Stormy conditions may have deterred some anglers from venturing forth but the turbulant waters often stir up food close in encouraging fish to feast upon the proceeds.If you can wade through the dogfish a specimen fish could be the reward.
Kevin Legge took first and second place in Combe Martin SAC’s October Rover with small eyed ray weighing 8lb 12oz and 6lb 13oz. Third place was taken by Nick Phillips with a bull huss of 6lb 4oz.
Bideford Angling Clubs forty eight hour sea rover was won by Paul Ackland with a dogfish scaling 2lb 2oz.
Bideford Angling Clubs monthly Coarse Match on their home water was won by Nathan Underwood with 84lb 2oz. Runner up was Darren Polden with 52lb 12oz and third Keith Mountjoy with 39lb 14oz.
Jamie Steward caught a stunning lure caught bass of 71cm to give him a narrow lead in Combe Martin SAC’s lure fishing league sponsored by High Street Tackle, Ilfracombe with five bass for 353cm. The league ends on October 31st with several members in contention. Runner up spot is currently held by Mark Drewer with five bass for 351cm and Seth Tuson third with five bass for. 347.5cm.
Combe Martin SAC members have been catching specimen mullet from the North Devon Coastline with Daniel Welch catching a 4lb 2oz specimen and Graham Snow a specimen of 4lb 1.5oz.
The Fluff Chucker’s Fly Fishing Group followed up on a successful Brown Trout Masters series with a West Country Grayling Cup hosted by the Arundell on the Devon and Cornwall border. Roger Truscott once again demonstrated his skill with the Fly Rod winning the event with a fine grayling of 45cm. Runner up was Rodney Wevill. Winner of the morning session was Gary Brazier and Ozzie Gough winner of the afternoon session.
Grayling offer winter sport on a limited number of rivers across Devon with the Arundell waters offering fishing on the Tamar and its tributaries. The Upper Exe waters controlled by the Dulverton Anglers Association offer several miles of fishing for these ladies of the stream.
Bulldog Fishery is in fine form with big brown trout, spartic’s and rainbows being caught. The venue is launching its winter competition program of events with the first competition this Sunday.
Several North Devon based anglers have travelled to Cornwall and South Devon ports to sample the exciting tuna fishing that is currently thriving to bring a welcome boost to local economies. I joined four good friends out of Looe to share an awesome angling adventure that saw us bring nine tuna to the boats side all between 200lb and 300lb. The power of these fish is immense and a true test of an anglers stamina. It is truly amazing to witness such an abundance of life as these magnificent fish feast upon a shoal of fish along with dolphins and sea birds. It is to be hoped that this valuable catch and release big game fishery can thrive and focus minds on the long term conservation of our coastal waters.
Many thanks to Jason Hayes for sending me this exciting report….
🎣 What an afternoon on the North Devon coast!
I headed out for a quick bass session with a mate who’s just getting into fishing, targeting sea bass along our local marks. Not long in, his rod bent over and after an awesome fight, he landed a stunning 72cm bass! The excitement on his face said it all — his first real specimen fish, and what a one to start with!
He had to head off shortly after, absolutely buzzing… I stayed on for another half hour, and unbelievably, my rod went solid too — another beautiful 72cm fish!
Two cracking bass, same mark, within half an hour. Couldn’t have scripted it better.
North Devon doing what it does best. 🌊🐟
Bruce Elston enjoys tuna action as the rays of a new day dawn.
It was the perfect fishing adventure even though in a way I didn’t actually catch a fish!
A tuna fishing trip is very much a team effort all the work in locating the fish and setting up the tackle is done by the Skipper and his crew. The anglers reel in the fish sharing an exciting adventure on the high seas that will linger in the minds eye for a lifetime. It is a true joy to witness nature close at hand and connect with the immense power of these awesome hunters of the ocean depths.
It is to be hoped that this catch and release big game fishery can thrive to support a local economy and focus minds on the long term conservation of our coastal waters.
My angling Journey began close to 60 years ago at the Cornish seaside town of Looe. As a young angler I would fish from the Banjo Pier on Autumn evenings gazing out at the flashing light of the Eddystone Lighthouse thirteen or so miles off the coast. I dreamt of venturing out to sea in search of big fish and on a trip out of Looe this Autumn those dreams came true. At some point I will put together a full account of the trip shared with six good friends when as a team we brought nine tuna the largest estimated up to 300lb to the boats side where they were carefully revived before being released back into the clear waters.
Combe Martin SAC member Jamie Steward caught this stunning 71cm bass to take him into pole position in the clubs Lure Fushing league sponsored by High Street Tackle Ilfracombe.
Current standings are :-
1st – Jamie Steward – Five bass – 353 cm
2nd – Mark Drewer – Five bass – 351 cm
3rd – Seth Tuson – Five bass – 347.5 cm
4th – Wayne Thomas – Five bass – five bass – 318 cm
Combe Martin SAC’s Mullet fishing weekend saw members catch good numbers of these hard fighting fish with Daniel Welch securing top prize with a fine fish of 3lb 14oz. Runner up was John Avery with a mullet of 3lb 12.5oz and Wayne Thomas third with a fish of 3lb 8oz.
