28 Jan 2018

Anglers embark on Beach Clean to show they care

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I joined seven members of Bideford & District Angling Club at Clovelly this morning to carry out a beach clean of the foreshore and harbour area. Following issues with angling related litter Bideford Club were determined to show that anglers do care and condemn those who drop litter and tarnish the majority of anglers who do take their litter home. In all we collected 16 bags of rubbish of which I would estimate 1% was angling related. The vast majority of the litter was plastic and its long levity was illustrated quite starkly by this old Ski Yogurt pot that  I googled to find it probably began its life in the mid 70’s.

Children’s plastic toys were also abundant along with plenty of household containers. Some of the debris has undoubtedly come from waste that had been dumped on the cliff-side by villagers in times gone by to be dislodged as the cliffs subside and the sea pounds the upper foreshore. Giving up a couple of hours to pick up the unsightly waste from the foreshore brings home the immensity of the plastic and waste issue that is caused by our modern lifestyle. There is a minority of anglers who add to this problem with their own debris but society has a big problem as could be seen as I drove home along the Atlantic highway with its littered verges.

Fishing line was amongst a small amount of angling related litter that included a couple of frozen bait wrappers.
Litter picking

 

Plastics and other debris dislodged as the cliff subsides.

 

 

26 Jan 2018

Otters – A controversial issue!

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Otters have become a controversial topic within the angling world with the reintroduction of the species into areas where their numbers have dwindled proving disastrous in some instances. I have no expertise in this area so can only give my own views and feelings without any scientific facts. I have seen otters on the rivers around North Devon on many occasions and I am always thrilled when I glimpse them as they hunt the river. Otters have been present on North Devon rivers for many years and have a big place in peoples hearts this is in part due to literature like Henry Williamson’s famous tome “Tarka the Otter” and the film ‘Ring of Bright Water’.

I believe that wild otters are part of North Devon’s natural Eco-system and belong as the damage they do on the river is acceptable. Sadly eel numbers have plummeted as have salmon and sea trout numbers and this undoubtedly forces the otters to look elsewhere for food. When they find a lake stocked with big meaty fish like carp they undoubtedly feel that they have stumbled upon a natural bounty. The fact that a specimen carp can be worth several thousand pounds is of no consequence to the otter. To the fishery owner an otter visit can be devastating which is why responsible fishery owners are investing thousands of pounds in building otter fences around their lakes.

The River Torridge – otters natural habitat

Anglers Paradise are investing many thousands into the building of an otter proof fence to protect the valuable stock within their lakes.

See post below from Anglers Paradise.

PROTECTING ANGLERS PARADISE
Sadly, with the ever increasing threat of Otters being released in the UK, means that all Fisheries need to take action in protecting their stock.
We have commenced work on our Otter Fence which will protect the Anglers Paradise Lakes, it’s a BIG job but we have had to do it for the future of Anglers Paradise.

Otter Fence
Construction on the Otter fence has progressed. The fence now runs from the Trout Lake to Easy Access Lake and beyond, a mammoth project in order to protect our stock from Otters and other predators. Evidence of Otter damage is a constant reminder that the population has soared in recent years.
The fence should hopefully be completed within the next couple of weeks.

Anglers Paradise
26 Jan 2018

Forty-Six Nine – Furzebray Carp!

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Paul “Percy” Leamy smashed his personal best whilst fishing at Furzebray Carp Lake  setting a new lake record at the same time when he banked Charlotte at a massive 46lb 9oz from Jezzers!!! Fishery owner/ manager Tony Kingdon stated “She was looking in great condition and has held a fantastic weight through the winter, lets hope this mild weather continues and drags them out there winter slumber and onto the food!!! Well done Paul on a fantastic capture”.

22 Jan 2018

Norway Success Beneath the Northern Lights

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(Above) Kevin Legge with a fine halibut.

Combe Martin SAC members Kevin Legge and Craig McCloughlin joined a party of anglers in Saltstraumen Brygge Fish Camp,Norway. In search of cod, halibut, haddock and coalfish from the shore. They enjoyed success with several halibut, double figure cod and also enjoyed the spectacle of the Northern Lights with temperatures well below zero throughout the trip. Both anglers were kept warm with specialist clothing from Braunton Based company Reeds – Chillcheater.

(Above) Even in Norway Kevin found the inevitable dogfish!

 

22 Jan 2018

Sea Angling News Round Up.

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Shore sport seems to have slowed down with the weather undoubtedly deterring a few anglers from venturing out. There are a few whiting, dabs and dogfish being tempted. There is still an excellent chance of catching ray, conger, huss and spurdog from deep water marks.

If the weather permits boat sport should be good off Ilfracombe with Bluefin taking trips out after spurdog and conger.

Bideford 24 hour Rover

Nathan Clements took the top spot in Bideford Angling Clubs twenty four hour rover with a fine pollock of 4lb 3oz.

In runner up spot was  Andrew Clements with a pouting 1lb 1 1/2  and in third Antony Smith with a  rockling 14 1/2 oz.

In Appledore Shipbuilders Rover Josh Atkinson secured victory with a spotted ray weighing 3lb 10oz.