16 Feb 2026

NEW TACKLE SHOP COMING TO BUDE !

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 BIG ANNOUNCEMENT

We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to make this happen, and we’re finally ready to share the news…

 Bude Bait & Tackle is coming! 🎣

With the recent closure of the tackle shop in Bude, we didn’t want to see local anglers left without easy access to bait and tackle. After a lot of effort and planning, we’re excited to announce that we’ll be opening Bude Bait & Tackle in the coming months.

 For our juniors and local anglers in Barnstaple, Chris will be staying in Barnstaple, and we’ll be making another exciting announcement later this week introducing the manager of our new Bude store.
 We’re aiming to open in April, so please follow our page for updates and progress as we get closer to opening day.

Your support means everything to us — likes, shares, and comments are hugely appreciated, so please help spread the word!

12 Feb 2026

A Danglers Diary – January 2026

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Those first casts a New Year are always full of promise and questions. Should I really be descending to the rocky shoreline via a rope at my age?

The rod tips nod to the swell as the storm clouds gather, its certainly been a wet start to 2026

Chasing mullet in January is I guess a sign of the times as our climate warms?

Its good to be out even if its not always successful fish wise.

Chasing silver ladies in the streams reveals the damage done by winter storms and gives welcome glimpses of the coming Spring season.

There are often fishy things to engage the brain in pubs and Inns, glimpse of the past and the hidden stories behind.

Teignmouth Pier is a casualty of a winter storm

Always eyeing up places to make future casts!

Pauline  at the waters edge as we wonder if any salmon spawned here during December? Pristine looking gravels..

Frogspawn is abundant as January gives way to January and still it rains….

9 Feb 2026

ANGLING REPORT – February 9th 2026

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ANGLING REPORT

RICHARD DENNIS SECURES DOUBLE MATCH VICTORIES

Richard Dennis won Bideford and District Angling Clubs latest match on their home water Tarka Swims with a bag of 31lb 4oz. Martin Turner was runner up with 25lb 8oz and Paul Elworthy third with 20lb 12oz. Pole tactics proved most successful with members catching carp, silvers and tench.

Richard’s success came close on the heals of victory at Stafford Moors Open match on the Saturday when he clinched top spot with an impressive 153lb 5oz.

            Hard to believe but its just over two weeks before the start of a new salmon fishing season on North Devon’s rivers and there should be plenty of water in the river systems ensuring that the winters kelt’s have descended to the sea. Whilst the salmon fishing scene is plagued by the all too real stories of their decline anglers are eternally optimistic and there will those who take a rod to the water and try for that elusive springer one of angling’s greatest prizes. The fresh air and warming sun will certainly lift the spirits on those daffodil lined river banks.

On Sunday, February 22nd South West Lakes Trust host their popular Fly Fair at Roadford Lake. The event is always well attended as a curtain raiser for the coming trout and salmon season. There will be casting demonstrations and talks from top anglers and organisations including Charles Jardine, World Champion Fly caster Hywel Morgan and Shaun Leonard, Director of the Wild Trout Trust. South West Lakes Trust’s Head of Fisheries, Leon Fisher, said: “This year’s Fly Fair is set to be an amazing event with lots of activities on offer for the whole family. We have some fantastic guests lined up with world class knowledge of the sport. Attendees are in for a real show, whether you are an experienced fly angler or you are just starting out”.

I won Combe Martin SAC’s winter rover with a thick lipped grey mullet scaling 3lb 5oz. Kevin Legge was runner up with a conger of 16lb. Members caught conger, dogfish, rockling and bull huss.

Anglers are on the front line in witnessing the changes brought by climate change. It seems that frogs are spawning far earlier with spawn seen across the Westcountry from mid-January. Spring Flowers are also abundant with many daffodils and primroses already in bloom. The relentless rain is swelling rivers and will undoubtedly impact upon salmon and trout spawning areas.

Carp anglers are perhaps reaping the benefits of a warmer climate as carp continue to feed all year and pack on the pounds reaching weights that would have seemed incredible just a few decades ago.

