Christmas Fishes – Shop Local

It’s December so it seems Ok to start talking Christmas. We are very fortunate in North Devon to have fishing tackle shops in all of our major towns and as local anglers we really need to support them. With Christmas just a couple of weeks away now is the time to buy that fishy present.  It might be that you have to pay a little more as compared to the internet but there is no postage, a good after sales service, you get to see what you’re buying and you ensure that you have somewhere to buy fresh bait. Not to mention the vital social benefits of meeting fellow anglers whilst browsing those lines of tempting produce.

BARNSTAPLE

Barnstaple Bait and Tackle offers an excellent range of tackle for all disciplines and is convenienly located in Queen Street, close to the central Car Park and Bus Station. The shop is owned by Chris Connaughton a well known and respected local angler.

ILFRACOMBE

Danny Watson (Above right ) is a lure fishing fanatic a fact that is reflected when-ever you walk into his tackle shop in Ilfracombe High Street. Thousands of lures to tempt every angler and every fish. Danny supplies local charter boats with lures and tackle and has an extensive knowledge on how lures work and their design features. In addition to the vast array of lures the shop also carries an extensive range of sea tackle and coarse fishing essentials.

BIDEFORD

Anglers Heaven is owned by Tom Wade and has recently undergone a significant extension with a large retail area offering fishing tackle for all disciplines. Tom also stocks a range of shooting and country sports equipment.

BRAUNTON

The Braunton Bait Box is run by keen local angler Craig McCloughlin and offers a good range of sea angling tackle and quaility bait. The shop also has a range of coarse fishing tackle and is a stockist for Chillcheater clothing of Braunton.

 

Reed – Chillcheater is a North Devon Based company located in Braunton that offers a wide range of high quality outdoor clothing that has gained a reputation amongst local anglers for keeping them warm and dry in the worst of conditions.

EXMOOR

Lance Nicholson’s shop is located in the lively Exmoor town of Dulverton and offers a wide range of game fishing tackle and country clothing. It is also an excellent source on information on where to fish and what is happening across the Upper Exe and Barle catchments.

CORNWALL

The Arundell is a traditional country hotel on the Cornish Border that offers excellent river fishing throughout the year. The hotel has a tackle shop that stocks an excellent range of top end tackle from Orvis. This is undoubtedly the top venue for West Country winter grayling.

 

GRAND OPENING/BLACK FRIDAY SALE- Anglers Heaven

Anglers Heaven in Bideford has had a significant extension with a vast range of products from top brands now available for anglers of all disciplines. I called into the shop last week with my wife Pauline and was very impressed. in addition to top quailty tackle Tom Wade also keeps a good supply of fresh live and frozen bait.

GRAND OPENING/BLACK FRIDAY SALE Friday 29th/Saturday 30th November

 Join Tom Wade and family for the new shop extension party.

Bideford AGM – Steve Bailey thanked for Sterling work

Bideford and District Angling Club held their AGM at Bideford Con Club on Friday November 15th,  the event was very well attended. The club is North Devon’s largest angling club with a membership of over 500 that includes over fifty Junior members many undoubtedly attracted by the clubs two well maintained fishing lakes. Tarka Swims consists of Georges Lake and Karen’s Lake that between them provide excellent pleasure, match and carp fishing. The lakes manager Steve Bailey resigned from the post after many years of sterling service and was presented with gifts from the club in appreciation. The new lake manager is Mike Jones.

Club Secretary – Mervyn Beal says :- Farewell Steve. At last nights AGM the club said farewell to our outgoing Tarka Swims manager. Over the past 20yrs Steve has been the backbone of our club, his grit determination, hard work and commitment has made Tarka Swims what it is today. On behalf of the committee and club members we would like to say a massive thank you Steve and to Lorraine for giving up so much family time over the years. Hopefully you can now enjoy more family time and get some well earned fishing in. Thank you.

 

The clubs holds well attended coarse fishing Matchs each month and a summer series of events for Junior anglers. The club also hosts regular sea angling competitions and game fishing events.

