22 May 2017

Little Warham – 18lb Torridge Salmon

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The latest catch report from the picturesque Little Warham fishery on the River Torridge

Our latest catch by John Graham here yesterday.

John Graham’s perseverance was rewarded yesterday with this fine salmon, after having several fish not quite making the net earlier in the season at Little Warham. The pictured fresh run fish measured in at 35.5 inches, believed to be in the region of 18lbs. Despite the unfavourably low water levels and sunny conditions, John managed to successfully land this wonderful fish alone and release it again safely.

The following is a quote directly from John:

“The fish took the fly @ about 4:50. In a micro-second, I was down to the backing, with the fish heading for the sea. It was impossible to hold, and twice more it stripped the line nearly to the end of the backing. The only way to stop it was to run down the river bank. To say it was an epic fight is an understatement, especially when I was only on 12 pound breaking strain. In the end, it came in and after cradling it in the water for 3-4 minutes it swam powerfully away. What made it all the more satisfying, is that it took a fly that I had recently tied”.

21 May 2017

Estuary bass and river salmon

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After hearing of a few bass in the lower estuary I had a short trip as the tide started to flood and caught a couple of small school bass on a surface lure. The wide expanse of the estuary was a sharp contrast to the intimacy of the river Torridge I fished the previous day.

There have a been a couple of salmon caught on the Torridge with fish from middle river beats. The river is now fining down after a small spate and there is every chance of a fish or two over the next few days.

 

16 May 2017

Snowbee Open Day at Blakewell Fishery

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Blakewell Fishery hosted an Open day last Sunday sponsored by South West based tackle company Snowbee.This was a friendly relaxed event with the opportunity to mingle with fellow anglers and witness impressive fly casting demonstrations from Snowbee’s Simon Kidd.

Simon also gave tuition to visiting anglers including a young gentlemen called Tom who landed his first ever fly caught trout a hard fighting 3lb plus rainbow.

Simon Kidd ( Right) and pupil Tom with his first trout.

Simon Kidd gave casting demonstrations and discussed all the latest tackle from Snowbee with particular attention to Fly-Lines. The general consensus is that a quality fly line is a more worthwhile investment than a fly rod or reel. A good fly Line will dramatically improve the performance of any rod whilst a poor line will spoil the performance of even the most expensive fly rod.

The latest tackle from South West based company Snowbee was available to try and I was particular impressed with the thistledown fly lines that delivered a long line with a minimal amount of false casting. http://www.snowbee.co.uk/fly-fishing/fly-lines-backing/

Jeff Pearce a member of Blakewells team put this to good use tempting a hard fighting rainbow. ( below)

Throughout the day anglers mingled chatting about past adventures and spawned plans to visit new waters. Several newcomers to the sport will undoubtedly be hooked on fly fishing. The lakeside proved a delightful location to savor a beer and burger provided by Blakewell co owner Richard Nickell.

 

 

Chris Payne enjoyed success during the open day landing a stunning rainbow trout of 11lb 5oz.( Below)

15 May 2017

Rare sights at Bratton Water

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One of the joys of fishing is the wildlife we see whilst at the waters edge and at Bratton Water there have been some exciting sightings in recent weeks with owner Mike Williams sending me these images he managed to capture of an osprey and a great white egret! Mike tells me the fishing has been excellent recently with some stunning brown trout tempted by visiting anglers. Dry fly and small buzzer nymph patterns always tend to work best at this picturesque water.

The fishery is renowned for the superb quality of its brown trout that have been caught to double figures.

A stunning brown landed earlier this spring by Danny Ford.

14 May 2017

Wistlandpound Fly Fishers enjoy brown trout sport at home venue

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Wistlandpound Fly Fishing Club held their Edwards Cup Floating line competition at their home venue.  The competition was for the best brace of trout and was won by Dave Mock who landed who two trout for 2lb 15oz, Close behind was David Eldred with a brace totalling 2lb14oz and in third Paul Grisley with a single trout weighing 1lb 9oz.

13 May 2017

Salmon news from Torridge and Taw

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A wonderful 10lb spring salmon has been caught from Little Warham Fishery on the Mid Torridge . The fine fish was tempted by Gary Pearson, who is usually a familiar face on the River Taw. Gary was was enticed this season by the beauty of Little Warham and the River Torridge. Gary caught the fish during the late afternoon in rainy, cloudy conditions, during this continued period of low water – which is very encouraging to us anglers. The fish was photographed and returned safely. Well done Gary, your first Torridge salmon.

The long spell of dry weather has been frustrating for salmon and sea trout anglers though some have ventured out and enjoyed success on the Lower beats of both the Taw and Torridge. Steve Maddox fished Barnstaple and District Angling Associations water at Newbridge to bank a stunning 18lb fresh run salmon. Steve told me it was his first and gave an amazing account before being brought to the net.

On the Lower Torridge five salmon have been tempted from Half Moon Beats below Beam Weir all of them double figure fish including a fine 12lb springer to experienced rod Charles Inniss.

A few sea trout are also being tempted including fish to 3lb on middle river Torridge beats.

11 May 2017

Learning the way to tempt more bass

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When the rivers are low and salmon and sea trout are hard to find many fly fishers are turning to the the estuary where the silver flanked bass can provide exciting sport on both lure and fly. Nick Hart provides tuition in Fly Fishing in both fresh and saltwater, in rivers and still waters. His latest pictures show some happy anglers making the best of ideal conditions where the estuary meets the sea. Investing in guided fishing can make a huge difference to your catch rates boosting success over many years into the future.

 

7 May 2017

Wistlandpound superb brown trout sport

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Below is a report sent to South West lakes Trust by a very satisfied customer!

Jon Ogbourne enjoyed a Great day on Wistlandpound fishing from the clubs boat. He fished with Peter Coleman-Smith and Mark Stewart taking turns on the oars. Fish came from all over the lake with 50+ to the net by the time we landed at 6pm, the best was pushing 1.5lbs. All fish came to either traditional wets, sedgehogs or weighted mini tadpole patterns on the point. Steady wind blowing up toward the dam all day. Sunshine with broken cloud. Buzzers and hawthorn flies around perimeter of lake but not much out on the water. Fish didn’t seem to mind.

6 May 2017

Blakewell Open Day and fine sport

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David Hill visited Blakewell Fishery and had a pleasing days sport landing four quality trout for 17lb including a handsome 4lb brown trout.

Next Sunday May 14th the fishery are hosting a Snowbee Open day with casting demonstrations, tackle on show and the chance to mingle with fellow anglers whilst enjoying food and refreshments.

http://www.blakewell.co.uk