21 Oct 2025

Fluff Chuckers / Arundell Grayling Cup 2025

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Overall Winner of the West Country Grayling cup was Roger Truscott and also winner of the biggest fish of the day with a fine 45cm fish

Overall winner Roger Truscott

Biggest fish of the day. Roger Truscott

Winner of Morning Session Gary Brazier

Runner up Rodney Wevill

Winner of afternoon session Ozzie Gough

Runner up. Graham Alcock Smith

Many thanks to Ozzie Gough for his account of the competition below :-

 

We had an early meet at The Arundell hotel on a cold but thankfully dry autumn day. Meeting with both new and old faces, who had the same keen expression upon their faces. And after a lovely bap we split into groups and sessions, Everyone geared up and hit the river. I pulled home beat for the afternoon session and was paired with a lovely chap named Philip Hoskins. After conducting Philip for his AM session I quickly realised it wasn’t going to be an easy session at all with Phil covering the water thoroughly and only managing a few small par and a lovely but out of season brownie of about 25cm. I geared my self up with 2 methods-euro nymph and Clink’n’dink. After covering water with reasonable efficiency and missing a few bites and with the clock running down. I dialled down my gear for simplicity and with the goal of 1 good grayling I put on a heavier self tied nymph to try get down to the bottom of the pool and after a few casts I got into my first scorable fish which was a lovely 30cm grayling which massively boosted my confidence after a lost grayling and an OOS trouts. After that with not long to go I covered a few more pools but to no avail. We headed up to the hotel as the rain began to come down and met with other anglers and realised the day had been a real struggle for the majority catching a fish or unfortunately blanking. However 1 man did extremely well and landed a 45cm grayling on his first ever session targeting them, so well done Roger and congratulations on winning the event . I was extremely pleased to get second place and was privileged to be a part of the event. A massive thanks to Rodney Wevill for all his hard work setting up such an incredible event. And I cannot wait for the next one.

 

(Above) Ozzie searching the water during the summer months.

12 Oct 2025

Fluff Chuckers / SWLT Brown Trout Masters…2025

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Fluff Chuckers / SWLT Brown Trout Masters…

The final round of the Trout masters was held at Roadford Lake today.
With challenging conditions, bright sun around mid day .
Series leader Roger Truscott set out on a mission to put a good gap between himself and his closest challengers, and mission completed, Roger finished on 17 Browns with Runner up Wayne Thomas on 12.
Rodney Wevill getting the biggest Brown of the day at 39cm with Keith Burnett runner up with a nice 38cm fish.
A total of 55 Browns caught for the day
A massive thank you to Trout Fishing South West Lakes Trust for Partnering up with Fluff Chuckers and providing the Brown Trout Masters Cup and the overall winners prize of an all water season ticket.
Turrall Flies, YETI Europe and Lakedown Brewing Co. & Tap Room for the prizes for each individual events.
And to all the anglers that have taken part over the year.
This series of events have become a great fun day on the water, all taking part have joined in with smiles no matter what their individual ability has been.
Looking forward to next year and hopefully build on the past two years,
Nice to see anglers that are normally fishing for Rainbows taken up the challenge of chasing these lovely Brown trout, not always the biggest or the easiest to catch but proper fishing for sure.
Round 3 Results.
1. Roger Truscott
2. Wayne Thomas
3. Kevin Selkars
4. Rodney Wevill
5. Keith Burnett
6. John Huckings
7. Richard Adeney
8. Jon Hopper
Final overall Results after Three Rounds.
Points
1. Roger Truscott 5 (Brown Trout Master 2025)
2. Wayne Thomas 8
3. John Hucking. 12
4. Keith Burnett 13
5. Rodney Wevill 14
6. Richard Adeney 25
7. Kevin Sellars. 27
8. Steve Retallack 27
9. Steve Lawes. 32
10. Matt Woods. 32
11. Simon Peters. 35
12. Jon Hopper. 36
13. Dave Cook. 36
14. Peter Williams. 39
15. Phillip Hoskin. 41
16. Ben Eliot 42

Thanks to Rodney Wevill for all his hard work putting this enjoyable and friendly event together. All three venues run by South West lakes Trust provided excellent fishing in stunning scenery. I look forward to next years series of events. Hartd to comprehend the passing of a season that started in late March on the wide wild expanse of Colliford as we looked for the first martins and swallow arriving from Africa. The middle summer event was held at Fernworthy high on Dartmoor as heavy rain gave us all a good drenching but failed to deter the trout that were caught in good numbers as swifts and swallows darted across the water. And at Roadford its waters seriously low after a long dry summer I caught sight of a straggler  swallows and martins leaving for their winter home in Africa.

