Trips to Wimbleball are always special especially as we approach those prime weeks of the trout fishing season as the English countryside blooms into new life. Fresh green growth illuminates the landscape and life seems to burst forth as insects proliferate. Summer migrants are arriving adding to the native birdlife. Chiff-chaffs distinctive notes drift across the landscape and the occasional martin or swallow swoops low over the water.
By late April we are coming to the end of what I term the yellow season as daffodils, primroses, celandines, cowslips and dandelions slowly fade as the bluebells bloom. Later the foxgloves will signal the start of summer but for now it’s time to relish the vibrancy of new life.
Recent posts on social media had raised expectations that the hawthorn fly could be about and the sight of these distinctive insects with their trailing legs lifted my expectations as I walked to the water’s edge of Rugg’s Bay my favourite early season area at Wimbleball.
I had set up a floating line with a team of three flies, a Montana on the point, a spider on the middle dropper and cormorant on the top dropper.
The cloudless sky was an azure blue with a strong North East wind. Not ideal conditions for fishing perhaps but at times it’s just great to be there in the moment drifting flies in expectation whilst relishing the peace of mind that comes with Springtime trout fishing.
After an hour without a pull and no sign of rising trout I decided to take a walk to the mouth of Cowmoor Bay. The walk through the woods, bluebells illuminated as sunshine streamed through the trees was no hardship and with a good days fishing still ahead of me I had a spring in my step.
The bank at Cowmoor offered access to deep water and with the wind blowing down the bay from left to right casting was easy. As I lifted the flies from the water a trout seized the point fly and gyrated on the lines end for a few moments before coming adrift.
This connection instilled that all important belief and it wasn’t long before I hooked another trout that seemed to spend a good time airborne as it leapt from the water on numerous occasions before being persuaded into the landing net. A fin perfect rainbow and that all important blank saver that is always good to get in the bag.
A few fish started to rise slurping down the black hawthorn flies that were being blown onto the water. I changed the point fly to a hawthorn imitation and added a second trout to my bag missing several other fish as I drifted my flies in the wind lane. After a while the trout stopped rising and I changed to an intermediate line swapping back to a Montana on the point and adding a bright orange blob to the top dropper. Second cast; wallop another hard fighting rainbow on the orange blob.
I fished on with this set up for a while but when a few fish started to show I reverted to the floating line set up. It seemed that the fish had switched off, so I decided to pause for a snack and drink before walking back to Rugg’s.
Back at Rugg’s I strolled along the water’s edge looking for rising fish. Observing a few rises in front of some towering willows I noted good numbers of hawthorns drifting out onto the lake. With withy branches poking out of the water I decided to snip off the droppers and rely on the dry hawthorn on the point. I was well aware that a tussle with one of Wimbleball’s finest would be hard enough without the added danger of droppers entangling underwater branches. Double figure rainbows have been stocked this season and have undoubtedly deprived several anglers of their flies already this season.
The next couple of hours were sublime as trout slurped down the abundant flies giving a pleasing target to aim at as I dropped my offering close to tell tale rings. Seven rainbows were deceived each giving a spectacular tussle many making the reel sing, pirouetting at the lines end to leave an imprint of images in the minds eye to relish when away from the waters edge.
I ended the day with ten trout, five to keep and five carefully released in line with the fisheries enlightened policy that allows anglers to enjoy a full days sport on those occasions when everything falls into place. I could have continued for longer but I was content with my day and the fish had become less active; yes there is always the desire for one more but ten out of ten isn’t a bad score for the day!
Blakewell fisheries Spring Fly Fishing Open was an extremely enjoyable affair with warm spring sunshine beaming down into the lakes crystal clear water. It was obvious from the start that the lake had been well stocked as fish could be seen cruising and responded to a well presented fly. There is a time in the English countryside that is close to perfection as fresh green foliage surrounds the mature lake that reflects vivid azure blue skies.
Bird song drifts across the tranquil waters and trout converge upon anglers offerings the line tightening in moments of sublime deception. As is so often the case good numbers of fish succumbed in the first hour of the competition. Several anglers completed their allotted four fish morning allocation and took time to relish and absorb the ambience of the day.
Hot pasties and cool beers were served to an appreciative party of anglers as good humoured banter and discussion flowed freely. All agreed that it was good to be sharing such a blissful day in surroundings far from the troubles of the world.
