15 Sep 2017

FISHING FOR LIFE AT BLAKEWELL

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Jeff Pearce Blakewells resident Instructor sent me this short article on a project to help those with breast cancer.

 

‘Fishing for Life’ Organisation come to Blakewell

 

‘Fishing for Life’ is an organization, which provides fly, fishing sessions for people who all have one thing in common – breast cancer.

The organisation formed back in 2007 after learning how fly fishing techniques had been proven to be very beneficial to build up tissues and muscle for anyone suffering from breast cancer.

On the 6th September I had the pleasure of being invited along to the launch of their North Devon & 9th group at Blakewell fishery.

Interest in the group has been promising and 10 people have so far shown an interest in attending the North Devon group. The group will be meeting monthly in the future between 2pm and 4pm on the first Wednesday of each month.

As well as those attendees suffering from breast cancer, we had a group of nurses attend who wanted to learn more about the organisation and how fly fishing could help. As you can see from the above photo, having received some tuition they were soon captivated by the sport and keen to try and catch their first trout too!

Across the lake the ladies were engrossed in the tactics & seemed to be genuinely enjoying the sport. In fact, so much so that when afternoon tea was being served back at the café, one of the ladies just couldn’t be prized from the lake. Eventually returning carrying a decent trout and a big smile on her face!

It is hoped this group can now go from strength to strength and a decent number will make the monthly meet. It is further intended that if the weather is inclement during the winter months a fly tying workshop with a general will be held in the café instead, no doubt by this time there will be plenty of fishy tales to be told.

So, if you are one of these people who all have one thing in common – breast cancer and would like to come along or know anyone else who might benefit from joining this group, you can ring Gillian on 01398 371244 or check out their website at http://www.southwestfishingforlife.org.uk

11 Sep 2017

Salmon on Day ticket Taw water

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The recent rain has resulted in a succession of spates that has brought salmon into the rivers where anglers have enjoyed success when the river drops sufficiently to fish. The Weir Marsh and Brightly Beats on the Taw produced several salmon including fish of 11lb and 4lb to the rod of Len Francis, 7lb to the rod of Graham Nichols and 9lb and 7l to Bob Lewington.

Day tickets can be obtained from the Rising Sun at Umberleigh.

 

9 Sep 2017

EAT SLEEP FISH – A Top Read

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Eat Sleep fish is a free online publication that contains some excellent writing predominantly fly-fishing article from all over the world of angling.

4 Sep 2017

News from the River

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Len Francis fished the day ticket Weir Marsh and Brightly Beats on the River Taw to catch a fine brace of salmon estimated at 14lb and 10lb.

Day tickets can be obtained from the Rising Sun at Umberleigh. Click on image below for details.

I fished the Torridge on Sunday morning as heavy rain beat down (above) the river colored quickly as I fished and I failed to connect with any salmon. Following this rain the river came up over a metre and was very coloured with sediment. By the end of the week conditions should be near perfect and I expect several salmon to be caught.

 

27 Aug 2017

Stalwart of local angling is remembered with great fondness.

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Mac McCarthy worked tirelessly for the River Taw Fishery Association and South Molton and District Angling Club his passing will sadden all who knew him in the local angling community. The above picture shows Mac beside Head Falls shortly after the project was completed making upstream access for salmon and sea trout much easier hopefully ensuring the long term survival of these enigmatic fish.

Mac McCarthy
It is with great sadness that I report the death of Mac McCarthy earlier in the week. As you will all know Mac loved the Taw. He was an active and successful fisherman and a stalwart of RTFA in his role as Treasurer over so many years. Our finances were kept in impeccable shape by Mac and his help was invaluable to me from the moment I became Chairman. This is particularly true in respect of the two fund-raisings for the Taw Access over Weirs Project and TRIP. He will also be missed more widely in the south west where he was well known by all the river associations from his time as Treasurer of the South West Rivers Association. Mac moved away from North Devon to Hampshire about two years ago.

Alex Gibson

Anglers in the North of England have landed several Pacific salmon I don’t thin any have been landed in local rivers but if you do catch one please ensure you notify the Environment Agency and of course North Devon Angling News. More info on below link.

http://anglingtrust-news.net/3XSU-99Q1-0F2NFPLC54/cr.aspx

The Taw and Torridge have both now dropped to a good level with every chance of salmon and sea trout from both rivers. As the sun shines each day will undoubtedly see prospects decrease. Several salmon have been hooked and lost at Little Warham on the river Torridge where one salmon and sea trout were landed. The best time for contacting salmon or sea trout is undoubtedly in the early evening. A sound plan would be to fish for brown trout through the day and then target the salmon and sea trout from late afternoon. Even if you do not catch the river in early September is a wonderful place to spend a day.

