Combe Martin SAC Member Shane Hookway fished a North Devon Rock mark to tempt this smoothound of 9lb 7oz.
Specimen Smoothound from the Somerset Coast
Combe Martin SAC members Ollie Passmore and Kody Chugg fished the Somerset coastline to tempt ray and smoothound. A smoothound scaling 13lb 5oz a new personal best for Ollie.
RAIN BRINGS HOPE OF LATE SPRING SALMON RUN
After a long dry spell we have at last had a substantial fall of Rain across the area that resulted in the first spate of late spring. Coinciding with building Spring tides this should encourage a run of salmon and sea trout into North Devon’s rivers. I would expect the Taw and Torridge to be fishable by mid week as the water clears. The Lower Taw may rise slowly as tributaries from high on the moors lowly release into the main river. The Lyn has had a substantial rise but will fall quickly and be fishable from today with Tuesday likely to be the prime day.
Latest levels can be found via the EA link –https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/station/3099
The river levels at 07:15 on May 9th
River Torridge at Dolton – 0.85 M
River Taw at Umberleigh – 0.40
East Lyn at Brendon – 0.40
BLAKEWELL FISHERY
Blakewell Fishery is a picturesque and tranquil small-water trout fishery that is located just over a mile from the market town of Barnstaple. The clear waters offer quality Fly Fishing for rainbow trout and brown trout that are stocked into double figures attracting anglers from across the region.
The fishery is best approached using a light to medium outfit (6/7wt) with floating lines and imitative patterns working throughout the year. Day Tickets are £45.00 for a five fish limit. You can book online or call Richard Nickell on 07884 073932
The venue is perfect for new comers to Fly Fishing as it is less-intimidating than larger venues that may prove off putting to those starting out. Fly Fishing tuition is available on site with resident instructors. See Website for full details. www.blakewell.co.uk
The fishing is often at its best during the winter months when the trout flourish in the cool water that flows in from Bradiford Water.
Melbury Commons
Mark Brett and Scott Bowden braved last weekends stormy at Melbury and were rewarded with three commons. Mark’s two fish being 21lb 4oz and 18lbs and Scott having a 22lb 15oz.
https://www.swlakestrust.org.uk/melbury
THE CATS ARE ON THE FEED
The Catfish have definitely woken up with lots of catch reports from Anglers Paradise, Eldorado and Nirvana!
Here’s Michael Molloy (left) with a 54lber and the King hoovers John ‘Dyson’ (right) had a 51lb Cat both from Nirvana’s Specimen Cat Lake.
Carp Brace as the storm pushes in
Shaun Thorne was thinking of calling it a day as the stormy wether pushed in as he fished at Lower Slade Reservoir. A twenty pound plus common carp encouraged him to stay a little longer resulting in a 13lb mirror.
CORNISH WRASSE ADVENTURE
Many thanks to Kody Chugg and Ollie Passmore for sending me this account of their recent trip to Cornwall in search of wrasse.
Got up early hours of the morning, and set off down to Cornwall. Sun shining and a favoured wind in search of a big ballan wrasse. Several marks ventured, fishing crystal clear water. Lots of little taps with baits getting stripped by little wrasse. Last mark we went to we were fishing over low. Missing some really good runs from hook pulls. We both managed to catch a good few fish together.
Fish care with wrasse is vital. These are fragile fish that need to be taken care of, unhooking carefully and resting in pools. Wrasse definitely are in decline compared to years gone by, due to commercial fishing, and taken to Scottish salmon farms. Wrasse are so valuable for the seas Eco system and keeping reefs and corals etc healthy. Great fun fishing and each one being so different and remarkable colours. Crab and hermits doing the business. All on running ledger rigs with 1/0 circle hooks. All in all a great day fishing!
Footnote :- Reading Ollie and Kody’s article takes me back to a trip I enjoyed to the South Cornish coast almost forty years ago with Combe Martin SAC secretary Nick Phillips. A couple of days were spent exploring the rugged coastline where we landed several specimen wrasse the best If my memory serves me correct pulled the scales to 6lb 8oz a fish that is still my PB. Wrasse of over 5lb were comparatively common back then both in Cornwall and along the North Devon coast where I landed fish to 5lb 15oz. I mention this as it highlights how fishing for wrasse has declined over four decades.
North Devon Match Group Result -Oaktree
North Devon Match Group fished Oaktree Lakes at South Molton with both top and bottom lakes in. Thanks to club secretary John Forster for his report.
Top Lake
1st Tom Downing 52lb5oz
2nd Peter Horton West 41lb 15oz
3rd Les Polden 30lb 1 oz
sorry no photos of this lake as no one sent me any and my phone had given up working lol
Bottom Lake
1st Chris Morris 66lb 06oz
2nd John Lisle 39lb 04oz
3rd Kevin Shears 29lb 09oz
A good Win For Chris and a pleasant day all round
Next ione up is the 16th May at the brilliant Goodiford Mill
BRAUNTON BAIT BOX LAUNCH MONTHLY COMPETITION
Right guys and girls
Starting from next month (MAY) we will be running a
Fish Of The Month Competition
May and June – the species will be biggest Ray or Smooth Hound
July and August – the species will be Bass and Gilthead Bream
The winner will receive a £25 bait voucher and a box of bakes from
Bake and Brew Bakery
Rules
*You must pop in the shop to register
*bait must be bought from us, the bait packets will have a different sticker on each month
*you must send in a photo of you holding the fish along with a photo of the scales weight and the bait sticker
*have a great time
*please pick up your litter
Happy fishing