It is perhaps at sea that the greatest impacts are being seen as fish populations fluctuate. During the winter months cod once considered the main quarry of sea anglers have all but disappeared with hardly any reported from the Bristol Channel this winter. Bass are now being caught on a regular basis from our estuaries throughout the year. Grey mullet once deemed a fish of the warmer months are now caught by enthusiasts fishing in the depths of winter.

The influx of tuna, bonito and gilthead during Summer and Autumn months are also cited as being the result of climate change. In truth nature is complex and only time and scientific data will bring greater clarity. As anglers we can explore exciting possibilities and adapt our tactics to exploit these new opportunities.

5 Feb 2026

ANGLING REPORT – February 1st -2026

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ANGLING REPORT


BIG BROWN TROUT AT BULLDOG


Big brown trout were the highlight of Bulldog Fisheries February Trout Open Competition with three double figure brown trout gracing the scales at the days end. The top angler was Andy Facey who tempted a fine brace of brown trout weighing 10lb 12oz and 9lb 2oz which when added the other three fish he caught gave him a winning weight of 29lb 4oz. Runner up was Dave Chapman with five trout for 23lb 10oz a bag that included a fine brown trout of 11lb 1oz. Third was Chris Dunn with six trout for 22lb 13oz and fourth myself with five trout for 22lb 2oz. I was fortunate to tempt the biggest fish of the day; a stunning brown trout scaling 13lb 7oz. All competitors caught fish including good numbers of rainbow trout and spartics of 5lb 7oz and 6lb 2oz.

Combe Martin SAC held their AGM and presentation night at the Mariners Arms, Braunton. Members reflected upon a successful 2025 during which some superb specimen fish were recorded. Shane Pavio Hookway won the clubs specimen league with five specimen fish that included a shore caught tope of 43lb 6oz and a pouting of 2lb 2oz. Best specimen fish from the shore was a gilthead bream of 5lb 10oz to the rod of Ollie Passmore. David Brooke won the clubs top Medway Cup for best caught specimen boat with a gilthead bream of 6lb 4oz. Daniel Welch was awarded the clubs Merit Award for his outstanding contribution to the club invigorating the boat sector of the club via his boat fishing enterprise Predator 2.

SPURDOG PACKS ON THE HUNT
John Barbeary’s Charter boat Blue Fin is now back in the water at Ilfracombe taking anglers to deep water marks where huge packs of spurdog are on the hunt. A party of anglers fishing last weekend caught an estimated 150 spurdog to almost 20lb. They also boated conger, bull huss, dogfish and rockling.


Nathan Clements won Bideford Angling Clubs monthly sea rover with a dogfish of 2lb 3.25oz.

Michael Hammett won Appledore Shipbuilders monthly sea rover with a thornback ray of 7lb 6oz. Jack Sharrock was runner up with a small eyed ray of 6lb 13oz and Andrew Atkinson third with a thornback ray of 6lb 10oz.

North Devon Match Group fished their latest Match at Stafford Moor saw good catches for members on both Tanner’s Lake and Woodies. Roger Ackroyd was top rod on Tanners with 116lb 14oz and Dave Stockton winner on Woodies with 101lb 1oz.

 

31 Jan 2026

Combe Martin SAC – AGM & Presentation Night

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Combe Martin SAC held their AGM and presentation night at the  Mariner’s Arms in Braunton. Members reflected upon the past years successes and failures as the club strives to remain relevant and positive in this ever changing world.

There were some excellent fish caught throughout the year as is apparent from the list of award winners. How to acknowledge success in angling is increasingly debated. It seems that the appetite for trophies has waned partially due to the cost of prohibitive engraving. At around £10 to engrave a trophy a club with twenty or thirty trophies faces a bill of between £200 and £300 which equates to the total raised via subscriptions. Certificates of merit are the preferred option and sit nicely into a folder but in truth these days a grip and grin photo on Facebook seems to be many anglers preferred option. Those of a cynical nature frown upon this supposed fishing for clicks but I personally accept that most anglers like to share their joy in success.

The clubs annual Puttsborough Open was once again a resounding success with good attendance, plenty of fish and welcome funds for the club. The ongoing support from Sakuma Tackle is very much appreciated.

