Trevor Telling Memorial Competition 2025

Final call for this coming Sunday…

Trevor Telling Memorial Fishing Competition
Wimbleball Lake, Sunday the 7th September 2025…
2 Fishing competitions in 1, from the boat and the bank, trophy & prizes for each.
Normal price for fishing plus £5 donation to charity.
The charity being supported is Exeter Hospicecare team.

For those that knew Trevor, and for those that didn’t, this is now an annual commemorative event to remind us of a man who simply loved all fishing but especially fly fishing.

His local knowledge of Wimbleball was legendary which he readily shared with anglers on the pontoon as he sent them out for their days fishing.

NORTH DEVON RIVERS TO FEATURE ON BBC COUNTRYFILE

This Sunday’s forthcoming BBC Countryfile episode features North Devon’s Taw and Torridge the two major rivers that feature in Henry Williamson’s classic tomes, ‘Tarka The Otter’ , ‘Salar the Salmon’ and A Clear Water Stream. The program features interviews with prominent local anglers reflecting upon angling history, the iconic salmon and the efforts to ensure the future of these marvellous fish.

The ever cheerful Charles Inniss at the Half Moon with my wife Pauline.

To continue reading article from TACA click below :-

https://www.thetaca.com/news/a-century-of-tarka-heritage-rivers-amp-hope-for-the-future?ss_source=sscampaigns&ss_campaign_id=68b5762c7abfb569022f0cb1&ss_email_id=68b6a40caeb48f50a6e335d2&ss_campaign_name=A+Century+of+Tarka%3A+Heritage+%26+Hope+for+the+Future&ss_campaign_sent_date=2025-09-02T08%3A00%3A26Z

Charle Inniss returns a fine fresh salmon to the Torridge

 

South West Lakes Trust Trout Fisheries Report   August 2025

Another hot dry month means that water and air temperatures have continued to rise, while levels continue to fall. Generally fish have been in the cooler deeper water, and fishing from boats (where available) with sinking or intermediate lines has often been the best option.

Fishing:

Kennick – Rods averaged 2.4 fish per visit, with boat anglers having the edge over bank anglers, managing to access the deeper water locations. Sinking, Intermediate or sink tip lines with a variety of retrieval methods (from slow ‘figure-of-eight’ to a fast pull) proved to be the best tactic, fishing the deep water or near the bottom in most cases. The Narrows, Boat Bay, Clampitts Bay, The East Wall, Smithacott, Oak Tree Point and The Causeway all proved to be popular locations. Some fish would rise to take a dry pattern (Foam Beetle, Daddy or Hopper), but most preferred to feed deeper, taking either Lures (Orange or Tequila Blobs, Green and Black or Orange Fritz, White Minnows, Yellow and Orange FABs) or deep nymphs (Buzzers, Damsels, Montanas and Hares Ears). Andrew Algar caught five rainbows to 3lb 7oz in one session, and seven to 3lb on another, fishing from a boat on both occasions, using dark flies and a slow retrieve on sinking lines. Joseph Croy caught five rainbows to 3lb; Graham Roberts and his boat partner caught nine rainbows to 3lb between them, again fishing the deep water. Water temperatures are now up to 21ºC, with the level down to 57% capacity.

Siblyback – The warmer conditions have proved challenging for anglers, with rods averaging under one fish per visit. A few anglers have found success with a floating line, with the occasional fish rising to a Daddy or Black Hopper, but most fish have fallen to Orange Blobs, Green Boobies or Orange Fritz, as well as some nymph patterns (Buzzers, PTNs, Invictas and GH Montanas), all fished with a medium retrieve on a sinking line. Popular locations included Stocky Bay, Two Meadows, West Bank and the deeper water by the dam. Levels are now down to 56% capacity.

