Summer of Fishing: Get Fishing Annual Gathering event at Anglers Paradise, The Gables, Beaworthy, EX21 5XT
September 14th – 10.00am until 4.00pm 
Summer of Fishing: Get Fishing Annual Gathering event at Anglers Paradise
Combe Martin SAC Fun Fish 2025
Hard to believe that another Combe Martin SAC Fun Fish has come and gone signalling the end of the Summer season in conjunction with the annual Sea-Ilfracombe Festival.
This popular event is very much what it says on the tin so to speak; a fun fishing event with few rules and the focus very much on family fun. Once again a big thank you from Combe Martin SAC for generous sponsorship from High Street Tackle, Ilfracombe Aquarium and Barnstaple Bait and Tackle.
This year’s event saw over twenty taking part with several young anglers catching or seeing their very first fish. The move to use lighter tackle and small barbless hooks has certainly boosted the catch rate ensuring that plenty of fish were tempted.
Nine species were caught including pollock, conger, blenny, red bream, tompot blenny, smelt, ballan wrasse, corkwing wrasse and poor cod. A good number of red sea bream were donated to Ilfracombe aquarium where they can be seen along with other fish caught on previous fun fishing events over recent years.
The Welch Family won a trip to Ilfracombe Aquarium that they kindly donated to runner up family Jesubaul and Becky Mringer. The longest fish was a 54cm conger caught by Louie Cameron and the heaviest a ballan wrasse of 1lb 1oz to the rod of Daniel Welch. The top individual points scorer was Ben Clarke with 25 points and Jesubaul runner up with 24 points.
The event cast off at 2.30pm as a strong swell surged close to the pier landings and a heavy shower threatened to dampen the spirits.
Fortunately the storm clouds soon drifted past and a vivid rainbow appeared off Hillsborough as bright blue skies brightened the rest of the afternoon.
Fish were caught from the start despite the murky water stirred up by heavy swells throughout the previous week. Four or five lobster were caught which is far more than any previous Fun fish. Another interesting feature was the large number of small red bream caught throughout the two hour long event.
Apologies if I have spelt any names wrong, a strong breeze, aging ears and a rain smeared score sheet undoubtedly contribute to any errors. Everyone who registered a fish took home a prize from our sponsors and in my view everyone who took part was a winner. I hope that those smiles convert just a few to enjoy the marvellous pastime that can forge a deep and lasting connection with the natural world.
Weekly ANGLING REPORT – August 7th 20205
posted in: Articles, At the Waters Edge, Carp Fishing, Casting around North Devon, Coarse Fishing, Game Fishing, Sea Angling, Sidebar, Young At Heart |
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Stunning Carp Brace
Shaun Thorne tempted a stunning brace of carp from Lower Tamar lake including a stunning common carp of 32lb 12oz and a mirror carp of 25lb 2oz. The lake on the Devon Cornish Border holds a stock of stunning specimen fish including carp, bream, roach, tench, perch and eels.
Carp sport
Carp anglers are enjoying sport across the regions lakes with Hacche Lane producing several thirty pound plus specimens. At Stafford Moor Owen Thrumble fished four nights on Beattie’s Lake to bank forty carp to 30lb 5oz. Adam Atkins banked sixteen carp to 35lb 7oz.
Bass Fishing
Bass anglers continue to enjoy good sport with lure tactics from both boat and shore. I took a good friend to a local shore mark recently and despite lots of weed in the water and a brisk wind we managed a fish each. I was delighted to introduce him to the excitement of bass fishing in shallow water and enjoyed his success as much as my own.
Rivers
High water temperatures are still a concern for river anglers across the region. Barnstaple and District Angling Association have extended their advice to members requesting a refrain from fishing until water temperatures drop below 20 degrees. Abundant algae is also causing concern as it clogs the river bed and reduces oxygen levels.
Match Fishing
Stafford Moor continues to produce excellent bags of fish for match anglers. Scott Puddy won the mid-week open match at the venue with 274lb 3oz and Rich Yeo won last weekends match with 250lb 1oz.
Sea Angling
Bideford Angling Clubs Monthly sea rover was dominated by smoothound with Richard Jefferies heading the field with a specimen of 11lb 9oz. Tony Gussin was runner up with a hound of 10lb 10oz and Dale Kiff third with a hound of 10lb 4oz.
Appledore Shipbuilders monthly rover was also dominated by smoothound with Andrew Atkinson taking first and second with hounds of 12lb 4.25oz and 9lb 3.75oz. Third was Michael Hammett with a hound of 8lb 12oz.
Comment
The summer holidays are now upon us and it is to be hoped that some young anglers will take their first steps into a pastime that can provide a lifetime of enjoyment at the water’s edge. The world today is very different to when I started fishing over fifty years ago. Many believe it is the online and gaming world that has taken many young people away from outdoor pursuits whilst others consider cost to be a major issue. Reflecting upon my own journey as a young angler I would suggest that the main obstacle is the lack of freedom given to young people in an increasingly protective society. This is perhaps ironic when the world of social media may well pose more threats to mental well- being than those physical dangers of a life at the water’s edge.