5 Oct 2025

A Danglers Diary – September 2025

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I sometimes wonder what anglers want to read on North Devon Angling News in addition to the latest news from around the region. I thought it might be worthwhile taking a look back at the beginning of each month at the venues I have fished over the preceding month and the triumphs and trials I have encountered.

            In early September Pauline and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary. It is a testament to Pauline that she has accepted my obsession with angling throughout those fiorty plus years  supporting me great with patience. (Most of the time; for there are times when I have undoubtedly overstepped the mark a little).

            We celebrated at the Tarr Steps Inn beside the glorious River Barle that once teemed with salmon during the Autumn months. I remember catching a silver grilse on the day of Princess Diana’s funeral back in 1997. The river like many has suffered a dramatic decline in its salmon stocks though its wild brown trout are still abundant.

The Barle above Tarr Steps

In the Exmoor Town of Dulverton it was good to see minnows shoaling in the leat that runs past Rothwell & Dunsworth the book shop that always has a tempting array of fishing books.

An antique cased perch catches my eye…whats the story behind it?

The Glorious Wye

Whilst the River Wye in Herefordshire frequently makes the headlines regarding effluent from Chicken farms and agriculture it is still a beautiful rIver. its salmon runs have plummeted but it is still home to some wonderful Coarse fish.  I extracted a few bronze flanked chub on a trip in the middle of September.

A feast intended for barbel
This chub found rolled meat to its liking.

Evening light on a tranquil Wye.

HOME WATERS

The quiver tip back on home ground…

CORNISH REEF

The annual trip to fish in the Looe Basher was once again an enjoyable excursion visiting familar haunts.

The flooding tide
Out of Looe
A brace of comber for myself and Chris Hayton

Spectacular red gurnard

Bruce Elston with a fine conger

A decent black bream
wow ! what colours

Fish to brighten the dullest of days
Dominick is king of ling catching his third in three years.

Broken tips for two!

An un-welcome sign on the quayside where I spent many hours fishing as a child. Floatfishing for pollock after dark on Autumn evenings remembered with great fondness.

IN HOPE OF SALMON

Prime water on the River Torridge

THOSE WILD BROWNS ALWAYS OBLIGE

The beauty of a wild brown trout from the higher reaches of a local river.

Many thanks to Anglers Paradise for inviting Pauline and I to their 40 year celebrations.

Anglers Paradise

 

 

5 Oct 2025

A Celebration of Forty years at Anglers Paradise

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Anglers Paradise

The Angler’s Paradise complex created by Zyg Gregorek celebrated forty years in September 2025. The venue has become one of the region’s top fisheries boasting over thirty lakes that are home to a vast range of freshwater species including specimen carp, grass carp, orfe, tench, perch, pike, trout and catfish to name but a few. The holiday complex has brought a wealth of happy memories for many family generations and it’s waters are now a thriving natural eco-system. The fishery is testament to the vision of Zyg who transformed a marshy piece of scrubland to create Anglers Paradise a for-runner that has become the template for complexes across the country. The venture is very much a family business with Zyg’s daughter Zenia Drury-Gregorek and her husband Joe very much at the helm continuing the sterling work undertaken by Zyg and his wife Rose. My wife and I joined the celebrations last weekend to witness a thriving community of anglers and their families forged over the past four decades.

Wine & Dine Celebrations
Conversations flows in the Safari Bar
Trophies and memories from around the world
Zenia and son Zee-Jay demonstrate fish care and how to get the best catfish pics

Bingo Time!

Zenia and Zyg working with the Angling Trust at a previous event.
Get Fishing
An Eldorado catfish for Bruce Elston
A specimen tiger trout caught from the trout lake
A Paradise sunrise
A netting day

Team working

Rainbow over Paradise
The latest capture from the Nirvana syndicate lake….CLINT WITH THE FREAK OF THE NIRVANA SYNDICATE, ‘JOY’ at 54lb 8oz
This fish is stacking on the lb’s and has plenty more growing to do. Will Joy be our first 60?
Silverback is among the elusive and if the other fish are anything to go by he may already be at 60lb…
Anglers Paradise

 

 

5 Oct 2025

AUTUMN SEASON at The ARUNDELL

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Autumn and Winter Fishing

Fishing for the silvery grey lady of the rivers is increasingly popular at the Arundell and happily this does mean the continuation of fishing into the winter season. Day tickets for grayling are £25 per rod or £150 for a season ticket valid from 1st October 2025 – 14th March 2026.  We also have our first West Country Grayling Cup on 18th October – entry fee is £25, details below!

