Graham Snow secured top spot in Bideford Angling Clubs monthly sea rover with a specimen thick lipped grey mullet of 5lb 1.5oz. Jon Stevens was runner up with a smoothound scaling 9lb 3.5oz and Jazzer John third with a smoothound of 8lb 3oz.
Jake Moule secured victory in Appledore Shipbuilders June Rover with a smoothound of 13lb. Graham Snow was runner up with his thick lipped grey mullet of 5lb 1.5oz and Andrew Atkinson third with a specimen hound of 12lb 6.5oz.
it will definitely be interesting to see how long they can avoid the day ticket anglers 
we hope you all had a great day! 
The South West Fly Fair hosted by South West Lakes Trust and held at Roadford Lake has become a popular fixture in the West Country angling calendar and is seen by many as the curtain raiser to the season ahead. I have been attending the event for many years and always enjoy the opportunity to catch up with familiar faces and forge further connections within the fly fishing community. The main sponsors for this year’s event were once again Turrall, Chevron Hackles and Snowbee.
Gale force winds and heavy rain failed to dampen enthusiasm as keen fly fishers gathered around the many stalls within the spacious conference rooms. There was an impressive array of tackle, clothing and fly tying equipment on display along with representation from local angling clubs, associations and the hospitality sector. As always river conservation was high on the agenda with a real passion for the preservation of our rivers and wildlife within.
The River Teign Restoration Project that brings a story of salmon decline and the efforts to restore the river to its former glory was of particular interest to myself and I look forward to reading all about it in ‘The Teign Book’ written by local angler Neil Yeandle. The book now sits on my desk ready to read over the coming weeks. Glancing through its pages I can already see that it is an evocative story of catastrophic decline and sterling work to restore habitat that brings hope for the future.
Former head of angling at South West lakes Trust Ashley Bunning was present with South West Waters Invasive species team highlighting the threats posed to our environment and native species. https://www.southwestwater.co.uk/about-us/latest-news/tackling-invasive-non-native-species-to-help-protect-our-wetlands
Talking with various organisations it would seem that 2025 is set to be a busy year for the regions anglers with plenty of events planned.
The Arundell Arms is set to host several events over the coming months starting on March 5th with a grayling day and showing of Jack Perks acclaimed film ‘Britain’s Hidden Fishes’. This Country Hotel steeped in angling history since 1932 has a sound future with the vastly experienced David Pilkington working with new fishing guide James Christoforou.
Leon Fisher is the new head of fishing at South West Lakes Trust and welcomed well respected angler and long-time supporter of the show Charles Jardine to open proceedings. Shortly after Charles took to the wet and windy outdoors to demonstrate the art of fly casting. Charles as always wielded his fly rod with deceptive ease to propel the fly line into the gale force gusts whilst casting valuable advice to the anglers sheltering in the porch area.
Charles stressed the importance of stance and how to hold the rod pointing out that these basic foundations are the key to consistent delivery of the fly to the target. A very important point is that protective glasses should be worn at all times. It was refreshing to hear Charles reflect upon the design of rods and their price tags. Whilst top of the range rods are a joy to use the actual performance is largely in the hands of the angler.
https://www.hanak.eu/en/about-us/company-hanak
I chatted with Local angling guide Lewis Hendrie who was on the Hanak stand with their team of dedicated fly anglers. Lewis has his routes on Exmoor having grown up in the village of Exford learning his art on the wonderful rivers and streams that cascade to Devon’s North and South Coasts. Chatting with Lewis he pointed out that he had featured as a rising star in the Fly Fishing world in my North Devon Journal Angling column twenty five years ago. It is the mixing and mingling with fellow anglers that is at the heart of this event. Whilst fishing is the vital link conversations often flow far wider contributing to a healthy community.
Andrew Beattie of https://abtfishr.co.uk
Always interesting to see new and Innovative products ABT have a range of robust products for fly fishing and other disciplines designed by Andrew. The LRF Critter cradle with disgorger caught my eye as a useful tool for the growing band of sea anglers exploring the fascinating miniture world of species hunting.
