29 Jan 2023

Combe Martin SAC AGM & Presentation Night Report

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Combe Martin SAC held their AGM and Presentation night at the White Lion, Braunton. A brief outline of proceedings follows :-

AGM  Chairmans Report – Wayne Thomas

I thought I should jot down a few notes this year instead of freewheeling through the Chairmans report as has been my way in recent years.

These  seem to be strange times with much happening across the world and society that isn’t inspiring. Perhaps that perspective is an age thing as I get old with the prospect of becoming a grandad this year. Fortunately, one thing that hasn’t changed for me is my ongoing passion for angling and the outdoors. To this end Combe Martin SAC has been a part of my life for close to fifty years along with Nick we have swapped roles along the years.  We must have been doing somethings right as the club is still going and if we compare with other local sea angling clubs we are probably the most active club and with a good reputation.

It would be really good to see a younger generation emerge to kick us old gits out and overhaul the club into a new vibrant force reflecting what today’s angler wants.

In the mean time we soldier on attempting to provide the club membership with a club structure that provides. A social function,  a reward for fishing effort, pooling of knowledge, and a sense of belonging to something positive.

To this end we continue to try and provide a calendar of events and work with local tackle shops and businesses to provide prizes and recognition. It is also  I feel important to support all  local tackle shops and charter boats etc as without them angling will fade away.

This is the clubs 61st year an age I share at the moment. Tonight, is an opportunity to decide what you want from the club and how you can contribute to the clubs, success?

Looking towards next year we need to decide on a potential club adventure. In past years we have visited Sark,  Alderney and Ireland. Whilst travel has become expensive there is an interest in a skate fishing foray to Scotland with  perhaps two days boat fishing and a little shore fishing. 

I attended the Wyvern Shore Fishing competition at Slapton a couple of weeks back and would like to enter a team of four from Combe Martin SAC next January. It may not be tremendous fishing but I found it an  enjoyable event to be involved in. As it’s a fair trek perhaps a night’s B & B on the Saturday night would be an option.

I would like to thank Pete Robinson for offering to help with boat trips this year. I think the best way forward with this is that members booking a trip pay a deposit in advance. In the event that member cannot make the trip they should contact the club a month before to allow a replacement to be found.  In the event of a member dropping out of  a trip at the last moment  then they shall be responsible for the financial burden if others not prepared to share the this.  If the numbers are short two weeks prior to the trip then it is thrown open to non-members and to the charter boat skipper who might have anglers wanting a chance to get out.

Thank you for attending tonight; I look forward to a good year with the club and meeting with you at the water’s edge.             

Wayne Thomas

Many thanks to Quay Sports,  Braunton Baits and to Club members who donated prizes for the raffle held at the AGM & Presentation evening.

The club are pleased to announce a new award for club members including the predator award sponsored by Daniel Welch who will donating a megalodon fossilised sharks tooth.

The top six shore species and top four boat species awards are kindly sponsored by Ross Stanway Art.

Exciting plans for 2023 include an Open Lure Fishing Festival in conjunction with High Street Tackle.

Club membership entitles members to fish of the season awards £25.00 Tackle Vouchers for High Street Tackle.

A summer lure fishing league sponsored by High Street Tackle.

Summer Species Specimen Awards sponsored by Braunton Baits and High Street Tackle.

The club is also a member of the Angling Trust and Wyvern Division.

Follow the clubs facebook page for the latest updates and news.

