Fifteen club members fished in Combe Martin SAC’s ten day long Festive Fish and the winning anglers found some exceptional fish. Shane Pavio Hookway secured first and second places tempting a fine tope of 43lb 6oz ( 144%) and a specimen pouting of 2lb 2oz (141%). Kyle Bishop was third with a conger of 26lb 1oz ( 130%) and Ollie Passmore forth with a bull huss of 10lb 9oz.
Members also caught rockling, bass, dogfish and turbot.
One of the highlights of the next few months will be our screening of Jack Perks’ wonderful film – Britain’s Hidden Fish on March 5th. Starting at 7pm in the Tamar Room, the 1 hr long film will be followed by a talk by Jack Perks. Tickets cost just £8 and are available through our Reception Team.
This beautiful documentary explores the underwater world of the UK, from our chalk streams to the open sea. Narrated by Jeremy Wade (River Monsters) this film was shot over the course of two years to bring stories, behaviours and footage never seen before of British fish.
Prior to the screening, the Arundell fishing team will be hosting a complimentary gathering with tea, coffee and nibbles in the morning from 10am followed by a wander down to our most productive Grayling beats, where our seasoned guides will demonstrate and teach our approach to catch Grayling on the fly. Afterwards, anglers will have an opportunity to fish the beats for the prestigious lady of the stream before heading back to the Hotel for the screening. Please let either our Fishing or Reception Teams know if you would like to attend.
Thank to the pollyfield and the Reds for letting us use their facilities for the sign in and the weigh-in.
Thanks to pollyfield for providing burgers at the weighing I think they went down very well.
Thank you ever so much to all are sponsors we couldn’t do it without you.
D S Electrical, Clawford Lakes Resort and Spa, Devon Baits, Tom Wade Anglers Heaven, Barnstaple Bait and Tackle, Gaby Fish Pillows, James Grigg, Honeys of Parkham, The Bell Inn Parkham, Parkham Cheese and Crusher.
Final amount given to Pollyfield for the play park was £289
Combe Martin SAC member Kyle Bishop caught this huge specimen Bull Huss of 15lb whilst fishing for tope off the North Devon Coast. The fish was caught during stormy conditions as a North West wind and massive swell battered the coast. The fish was tempted on a half mackerel bait.
Thirty-seven keen anglers competed in Triple Hook Clubs Christmas Competition despite the gale force North Westerly winds that had resulted in the postponement of Bideford Angling Clubs Christmas Competition.
The fishing proved challenging with large flounder hard to locate as the traditional River Taw flattie season draws towards its end. Several school bass were landed throughout the estuary which is an encouraging sign for the future and perhaps an indication of changing times.
The winning flounder way ahead of the field was caught by Nick Wilkinson and weighed 1lb 115/8oz.
Runner up was Junior angler Arthur Taylor ( Above) with a flounder of 1lb 31/8oz and third Mark Beer with a flounder of 1lb 1oz. R.Hancock, J.Martin, Taz Wotton, D. Ackland, C. Lamey and L.Luxton all registered flounder to secure a Christmas Turkey dinner with all the trimmings.
It was good to see a good number of local anglers gathered together at a traditional weigh and raffle with plenty of good humoured banter.
Bideford Angling Clubs Christmas Competition is now on December 29th all other details as below:-
Many thanks to all who have supported North Devon & Exmoor Angling News throughout 2024. Below are few random images looking back on each month of 2024. If you would like to sponsor North Devon & Exmoor Angling News please get in touch.
We first brought your attention to the need to protect the breeding stock of the Spurdog fishery (the older and larger females) early last year.
Since then we have been working along with others to keep the socioeconomic benefit of this fishery to the recreational angling sector uppermost in Defra’s mind.
Our persistence has led Defra to ask Cefas to run an online workshop to explore the importance of Spurdog as a target species to the recreational sector, including charter vessel operators.
This workshop is not just an opportunity for the recreational angling sector to protect the Spurdog fishery but equally importantly to position itself as a sport which delivers significant social and economic value and be recognised as a full partner in marine conservation decisions which can potentially affect your business.
The link to register for this meeting which on Wednesday 15th January 2025 at 7pm is below.
When 180 charter skippers signed a letter to the Minister in 2020, she reversed her decision not to allow recreational sea angling for Bluefin so don’t underestimate the collective power of charter skippers and anglers when they come together.
You can dial in even if you don’t fish for Spurdog and your anglers can also dial in. The more of us who join this workshop the more seriously we will be taken. If you want any more information please get back to me.
Thanks again for your continued support – Pat Smith Database
Fifteen club members fished in Combe Martin SAC’s ten day long Festive Fish and the winning anglers found some exceptional fish. Shane Pavio Hookway secured first and second places tempting a fine tope of 43lb 6oz ( 144%) and a specimen pouting of 2lb 2oz (141%). Kyle Bishop was third with a conger of 26lb 1oz ( 130%) and Ollie Passmore forth with a bull huss of 10lb 9oz.