Fly tying features extensively at the fair those present creating a wonderful range of flies, lures and nymphs to tempt a wide range of species in many waters. Tiny dry flies and nymphs to temp wily wild brown trout and grayling. Gaudy lures for freshly stocked rainbows and those big mouthfuls for ferocious pike. Fly tying can be a hobby itself filling those long winter nights spent dreaming of those warmer brighter days ahead.
We are very fortunate in the West Country to have a vast range of waters to explore. One of the discussions at the expert forum between Charles Jardine, Rodney Wevill and Gary Champion was the wonderful places that fly fishing takes anglers to across the world. With a vital connection to nature highlighted by the speakers.
I returned home from the fair with my mind buzzing and full of inspiration for the coming season. The value of life and savouring each day and moment emersed in angling and the natural world is always highlighted at these events.
John Aplin (Centre) from Casterbridge Fisheries Ltd
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Join us at our new premises on 15th March 2025, from 9:30 to 14:30, for an incredible day packed with, demonstrations, expert advice and exclusive open day deals. |
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We’ll have unbeatable prices not only for Snowbee fly fishing products but also some great deals on carp fishing, spinning, sea fishing, and coarse fishing. |
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Our carp fishing range includes bivvies, chairs, weigh slings, unhooking mats, and more, plus a huge selection of spinning rods and reels to keep you going. And of course, we have everything you need for fly fishing! |
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On the day, enjoy fly casting and fly tying demonstrations, get expert advice from our team, and don’t miss your chance to win a brand-new Snowbee Spectre Rod! |
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Mark your calendar and come join us! |
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Additional information coming soon. |
A cloudless blue sky, bright sunshine a cold east wind and frosty margins; conditions that are generally not good for fishing with one exception perhaps? Winter trout fishing in small still-waters is often at its best during the winter months and when few other fish are prepared to feed the inhabitants of these calm waters can provide exciting sport if you get the tactics right.
I arrived at Bulldog Trout fishery for a leisurely start at around 9:30am and after chatting with fishery owners Nigel and Tom Early I grabbed my already set up gear. My standard set up for Stillwater trout consisting of a 10’ 7-weight , Snowbee Diamond 2 Fly Rod, Spectre Reel, XS- plus Spectre Floating Fly Line an 8lb b.s Fluorocarbon leader and an Olive damsel nymph.
A pure white egret glided close by alighting upon the bare branch of a riverside tree. Buzzards were gliding high above the valley in the vivid blue sky rekindling memories of the osprey I had seen at the fishery last Spring.
I walked the bank peering into the crystal clear water hoping to spot a trout in the margins. I chose a platform that allowed me to put a line out onto water without casting my shadow. I expected a take at any moment but the trout proved elusive as I explored various swims around the lake.
The electric blue flash of a kingfisher caught my eye as it darted across the lake, quickly followed by a second bird that I was able to focus on as it sped past.
I moved to the windward bank and tied on a bright yellow damsel Nymph/lure. Casting out I allowed the gold headed fly to sink before beginning an erratic retrieve. The line zipped delightfully tight, the rod hooped over and a chunky rainbow of around 5lb tested the tackle. It’s always good to get that first fish in the bag avoiding the blank.
It did not take too long to get the second fish another rainbow that was almost a twin of the first. Confidence in the lure now cemented I fished on and soon added a third rainbow of a couple of pounds.
It seemed to go a bit quiet and my luck took a turn for the worse as over the next hour I hooked into three hard fighting trout that all shed the hook after prolonged and spirited tussles. I checked the hook that appeared to be razor sharp and in good order. Feeling that I needed a change I swapped to a green, yellow and black damsel. After five minutes working this lure deep and slow the line once again zipped tight as another good trout attempted to shed the hook. This one was fighting deeper and shaking its head vigorously and I was delighted to eventually slide a fine tiger trout over the rim of the waiting net.
With four trout in the bag I was content with my days sport but as always there is that desire to complete a limit bag. It was now mid-afternoon and as is often the case the trout appeared to have switched off.
It was perhaps a good time to have a walk around the lake trying different areas. There were two other anglers on the lake and they had both caught rainbows in the 3lb to 4lb size range but like me were not finding the fish easy to tempt.
