FROTHY WATERS – OBSERVATIONS ?

 

Whilst the algae blooms witnessed along the coast are nothing new there are a couple of observations I will make. First the bloom often referred to as May bloom is earlier than normal and secondly the amount of surface froth is unusual and whilst large spring tides and a big surging swell have contributed I personally consider that this could be largely due to extensive run off from rivers into the Bristol Channel carrying worrying levels of enrichment from agricultural run-off and sewage overflows.

Frothy waters off Lundy – Image courtesy of Predator 2 Charters

There is increasing awareness of the many issues that impact upon water quality with considerable focus on rivers with many groups with environmental interests now joining together to campaign for a revision into how we manage our environment. This is certainly complex and requires extensive effort across government and society.

 

South West Lakes Trust Trout Fisheries Report – April 2025

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South West Lakes Trust Trout Fisheries Report

April 2025

Although the temperatures have at last started to rise during the day, nights have been cool, meaning that water temperatures are still low, and while there have been some insect hatches during warmer spells during the day, the trout are still generally remaining in the deeper water, with most lakes requiring a sunk line to find fish. The Trust has run a number of successful introductory days at the rainbow waters in conjunction with the clubs, with many newcomers managing to catch a fish. Most lakes are still at top level.

Fishing:

Kennick – Fishing improved as the month progressed, with the overall monthly average of 4.6 fish per rod improving to a weekly average of 5.3 by the end of the month. Fish have been well spread out in the deeper water around the lake, with The Lawns, Clampitts, The Lodge Bank and Oak Tree Point fishing particularly well, with boat anglers also picking up fish in the mid channel. Sinking and Intermediate lines have been the preferred tactic, generally with a slow retrieve. Buzzers have been hatching during warmer spells, although most fish have taken deep-fished nymphs (Damsels, Buzzers, Hares Ear and Pheasant Tail Nymphs), or more often lures (Black Tadpole, Poodle, Tequila Blob and a selection of different coloured Boobie patterns). The best fish of the month (and at Kennick so far this season) was a 5lb 4oz rainbow, caught by Russell Bridgeman; Michael Peppitt caught a rainbow of 4lb 9oz, while Lee Cann caught a 4lb rainbow. Many of the fish caught contained black buzzers.

Siblyback – The early season success at Siblyback continued throughout April, with anglers averaging 4.5 fish per rod, with fish feeding throughout the water column, and being caught on Floating, Intermediate, and Sinking lines, generally fishing with a slow or medium retrieve. Crylla Bay, West Bank, Stocky Bay and Two Meadows produced the best sport, with fish taking a selection of nymphs (Montana, Damsel, Buzzer), lures (Blobs, Orange Snakes, Tadpoles and Scruffy Tigers), and even some dry patterns (Foam Hawthorn, Hopper and Grey Wulff) when midges were hatching. Nine teams of four took part in this year’s Snowbee Team Bank Competition, with 126 fish landed in total; the Kennick ‘A’ Team (John Hern, Darren Penfold, Paul Wicks and Alex Venn) caught 24 fish, weighing in at 35lb 2oz to win the competition, while Andrew Fotheringham caught the best fish of the day – a fine rainbow of 3lb 12oz. Ron Wilday (from Liskeard) enjoyed an excellent day’s sport, catching nine rainbows to 1lb 8oz fishing in Crylla Bay.

Burrator – Weekly averages varied between 0.6 and 2.8 fish per angler, with the best sport to be had at Longstone, Back Bay, Sheepstor and Pig’s Trough. Fish tended to be in mid to deep water, when either a sinking line, or a floater with a long sink-tip and a slow retrieve proved to be the most successful tactic. A few fish were taken from the surface using a Black Gnat, Bob’s Bits, CDC or Black Hopper, but the majority preferred either a sunk nymph (Pheasant Tail, Montana, Damsel or Hares Ear) or lure pattern (Tadpole, Orange Fab, Orange Zonker).

Stithians – The sport continued to improve as the month progressed and the conditions turned milder, with anglers averaging 3.5 fish per visit. The fish tended to be nearer the surface, with floating lines and a sink-tip fished with a slow retrieve proved to be the most successful method. Goonlaze, Hollis Bank, Pub Bay and the deeper water by the dam produced the best sport. Successful fly patterns included Cormorants, Orange and Black Blobs, Orange FAB, Damsel and Montana nymphs, as well as a few fish taking dry Black Gnats, Stithians Mayfly and Black Klinkhammers.

