BIDEFORD & DISTRICT ANGLING CLUB PRESENTATION NIGHT

It was a pleasure once again for Pauline and I to attend Bideford & District Angling Clubs presentation night and to be made so welcome. Such events are vitally important to the social fibre of angling clubs enabling members and families to join together to enjoy a little fun and banter whilst reflecting on the achievements made by members throughout the year. It is not just about the fish caught but also about recognising the huge amount of effort invested by club members. BIdeford Club is a long established club that has its own waters for coarse anglers, a thriving sea section and a game section that travels across the South West to target trout on the fly.

There were some outstanding fish caught throughout 2019 including a bass of 15lb 6oz to the rod of Tarrant Wotton, a club record couch’s bream of 15oz to the rod of Nathan Clements and a rainbow trout of 14lb 11oz to Matt Sander. John McCullum won the Clubs Game Fishing Trophy with 49 points. Martin Turner secured the clubs Match Mans Cup with 108 points and young Tyler Scott won the club Sam Vaughan Cup for most Match points by a Junior with 42 points. Dick Talbot won the clubs sea league with 49 points. There were a huge number of certificates awarded and trophies congratulations to all of the winners. Let’s hope 2020 is just as productive for club members.

A winner takes all raffle was won by Reg Sutton who kindly donated the proceeds to the RNLI in memory of local angler Cameron Atkinson who sadly lost his life late in 2019.

 

South West Lakes Trust Trout Fisheries Report

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South West Lakes Trust Trout Fisheries Report

FEBRUARY PRE-SEASON INFORMATION (2020)

In anticipation of an exciting 2020 season, South West Lakes Trust will be increasing stocking numbers at Siblyback, Burrator and Stithians, while at Kennick the minimum stocking size will be 2lb.

A number of habitat improvement projects are planned across the region to benefit fly life and Brown Trout spawning areas, as well as a number of coarse fish removal exercises.

Season Opening Dates:

Kennick – 15 February

Siblyback, Stithians and Burrator – 7 March

Colliford, Roadford, Fernworthy, and Wistlandpound – 15 March.

Rainbow Trout season ticket holders will be able to start fishing a day earlier on a special preview day.

Various ticket options and ‘castabout’ season tickets will be available (visit www.swlakesfishing.co.uk or your local fishery for more details and prices).

2020 Diary Events:

Fernworthy boat fortnight – 4-19 July

Roadford Perch fishing by boat – July, August and September

(Visit www.swlakesfishing.co.uk or your local fishery for more details, booking arrangements etc)

2020 Competition Dates:

Snowbee Team Bank competition (teams of 4 anglers) at Siblyback – 19 April

Bank Pairs competition at Kennick – 17 May

Peninsula Classic Individual Bank competition at Kennick – 21 June

Cornwall Devon Shield at Siblyback – 5 April

‘Best of the Best’ competition – this year there will be heats for individual Rainbow fisheries from March to October, with the grand final to be held at Kennick in October (visit www.swlakesfishing.co.uk or your local fishery for more details and heat dates).

Please visit the www.swlakesfishing.co.uk for more details on ticket prices, fishery information, clubs, competitions and boat availability.

Blakewell Spring Permit Offer

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Blakewell Fishery has introduced an excellent  Spring Permit Offer.

Blakewell Fishery Spring offer is now on from the 1st of February, the offer includes:

4 trout all day ticket £32
8 trout all day ticket £40

Let’s hope for some dry and sunny weather!

All the very best
John and Rich.

 

West Country Fly Fair 2020

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South West Fly Fair Returns to Roadford Lake for its Seventh Consecutive Year

The South West Fly Fishing Fair will be held at Roadford Lake for its seventh consecutive year on Saturday 29 February, 10.00am – 4.00pm. This event, proudly sponsored by Chevron Hackles, has become a regular fixture in the West Country’s angling calendar as anglers prepare for the start of a new fishing season. Each year the event has built on the success of the previous Fly Fair and the 2020 show will be bigger and better again!

The show will be opened at 10.00am by one of the country’s most respected fly-fishing gurus, and Patron of the show, Charles Jardine. There will be fly-tying demonstrations from both local and nationally renowned experts, with a chance to ‘have a go’, as well as the opportunity to pick up useful tips and valuable advice.

Other activities throughout the day include casting demonstrations, fly casting lessons and clinics for both newcomers to the sport and experienced anglers feeling a little rusty after the closed season as well as casting competitions and the opportunity to try float-tubing or kayak fishing!

There will be Trout cooking demonstrations and a variety of live Trout for people to view including Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout and Blue Trout.

Trade stands will be selling tackle and equipment at bargain prices and there will also be rod making demonstrations.

It’s a terrific event and the only one of its kind in the South West! Entry is only £3.00 for adults and under 18s go free. The bar will be open for refreshments throughout the day and parking will be free.

For more information please contact Ben Smeeth by calling South West Lakes Trust on 01566 771930 or email [email protected].

 

 

 

Salmon – journeys end

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I was sent this picture of dead salmon seen on the banks of the Torridge Estuary. Such a sight is not uncommon at this time of year. The majority of salmon will have spawned on the redds high up on the rivers headwaters and many die of exhaustion after ensuring the ongoing survival of the species. This salmon was estimated at 8lb to 10lb and was a cock fish judging by its prominent kype.

I always welcome any fish related news, comment and pictures from North Devon.

It is less that two months until the start of the salmon fishing season on our local rivers. Last season was blighted by low flows throughout a large portion of the season. Rumours are that this has been a reasonable spawning season on our local rivers so we must hope that this is true. Salmon numbers have been in decline for decades and every effort must be made to ensure that these iconic fish continue to forge up our rivers each year.

WINTER READING

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Dark winter nights are made for reading and dreaming and the latest edition of Fly Culture delivers plenty of fuel to inspire. The editor in Chief of this quality read is local Fly Fishing enthusiast Pete Tyjas who was an inspiring Fly Fishing Guide at the Fox and Hounds, Eggesford.

My own book on fishing in North Devon entitled “I Caught A Glimpse” is available from https://thelittleegretpress.co.uk/product-category/author/wayne-thomas/