 

AWARD WINNERS 2022 

Cod Trophy           Chris Bonds – 16lb 9oz    B

Bass Trophy       Shane Hookway. 7lb 10oz

Mullet Cup           Daniel Welch –    Thick Lipped grey mullet 5lb 5oz

Conger Cup       Kyle Bishop   25lb 11oz S

Flatfish Cup       Solly welch  Flounder 2lb

Shore Shield       Ali Laird –   gilt head bream – 7lb 4oz

Medway Cup     Mark Jones – Porbeagle 280lb

Ray Shield        Kyle Bishop   blonde ray 13lb 8oz

Specimen League –

Ali Laird
tope 36lb 6oz 121.25 S
bull huss 12lb 9oz 125.625 S
spurdog 8lb 10oz 90.789 S
glithead bream 7lb 4oz 241.667 S
smoothound 13lb 9oz 135.625 S
rockling 1lb 8oz
85.714
S
800.67
Kyle Bishop
tope 40lb 4oz 134.167 S
bull huss 13lb 9oz 135.625 S
conger 25lb 11oz 128.437 S
spurdog 18lb 1oz 180.625 S
smoothound 14lb 140 S
blonde ray 13lb 8oz 112.5 S
831.354

Top four boat specimens

Dan Welch

Daniel Welch Pollock 12lb 15oz 129.375 B
Daniel Welch mackerel 1lb 8oz 100 B
Daniel Welch smoothound 13lb 14oz 92.5 B

                                                                                                           321.875

Burgess Trophy     Solly Welch – tope boat 42lb 4oz & Flounder 2lb

Wrasse Trophy     Kyle Bishop ballan wrasse  4lb 3oz

Scouse Shield    Alec McCleish    rockling 1lb 9oz

D Kyte Award

Daniel Welch           Thick lipped grey mullet     5lb 5oz                       125

Daniel Welch Thick lipped grey mullet 5lb 1oz 119.118
Daniel Welch Thick lipped grey mullet 4lb 7oz 104.412
Daniel Welch Thick lipped grey mullet 4lb 94.118
Daniel Welch Thick lipped grey mullet 4lb 4oz 100%
 

 

Out Of Limits      Kyle Bishop – skate  -210lb shore –

Merit Award  –    .Kyle Bishop – outstanding catches local and in Scotland

Thornback Cup     – Mark Jones. Thornback  11lb 2oz

Club Records 

Kyle Bishop – Spurdog 18lb 1oz equal previous record

Ali Laird – gilt head bream – 7lb 4oz

 Fish of the season –

Winter 21/22

Kyle Bishop – Spurdog – 18lb 1oz – 180.625

Spring 22

Kyle Bishop – bull huss – 13lb 9oz – 135.625

Summer  22

Ali Laird – gilthead bream – 7lb 4oz – 241.667

Autumn 22 –

Dave Brook – smoothound – 13lb 6oz – 133.75

 

For further details on AGM visit www.cmsac.co.uk 

 

Combe Martin Sea Angling Club for more details please visit the clubs website:- www.cmsac.co.uk
To recap to pay BACS sort code 51 70 16 and account 79279198. To pay by PayPal please use [email protected] with no gaps. Please put a reference and use family and friends.
29 Jan 2023

SAVE OUR RIVERS

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Keen local angler Tony Watkin’s joined with protesters in Barnstaple to raise awareness regarding the plight of UK rivers and the horrendous discharging of sewage by water companies. I publicised this protest on North Devon Angling News and I wondered how many anglers would make the effort to attend. I personally tend to try and raise awareness via my writing using reasoned argument and feel slightly ill at ease with protest groups. The state of our rivers and the decline in Wildlife and nature across the world indicates that reasoned and rationale debate is not working. Frustration at the failings of politicians to address the system leads to ever stronger protests. It is time for all of us with a passion for nature to work together in a common cause forcing those who have the power to act now. It is time to re-evaluate how we measure progress and move away from GDP to appreciating how nature and the Environment is key to our survival as a species.

Tony Watkins reports –

Ask yourself this question would you say that almost 6 Million hours of dumping sewage into rivers on 775,704 separate occasions over just 2 years might qualify as ‘Exceptional’?  Or the fact that South West Water was branded the Worst Polluters in the UK by ofwat Dec 2022. Yesterday local Catch n Release Salmon Fisherman Tony Watkins himself campaigning here https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/627440

Joined a peaceful group of over 170 protesters in Barnstaple yesterday to protest against Sewage, joined by groups The Baggy Blue tits part of the International   Swimming group The Bluetit Chill Swimmers, Surfers Against Sewage, Plastic Free Devon, Xtinction Rebellion, marched from Castle Green to present a (mock)blue plaque to local MP offices Selaine Saxby (see pics).The peaceful march continued up the High Street with a joyous lively samba band to Green Lanes where various speeches were given by the groups in highlighting the Sewage Crime upon us.

