



Late Autumn is flounder time in the Taw and Torridge Estuaries with the competition season fully underway. I joined fellow CMSAC members in search of the humble flounder. Despite plenty of floodwater pushing down fishing proved to be good with pleasing numbers of flounder tempted. The average size was lower than recent seasons but some good fish were found. One of the joys of flounder fishing is that it is great leveller. Eight year old Solly Welch trumped all the clubs senior entrants tempting several flounder including a superb specimen of 2lb. Solly also took runner up spot with a flounder of 1lb 10oz.

Full results :-
1st – Solly Welch – flounder 2lb
2nd – Solly Welch – flounder – 1lb 10oz
3rd = Solly Welch & Nick Phillips – flounder – 1lb 8oz
4th – James Thomas – flounder- 1lb 7oz
5th – Nick Phillips – flounder – 1lb 6oz


The estaury has a special appeal as the sunlight and cloud sweeps across the ever moving landscape and ebbing and flowing waters.
Many thanks to club members, Jack Phillips, James Thomas and Daniel Welch for sharing their images.











1st -Nick Phillips 1lb 8oz
2nd – Andy Henderson 14oz
Joint third Jeremy Long and Jack Phillips flounder 12oz.

November 48-hour results
1st Jon Stevens Spotted Ray 4lb 7oz 98.610%
2nd Jon Stevens Spotted Ray 3lb 13 1/2oz 85.416%
3rd Andrew Clements Dog 2lb 8 1/4oz 83.854%


As Christmas approaches many will be stocking up on culinary delights. I am joining with Pete Tyjas of Fly Culture magazine to raise awareness of the environmental disaster that is salmon farming. Please consider the facts and do not endorse the industry by buying farmed salmon. More information on salmon farming can be found on the Wildfish website see link. https://wildfish.org/weekly-sea-lice-statistics/?mc_cid=281e974a7d&mc_eid=ebe0241b5b

Click link below for Fly Culture Magazine

Combe Martin SAC Club member Kyle Bishop enjoyed a very succesful trip to Scotland. Below is the full account of his trip.
Last minute trip to Scotland weekend checked weather seen a break made fone call next day we was off , crazy 2 days fishing straight in to fish first cast of trip, lost my first skate then my light rod (primo synchro )had out for spurs went over landing pb female of 210lb followed by a pb male of 115lb on same rod , second day first cast 15lb spur followed by 159lb female then ended the trip with another nice male 112lb , had 7 runs landing 4 unreal fishing and the lads got in to a few as well.



The results for the first round of Wistlandpound Fly Fishing Clubs winter challenge.
Barnstaple & District Angling Association held their AGM at the Ebberly Arms on Tuesday, November 8th.

It was a pleasure to attend the meeting and share in the club members enthusiasm. John Webber the clubs Chairman is to be thanked for ensuring that the club continues to thrive and appears to be entering a new era of prosperity. The clubs roots stretch back over 100 years and it was fascinating to view some of the clubs historic trophies that carry the names of many well known local anglers.

I have been a member of the association on and off for close to fifty years and have many fond memorys of fishing with the club and on its waters. I am pleased to say that plans are being made to rebiuld the clubs hut on the River Taw. I have waxed lyrical on several occasions about the hut and the anglers that rested there as they talked of fish and fishing.
The clubs committee are enthiuastic and committed to the clubs future and that of the River Taw and the salmon and other species that swim within.
This year the club has used un-taken honorariums to give a little help to local worthy causes.
We chose two , The Wave Project , who run surf therapy programs to improve the mental health of children and young people. I watched them at Croyde beach .It was wonderful to see the beaming smiles on their faces as they surfed in with the help from the volunteer surf mentors
Our other choice was the local Barnstaple Ability Football Club, they are totally self funded and rely on just donations. They have nearly 80 disabled & special needs adults playing football in the club., including 30 new members and Lynn Ashman who helps run the club said our donation will go towards buying new kit for these new members
£150 to each one odf these commendable causes.
Full details on the club and membership can be found at the below link.
https://barnstapledistrictangling.co.uk