We are so looking forward to the return of the renowned world champion, Katka Švagrová at the end of the month.  Her three, one- day courses are almost fully booked but we do still have some spaces on Saturday 1st November and possibly one space on Friday 31st October.  Please call or email bookings.  Tel: 01566 784666.

🎣 Katka Švadgrová returns to The Arundell!
Join the 2023 World Ladies Fly Fishing Champion for 1-day courses on
31st October, 1st & 2nd November 2025.
Covering all-round trout techniques including:
• Euronymphing
• Dry fly
• Dry dropper
£225 per person – limited spaces available!
📞 01566 784666

 

2 Oct 2025

Hints of Gold and Autumn hues as the Salmon and Trout season ends with a flourish

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The salmon and trout fishing season on North Devon’s rivers has closed with a flourish as September rains have rejuvenated the rivers to bring a very welcome flush of cleaner oxygenated water. Since late Spring the rivers have languished with low levels and high temperatures resulting in fishing being suspended for an unprecedented number of weeks.

            September rod catches for salmon and sea trout on both the Taw and Torridge undoubtedly make up a significant percentage of the years total with an estimated thirty to forty salmon caught on both rivers throughout the month. This has been great news and a positive end to the season.

            Ian Blewett secretary of the River Taw Fisheries and Conservation Association closed his season in style tempting four salmon from the Taw during the final days of the season.

The historic Little Warham Fishery is changing hands after close to ten years in the custodianship of Anthony Wilmington and Amanda Milner. Anthony and his family are moving to a new location in the Torridge Valley where their deep roots with the river and its fish will continue. In a fitting close to an era Anthony tempted the biggest salmon from the Torridge this year estimated at over 20lb his second fish in a week as the river fined down following the big spate. Tony Bennett and James Crawford also enjoyed success during closing week of the season at Little Warham.

Amanda sent me this lovely account of the final day at Little Warham :-

The fishing was excellent and everyone enjoyed themselves. Lunchtime at the hut was full of reminiscing, and little Brook (now seven!) closed our time at Little Warham with the very last cast of the day.

As you can imagine, it was quite emotional for us both, reflecting on everything we’ve experienced here. From arriving to a house untouched for 50 years, to developing the holiday lets, to all the riverbank conservation and restoration Anthony has carried out — it’s been quite a journey. The fishing has been the icing on the cake, along with the lifelong friends we’ve made. All of this has deepened our connection to North Devon and to the Torridge.

What means the most to us is knowing we leave behind a lasting legacy at Little Warham — not only through the restored banks and healthier waters, but also in the spirit of community and friendship that has grown here. It feels good to know that the work and care invested will continue to benefit others long after our chapter closes.

Our next venture will carry those roots forward. We’ll continue offering holiday lets, while Anthony expands his passion for guiding and tuition on both the Taw and the Torridge — opening the sport up to less able anglers as well. He’ll also be available for consultancy and support to riparian owners, drawing on his hands-on experience with the riverbank restoration and specialist tree operations. And of course, we’ll remain active in campaigning against river pollution, with the support of Fish Legal.

I said to Anthony that he couldn’t have wished for a better fish to mark his last week here — the biggest of the season on the Torridge. Really, you couldn’t ask for more.

Below is a link to my report on visiting Little Warham in 2027.

LITTLE WARHAM FISHERY

Seth Tuson tempted a fine sea trout from a beat lower down the Torridge.

My own river season ended with two sessions in the closing week. The first to a Middle River Torridge beat that I have fished regularly over the past fifteen or so years. The conditions appeared to be perfect with the river carrying a healthy tinge of colour as it fined down following the long awaited spate. It was a delight to drift the fly across familiar lies and I expected a pull at any moment. It wasn’t to be however and I couldn’t help but reflect upon previous September days when I had caught salmon and seen plenty of fish showing. It seems that salmon fishing these days is very much like the National Lottery. You have to buy a ticket to have a chance but winning is so often just a dream.

I closed the season searching the Upper reaches of a Taw tributary where I found feisty wild brown trout with flanks of bronze and olive hues decorated with crimson spots. These jewelled delights have been at my lines end since I was a child and still bring that same sense of joy.

26 Sep 2025

South West Lakes Trust Trout Fisheries Report September 2025

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A welcome drop in temperatures, along with some rain helped to freshen the reservoir waters, although at some fisheries many fish preferred to stay in the deeper water, where boat anglers fared slightly better than their counterparts on the bank.