 

26 Jan 2023

Roadford Fly Fair Details

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A few details of the Fly Fair programme for the day with timings however this may be subject to a little change. As per last year for those looking set up the day before the main Exhibitor room and the Tying Lounge is available from 5pm – 7pm, it’s worth noting that parking may be restricted on the morning 26th morning. For anyone looking to get breakfast from the Café this will be open from 9am so please allow some additional time as it was particularly busy last yearJ

FLY FAIR SCHEDULE
Time Event Location Duration
10am Doors Open Burrator room  
10:15am Welcome – Charles Jardine Burrator room 10 minutes
10:25am Gary Champion – Fly Tying Burrator room & Onscreen 30 minutes
10:55am Charles Jardine Casting Demonstration Waterside area Outside 45 minutes
11.40am Lee Hooper – Fly Tying Chevron Burrator room & Onscreen 30 minutes
12.10pm Q & A with Charles Jardine and the Panel Burrator room 20 minutes
12.30pm Cooking Demonstration with Gary Champion Outside on Balcony 45 minutes
1:15pm Steve Skuce – Fly Tying Grayling Bugs Burrator room & Onscreen 30 minutes
1.45pm Charles Jardine – Fly Tying Burrator room & Onscreen 30 minutes
2.15pm Rodney Wevill – Pike Fly Tying Burrator room & Onscreen 30 minutes
3pm Gary Champion – Casting Demonstration Waterside area Outside 30 minutes
4pm Charles Jardine – Raffle Draw & Closing Burrator room  
       
ALL DAY EVENTS
10am – 4pm Café/Restaurant is open for food & hot drinks Restaurant/Café  
10am – 4pm Free ‘Have a go Fly dressing’ Fly Tying Lounge John Rumbold, Ron Wildhay & Dave Matthews
10am – 4pm Free ‘Have a go Casting a Fly Rod’ Outside on grass Andy Waton, John Dawson, Dave Mathews, Mike Kent, David Lynch, Harry Chance
10am – 4pm Tip & Advice’ from Snowbee Fly Rods and Reel demonstrations Outside on grass Simon Kidd

 

Please see booking links below for future events.

 

South West Fly Fair: https://fb.me/e/2zLlbYrPf

 

Kennick Taster: https://fb.me/e/3t3Y4I180

 

Stithians Tasters: https://fb.me/e/2y91pWSzz

 

http://www.swlakesfishing.co.uk

25 Jan 2023

Tope and huss to start 2023 –

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Combe Martin SAC member Kyle Bishop has enjoyed some hard earned success during the first month of 2023 tempting tope of 38lb and 34lb along with several Bull Huss to 12lb. The club are holding their AGM and presentation night at the White Lion, Braunton on Saturday 28th January. New members are welcome so please come along and suport the club.

 

23 Jan 2023

Bideford District A.C 4TH Rod and Reel match results date 22.1.23

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12 anglers fished the 4th match and fishing was hard going with very few bites. 1st place went to Anthony Bentley with a nice net of carp for 29lbs 8oz fishing the feeder with banded pellet on peg 17. Second place went to John Lane on peg 18 with 10lbs 12oz and 3rd place was shared between christiaan Russell and Sheila Found with 1 carp each for 7lbs. The next match is on 26.2.23 venue to be arranged.