Bideford and District Angling Club Match Secretary’s Report 2024
The Senior matches on George’s Lake, Tarka Swims have once again, been very well supported. With an average of 20 members regularly competing.
Our Junior Section has also been extremely well supported with 35 different youngsters enjoying the 3-hour Saturday events held throughout the summer. The 5-match series was won by Ethan Broom on 46 points, close second Lewis Hathaway on 45 points.
The 10 match, Summer Evening Series attracted 22 different anglers, we were blessed with some great weather for the 3-hour contests. Runaway winner was Nathan Underwood on 130 points with Kevin Shears 2nd on 92 points. The 3-hour pairs event was won by Rhys Elyes and Darren Polden with a remarkable total of 96lb 12oz.
Richard’s ‘Rod and Reel Only’ Competitions have been fully attended; organiser Richard Jefferies currently leads the league with 2 matches remaining.
At present, in the monthly Sunday Matches, Craig Lamey has an unassailable lead with Nathan in 2nd place.
Our 2-leg team match against Plymouth resulted in a resounding victory for us 713lb to 219lb. I hope to set up a more challenging contest against Bude Canal anglers.
This club offers a fantastic variation of disciplines; from the game beat on the Torridge to boat trips, shore fishing contests and, of course, the Tarka events. The lakes provide a host of opportunities to get involved; as members we need to be mindful that the membership is diverse and each of us find pleasure and fulfilment in our chosen pastime whether helping with the working parties, camping out overnight after the ‘Big One’ or witnessing the joy of watching the juniors catching their first fish.
Openness and understanding are essential if the club is to prosper; division is not healthy. As a club we must be respectful of members choices.
Regular matches, I believe, provide a very useful indicator as to the condition of the water and its inhabitants. Recorded results provide accurate information and trends can be monitored.
Once again, I must thank those people who have supported events but especially those who have ensured that they run smoothly. Mervyn for his support scrutinising and publishing results. Steve and his team for providing us with a well maintained and safe environment to enjoy our chosen discipline.
Finally, I must comment on the shock of the closure of the institution that was Summerland’s Tackle; we wish the family well and thank them for all their support over many years.
Martin Turner stands for another term as club match secretary.

 

As Winter sets in…..

As Winter approaches the number of anglers venturing out will inevitably drop but those that continue to fish will enjoy some of the years most exciting fishing. Make sure you support your local tackle shop.

Combe Martin SAC member Ollie Passmore with a fine trigger fish caught as the summer species depart.

When your rod hoops over and line starts screaming off is a hard feeling to beat. Proper scrap 🥊 and big thanks for the top landing skills and pic from a good mate @kevlegg 🎣❤️ This girl going 36lb 10! Roll on winter and hopefully be blessed to catch another and can beat my pb🎣
@sakuma_fishing 8/0 manta extra and 7/0 Octopus circle as my pennel hook 🔥 can’t rate enough. New sakuma wire for my bite trace!

And as we approach those Christmas shopping days remember the angler always needs something!

Bideford & Barnstaple AGM – Members

Bideford Angling Club and Barnstaple Angling Association both hold their AGM’s in November. If your consiodering joining these clubs or are members already its good opportunity to meet fellow members and find out whats what.

 

Dear Members,

If anyone has any proposals for the AGM 15th Nov, they must be received by midnight tonight, with a proposer and seconder. sent to [email protected]

Thank you

Mervyn Club Secretary.

Barnstaple & District Angling Club AGM will be held in the Ebberly Arms, Bear Street, Barnstaple on Tuesday 12th November at 7.30pm. There is free evening parking in the car park at the rear.  This is always a friendly social evening, and we are expecting a good attendance as in previous years.

 

Bideford and District Angling Club Coarse Section Monthly Competition

posted in: Match Fishing, Sidebar | 0
Bideford and District Angling Club
Coarse section monthly competition
Results:
1st Craig Crash Lamey 63lb 7oz
2nd Paul Elworthy 22lb 12oz
3rd Stephen Paul Sheller 22lb 10oz
4th Dave Wood. 17lb 3oz
5th Keith Copland 16lb 6oz
5th Nathan Underwood 16lb 6oz
22 members fished
High pressure system and a very cold night has curtailed the catches , but league leader , Craig has put together a very impressive net of carp , 40lb clear of second, on peg13, this has extended his lead to 29 points over last year’s winner.
Winning tactic was 6mm luncheon meat pole fished in the margins.
Second place has taken Paul into joint second spot in the league on 87 points.
His chosen technique on peg 17 was red maggot over micros and maggots in the deeper water on the pole.
Stephen’s third place was off peg 19 , method feeder and pole tactics.
Dave was fourth on peg 6.

B.D.A.C. Rod and Reel match results date 22.9.24 at Tarka.

posted in: Match Fishing, Sidebar | 0
B.D.A.C. Rod and Reel match results date 22.9.24 at Tarka.
Today was a very wet day with fishing very slow at times for some anglers,15 anglers fished the match today and all caught fish. Today winner was Antony Bentley on peg 10 with a fine bag of fish for 44lbs 6oz, second place was Keith Mountjoy on peg 9 with 30lbs 7oz, 3rd place was Warren Thornton on peg 22 with a nice mixed bag of fish for 22lbs 3oz and 4th place today went to Darren polden on peg 21 with a mixes bag of fish for 21lbs. The next Rod and Reel match will be on the 27.10.24 at Tarka. Well done on your win today Antony Bentley.