 

25 Aug 2017

SWLT – Latest Trout Fishing Report

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Stocking quality rainbows

South West Lakes Trout Fisheries Report (August 2017)

Stocking quality rainbows

General:

Although water temperatures dropped slightly (to around 18 ºc) in August, the reservoir fishing across the region proved challenging, particularly with Rainbows. Generally bag numbers and the size of fish caught were down on previous months, with Brown Trout, particularly in the evenings, providing the best sport. The Trout, particularly Rainbows, have been lethargic and not keen to feed, preferring to retire to the cooler, deeper waters of the fisheries. Water levels continue to drop, exposing fresh areas of bank.

Stocking quality rainbows

Fishing:

Kennick – The Top End, Narrows and Boat Bay proved to be the most productive areas for both boat and bank anglers, with the best sport to be had in the mornings and evenings. The most popular fly patterns included Damsel Nymphs, Diawl Bachs and teams of Buzzers fished at varying depths, with deeper fish taking Boobies and Tadpoles. The occasional fish would rise to small midges and Black Gnats, particularly in the evenings. The best fish caught included a 3lb 12oz Rainbow, caught by Mr R Goss from Exeter, using a Booby and a 3lb 9oz Rainbow, caught by Phil Bryant from Ermington, using a Cruncher. Barry Ware from North Tawton caught a bag of 11 fish whilst fishing from the bank early in the month. The majority of fish stocked and caught during August were Brown Trout.

Siblyback – The majority of catches during August were taken either from Stocky Bay or Two Meadows, with late afternoons and evenings the best time to fish. Although few fish were feeding from the surface, the occasional fish could be tempted to rise to Hopper patterns, sub-surface Montanas and teams of Buzzers as well as deeper-fished weighted dark patterns (Black Tadpoles and Gold-head Nomads in particular) which proved to be the most successful method.

Burrator – The banks at Longstone Peninsula and the South Bank produced the best fishing over the month, with Bobs Bits, Buzzer Emergers and Black Gants all taking rising fish. The majority of fish, however, have again been caught on sub-surface nymphs (Damsel Nymphs, Montanas, Black Crunchers and Black and Peacock Spiders) fished on either sink-tip or intermediate lines, with more fish now being taken on dark lures (Boobies and Tadpoles) fished on sinking lines. Local angler Alan Lawson caught the best fish of the month, a 3lb 3oz Rainbow caught on a drowned Black Gnat.

Stithians – The presence of midges and beetles over the water meant that fish continued to look to the surface for food, with a variety of dry patterns, including Sedges, Hawthorns, various emergers patterns, Muddlers, F-Flies and Black and Peacock Spiders fished in the surface film, all producing results. The majority of fish, however, were taken on nymphs and wet patterns, particularly teams of Buzzers, Caddis pupa, Pheasant Tail Nymphs and Hares Ears. Fish were well spread out over the fishery, with the best locations including Pipe Bay, Sluice, Goonlaze Bank, Pub Bay, Carmenellis Bank and Yellowort Bay. Mr R Lambourne from Lanner caught a number of Rainbows of around 2lb using a dry Deerhair Sedge and Claret Emergers.

Roadford – With fish rising in the mornings and evenings, small dry patterns (Black Gnats and Black Spiders in the surface film) have been fishing well, particularly off the banks (Daveys and Gaddacombe). There are also large numbers of damsel and dragonfly nymphs present and Roadford’s Brown Trout are feasting on these. Damsel and large olive nymphs are producing good results. Boat anglers are enjoying success, either fishing nymphs into the banks or pulling muddlers and lures over the boils.

Colliford – Large Browns are chasing shoals of sticklebacks in the shallows near the dam – pulled lures and muddlers should produce some exciting sport.

Wistlandpound – Anglers averaged just under two fish per rod, with the best fishing in the deeper water by the dam and from the jetty, generally with small nymph patterns.