Bideford Angling Club have been running a brilliant series of Summer competitions for junior anglers at their home water. Bailey Bramley won the latest event with 7.840 kilo. Max Chapple was runner up with 6.085 kilo and Leo Davies third with 5.795 kilo. Twenty one young anglers took part in the latest match that has been generously supported by local tackle shops. This Saturday is the last in the series in which close to forty young anglers have taken part over the five events.
Bideford & Distrct Angling Club – Tarka Swims Junior Competitions and Teach Ins 2025
GET FISHING AT ANGLERS PARADISE
Pauline and I attended the Get Fishing Day at Anglers Paradise where over fifty keen newcomers to the angling world attended to receive invaluable advice and tuition from a team of Angling Trust accredited coaches. The day was divided into two half’s and participants rotated between three lakes including the Float Fishing lake, New Easy Cat lake and beginners carp lake.
( Below) Martyn Green delivered Fly casting tuition.
I feel sure that all who took part found the day invaluable in providing an introduction to the fundamentals of angling and the various set ups and tactics.
It was fascinating to watch the various coaches at work demonstrating the many varied methods used to tempt carp and other coarse fish.
A large number of small fish were tempted on the float lake ensuring that all had the chance to catch their first fish. Fish care was one of the main focus areas of the day with good principles highlighted throughout the sessions.
The day was sponsored by the Environment Agency, Angling Trust, Angling Direct, Shakespeare, Anglers Paradise and Dynamite Baits.
The event was very family oriented with every generation represented and the values to mental well-being and a valuable connection with nature very apparent.
Dean Asplin of the Angling Trust and Zenia Drury Gregorek did a Stirling job of organising the event at this extensive and popular angling venue.
(Below) Olivia Diebney enjoys catching a common carp
Eleven year old Bobby Lean certainly had a weekend to remember fishing with his father who was coaching on the New Easy Cat lake. During the afternoon session he banked a catfish in front of an appreciative audience. Then staying on overnight with his dad Gary Lean they fished the Nirvana Specimen catfish Lake banking huge catfish of 84lb and 72lb!
Below are several images from the day that was blessed with sunshine and light winds.
CMSAC – FUN FISH 2024
Hard to believe that its Autumn and yet another CMSAC Fun Fish is over. Twenty three anglers braved the initially inclement weather to join the fun of fishing. The forecast gave a warm calm morning with the slight chance of a shower! Wrong; the fishing that commenced at 10:30am was greeted by heavy rain, grey sky and a gusty east wind. Many like myself had looked at the forecast and not even packed a waterproof! After forty odd years of fishing I really should know better!
Despite the weather there were broad smiles as anglers of all ages cast their lines into the harbour from the landing stages of the old pier. The Fun Fishing Competition was run on a simple points basis with 3 points for the first of each species, 2 for the second and 1 for the third. There were also prizes for heaviest fish, longest fish and family with most points.
Combe Martin Sea Angling Club give grateful thanks to the events sponsors, High Street Tackle, Barnstaple Bait and Tackle and Ilfracombe Aquarium. Our guest Mat Mander Chief Officer of Devon and Severn Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority once again made the long journey from South Devon to join us all on the pier. Mat gave valuable advice to young anglers and was on hand to take any questions about the sterling work undertaken by D & S IFCA.
https://www.devonandsevernifca.gov.uk
There were good numbers of fish caught from the start with ballan wrasse, pouting, poor cod, pollock and small red bream among the catch’s. The stars of the day were the young anglers who delighted in catching the fish with some catching their first ever fish!
I was asked by several about what tackle and tactics to employ for starting off and my advice is to start off with a cheap LRF outfit and target the small fish that abound close to pier. It is possible to get set up with a serviceable outfit for less than £100. I will try and put together a short feature on this in the near future.
Our local tackle shops High Street Tackle and Barnstaple Bait & Tackle are great places to call in for advice with a wide range of suitable tackle and bait in stock.
The exciting thing about the fun fish is seeing what each year produces. This year the appearance of small red bream was a first for the event. There were no mackerel or garfish caught which was a surprise as this summer has been quite good. One year a big fish will undoubtedly show!
Ilfracombe Aquarium donated a family entry to the event and were delighted to receive red bream and corkwing wrasse to house in the aquarium.
Hopefully Nick and I will be dashing around the pier again next Sea-Ilfracombe Festival with camera and clip board. Thank you to all who joined in to make this year another success.
