Well done to Bideford’s ‘A’ team who won the latest North Devon League competition this weekend
1st Graham Snow – grey mullet 4lb10 1/4oz
2nd Graham Snow – grey mullet 3lb 14 1/4oz
3rd Antony Smith – flounder 1lb 8 1/4oz
Some of this weeks Sea Angling Highlights
Autumn is a prime time for the sea angler with a wide variety of species to target. The past week has seen local anglers enjoy success along North Devon’s rocky coast. Dan Spearman (Below) was among these anglers landing a bull huss of 9lb 3oz and a conger of 18lb.
Fellow Combe Martin SAC member James Thomas landed good pollock of 2lb 13oz along with numerous conger whilst fishing a rock mark near Ilfracombe. (Below)
Kody Chugg landed a small eyed ray (Below)
I targetted grey mullet that are one of my favourite sea fish and tempted a specimen of 4lb 13oz using quiver-tipped bread flake.
Crow Point – Beach Clean
Pauline and I joined volunteers at Crow Point on a beach clean organized by the West Country Rivers Trust. Organizer Kathi Bauer told me that they counted 14 full bin bags of rubbish at the end of the event,lots of the usual waste but also some sharps. Whilst around 20 people signed in they counted a lot more – Jodie and Cat of the WCRT estimated between 45 to 60 people overall, including children.
It was great to join in clearing the debris from the estuary and to my relief there wasn’t too much angling related litter. The event commenced with an informative walk and talk with Dave Edgcombe, who gave a very informative talk about the Taw and Torridge Estuary explaining how mankind industry has shaped the landscape. I have been visiting the White house area for close to fifty years and was astonished how much the landscape has evolved as a result of natures relentless forces. The Whitehouse was originally built in conjunction with the ferry that once linked Instow, Appledore and Braunton. The location being the original mouth of the River Caen a river that once had a significant run of salmon and sea trout!
The breaking through of the sluice gates has certainly transformed the area known as Horsey Island behind the Whitehouse! ( Below)
(Above) Volunteers at the beach clean.
(Above) A wide range of debris
(Above) Bags of litter
Litter is something that really annoys me and it was great to get out in the fresh air and do our bit. I have raised the issue of angling related litter before and will do so again but its not just anglers who leave litter its a problem that blights the whole of society. I challenge any one to find any where that’s not blighted by litter. Even on a beautiful beach on the West Coast of Scotland there were bits of plastic debris on the shoreline.
Next time you go fishing make sure you take your litter home and any that others have left. If we all pick up a bit it will make a difference.
http://www.summerlands-tackle.co.uk
Bideford Annual Cyril Petherick Flounder Open
First Big Eel of the season!
Combe Martin SAC member Ross Stanway fished with his brother Jonathan on damp and drizzly evening with a lively sea. Jonathan hooked a Conger of 10lb 8oz early on in the evening; his biggest to date having not really done much eel fishing. I joked. “Imagine what one 3 times the size fights like!”. Ross then illustrated his point landing an eel of 30lb 3oz!
(Above)Ross Stanway with a proper conger – 30lb 3oz
Smooth operator
Ali Laird followed up his recent success with this fine specimen smoothound weighing 13lb 1oz he also landed a bull huss of 8lb 14oz. The next couple of months are potentially the best of the year for a wide range of species. Fishing can be excellent after the storm but take care as there are going to be some big seas over the next few days.
Bass as the storm sweeps in
Top Shore Sport
Prospects are excellent for shore angling sport between the storms. Ian Laird landed this pleased brace that typify s the Autumn season with a plump bass of 6lb 10oz and a pleasing codling. He also caught a bull huss of 9lb 12oz in the same session! He also landed five smoothound, several pouting and the inevitable dogfish!
Cod Fishing
Daniel Hawkins writes:-
It’s all go in preparation for our cod season the Reel (obsession 2) Deal and jay jay are all serviced and had there maintain ready for the season and will be heading up to Watchet next week and our flyer is ready just the rules and catch recording cards to complete and we are ready don’t forget we have the easiest way of book all available online so don’t be disappoint spaces are filling fast get in with your chance of the cash prizes and the great tackle from high street tackle Ilfracombe and the must for all anglers Ammo baits looking like a good season with cod showing already.
Triple Hook Flounder Open – Result
Mark Hancock won Triple Hook Clubs first flounder Open of the season with a flounder scaling 1lb 43/4oz. In runner up spot was Dave Mock with a flattie of 1lb 1oz and in third Dennis Toleman with a flounder of 151/2oz.
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Triple Hook Fishing Club 2017
Open Flounder Competitions
Sunday 26th November
Sunday 3rd December
Sunday 17th December
8am – 1pm
£5 each event
Book in at the Ex-Service and Social Club (formerly Royal British Legion) St.Georges Road, Barnstaple from 8pm on Friday or Saturday evenings before each event or with Dennis Toleman tel.07815009260 or any committee member together with the entry fee before the event
Please note there will be no booking in on the day
Must be back and present fish at weigh in by 2pm at rear of Ex-Serviceman and Social Club (formerly Royal British Legion), St.Georges Road, Barnstaple
Boundaries – Iron Bridge at Rock Park, Barnstaple to The White House, Crow on either side of the River Taw
Flounder must be at least 12” with prizes for the heaviest fish weighed in, only heaviest fish per angler counts
Maximum 2 rods per angler with total of 3 hooks. Juniors (6 – 16 years) must be accompanied by an adult
Decision of the Weighmaster is final
Please call Mark Beer 01271 344440 if you have any queries