22 Jan 2023

On Fishing and Falling In – Recollections from Barry Bassnett

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I met Barry Bassnett on several occasions whilst fishing for trout at Blakewell Fishery. We exchanged stories of angling in North Devon and I was delighted to record some of Barry’s recollections in my book “ I Caught A Glimpse”. Barry recently expressed his opinion on fishing styles after I posted an image of static fishing.  Fishing methods can to an extent be split between a trapping approach where the bait is positioned whilst the angler waits for an audible or visual indication before reeling in the fish. The other approach is to hold the rod and feel for the electrifying pull as the fish moves away with the bait or lure the angler driving the hook home with a strike. Many thanks to Barry for allowing me to reproduce his comments and recollections.

I use both approaches depending upon my preference or to what I think most likely to succeed. I remember my father preferring to hold the rod at all times waiting for that magical pull transmitted through the line. Barry’s comments and recollections are reproduced below.

A musical fish perhaps. Ha ha. But I can’t just sit there. Waiting for a buzzer to go off. It would drive me mad!! 

I also can’t sea fish with a rod rest. I like the feel of a rod in my hand waiting for the bite. I want to lure fish this next summer. I’m hoping my neighbour Andy. Across the road will help me get started and I want to get out on the Lyn again .

I found out I’d got a Morecambe book about fishing. The Morecambe of Morecambe and Wise. It’s a brilliant book 

And a great read. 

I also have somewhere, an old book of old salmon fishing flies. I’ll have to try and find it some time. 

Does Barnstaple have an angling club. And if it does what waters do they have and do they have many waters. And sections of the club is coarse fly and sea. Included. 

Barnstaple & District Angling Club

https://barnstapledistrictangling.co.uk

Do you remember Bill Leg? A chap I fished with many many years ago. 

We were with Owen another friend. It must have been in the seventies. We went to an open sea competition at Saunton. And there was a severe gale blowing. They decided to stop and cancel the competition. But our bunch decided they were all soft. So, we had to wade all the way to where we decided to fish .it was extremely hard going even up on the dunes was deep sea water. The wind was so strong. All along the beach we were wading in our waders. The water knee high. 

When we decided we’d trudged far enough to start fishing. We got set up with four ounce weights on the end and started to cast 

But however hard we tried to throw the weights out they ended up on the beach behind us. The odd one did get into the waves a couple of yards out. 

Of course, eventually we had to give up it was humiliating as we had told the rest we were going to fish it. As it couldn’t beat us. 

It was a struggle to get all our stuff in hand and make our way back to Owens car. It seemed miles in the very strong gale. Walking against the wind. We got back to the car soaked and shattered. And totally beaten. 

It was so great to be let out of the car outside my home. 

And into the warm again. 

I learned my lesson .

It was years after since I was young and had fallen into the river East Lyn. And spent the day with wet clothes on And soggy socks. Fishing. 

But this experience was far worse. I don’t let myself get soaking wet now. I’ve a full waterproof suit now. That floats me. 

Happy memories. I often sit and smile of my times in the water. When I’ve fallen in or been out in storms too stupid to give in and stop fishing. 

And I now also stop fishing during lightening storms.

But in the early days I was using my mother’s old greenheart fly rod. That was safer it was only six foot six long and a great rod for under the low trees and bushes on the Lyn on our own stretch. Casting over my  shoulder with my right hand. Holding the rod. That was back when I lived at Millslade in Brendon. I used to get a lot of free flies on the Lyn back then when there were loads of visitors staying at the Staghunters. And they used to lose their flies up in the trees and bushes from where I collected them. 

(Above)The old bridge at Brendon

Oh, happy days! Back then the Staghunter’s rented all the Halliday water . The water now known as the Glenthorne fishery was connected to Glenthorne down beside the sea below county gate. My great grandfather. Used to be the butler at Glenthorne before he bought the three cottages that he turned into the Staghunters Inn hotel in Brendon. Of course, that did mean I got to fish all of the East Lyn for free plus we had two fields with our own fishing with Millslade. It was paradise for me for all my childhood days. I so miss it now.

 It’s such great memories. And I fell into the east Lyn many times. When I was young or got a boot full of water. 

