, moose, witnessed lunar eclipses, comets in dark star studded skies, spectacular sunsets, misty dawns and many more phenomena. Not to mention the many fish that are the target of the day. Whilst I could have seen some of this without a rod and line it is for me the tactile connection with that unseen world beneath the surface that seals the deal.

It is for this reason that many anglers are passionate conservationists who get involved with campaigns for cleaner rivers and nature friendly farming practices.

River Fly Monitoring