 

Colliford – Apart from one week, when a very strong easterly wind made the fishing difficult, anglers averaged 2.7 fish per rod, with fish being found in the deep water by the dam, as well as along the East bank, Pines, Menaridan Point and the West Arm. Generally floating lines fished with a variety of retrieves (fast strips, followed by very slow) worked well. Good hatches of Midges and Olives, as well as the odd Hawthorn and Beetle on the water meant that fish were looking up to feed, and could be caught on dry Hawthorns, Black Gnats, Claret Hoppers, Daddies and Beetles. Sub-surface feeders took Hares Ears, Mini Tadpoles, Damsels, Zulus and Soldier Palmers.

Fernworthy – The fishing was slower to pick up on this high exposed Dartmoor water, although weekly averages did pick up to 2.4 fish per visit toward the end of the month.  The South bank and water below the Fishing Hut proved to be the most productive, with the browns taking Bibio, Hares Ear, Zulu and Goldhead Damsel, as well as rising to Beetles, Klinkhammers and Hoppers on the stiller, warmer days, when midges were hatching.

 

Roadford – The good sport at Roadford continued throughout the month, with anglers averaging 3.5 browns per visit. Floating or intermediate lines with a varied retrieve (Slow, Medium, and jerky fast strip) produced the best sport, with the best locations including South Wortha, Daveys Bank and Gaddacombe. Although the occasional fish would rise to a Green Hopper, most fish were taken on subsurface patterns (Black Tadpole, Mini Scruffy Tiger, Damsel and Olive Buzzer).

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 (April 2025)

Salmon News – Rivers Coming good

The rivers are starting to fine down after the rains and there is encouraging news in that a fresh run salmon has been tempted by an angler fishing the River Mole. There are also stories of other fish contacted briefly on the Taw.

I fished a River Torridge beat that I have not fished for two years and relished revisiting an old friend. The river was perhaps a little too coloured but the height was good and it felt good to drift the fly in expectation over familiar lies. Many thanks to my wife Pauline for capturing a few images. The sound of chiff chaffs and woodpeckers provided a pleasing soundtrack to our visit.

SPRING TIME ON NORTH DEVON RIVERS

The recent rainfall is welcomed by salmon and sea trout anglers across North Devon. The Taw and Torridge both saw water levels rise significantly anglers are waiting until the colours drops out providing good fishing conditions. There have been no reports of salmon or sea trout as I write this report but prospects are much improved.

I fished a short morning session on an upper tributary of the Taw and was surprised how low and clear the river was despite the recent rain. I used a duo set up consisting of a large deer hair dry fly and a bead headed nymph. During the first hour I tempted several delightful small wild brown trout but struggled to find any larger fish in the clear water.

Eventually I found a couple of better fish in a shady section of river the best an absolutely  stunning wild brown trout of 12”.

Whilst the fishing was challenging it was a real tonic for the mind being emersed within the Spring countryside as the songs of chiff-chaffs and wrens drifted through the valley in natures splendid springtime symphony.

The Waters Of Exmoor Spring Conference 2025

http://www.lance-nicholson.co.uk

 

Next month you will find Seven Fables at The Exmoor Society and Exmoor National Park Authority Spring Conference. This year their focus is on rivers and among the invited speakers are nature writer Professor Charles Foster, Mark Lloyd ~ CEO of the Rivers Trust, Professor Sir Dieter Helm and Toby Diggens of Dig & Co.

 

Appledore Shipbuilders @ Bulldog

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Bulldog Trout Fishery had the pleasure of hosting the Appledore shipyard Fly Fishing competition! 🎣
After attending one of our earlier comps Graham decided to get the lads together from work and book a day on the bank, these competitions are certainly growing in popularity! 😁
On arrival it was clear by the general atmosphere today was going to be a good day! After a bacon roll and a coffee the boys were itching to get started. Bright sunshine and a strong Easterly wind had some worried, however the worries were soon forgotten as a steady flow of fish were hooked and landed!
Lunch time came with the requested roast pork bap and roasties on the menu 🐖
Slowly but surely, fish by fish anglers started getting close to their limit! A big scene was caused as ‘fly’ had his 6th fish on the line and it was a biggen! Unfortunately the 6th fish that surely would have bagged him first place managed to slip the hook after a lengthy tussle.
Results for the day:
1st – Jake England – 19lb13oz 🐟
2nd – Graham Turner -19lb10oz 🐟
3rd Colin Eastern – 18lb14oz 🐟
Biggest fish of the day: Paul Baglole -5lb9oz 🐳
A lovely sunny day to be on the bank with plenty of fish landed! It was a pleasure to host this comp, couldn’t have asked for a better bunch of blokes

Barnstaple Bait & Tackle – Doubles its size !

Chris Connaugton his son Alfie Joe (AJ) and Steve Pinn are the Barnstaple Bait and Tackle team giving a friendly welcome to anglers at the extenstion of the shop in Queen Street, Barnstaple just a short cast from Barnstaple Central Car Park. The shop has a wide range of tackle for all disiplines of angling. The team offer  comprehensive advice on all aspects of angling. The shop has now doubled in size giving more stock and more room to browse and of course chat with fellow anglers.