A walk around the lake failed to inspire as I had a feeling that most of the trout were lurking in the windward side of the lake. So I headed back to the area from which I had enjoyed success earlier in the day. Much of my fishing is determined upon a hunch and a feel for where the fish will be. The occasional fish was also rising in this area prompting me to try a short time with a slow sinking daddy longlegs a pattern that often tempts a trout at Bulldog.
After a couple of chances a rainbow of perhaps 2lb 8oz took my PTN fished on a dropper bringing my total to five fish. Deciding that with the sun sinking below the tree line it was a good time to pack up and gut the trout. A welcome facility at Bulldog is a fish preparation area where you can gut and fillet the catch removing the need to do so at home.
As I returned to the car Brian Sedgebeer was playing a good trout that had succumbed in the fading light of the day.
Bulldog Fishery is now a premium trout water that offers superb sport with a very good average size of stocked fish. I have found that the Bulldog trout seem to respond well to larger lures with small imitative tactics less successful. This may of course change during the warmer months when fish become more active feeding closer to the surface. A floating line with a long leader or an intermediate line will generally cover all days at Bulldog as the fish are seldom lurking close to the lake bed.
I joined members of Wistlandpound Fly Fishing Club at Bulldog Trout Fishery last Sunday where we were greeted by a bright cloudless blue sky and milder conditions. The trout proved to be generally cooperative with all members catching fish with a mixture of rainbow and brown trout averaging over 3lb. Most fish were tempted using lures fished on long leaders with an erratic retrieve.
The winning bag was taken by Nigel Bird who had three trout for 10lb. Runner up was Andre Muxworthy with three for 9lb 9oz and myself third with three for 9lb 8oz.
It is intriguing how days unfold during these club competitions on small stillwater’s. Members will all have their favourite flies and lures that give them confidence and it is generally these that are tried first. Typically those first ten to fifteen minutes of fishing produce numerous trout as was the case during Sundays competition. I was fortunate to bank three hard fighting trout within the first twenty minutes and spent the rest of the morning wandering around the fishery with my camera capturing action shots of fellow club members.
I noted that fishing slowed after the initial flurry and for a while trout proved hard to tempt. After a while some tied on different patterns or moved to a fresh swim. This did sometimes bring results but what was noticeable was that if one angler hooked a fish it was not unusual to see several rods bending at the same time around the fishery as if the fish had suddenly switched on.
It is always interesting to compare notes at the end of the days fishing and I often note how an angler will state that a change of fly has triggered a response with perhaps a touch of orange or pink bringing success. A particular fly often seems to be the one to use! Yet it is often the case at the end of fishing as anglers chat that trout have been caught on a wide range of patterns. One angler swearing that white was the killer fly whilst others boast of success with black or orange.
There are many factors involved in the inexact science of fly fishing. Presentation of the fly, its size and colour, depth it is fished all interacting with water clarity, temperature, air pressure, lunar cycles, natural food sources and of course the location of the fish. All these factors make for a fascinating game that takes the mind away from the troubled world. The angler absorbed in natures complex chess board pondering upon tying on a Greenwell’s glory or a Wickham’s fancy.
Tip of the day – Check your flies and hooks. Several trout were lost during the day as hook shanks snapped. Hook shanks hidden beneath dressings can rust resulting in weakness that only show itself when a large powerful trout puts it to the test.
Seconds after this shot was taken Nigel cursed as his hook broke.
I asked Reece about his go to lures and two of his top three are pictured below.
The megabass Dark sleeper and Megabass AYU 5″ Spindleworms certainly deserve a place in any keen lure fishers lure box.
Lure fishing is certainly a fascinating branch of angling with many thousands of lures available. Danny stocks an impressive range of lures to cover every aspect and species within the UK and beyond.
Runner up in the lure competition was Wayne Thomas with five bass for 310 cm, Ross Stanway with five for 293cm and Dan Welch with five for 270cm.
Bulldog Trout Fisheries Fly lake is in top form at the moment with rainbows and tigers bending anglers rods.
The winter season is often the most productive time of year to target stillwater trout.