Burrator – Levels were down to 45% capacity by the end of the month, thus opening up additional areas to bank anglers. In spite of the warm conditions, anglers enjoyed some excellent sport, averaging 3.2 fish per visit, which included some great bags of up to ten fish. The best locations included Lowery Point, Longstone, Sheepstor, Bennetts, The Pines and Pig’s Trough. Fish fed throughout the water column, with anglers catching on Floating, Intermediate and Sinking lines, generally using a fast retrieve. Successful dry patterns included Black Gnats, Claret Hoppers, Sedges, Bobs Bits and Foam Daddies. Otherwise, Damsels, Buzzers, Diawl Bachs and Montanas took the sub-surface feeders, as did lure patterns such as Tequila Blobs, Orange Blobs, Vivas, Cormorants and Boobies. Al Green (from Plymouth) caught ten fish in one session, fishing early in the morning, with feeding fish showing on the surface – he fished with floating and intermediate lines and a fast strip or fast ‘figure-of-eight’ retrieve. Richard Peel also netted ten fish from a boat. Kevin Sellar (from Plymouth) caught a bag of nine rainbows, as did Nick Forrester. Levels are at 45% capacity at time of writing.

Stithians – Anglers managed just under one fish per rod, mainly using floating or sink-tip lines, with fish being caught at Pub Bay, Goonlaze, Yellowort, Ray’s Reach and Pipe Bay, generally between four and five feet down. With fish coming up to the surface, Beetles, Black Gnats, Daddies and Hoppers all caught trout, while deeper feeders took Montanas, Diawl Bachs, Buzzers and Soldier Palmers. Levels are now down to 65% capacity.

Colliford – This month anglers averaged just under two browns per visit, with most anglers favouring floating lines with a variety of retrieves. Productive banks included Lord’s Waste, Menaridian, Stuffles and the deeper water by the dam. Dry patterns were popular, with fish taking Beetles, Orange Daddies, Claret Hoppers, Deer Hair Sedge and Dry Red Ants; successful sunk patterns included Soldier Palmers, Peter Ross, Zulus and Black Pennells.

Fernworthy – Anglers averaged 1.2 fish per visit this month, with most fish being caught off Lowton, Permit Hut, Thornworthy, Brownhills and the South Bank. Floating lines proved to be the order of the day, with Sedges, Black Gnats, Daddies and Bibio Hoppers catching rising fish, while Diawl Bachs, Buzzers and Black Pennells took the deeper feeders. There has been a good hatch of buzzers in the evenings. Water levels are now down to 83%.

Roadford – It proved to be a quiet month at Roadford with anglers averaging 0.6 fish per visit. Fish were found at Grinnacombe, Shop Bay, Davey’s Bank and the deeper water by the dam, with nymph and wet patterns catching most fish (Buzzers, Invictas, Black Pennells and Soldier Palmers). Water levels are at 77% at the 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.

 

T0RRIDGE RIVERS ASSOCIATION – NEWSREEL: SUMMER 2025

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The Annual Egg Box Dinner:

This is always a most enjoyable evening and hopefully our Fishery Protection Officer, Sam Fenner, will be able to join us. As usual the dinner will be at The Half Moon Inn: Saturday 20th September. It is always extremely popular so book early.

To book contact The Half Moon [email protected]: tel 01409231376

The Annual Raffle:

This year to save on the cost of printing raffle books and postage it has been decided to organise the raffle online. There will be a large board in the bar at The Half Moon with box numbers 1 to 1000. As members send in raffle monies (by cheque or BACS) I will write names into the boxes. Raffle tickets will cost £2: so for £10 you will have 5 tickets and for £20 ten chances to win one of the three excellent prizes.  This is our major fundraising effort to help cover the cost of running the hatchery so please support generously.

 Prizes: 1. Sportfish £100 voucher: 2.The Half Moon Inn £50 voucher: 3.Voucher for a case of 12 bottles of wine.