On one occasion I was in the field opposite Leaford. One field up and I was stood on a narrow pointed stone and one of the old hunter air craft flew up the valley extremely low. Just above me and I lost my Ballance. And of course, fell in. .and again was wet for most of the day. My feet didn’t dry out. .but if I went home to change my father would put me to work. Again. Mowing the lawn or gardening or cleaning the shippens out moved a huge amount of cow muck over the years. When I was young on to a large heap to rot down a bit for the fields and the veg garden . 

Take care Barry

(Above) Old days on the Lyn

 

22 Jan 2023

Fishing New Waters – Cheddar

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FISHING A NEW WATER – Cheddar

Tackle shops can often be the start of angling adventures as was the case when I was chatting with Mark Potter of Quay Sports. When Cheddar Reservoir popped up in a conversation about pike fishing Mark asked if I had ever fished the venue. I hadn’t but said it was a venue I have often wanted to try.

A few weeks later I started the car as the temperature read -3.5 degrees. After clearing icy windows  I traversed the slippery roads to meet up at Quay Sports where Mark Potter, Mark Frith ( Lakebed leads)  and I loaded the van with our tackle for the day.

We arrived at Cheddar reservoir as the sun slowly illuminated the frosty landscape. We met up with Ryan turner a good friend of Marks who had caught pike from the reservoir on previous trips.

Cheddar Reservoir is a manmade concrete bowl  completed in 1937 with a surface area of 260 acres. It is one of Bristol Waters reservoirs with the fishing managed by Cheddar Angling Club.

We were targeting the venues pike and headed for a deep area of the reservoir known to produce pike on a regular basis. Rod pods are essential for fishing from the concrete steps that surround the water and were coated with ice as we set up.

 

Dead-baits were the chosen tactic with some of us opting for legered baits others choosing the pleasing crimson of  a pike float upon the water. Popped up baits are considered a good option on this water that has extensive areas of weed.

 

After casting an array of bait’s, we sat back to enjoy the view as the sun slowly rose in the sky. The Somerset levels stretched out to the South and East and the Mendip Hills and the famous Cheddar Gorge to the North. The vast sheet of water twinkled in the morning sun and large flocks of water birds floated upon the calm surface.

Ryan Turner said that it was very much a morning water and we were all full of optimism for the day ahead. Any moment an alarm would surely sing out the question was how big would the pike be? On checking my set up I was slightly concerned to find the line frozen solid in the rod rings! A quick tug on the line every five minutes ensured that it was kept free until the rising sun brought the temperature above freezing.

As the sun rose the dog walkers, strollers and joggers came out in good numbers circum-navigating the lake and glancing at the camouflaged guys sat expectantly behind their rods.

We chatted of fish,  fishing venues of tactics and of past glories. Mark Frith has fished North Devon waters for many years and has many reflections on past days beside the water and the potential to catch a wide range of species. Modern days focus upon carp fishing has resulted in many of today’s generation overlooking the chance to catch specimen perch, eels and bream.

As the morning ebbed away it became obvious that the pike were not actively seeking a meal. Our hopes refocused upon a late in the day feeding spell as the light began to fade.

Baits were changed from time to time and relocated within our swims. We had decided on a sit and wait approach confident that pike would be present. At around 4.00pm Mark Friths alarm sounded and a small jack came to the net. Perhaps this would signal the start of a feeding spell?

Mark’s dog Scruff watches the pike swim away.

 

News that an angler fishing the far bank had caught three pike increased our hopes. He was using a bait boat and was placing his bait at long range. Perhaps the fish were too far out for us to reach?

The sun slowly sank to the horizon and the surroundings were illuminated by a golden glow. Large numbers of silver fish dimpled the surface with occasional large swirls indicating the likely presence of feeding predators. Hope lingered as the temperature began to drop along with the light.

We packed away as darkness fell another day done. Ancient oaks were silhouetted against the embers of the day and the first stars blinked as night descended. The call of owls drifted across the fields and we headed for home. Despite a blank day for most of us our spirits were high as we discussed plans for the coming year and opportunities that would surely come our way.