Large numbers of small mullet bode well for the future though they made it hard to connect with the larger specimens that could be glimpsed on the flooding tide. The annual event was concluded with breakfast in Lynmouth Pavillion.
Whilst Jack Phillips wasn’t pleased to catch this eel its was good to see as these once prolific fish are now considered rare.
Storm Amy swept across North Devon last weekend and its effects will undoubtedly be felt as sea anglers seek big bass, tope and huss along the coast. A big Autumn storm such as this generally encourages big fish close in shore to feed and forage on the food dislodged.
Andrew Atkinson won Appledore Shipbuilders monthly Rover with a bull huss of 7lb 10.25oz. Runner up was Michael Hammett with a huss of 7lb 1.75oz and Josh Atkinson third with a dogfish of 1lb 15oz.
Stephen Found won Bideford Angling Clubs Sea rover with a mackerel of 1lb 2oz.
Combe Martin Sea Angling Clubs Lure Fishing league still has two weeks left to run and is currently headed by Mark Drewer with five bass for a total length of 351cm’s. Runner up is Seth Tuson on 347.5cm and Jamie Steward third with five for 344cm.
The flounder season is well underway on the Taw estuary with forty anglers taking part in the Daniel Mackie Flukey’s Flatfish Open. Stefan Jones won the competition with a flounder of 1lb 8.25oz. Runner up was David Jenkins with a flounder of 1lb 7oz and Taz Wotton third with a flounder of 1lb 6.75oz. The event raised £125 for the Children’s Hospice South West. Barnstaple Triple Hook Club have launched their Flounder season schedule with the Junior and Ladies Open competition this weekend.
I sometimes wonder what anglers want to read on North Devon Angling News in addition to the latest news from around the region. I thought it might be worthwhile taking a look back at the beginning of each month at the venues I have fished over the preceding month and the triumphs and trials I have encountered.
In early September Pauline and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary. It is a testament to Pauline that she has accepted my obsession with angling throughout those fiorty plus years supporting me great with patience. (Most of the time; for there are times when I have undoubtedly overstepped the mark a little).
We celebrated at the Tarr Steps Inn beside the glorious River Barle that once teemed with salmon during the Autumn months. I remember catching a silver grilse on the day of Princess Diana’s funeral back in 1997. The river like many has suffered a dramatic decline in its salmon stocks though its wild brown trout are still abundant.
The Barle above Tarr Steps
In the Exmoor Town of Dulverton it was good to see minnows shoaling in the leat that runs past Rothwell & Dunsworth the book shop that always has a tempting array of fishing books.
An antique cased perch catches my eye…whats the story behind it?
The Glorious Wye
Whilst the River Wye in Herefordshire frequently makes the headlines regarding effluent from Chicken farms and agriculture it is still a beautiful rIver. its salmon runs have plummeted but it is still home to some wonderful Coarse fish. I extracted a few bronze flanked chub on a trip in the middle of September.
A feast intended for barbelThis chub found rolled meat to its liking.
Evening light on a tranquil Wye.
HOME WATERS
The quiver tip back on home ground…
CORNISH REEF
The annual trip to fish in the Looe Basher was once again an enjoyable excursion visiting familar haunts.
The flooding tideOut of LooeA brace of comber for myself and Chris Hayton
Spectacular red gurnard
Bruce Elston with a fine conger
A decent black breamwow ! what colours
Fish to brighten the dullest of daysDominick is king of ling catching his third in three years.
Broken tips for two!
An un-welcome sign on the quayside where I spent many hours fishing as a child. Floatfishing for pollock after dark on Autumn evenings remembered with great fondness.
IN HOPE OF SALMON
Prime water on the River Torridge
THOSE WILD BROWNS ALWAYS OBLIGE
The beauty of a wild brown trout from the higher reaches of a local river.
Many thanks to Anglers Paradise for inviting Pauline and I to their 40 year celebrations.
Its flounder season and Triple Hook Club launch their Winter time table of events.
The Daniel Mackie Flukeys Flatty Open attracted 40 entrants. Lots of fish were caught up and down the river. Results as follows:
1st Stef Jones 1lb 8 1/4 oz £100
2nd David Jenkins 1lb 6 7/8 oz £60
3rd Taz Wotton 1lb 6 3/4 oz £40
Next comp is on the Sunday November 24th the entry sheet will be in Barnstaple Bait and Tackle from Tuesday £5 entry we also raised £125 for Children’s Hospice South West.
There are just over three weeks left of Combe Martin SAC’s Lure Fishing league that has been hotly contested this year by a dedicated band of enthusiasts. Whilst numbers of bass are likely to be less now is perhaps the time to catch that elusive double figure specimen.
Mark Drewers latest entry
Mark Drewer is the current leader with five bass for 351 cm with Seth Tuson in runner up spot with 347.5cm
Jamie Stewards latest 72cm catch below brings his five fish total to 344cm.
Kevin Legge took first and second place in Combe Martin SAC’s October Rover with small eyed ray weighing 8lb 12oz and 6lb 13oz. Third place was taken by Nick Phillips with a bull huss of 6lb 4oz.