The Hatchery:

The EA has given us the go ahead to run the hatchery again this winter. Last year was a great success and in March 33,000 swim-up fry were stocked out into selected sites in the headwaters of the Torridge, Okement and Lew. Work is being undertaken to improve the safety of the site and the hatchery team are investigating ways to reduce the silt loading in the trays holding the eggs. All being well we will be trapping our broodstock during November.

The 2025 Season: following the pattern of recent years low flows seem to be the norm. The highlight has been a 15lb salmon caught on the second day of the season on the Madeira beat and anglers who have ventured out at night have enjoyed some success with the sea trout. During May and June the brown trout anglers enjoyed some excellent fishing with several fish over 2lb being caught.

Mike Weaver: the Devon River Reports:

A few weeks ago a guest staying at The Half Moon gave Adam old copies of the Trout and Salmon magazine with some going back to the early 1970’s and I was amazed to discover that over fifty years ago Mike Weaver was writing the Devon River Reports for the magazine and he is still, fifty years later, writing comprehensive monthly reports for the rivers in Devon. Well done Mike!! I have to admit these days I only buy the magazine to read the river reports.

In the April 1975 magazine Mike gave the rod returns of salmon and sea trout for the Devon rivers for 1974. The Torridge return was 156 down from 191 in 1973. The sea trout returns are astonishing. The total for all the Devon rivers was 3,778 of which the Taw return was 1,666 and the Torridge return 1,059. The two North Devon rivers accounted for over 75% of the Devon total.!! And almost certainly these returns did not include the large number of school peal which were caught. Taking into account there was much greater fishing effort in those days and spinning was allowed throughout the season but even so these returns show how dramatically stocks of both salmon and sea trout have declined in the last fifty years. Those were the days!!

Secretary: Charles Inniss Beeches Sheepwash

                   Beaworthy Devon EX21 5NW

                   e-mail: [email protected]

                   tel: 01409231237  (m)07464190944

WEEKLY – ANGLING REPORT – August 14th – 2025

BIG CARP FROM PARADISE SYNDICATE

George West enjoyed success at Angler’s Paradises Nirvana Syndicate lake banking a fine brace of mirror carp scaling 39lb each. The lake holds a stock of large carp grown on at the venue.

Anglers Paradise

Comment

Carp fishing is constantly evolving as the desire to catch bigger carp drives the sector resulting in  varied venues offering a gradual progression for carp anglers. Day ticket waters that offer large numbers of carp progressing to syndicate waters that have long waiting lists to enter with a high price tag that now exceeds the cost of a rod on an exclusive West Country salmon beat.

Match Fishing

Craig Lamey secured top spot in Bideford Angling Clubs monthly coarse match at their home water with 87lb 10oz. Nathan Underwood was runner up with 44lb 15oz and Keith Copland third with 44lb 10oz.

Sam Powell won last Sundays Stafford Moor Open Match with 248lb 5oz. The Saturday  residents match was won by Martin Heard with 321lb 7oz.

Sea Angling

South Molton Angling Club members enjoyed a boat trip out of Lyme Regis where they enjoyed great sport catching eleven species that included black bream, thornback ray, and bull huss.

Stephen Found has been enjoying some great smoothound sport from the North Devon shore landing specimens of 14lb, 15lb 6oz and 18lb. Recent seasons have seen unprecedented numbers of these hard fighting fish move close inshore and at times moving into the estuary an area that historically did not see these fish in any numbers.

Several bonito have been caught from boats fishing the water at the mouth of the Bristol Channel. These powerful fish that average 2lb to 4lb are a hard fighting predatory fish that can be glimpsed as they erupt from the water as they smash into shoals of baitfish.

I enjoyed a day fishing for porbeagle shark on Ilfracombe boat Predator 2 and ventured to the recognised sharking grounds West of Hartland Point. Whilst we caught no shark we caught numerous tope, gurnard, bass, mackerel, gurnard and scad. Several shark have been caught in recent weeks but fishing seems to have been impacted upon by frequent algal blooms that are unusual for this time of year.