Bideford and District Angling Club Coarse Section Monthly Competition

posted in: Match Fishing, Sidebar | 0
September
Results:
1st Darren Polden 58lb 7oz
2nd Kevin Shears 41lb 8oz
3rd Craig Lamey  34lb 2oz
4th Richard Jefferies 29lb 14oz
5th Keith Copland 29lb 2oz
6th Ian Croxton 27lb 9oz
18 fished.
With 3 matches remaining in our year-long league the table has had a good shake up !
The match was fished in heavy drizzle ,
Darren our winner on peg 6 has caught fairly steadily , on meat on the short pole then worm down the edge later.
Kevin on the consistent peg 14, has put together a great net on hard 6mm pellet for second place.
Craig now leads the league by 25 points, his third place on peg 22 was taken on various baits on the long pole.
Richard was fourth on peg 10 fishing with paste on the pole.

HORWOOD MATCH – RESULTS

posted in: Match Fishing, Sidebar | 0

A beautiful day at Horwood for their latest Match, the fishing was not bad either, fantastic weights from both lakes and topped with a near lake record by Paul Morris, Paul weighed in 242lb 11oz and was just 10lb below Stephen Barrels record👏👏

Fish came to just about every method and Paul’s winning weight was mainly caught on corn.

Weights as follows,

Bottom lake:-

Paul Morris 242lb 11oz

Stuart Russell 100lb 2oz

Graham Curnow 88lb 11oz

Top lake:-

Colin Cherrington 88lb 3oz

Mark Lynch 84lb 2oz

Steven Craker 57lb 15oz

END OF AN ERA – SUMMERLANDS TACKLE TO CLOSE

I was saddened to learn earlier this week that Summerlands Tackle Shop at Westward Ho! is closing soon a big surprise, it seems that they have always been there. No longer will  we be able to pop into Summerlands whilst visiting Westward Ho! In fact Summerlands was generally the main reason for us to visit Westward Ho!

Nick Laws founded Summerlands Tackle back in 1985 close to forty years ago and for as long as I can remember there has always been a cheery welcome from the family run business. Nick has lived in and around Westward Ho! all his life and has fished the local shore since his childhood days when he would fish the beach with his father taking home the occasional bass for his mother to cook.

Nick Laws and his father fishing for bass at Westward Ho!
One of Nicks first fish a tasty bass to take home.

Summerlands became the social hub of the local angling community with anglers of all disciplines meeting  to swap tales over a coffee and the occasional slice of cake. Local tackle shops are at the core of anglings social network and many a friendship and trip to the water’s edge has been forged.

The original Summerlands Tackle Shop

In recent years Nick and Louise have taken a back seat with the business their daughter Heather and her husband Simon taking the reign’s and keeping it very much in the family.

Simon McCarthy with a smoothound from a few years back.

On hearing the news that Summerlands was closing I headed down to wish the family well for the future. The quick visit soon became a couple of hours as other local anglers  called into the shop chatting about the good times they had enjoyed over the years. Heather told me that she was heartened by the warmth that had been evident from the well -wishers who had called into the shop having heard the news.

I asked Heather if she had a message for customers and this is the piece she carefully prepared for the shops social media page.

“So as our family now moves on and explores new possibilities and the founders of Summerlands get their well earnt retirement. All that is for us to say is THANK YOU. It has always been about you the customer and you are the part we are saddest about leaving. The friendships we have made with customers and also within the trade we will always cherish and it has been an absolute honour to serve you and work with you over the last four decades. We hope to see you to say goodbye and celebrate our final chapter with you as we close the book on the best fishing tackle shop adventure ever. Tight lines always we will miss you the Summerlands Tackle family over and out.”

Many local anglers are featured on the shops photo gallery bringing back many happy memories. Heather welcomes anglers to come and collect their photos from the gallery.

Much has changed in the world of angling and beyond in the past forty years and we reflected upon this as we chatted. Nick reminisced fondly about fishing forays to Ireland where he had enjoyed fishing those famous surf beaches for bass. The tackle of the day was very basic in comparison to many of the state of the art rods sold in Summerlands over the past decades.

Nick holds a fishing rod and reel from his formative years as a life long angler.

Over the coming weeks starting on Saturday 31st August there will be an EVERTHING MUST GO SALE.

On a personal note I wish all those at Summerlands the best for the future and would like to thank them for their support with North Devon Angling News since 2016. The closing of Summerlands will leave a void in the local angling scene but we are fortunate that we have several excellent tackle shops across North Devon.