It will be very interesting to see what is caught during this friendly competition outside of the traditional flounder season.
JACK PERKS at THE ARUNDELL
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.
Watch the trailer of Britain’s Hidden Fish
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E6nJT0OfdA&ab_channel=CHASINGSCALES
BIDEFORD CHRISTMAS COMPETITION RESULTS 2024
BIDEFORD CHRISTMAS COMPETITION RESULTS
56 Fishing 20 fish caught
1st S.Taylor 1lb 13 1/4oz
2nd Tom Downing 1lb 6 1/2oz
3rd Craig Crash Lamey 1lb 5 3/4oz
4th A. Masters 1lb 3oz
5th S. Taylor 1lb 2 1/2oz
6th M. Sheldrake 1lb 2 1/2oz
7th G. Hooper 1lb 1 3/4oz
8th J. Dixon 1lb 0 1/4oz
9th C. Lamey 1lb 0 1/4oz
10th J. Dixon 1lb 0 1/4
11th R. Walker 14 1/2 oz
12th Mathew Druce 14 1/4 oz
13th Jazzer 14 oz
14th Ian Hooper 14 oz
15th D. Bowden 13 3/4 oz
16th S. Bowden 13 3/4 oz
17th M. Druce 13 1/2 oz
18th Jazzer 12 1/2 oz
19th J. Dixon 12 oz
20th S. Bowden 10 1/2 oz
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
All the best tight lines and see you next year 🎣
Nathan Clements
Huge huss caught in stormy sea.
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.
BIDEFORD CHRISTMAS COMPETITION – RESCHEDULED DETAILS
Note re-scheduled Bideford Christmas Competition Details above :-
TRIPLE HOOK CHRISTMAS COMPETITION 2024
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:-
Bideford Angling Club – Christmas Competition Postponed
POSTPONED
## BIDEFORDS CHRISTMAS COMPETITION ##
Hi guys we have unfortunately come to the decision to postpone the competition on Sunday and move it to the 29th of December.
Competition times will all be the same on the following Sunday !!!!!!!!
This isn’t ideal but we do not expect anyone to fish in a yellow weather warning with potential winds of 65mph.
Sorry for any inconvenience but I personally wouldn’t want anyone to have an accident.
CHRISTMAS FISHES FROM NORTH DEVON & EXMOOR ANGLING NEWS
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.
Protect the Spurdog fishery – A Message from John McMaster
Pat Smith Database.
Message from John McMaster
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
ANGLING NEWS CATCH UP –
I lost Internet connection for over a week following Storm Darragh hence a lack of reports on the website. Please see a brief round up of news. A Merry Christmas to all readers and all the best fishes for 2025
Bideford and District Angling Clubs Christmas Competition
Keith Mountjoy secured top spot in Bideford and District Angling Clubs Christmas Competition held on their home water Tarka Swims with a fine net of 31lb 6oz. Martin Turner was runner up with 25lb 2oz and Craig Lamey third with 21lb 13oz. Nineteen members braved the tail end of Storm Darragh that decimated fixtures that weekend.
SEA RESULTS
Jon Stevens won Bideford Angling Club 48 hour Sea Rover with thornback ray weighing 11lb 10.5oz
Combe Martin SAC
Ollie Passmore won Combe Martin SAC’s Christmas competition with a bass of 4lb 11oz.
Several quality bass have been caught by Combe Martin SAC members over recent weeks with Kyle Bishop tempting a fine bass of 9lb 9oz and Ollie Passmore a bass of 8lb 4oz.
Shane Hookway fished a rock mark to tempt a fine bull huss of 11lb 12oz.
Appledore Shipbuilders
Only 14 fish came to the scales with the majority released after weigh in swimming away strong.
Winning was Toby Evans with a Flounder of 1lb 7 1/4ozs. Nikki Atkinson was second with another flounder of 1lb 6 3/4ozs and Andrew Atkinson was 3rd with a Flounder of 1lb 5 3/4ozs. Everyone who entered walked away with a Christmas fare prize as there were more prizes than fish caught!
It was also the December winter league this weekend.
Andrew Atkinson took all 3 places with Poutings of 2lb 0 1/4ozs, 1lb 6ozs and a whiting of 1lb 3 1/4ozs.