The clubs lure fishing league proved popular with a dedicated band of club members keen to explore the possibilities of this growing sector of sea angling. Many thanks go to Danny Watson of High Street Tackle for his ongoing sponsorship.

The clubs mullet anglers are very active chasing the species throughout the seasons catching a fish that was once considered a fish of summer throughout the coldest of winter days.

There are also a hard core of club members who seek those big specimen huss, conger and tope from the rugged rocky shoreline.

Daniel Welch has invigorated interest in boat fishing with his Charter boat Predator 2 taking club members to investigate new marks using the latest techniques with considerable success.

The clubs longstanding committee remains unchanged this year. The club has a full and varied diary of events planned for 2026. Details of the club can be found at their website

www.cmsac.co.uk or on their Facebook Page. New members are welcome.

Awards for 2025 Season are as follows:

Trophy winners 2025

Bass Cup       –  Length –   Mark Drewer – 77cm  Weight  Shane Pavis Hookway 4lb 2oz

Grey Mullet Cup –    John Shapland –  Thick Lipped grey mullet – 5lb 7oz

Conger Cup –  Jonathon Stanway – 18lb 10oz

Predator Award – Shane Hookway – Shore Caught tope 43lb 6oz

Flatfish Cup –   Wayne Thomas – Flounder 1lb 6.25oz

Shore Shield – Olli Passmore  – Gilthead Bream – 5lb 10oz – 187.5%

Medway – Boat – Specimen    – David Brooke – gilthead bream- 6lb 4oz –  208.333%

Wrasse Trophy – Ollie Passmore – ballan wrasse     – 5lb 2oz

Ray Shield –            Craig Mc Cloughlin – Small eyed ray 9lb 8oz

Specimen League     – Top Five –    Shane Pavio HookWay       Five fish total 518.349 %

Donald Kyte Award – 6 mullet – John Shapland – 689.463%

Scouse Trophy – Ross Stanway 1lb 1.25oz

Lure Fishing League –

1st Jamie Steward – Five – 354cm

2nd Mark Drewer – Five – 351cm

Biggest bass in lure league – Mark Drewer 77cm

Merit Trophy  was awarded to  Daniel Welch  for his outstanding contribution and support of the club via his Charter Boat enterprise Predator 2 that has invigorated the clubs boat fishing sector.

Club Records

 David Brooke  – Gilthead Bream – 6lb 4oz

Fish of the Season awards – £25 Voucher for High Street Tackle

January February March  – Shane Pavio Hookway – Tope Shore 43lb 6oz

April May June  – Ollie Passmore – Gilthead bream – 5lb 10oz

July August September – David Brooke – Gilthead bream 6lb 4oz

October November December – John Shapland – Thick lipped grey mullet 5lb 7oz

Combe Martin Sea Angling Club
Calendar Of Events 2026

February 6th to February 8th Winter Rover
Meet The Mariners Arms, Braunton 6.30pm

March 6th to March 8th Spring Rover & Mullet Meet
Mullet Fish & Meet Breakfast at Lynmouth Sunday 10.00am
Rover Meet The Mariners Arms, Braunton 6.30pm

March Saturday 21st Portishead

Lure League April 1st to October 31st
Best Five Bass sponsored by High Street Tackle, Ilfracombe

April Sunday 5th Minehead Boat Trip

May 1st to May 3rd Late Spring Rover

Meet up The Mariners Arms, Braunton 6.30pm and Committee Meeting

May Sunday 17th Boat Trip Predator 2

May Sunday 24th Greysands Social Fish 9.00am to 3.00pm

June Saturday 13th Putsborough Open 9.30pm to 1.30am

June Sunday 28th Boat Trip Predator 2

July Sunday 19th Boat Trip Predator 2

July 24th to July 26th Lure Fishing Weekend
Meet up Ilfracombe Pier 6.00pm

August Sunday 30th Boat Trip Predator 2

September 1st to December 13th Autumn / Winter League
Best of Four Specimen fish of different species ( Boat & Shore )
September Sunday 6th Fun Fish Ilfracombe Pier