Fishing:

Kennick – In spite of the cooler temperatures, the fishing proved challenging at Kennick, with anglers averaging 1.7 fish per visit. The best locations included Sycamore Wall, Poplar Bay and Bracken Point, with boat anglers catching fish in Clampitts Bay and the deeper central water. An intermediate line or floating line with a sink-tip, or a sinking line  proved to be the most successful tactic, fishing either nymphs and wets (Diawl Bachs, Montanas, Buzzers and Damsels) or lure patterns (Tadpoles and Boobies). Graham Roberts (from Totnes) and his boat partner caught thirteen rainbows to 3lb 12oz, with two others over 3lb, using fast sinkers and lure patterns (having previously had no success fishing on the top). Richard Berresford caught six rainbows to 2lb 10oz using a Tequila Booby fished deep with a slow figure-of-eight retrieve with pauses from a boat, and two rainbows to 3lb using a mini snake pattern on an intermediate line on a further visit. Water levels are down to 45% capacity at the time of writing.

Burrator – The fishing at Burrator improved this month, with anglers averaging 3.9 per visit, with fish being caught all over the reservoir (including Longstone, Pig Trough, Discovery Bay, Bennett’s and Sheepstor). With fish coming to the surface to feed, floating lines with dry patterns (Foam Daddies, Bob’s Bits, Sedges and Hoppers) produced some good sport, while deeper feeders were caught on intermediate lines using nymph (Buzzers, Damsels, Montanas) and lure (Tequila Blob, Yellow Streamer, Cormorant, FAB, Black and Green Blob) patterns, fished with a variety of retrieval methods. Gordon McLeod (from Tavistock) caught eleven rainbows to 2lb using a Tequila Blob fishing early in the morning. Daniel Forrester (from Hatherleigh) also caught eleven rainbows to 2lb between Sheepstor Bank and Pig Trough Bank – in spite of plenty of surface activity, he could only interest his fish with deeper lure patterns (particularly Candy Floss Boobie). Water levels are now down to 40% capacity.

Stithians – The fishing improved as the month progressed, with lightweight floating lines together with dry patterns (Hares Ear Parachute, Midge Hopper, Elk Hair Sedge, Daddies and Beetles) producing some excellent surface sport. Deeper feeders took a selection of nymph patterns (mainly Damsel Nymphs) and lures (FAB, Cruncher Apache, Minkie and Orange Blob). Popular locations included Goonlaze, Ray’s Beech, Pipe Bay, Hollis, Oub Bay and Sluice Bank). Levels are down to 60% capacity at time of writing.

Colliford – The sport improved dramatically during the month, with anglers averaging 4.1 fish per visit. The best locations included the Middle Car Park, Lord’s Waste, The East Bank and the bank near the dam. Plenty of Sedge and Midge hatches meant that the browns were keen to feed off or just under the surface, taking Bibio Hoppers, Bob’s Bits, Black and Peacock Spiders, Black cdc Emergers, Zulus and Soldier Palmers. Water levels are now at 54% capacity.

Fernworthy – In spite of a fairly consistent hatch just before dusk, the fishing proved to be fairly challenging at Fernworthy, with anglers averaging less than a fish per visit. The South Bank proved to be the most popular, with some fish taking both dry patterns (Black Parachute, Tup’s, dry Sedge and cdc Hopper), and sub-surface Muddlers, Silver Invictas and Kate McLaren. Water levels are still quite high, at 78% capacity.

Roadford – The fishing at Roadford improved as the month progressed, with a weekly rod average increasing to 5.8 fish per angler. Popular locations included Davey’s Bank, Wortha and Goodacre, where Soldier Palmers, Spiders, Brown Hares Ear Nymphs and Diawl Bachs fished on floating lines proved to be the most successful, with a few fish also taking Black Tadpoles. Dean Boucher (from Gunnislake) caught eleven browns to 16” using pulled Soldier Palmers and Black Tadpoles on a floating line in one visit, and on another, thirteen fish to 1lb using the same tactics. Levels are now down to 65% at time of writing.

Please see the Trust’s website (www.swlakestrust.org.uk/trout-fishing) for more information on buying tickets, boat availability and booking, and forthcoming events.

Chris Hall (September 2025)

 

15 Sep 2025

End of season flourish for Devon Rivers

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http://www.halfmoonsheepwash.co.uk

After a long dry summer North Devon’s rivers are now rejuvenated as heavy rain swells the flow. The salmon that have been waiting in the estuaries are now surging up river. On the Lower Taw close to twenty salmon have been caught as the rising water bring fish up. As I write this the Taw and Torridge are in full spate with fishing virtually impossible. It is expected that as levels drop and the clarity improves salmon and sea trout will be spread throughout the rivers with fish likely throughout the catchments.

Richard Nickell with a fine Taw salmon

The Rivers of Exmoor including the Lyn, Exe and its major tributary the Barle should all be worth a try.

Salmon and sea trout have also been reported from the Arundell beats on the Tamar and its tributaries.