Combe Martin SAC member David Jenkins enjoyed an action packed session at a North Devon Beach
“So what a night. Trip to a local beach a packet of 10 large sandeel and 5 joey mackeral in my bucket resulted in 14 fish. Non stop done right in now. 13 small eyed ray 8lb 1oz new pb from shore 7lb 14oz 6.3 6.1 5.14 5.13 5.10 the best plus an autumn codling fantastic trip local in north Devon. Between 3 of us 20 ray 5 bass and a sole. “
Two North Devon Anglers set significant personal miles stones this week in different angling disciplines.
Dedicated mullet angler John Shapland spends many frustrating hours targeting grey mullet a species with a reputation for being difficult to tempt. John landed his 100th mullet of 2020 this week!
Ian Blewett is a keen all-round angler with salmon top of his agenda for much of the year. Ian took advantage of perfect conditions on the Taw to land the 100th Atlantic salmon of his angling career. He followed the feat up during the same session with his 101st!
Sean Thorne has returned to fishing after drifting away from the sport for a few years. During the past season he has been making up for lost time fishing many of the North Devon venues he fished during his initial angling years. His latest visit to Stafford Moor saw him land three twenty pound plus carp. The fish scaled of 29lb, 22lb and 21lb 4oz. ” I’m well chuffed to say the least! The 29 is my biggest carp to date… and … it was cracking weather!”. I am sure that Sean will agree that the size of carp now available to North Devons anglers is far higher than it was even twenty years ago.
Robbie Taylor and Pete Upperton have won Stafford Moors Annual Pair Festival for the third time running securing their victory with 367lb 3oz. In runner spot were Sam Powell and Gary Webber who put together a haul of 345lb 6oz.
Jacob Middleton, 17 had a session on Nirvana’s day ticket Kracking Carp Lake and caught Parrot at 45lbs 6oz making it Jacob’s new personal best!
Jacob shared – “I managed to set up on peg 2 and flicked out my right hand rod tight to lily pad spot that I had previously baited. I was fishing a Krank style rig topped off with an IB essential mainline wafter, clipped on with a pva mesh bag. It weighed in at 45.6 which was a new pb for me. Once again Anglers Paradise producing the goods for new PBs!”
2. TEAM WORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK
Congratulations to Arlene and Fred Mackenzie who together with team work landed Silverback at 50lbs 5oz from the Kracking Carp Lake.
Arlene shared – “What a wake up call 50lb 5oz but can’t claim it for myself as it was too much for me to land!! It was a joint effort with my better half Fred, not one hundred percent sure but think it’s called siiver back!”
Recent heavy rainfall has resulted in perfect conditions leading into the last month of the salmon fishing season. Paul Carter kindly allowed me to use this stunning image of the River Torridge at Beam Weir.
I look forward to reporting on catches from both the Taw and Torridge. Day Tickets are available for the Taw at Weir Marsh and Brightly via Chris Steer on 07761285169. Day Tickets for the Torridge can be obtained from the Half Moon Inn at Sheepash or at Little Warham Fishery. The West Country Passport Scheme also gives access to many excellent beats.
Bank Holiday Festival results (members only)
1st Stephen Found Thornback Ray 13lb 15 1/4 160.509%
2nd Andrew Clements Thornback Ray 11lb 5 1/2 126.041%
3rd Stephen Found Thornback Ray 10lb 7 1/4 116.145%
4th Andrew Clements Bass 7lb 8 1/2 107.589%
Well done guys its been really hard work, congratulations to Steve on a new club record Thornback. Other fish caught Andrew Clements thornback 9lb 7 1/2 Jon Stevens Bull Huss 8lb 7oz and a smooth hound 8lb 2 1/2oz Antony Smith Bass 5lb 4oz.
Combe Martin SAC Kody Chugg caught a pleasing brace of spotted from a popular North Devon shore mark.
Ollie Passmore caught this fine specimen bull Huss of 11lb 11oz whilst fishing a North Devon Rock mark.
Lynton angler James Gugg Fradgley fished off Portland in Dorset to boat this stunning conger estimated at 60lb +
Ryan Hardman fished a North Devon rock mark to tempt a fine specimen pollock of 6lb 4oz. The fish was tempted on a whole squid bait presented on a 6/0 Aberdeen hook. Ryan was delighted to report that the sea was full of life with porpoises and jumping fish showing within a couple of hundred yards of the shoreline.