Committee Meeting The Mariners Arms, Braunton 6.30pm

September Sunday 27th Boat Trip Predator 2

October Saturday 17th Portishead

October 30th to November 1st Mullet Weekend
Meet up for breakfast Lynmouth Sunday 10.30am

December 11th to December 13th Christmas Rover
Meet The Mariners Arms, Braunton 6.30 Committee Meeting ( Calendar 2027 )

December 26th to January 3rd 2027 Festive & New Year Fish
Meet up The Mariners, Braunton 6.30pm

January Friday 29th 2027 AGM & Presentation Night

All three day competitions run from Friday 6.00am to Sunday 6.00pm. Entry £10
In addition to the calendar we may hold pop up events throughout the year.
Members can suggest venues, etc at short notice. Then advertised on Whats App or
Facebook

 

 

 

26 Jan 2026

ANGLING REPORT – Mid January 2026

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Specimen spurdog and huss win Bideford Sea Match

Antony Smith secured first place in Bideford Angling Clubs forty eight hour rover with a specimen spurdog of 13lb 1.5oz. Stephen Found was runner up with a bull huss of 12lb 9oz and Andrew Clements third with a huss of 12lb 7oz.   The specimen fish emphasise the significance of the weather in fishing. After several weeks of poor fishing along the coast with a North and Easterly winds predominating a swing to a South Westerly flow has invigorated sport. The next few weeks should see some good fish from the North Devon coast especially following any storms that stir up the seabed.

North Devon Match Group fished their first match of 2026 at the ever prolific Stafford Moor. The Match was fished on Woodies Lake and Tanners and both lakes gave great fishing. Dave Stockton was top rod on Woodies with 190lb 13oz and Steve Hayman runner up with 143lb. Tom Downing was the winner on Tanners with 108lb 2oz and Les Polden runner up with 100lb 14oz.

Each season I venture over to fish for grayling on the Upper Exe and its tributaries that are accessed via Dulverton Angling Association membership. Grayling are not native to Exmoor but have thrived since their introduction into the Exe in around 1896. These delightful silver ladies of the stream offer an excuse to visit the river in the depths of winter. Probing the river using tight line nymphing tactics I connected with two grayling one of which shed the hook the other was brought to the net and admired for a moment before being slipped back into the cool water.

The valleys at this time of year have a certain atmosphere that contrasts with the vibrancy of Spring and summer. There is state of slumber as the cold of winter still maintains a grip yet there are signs of spring as snowdrops flower and the intensity of birdsong seems to be increasing as if there is expectancy in the cool air.

There are less than two months until the start of a new trout fishing season non local rivers and that time will soon pass. Now is the time to sort out those fly boxes, tie flies for the new season and plan where you intend to cast a line.

STORMY DAYS FOR ANGLERS

Storm Ingrid swept across the South West last weekend with rainfall swelling the regions rivers. Its impact on the salmon redds high on the moors and upper tributaries of rivers is unknown. It seems remarkable that the salmons tiny eggs buried in the gravel survive. Yet winter floods happen every year and these remarkable migratory fish survive against all odds. I have heard some encouraging results from last year’s fry surveys with good numbers of salmon fry recorded across many of North Devon’s rivers. It is to be hoped that ongoing work across the region is starting to bring hope for the future.

On Friday night Combe Martin SAC hold their AGM and presentation night at the Mariners Arms in Braunton. As chairman of the club and club officer for close to fifty years I have seen significant change in angling and the angling community. The club like many others is struggling to adapt to changes in society and social habits. I remember with fondness the clubs annual dinner, dance and presentation night when at its peak over one hundred would attend to cheer on the cup and trophy winners. The desire to win trophies has declined across the sea angling sector as a grip and grin picture on social media seems to have become the preferred option. Adapting to change is undoubtedly a challenge for all clubs as the way we fish changes. Clubs are vital in bringing anglers together and it is to be hoped that community survives as the modern world continues to evolve.

The Angling Trust is the sports representative body and I have been a member since its formation. The Angling Trust and Fish Legal work to protect, promote and develop angling for all anglers across all disciplines. Sadly only a small proportion of anglers belong to this organisation with many openly criticising the organisation for its failure to deliver. The organisation needs vital funds to bring the results that anglers need to safeguard the future. If every angler joined, the trust would be a powerful body that could fight for the future of angling a pastime that brings many benefits across society.