The afternoon session proved a challenge for some but by the competitions end at 3.00pm all had managed their five fish limit. The average size of fish caught was close to 3lb with several topping four pound. Full tailed rainbow trout certainly fought hard and deprived several anglers of their flies.
Bideford and District Angling Club versus Bude Canal Angling Association.
Bideford played host to the Cornish anglers on George’s lake, Tarka swims.
The first leg of our 11 aside competition was held in glorious spring sunshine.
The Bude anglers joined us for a Pollyfield breakfast ,then on for a five hour match on our lake.
Home advantage certainly played its part, with Bideford and District taking the top 5 places.
Best of the bunch , Keith Copland with 58lb 4oz on peg 12, closely followed by Craig Crash Lamey on peg 16 with 57lb 4oz. Both nets were mainly carp on meat and pellets on the pole.
George’s lake Tarka swims hosted the 4th leg of our year long league,
Craig put another impressive net of carp on the scales for victory on peg 16.
He has caught a few on luncheon meat but switched to maggot over groundbait later taking advantage of the empty peg between him and Kevin, who came in second with some good carp and silvers on maggot on the short pole off of peg 14.
Ever consistent Nathan retains his dominance in the league with a single carp and a net of silvers for third place, shallow maggot accounted for his net.
Darren’s all skimmer 4th placed net was next-door to Nathan on pegs 10 and 11, short pole maggot over groundbait.
Next weekend we host the first leg of the inter club match against Bude Canal Angling club.
Predator 2 Charters are back out of Ilfracombe taking anglers to enjoy great early season sport in the clear waters at the mouth of the Bristol Channel.
“At last we’re back at it, it’s been a long winter and it was fantastic to get back out on the lures, mix of slow jigs and soft plastics delivering plenty of pollack and wrasse and a stunning coloured cuckoo all taken on the lures. Weather prevented us pushing out to the deep water wrecks as planned so we focused on the reefs the stamp of fish seemed smaller but still great sport.” Daniel Welch
Saturday May 2nd Location Wistlandpound Reservoir Rules. Standard fishery rules apply with the competition rules below Catch and release only Barbless hooks only Floating line only Maximum three flies Measurement of fish from nose to point of tail (photo proof of each fish) Competition card shown in photo to prove capture is on the day Sign on 8.30 for 9am start Main Car Park Stop fishing at 5pm Meet back at main car park for results
I promised Rodney Wevill who organises the Fluff Chucker events that that I would give an update on Wistlandpound before the next Brown Trout Masters event on May 2nd. So on April 18th I set off for quick fish around the lake. On arrival it was pleasing to hear the call of chiff chaffs in the fresh green trees. Parking in the lower Car park I walked down across the dam noting that the reservoir level is around 4ft below top water level. There was also a green tinge to the water indicating an algae bloom a frequent issue this reservoir over the years.
Wistlandpound is 41 acres and is close to my home in North Devon. I have fished at the venue since the late 1970’s and have witnessed several phase of fishing at the venue. It was once a premier rainbow trout fishery but was downgraded a few years ago to become a natural brown trout water. Trout are no longer stocked into the lake but a healthy stock remain in the reservoir and there is the potential for some large specimens. Rudd are now abundant in the reservoir and undoubtedly provide food for the venues larger brown trout. Recent season have seen fish caught to 3lb with larger fish glimpsed as they smash into fry during late summer.
I walked along to the South bank where a good stretch of bank is fishable. I covered this stretch of water casting and stepping to cover as much water as possible. See Map below :-
The South bank gives access to deep water with some weed offering food for both trout and Rudd. The eastern end of the lake offer some access to extensive weedy shallows that can fish well especially when the water level is down a little giving casting space behind. There are two areas of accessible bank on the North Shore that can be productive if the boat launching area isn’t being used.
South BankEast EndEast End Inlet bayEast End shallows
Despite searching all fishable areas I drew a blank on this short reconnoitre of the water. It will be interesting to see what is caught during the Fluff Chucker’s event. I generally fish a team of flie’s with black lures, black spiders and PTN’s generally working well along with Zulus and other traditional wets.
Successful Flies for Wistlandpound
Below :- Typical Wistlandpound brown trout caught on previous trips to the venue.