Winning Family – Stanway Family – 46 points
Heaviest Fish – Jake Stanway – Ballan Wrasse 9oz
Longest Fish – Ted Childs – Corkwing wrasse – 20.5 cm
Winning Angler Ben Clark – 32 points
Runners up –
Ross Stanway – 29 points
Solly welch – 23 Points
Ted Childs – 20 Points
George Gove – 18 Points
Jake Stanway – 17 Points
Dave Welch – 14 points
Finlay Stanway – 13 points
Ollie Hunter – 11 points
Callum Gove – 11 points
Bella Mitchell – 11 Points
Beth Hunter – 9 Points
Archie Cameron – 8 points
Louis Cameron – 8 Points
Aaron Birchall – 3 points
Jack Philips – 3 points
Lila Mitchell – 3 points
Species Caught : – 12
Pollock
Pouting
Poor Cod
Ballan wrasse
Corkwing wrasse
Red Bream
Whiting
Shore rockling
Rock goby
Tompot-blenny
Shanny
Number of fish – 96 Fish – 23 Anglers
Bideford Junior Competition Final Heat
Bideford Angling Club are to be congratulated for their efforts this summer running a very successful Summer Junior Competition series on their home water. The final heat was won by Bailey Bramley with 7.715 Kilo. Ethan Broom secured top spot in the league with 46 points on behind fellow junior Lewis Hathaway.
Final Junior competition
Results,:
1st Bailey Bramley 7:715 Kilo
2nd Ted Blight 7:030
3rd Leo Davies 6: 220
4th Janson Kiff 5:075
5th Lewis Hathaway 5: 000
6th Willow Davies 4:980
7th George Batten 4:635
8th Dashe Rizo 2:765
9th Tilly Blight 2:265
10th Edie Thake 2:075
11th Amelia Bell 2:025
12th Paddy Brennan 2:000
13th Billy Butler 1:745
14th Rudi James :985
15th Lucy Hook :865
16th Blake Hosegood :760
Bideford and District Angling Clubs , George’s lake was the venue for our final Junior competition of the year.
Bailey on peg 18 , has put a super net of larger carp on the scales for victory, he has fished with a method feeder ,his win pushed him.up to 10th in the league.
Ted’s second spot on peg 8 , moves him up to 5th place in the league table.
Leo on peg 5 has done exceptionally well to come in third and finish in 7th place in the series.
The five match series was closely fought and our winner,by one point was Ethan Broom on 46 points, second place was Lewis Hathaway on 45 , with Jenson Kiff third on 40 points.
We were able to distribute the fantastic array of prizes that we have been most generously given.
I must thank, again, the helpers on the day Richard Jefferies , Harry Jefferies , Kevin Shears , Keith Mountjoy , Craig Crash Lamey . Chris Parr . without who’s help these events would not be possible.
Our prizes have been most generously given by Barnstaple Bait & Tackle , Summerlands Tackle , Baitech, Tom Downing , Ian Croxton , Martin Cocks Bait. Sonubait , Stefan Clarke.
Ethan Broom 2024 Junior Champion
Gilthead Bream for Junior angler
Zephyr and his dad Andrew, popped in to Barnstaple Bait and Tackle for some lug and Seadra Fishing end tackle before heading down to the coast!
Zephyr tempted this stunning 5Ib 2oz Gilt Head bream.
COMBE MARTIN SAC – FUN FISHING 2024
Combe Martin SAC are hosting their annual fun fishing event on Ilfracombe Pier on Sunday September 1st. This annual event coincides with the Sea-Ilfracombe Festival and is always fun promoting fishing for young anglers accompanied by parents or guardians. Special guests to be confirmed mingle with the public to discuss issues that relate to the sea angling community. The fun fishing is for most species caught with prizes provided by sponsors High Street Tackle, Barnstaple Bait and Tackle and Ilfracombe Aquarium.
Bideford and District Angling Club Junior Competition No. 3
Bideford and District Angling Club
Junior Competition No. 3
Results:
1st. Jenson Kliff. 7 kilo 005 drms
2nd Lewis Hathaway 3:800
3rd Dasha 2:590
4th Billy Butler. 2:010
5th Ethan Broom 1:740
6th Alex Marcolini. 1:510
7th Rudy James. 1:390
8th Albi Clements. 1:325
9th Jackson Dyer 1:055
10th Haakon Wilson 1:005
11th Blake Hosegood :815
12th Willow Davies :575
13th Fletcher Hawkins :410
Considering the inclement weather, our youngsters have done exceptionally well to battle though the three hours of almost constant rain
Our winner on the day, Jenson has weighed a lovely net of carp,tench and skimmer bream , caught on a method feeder on maggot hookbait off peg 26 .
Lewis has finished second using similar tactics on peg 24 , his friend, Dasha , fishing her first competition, has done fantastically well to end in third place using maggot on a whip on peg 23.
Once again, these events would not be possible without lots of help, therefore I must thank those committee members, Steve, Richard, Keith and Chris and also the local businesses who have generously support us with prizes.