Rivers

Barnstaple and District Angling Club have once again suspended fishing on their river beats as high water temperatures and low oxygen levels bring grave concern for the rivers wildlife.

Comment

As I add the finishing touches to this week’s angling report the BBC news is reporting on the fact that ‘The UK’s seas have had their warmest start to the year since records began, helping to drive some dramatic changes in marine life and for its fishing communities’.

In my weekly angling report above I mention the influx of smoothound, unusual algal blooms and river temperatures that are concerning for fish survival. All of these could be linked to climate change and as an angler I observe these changes from the water’s edge.

            I personally accept that the evidence points to rapid change in our climate and yet this is tempered by the fact that climate change is linked to events that have happened before as marine eco systems are cyclical and complex. Tuna are not new to UK waters and were abundant during the mid-twentieth century. Octopus population explosions occurred previously at the start and middle of the twentieth century. I would also point out that the frequently used phrase since records began is emotive terminology as since 1980 when records started is probably less alarming as forty odd years is little more than a blink of the eye in the evolving climate of the planet.

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.

FLY FISHING FILM TOUR – CHAGFORD

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Dive into an evening of breathtaking cinematography, gripping adventure, and wild natural beauty with The Fly Fishing Film Tour. A must-see for anyone who loves rivers, stories, and the great outdoors. This internationally acclaimed collection of short films captures the thrill, serenity, and soul of fly fishing in some of the world’s most remote and stunning locations. From icy mountain streams to sun-drenched tropical flats, it’s a cinematic journey that goes far beyond fishing. It celebrates human connection, conservation, and the untamed spirit of nature.

Brought to the festival by TACA (Teign Angling & Conservation Association), the evening will open with a brief introduction to local efforts to restore and protect the River Teign, one of Dartmoor’s most cherished rivers. You’ll also have a chance to hear from experts during a post-screening Q&A. This screening is more than just entertainment and much deeper than the pastime of fly fishing – it’s a call to appreciate and protect the wild places we treasure. Expect an inspiring, feel-good atmosphere with stories that will resonate whether you’ve never picked up a fly rod or you live in your waders. Beautiful, moving, and often unexpectedly funny, this is storytelling that casts wide and lands deep.

https://www.thetaca.com/news/the-fly-fishing-film-tour-lands-in-chagford-book-your-tickets-now?ss_source=sscampaigns&ss_campaign_id=688c9d25a86dce1ac402114d&ss_email_id=6891c82c73426a61d1444b16&ss_campaign_name=The+Fly+Fishing+Film+Tour+%E2%80%93+Book+Your+Tickets+Now%21&ss_campaign_sent_date=2025-08-05T09%3A00%3A33Z

Katka Švagrová at the Arundell this Autumn

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Katka Švagrová at the Arundell this Autumn

Friday 31st October, Saturday 1st 

and Sunday 2nd November

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to be taught by Katka Švagrová

at the Arundell this Autumn.  Sponsored by global sporting brands and with over 30 year fly fishing experience, Katka is the 2023 silver individual and gold team World Flyfishing Ladies Champion and seven times winner of the National Woman’s Czech Fly Fishing Championship.

She will be at the Arundell on Friday 31st October, Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd November running 3 x 1 day Euronymph fishing for grayling courses.  A Fly Fishers International Ambassador, she is world renowned for her unrivalled fly-fishing expertise.

The Course is £225 per person and will be limited to six people per day.

Please call 01566 784666 or email [email protected] to book your place!

REEDS CHILLCHEATER

As we move towards Autumn it is perhaps time to think about upgrading those waterproofs. Local company Chillcheater provide high quality garments to beat the harshest of conditions. My own Storm Jacket has been beating the weather for over ten years and is set for replacing this season.

CLICK ON LINK BELOW TO SEE LATEST PRODUCTS

Sea Angling and Fishing.

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.