 

Chris Hall (August 2017)

 

 

21 Aug 2017

Trout Fishing On Exmoor

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Nick Hart at Exe Valley writes : I Just love introducing new people to fly fishing and this weekend I have been looking after The Crawfords … and how well did they catch?! Celebrating Robins 60th birthday, his sons Adrian and Gary treated the 3 of them to a weekend away on Exe Valley. After casting tuition yesterday they got stuck into the fishing and in tough bright windy conditions picked out 4 nice Trout (and a whitebait!) using a washing line with Blobs. Better was to come as today they excelled with Robin fittingly topping the leader board with 4 Trout to 6lb. Their total bag of 10 pulled the scales down to 36lbs … and they lost at least another 6. All fish caught on #14 quill buzzers in the top 2 feet. Very well done guys it has been a pleasure to fish with you this weekend!

Russell Hill and Samantha Fullerton joined NIck Hart on Exmoor’s wild streams chasing the beautiful wild brown trout that abound in these clear waters.

 

20 Aug 2017

RIVER READS – NEWSLETTER

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Keith Armishaw fishing the Torridge

River Reads are a specialist angling book shop operating out of Torrington well worth a visit as they carry a vast range of angling books on all disciplines. Here is their latest Newsletter penned by owner Keith Armishaw.

Well, it’s been a while since we wrote the last newsletter, but as the weather is too windy for sea fishing and the local rivers are running like soup and fly only, it seemed the ideal time to sit down and pen a few things that have been happening of late.

I have been continuing to add photographs of books to the site as I think it will aid decision making to be able to see exactly what the book you are after looks like and in what condition it is in. I have just completed the fly tying, fly casting and tackle catalogues having done the fly fishing, coarse fishing (carp, pike etc as well) earlier in the year. I hope you find it of use, and if you have any other ideas that would help, please feel free to e mail us.

Whilst we are on the subject of books, Dominic Garnett who writes a weekly column for Angling Times called in for a chat. He is probably best known for his Fly Fishing for Coarse Fish book, but also promotes the fishing in Devon and Somerset. He dropped off some of his other books – Crooked Lines and Tangles with Pike – which he signed whilst we talked fishing, had a cuppa, and recorded him talking for the Angling Heritage archive which you can now hear on line. We had an interesting time which just flew by.

We have also recently acquired quite a lot of our “Vintage Tackle”. Whilst several cane Hardy rods and reels have been added, we have also now got a great selection of nearly new – in many cases unused – high quality modern tackle too including carbon rods from Sage, Orvis, Sharp, Hardy, Greys etc so if you aren’t an old timer stuck in the mud like me, now is the time to buy your fantastic new tackle at great prices. Also acquired with the rods are reels from Orvis, Bruce & Walker, Hardy, ABU, Snowbee and many more.

If you are looking for any new or antique items, now is the time to peruse the antique tackle section.

Finally, I’m looking forward to our shark fishing sessions in Looe next month followed by what we hope will be an annual trip to British Columbia to fish the Frazer, then on to Vancouver Island after salmon. I went with Hugh Miles last year and we loved every moment so have booked the same again this year. If you fancy an overseas trip with the comfort of home where you can stay in spa hotels for your family, this is THE place to go. You can keep up with all my escapades in the “Diary” section of the website, or get a brief overview on our Facebook page.

Autumn is nearly here and I think this is the best time of year to fish, so get out there and good luck.

19 Aug 2017

Frustration in perfect conditions

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I have very much enjoyed two recent sessions on the Taw and Torridge with both rivers in perfect trim. On the Taw I was privileged to fish a middle river beat that has a very good track record. I fished the prime lies carefully searching with a high degree of optimism. A couple of large sea trout or grilse leapt tantalizingly from the river but as my fly drifted across the spot there was no delightful tightening of the line. It was as always a delight to be on the river as kingfishers frequently flew past. As we enter the second half of August the evenings are growing noticeably shorter as autumn looms and it easy the feel slightly melancholic as the light fades from the day. It is heartening to remember though that the next six weeks should give every chance of some good fishing.

 

I arrived on the Torridge to find the river up at a perfect height the water resembling real ale. Surely there would be a silver salmon waiting today!

In my favourite upper pool a salmon erupted from the water thirty yards below. I fished with great concentration down through the run and had sharp tug on the line where the salmon had cleared the water. I had one other gentle tug on the line so I knew I had been tantalizingly close to success. I fished through the run twice more changing the fly on each occasion. Two mink frolicked on the far bank; creatures I viewed with mixed feelings. It was fascinating to observe nature up close but I am well aware of the destruction these vicious predators can inflict on bird life. I was also a little surprised to see them as there is a healthy population of otters on this river and the two do not generally mix.