Phil Haggarty had a cracking day session on Upper Tamar banking seven fine carp including Commons 12lb 4oz 15lb 3oz, 20lb 6oz and 23lb 2oz bus mirrors of mirrors 15lb 4oz and 26lb 5oz.
Savouring the Moment
If lockdown has taught us anything it is to savour each moment. As I searched the river for that elusive springer I was content to just be there flicking the fly across the river letting it swing over the known lies as the birdsong filled the air and spring flowers added a splash of colour to the banks.
Wild Brown Trout on the East Lyn
Many thanks to Simon Francis who sent me this inspiring feature on the tumbling waters of the East Lyn.
Wild Brown Trout on the East Lyn
The season for wild brown trout has sprung into life on North Devon’s East Lyn. Having bought my ticket from Barbrook Petrol station, I fished the National Trust Watersmeet and Glenthorne fishery, especially the stretch from Crooks Pool (that used to be called S Pool) up through Rockford, to the Meadow Pool in Brendon.
Whilst cold on the opening days plenty of fish were taken. Mostly from noon to 3pm. Almost exclusively they took the point fly and invariably this was a barbless bead head hares ear, or pheasant tail. I tried shrimp and caddis patterns, but it was the gold head hares ear that took the majority of fish.
The fish held just off the main current, and takes on my New Zealand rigged setups were pretty gentle, just a pause, a dip or the wool just drifted under. I saw just two rises on the first two days, presumably parr, most fish were sat right on the bottom.
A few Grannom, a rare March Brown and a couple of Stone Fly were hatching. Heron, Dippers, Nuthatch, Treecreepers, and Ravens kept me company, but the Otter spraint from previous weeks was absent.
Whilst I’ve not fished the river this week, I’ve walked it every day, it’s dropped and has cleared, and is crystal clear now. The fish have risen in the water column, and a hatch will trigger surface action. I’ll be out in the next few days armed with some elk hair caddis, March browns, but also general attractor patterns.
I saw one, quite large, sea trout or grilse quite high up the river, and will return with something heavier than my 3wt and 2.5lb tippet!
For anyone that hasn’t tried the East Lyn before, you should. It is stunningly beautiful. It’s wild fishing. It’s as far away from bashing put and take rainbows as you can get (fun though that can be). It’s not for the wobbly, or faint hearted, as some of ravines and rocks are hard work, but the rewards of wild spotty in your hand are more than worth it.
If you are passing Primrose Cottage www.primrosecottageexmoor.co.uk in Rockford, pop in for tea and tell us how you are getting on, or for emergency flies!
Rod Licenses are required. Fish barbless. Leave no trace of your presence and pick up any other rubbish you see. Tickets are available at the Barbrook Petrol Station,Barbrook Filling Station, Barbrook. Tel: 01598 752248 or the Tourist Information Centre, Town Hall, Lynton. Tel: 0845 6603232
Big huss on the prowl
Dan Spearman and Kyle Bishop fished a North Devon Mark and enjoyed action with bull huss scaling 11lb and 9lb
Fellow Combe Martin SAC member Kody Chugg also annoyed success with bull huss landing a fine looking fish of 10lb 5oz as the sun began to set.
River Taw Fisheries Association – Byelaws and Good Practice Guide
Good Practice Guide
Catching the fish
Use appropriate tackle. Rod and line should be strong enough to bring the fish to net swiftly and without playing it to exhaustion. Move the fish out of fast water as soon as possible. The use of barbless single or double hooks is recommended. Barbed hooks can be rendered barbless by pinching with pliers.
Catch and Release
RTFA strongly recommends that you practise catch and release whenever possible.
Playing the fish
When playing a fish try not to play it to exhaustion but land it as quickly as is possible.
Landing the fish
Use a fine knotless meshed landing net. No gaffs or tailers may be used. Ensure the fish remains in the water at all times.
Do not beach or tail a fish.
Handling the fish
Ensure that hands are wet and avoid squeezing the fish.
Removing the hook
Remove the hook gently, using forceps or a hook disgorger.
Should the fish be deep-hooked cut the line as near to the hook as possible.
Recording the fish
Do not weigh the fish, but calculate its length and subsequently use a length/weight conversion chart (see below) to find the weight. Suitable length marks on rod or wading-stick can be helpful. Photographs of the fish should only be taken while the fish is in the water.
Reviving and releasing the fish
Support the fish with both hands in a gentle current and facing upstream.
Allow time for the fish to regain its strength and be able to swim away on its own.
Disease
To guard against disease that can damage our fish stocks fishermen are directed to the Environment Agency’s website for “Guidance on Disinfecting Fishing Tackle”.
The Environment Agency Incident Hotline
For reporting any serious environmental incident such as pollution, poaching or fish in distress is
0800 807 060
- RTFA strongly believes that fishermen are the best guardians of our river and if you fish
the Taw why not join the Association to support our efforts.
- Contact us via our website at www.rivertawfisheries.co.uk or phone our Treasurer, Richard Nickell on 10271 344533 / 07884 073932
SPRING RAY
Combe Martin SAC member Kevin Legge used his extensive local knowledge to find a mark that was both productive and sheltered from the gale force winds that were battering the North Devon coast. This handsome small eyed ray of 8lb 11oz was tempted using an Ammo Launce and squid cocktail.
MASSIVE SHORE CAUGHT NORTH DEVON THORNBACK
Combe Martin SAC member Dan Spearman set a new club record when he hooked this huge thornback of 15lb 2oz from a North Devon shore mark. Whilst North Devon has an excellent track record for blonde ray, small eyed ray and spotted ray thornback are scarce from shore marks. 
THIRTY FROM PARADISE
Massive congratulations to our head baliff Ashley Bunning who has caught the beautiful Xanna at 30lbs 2oz from Nirvana’s Xanadu Lake.
Ashley said –
“Well this happened last night! With days only on local waters allowed, I decided to set a target of catching Xanna from the day ticket Xanadu at work (anglers paradise). After getting through a few 20s and double figure commons, on the 5th day I had her! NashBait cultured citruz bottom bait did the business. First 30lber of the year! Happy days!!”
BULLDOG DOUBLES
Dan Spearman fished Bulldog Fishery to take this stunning brace of double figure brown trout!
A TRIO OF FINE PERCH
Big perch are a worthwhile target at this time of year with fish to over 4lb a real possibility from several venues. A prawn or lobworm bait is likely to bring results either beneath a float or fished on a running leger rig. Lures can also prove effective for these handsome looking predators. Matt Dart fished a North Devon venues where he tempted a fine brace of perch scaling 3lb 3oz and 2lb 8oz. Both fish were tempted using float fished prawn. Following his success Matt returned too the water to tempt another fine perch of just under 4lb.