Bideford and District Angling Club members endured cold wet and windy conditions at their monthly rod n reel competition fished at their home water Tarka Swims. Paul Whitehead was the winner with 17lb 10oz. Martin Turner was runner up with 12lb 10oz, Paul Elworthy third with 12lb 9oz and Colin O Hagan forth with 11lb 11oz.

Steve Johnson was awarded angler of the year in Barnstaple Bait and Tackle Match Groups presentation night evening.

Kevin Shears won the latest open match at Stafford Moor fishery with 169lb 4oz.

Bulldog Trout Fishery hold their latest Open Fly Fishing Competition this Sunday spaces are limited and can be secured by contacting the fishery via the contact details on their website www.bulldogfisheries.com

12 Jan 2026

ANGLING REPORT – January 12th 2026

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ANGLING REPORT

Flounder Season Conclusion

Barnstaple Bait and Tackles New Year flounder bash concluded the flattie season with several good flounder brought to the scales at Flukey’s Bar.  Tyler Short caught the winning fish of 1lb 8.25oz. Kevin Hancock was runner up with a flounder of 1lb 8oz and Shane Murch third with a flattie of 1lb 5oz. A. J. Connaughton was top junior with a flounder of 1lb 5oz. Tyler Gammon runner up Junior with a flounder of 1lb 3oz and Josh Varbey third with a 1lb 2oz flounder. The series of flounder competitions held over the Autumn and Winter months by Barnstaple Bait and Tackle and David Jenkin’s have proved extremely popular with good numbers of Juniors catching their first fish. David and Barnstaple Bait and Tackle look forward to organising more events next season.

Bideford Angling Clubs end of season sea competition saw Dale Kiff secure the top two places with a spurdog and 10lb 3oz and a bull huss of 8lb 14oz.

Josh Atkinson secured the top three places in Appledore Shipbuilders January Rover with a brace of  pouting weighing 1lb 1.5oz and 13.75oz along with a dogfish of 1lb 13.25oz. Competitors caught bull huss, whiting, conger, rockling and codling.

Bideford Angling Clubs January Coarse Match at their home venue Tarka Swims was won by Nathan Underwood with 23lb 11oz. Kevin Shears was runner up with 19lb 4oz and Paul Elworthy third with 5lb 9oz.

Winter trout fishing is thriving at Bulldog Fishery where consistent sport is being enjoyed by visiting anglers. Highlight of New Year catches was a fine double figure brown trout caught by Garth Fuchs. The fishery are holding an Open Competition on February 1st contact the fishery to book as spaces are limited.

There are numerous dates for the diary over the coming months as we move towards Spring. The popular South West Fly Fair is to be held at Roadford Reservoir on Sunday February 22nd. Charles Jardine will once again be the guest of honour as fly Fishing enthusiasts from across the West Country gather in anticipation at the dawning of a new season.

Trout and Salmon magazine is now under the editorship of Pete Tyjas whose home water is the River Taw. A gathering to celebrate the start of a new season is presented by Trout and Salmon magazine is to be held at the Fox and Hounds between Friday March 27th and the 29th. The event has a full program of speakers, demonstrations and exhibitors together with food, drink and the opportunity to mingle with fellow anglers and their families. Contact the Fox and Hounds Country Hotel for full details.

4 Jan 2026

Winter Mullet Win Festive Fish

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Combe Martin SAC members held their annual festive fish over the Christmas and New Year period with a handful of members braving the elements. Several members targeted grey mullet a species that just a few decades ago would have been considered a fish of the warmer months. The winner of the competition was Daniel Welch with a specimen thick lipped mullet of 4lb. Runner up was Wayne Thomas with a dogfish of 2lb 7oz.

Combe Martin SAC member John Shapland did not enter the club competition but still continued to seek the thick lipped grey mullet that are his speciality. A personal best of 5lb 7oz and a smaller specimen of 4lb 6oz were his reward for enduring a bitingly cold North East wind.