Chasing Wimbleball Rainbows

 

Early April and to me this is trout season proper and where better to spend a day chasing rainbows than the fabulous Wimbleball nestled amongst Exmoor’s rural landscape.

I was fishing with my good friend Bruce Elston who had recently enjoyed catching his first double figure rainbow from Anglers Paradises Catch and release trout lake. We had originally intended to fish from the bank but recent catch reports indicated that the boats were starting to produce.

I was full of confidence despite the strong Easterly wind and bright sunshine. There was rain and cloud forecast for the afternoon so if the morning proved hard the afternoon would give a change of conditions.

We met at the boat pontoons for 8:30am after a pleasant drive as the morning sun rose to burn off any lingering morning mist. We were greeted by Mark Underhill who has worked so hard to make this fishery one of the best in the west country.

 

It was good to catch up and chat about prospects for the day and how well the fishery has been fishing recently. Judging by recent posts on social media the size of the rainbows this year are well worth chasing.

It was my turn as boat captain today and I suggested we start off with a drift or two in Cowmoor Bay that would offer a degree of shelter from the strong wind. We headed up into the wide bay towards the far end and commenced drifting using a drogue to slow the pace. I hooked a rainbow on the second drift that came adrift but this at least gave that much needed confidence boost.

It was good to spot the first martins of the spring swooping over the water after their long migration from the African continent. The sighting of the spring migrants always boosts my spirits knowing that natures cycle is still turning as it should.

It soon became apparent that even with a drogue  the drift was a bit too brisk and I suggested we head up to the dam end. We tied up to the rope that marks the dam area and spent half an hour searching the deep water to no avail.

I was using a fast sink Snowbee line with an olive damsel on the point and a bright orange blob on the dropper. Bruce was using a single black damsel.

The calmer waters of the Upton Arm beckoned we motored up into the wooded bay that always inspires. Wooded banks with branches trailing into deep clear water. Buzzards gliding high above and birdsong drifting in the spring air.

Action soon came our way as we drifted close to the bank with the trout seemingly close to the edge patrolling the steep drop off contours. We caught fish pretty well every drift throughout late morning. All hard fighting fish averaging between 2lb and 3lb.

When our catch rate eased we decided to try the opposite bank where the wind was blowing harder. First cast I noted a swirl behind my fly as a  trout lunged at the fly. The wind was pushing us rapidly into the bank and as I lifted the rod a huge rainbow appeared behind the lure turning away as I ran out of water. Bruce and I both gasped in awe at its size. One of those would certainly make our day!

With the wind making it very difficult we decided to take a break and return to the calmer bay we had been fishing and take a bit of lunch with the anchor lowered. I grabbed a sandwich and an iced coffee between casts. Bruce set up a nymphing set up with a sight indicator and allowed the set up to drift gently just off the overhanging tree line.

Bruce missed a couple of takes but it was third time lucky when he tightened into a fish that took off with a stunning turn of speed. Bruce hung on and relished the pulsing rod as line was ripped from the reel on a couple of long runs out into the bay. Eventually the fish settled into a closer range tussle a couple of rod lengths from the boat. Each time Bruce encouraged the fish close to the net it would surge off again. It was obviously a good fish that we estimated at around 7lb. It wasn’t until it slid over the rim of the net that we got an idea of its true size. A deep flanked fish in perfect condition with wide and powerful tail. Bruce decided to keep the fish and we were both stunned when the scales told a weight of 9lb 14oz!

What was most thought provoking was that the fish we had seen earlier appeared much bigger than this one. We caught a few more in the bay and then embarked upon a search back on the far side where we had seen the big fish.

            We found that if we positioned the boat carefully thirty yards or so off the bank we could drift into the shoreline where the trout were lurking then start the motor and push back out to drift back in; zig zagging along the bank like this we searched the margin adding trout or missing takes most drifts. I also glimpsed another monster of a rainbow that missed my damsel by an inch as we ran out of water at the end of a drift.

Sport eased for the last hour as rain started to fall. Bruce commented that it had been his best days trout fishing ever and he relished the exciting tug of the trout smashing into the lure. We headed back to the pontoon arms aching slightly, reflecting upon another day of memories made. We ended the day on seven trout each averaging close to 3lb with one solitary wild brown trout. The coming months should bring plenty of great days on this wonderfully wild water. Its stunning rainbows testament to an ambitious stocking program.

In addition to the stocked rainbows there are also some stunning wild brown trout that undoubtedly exceed 10lb! Now that really would be the fish of dreams….