The humble flounder have introduced many young anglers to the joys of fishing. Kevin Legge took six year old Grace Joslin on an angling adventure on the banks of the Taw Estuary where under Kevin’s guidance she landed a fine 1lb 10oz flounder. One of angling’s greatest attributes is that it gives that hands on link to nature that can last a lifetime.
WEEKEND FULL OF FISH AND FUN AT ELDORADO
Paul Painter from Exeter, brought his Sons (Jack 7 and Harry 14) to fish the Middle Cat and Carp Lake at Eldorado for 48hrs and managed to catch quite a few fish! They ended up with 45 Carp, 1 Cat and some lovely Koi from the Koi Lake!
Paul said – “It was good to see my boys enjoying the outdoors and catching lots of fish, Jack loved stalking out the beautiful Koi from the Koi Lake and Harry loved stalking out the Carp. Good to spend some quality time with my boys, top rods! Harry and Jack love your Lakes and look forward to their next trip after a nice big Cat for Harry and some Koi for Jack!”
WELL DONE TO THE PAINTER FAMILY – GREAT CATCHES AND TIME SPENT TOGETHER – WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT!
Combe Martin Sea Angling Clubs 2017 Fun Fishing Event on Ilfracombe Pier once again brought plenty of smiles as young anglers and families shared in the pleasure of fishing. Eighteen anglers signed up for the event and plenty of passers by mingled with the participants to gaze in fascination at the array of species caught.
A total of twelve species were registered including numerous mini species.
Special guests for the day included Mat Mander from Devon and Severn IFCA and the Marine Coastguard. The coastguard chatted with members of the public explaining their crucial role in coordinating rescues along the coast where they liaise with the other emergency services to save lives. Mat mingled with local anglers discussing fish legislation and conservation. The event always provides this valuable link between these bodies enabling valuable interaction in a friendly environment.
Mat Mander – Devon and Severn IFCA
The morning commenced under a bright blue sky with the sea a pleasing calm. The fishing proved productive with an LRF style approach bringing plenty of action with rattling rod tips throughout the morning. The competition was fished on a species basis with 2 points for the first of each species and one point for the second, only two of each species counting per competitor. This was an attempt to ensure that there was not a tied result. The top three prizes were for under 16’s only and the winner was for the second year young Charlie Stanway who amassed an impressive 18 points. Runner up was Solly Welch with 17 points and third Jack Phillips with 16 points. Ross Stanway landed the longest fish a garfish of 20”. Jack Phillips caught the heaviest a ballan wrasse of 9oz.
4th – Lyn Welch & Angela Kinish – 14 points
5th – Effy Welch – 11 points
6th – Ross Stanway – 10 points
7th – Sam Compton – 9 points
8th – Cory Payne – 8 points
The rarest fish caught was a leopard goby (Below) to the rod of young Charlie Stanway.
Everyone who caught a fish took home a prize with a splendid selection of quality tackle provided by sponsor High Street Tackle, Ilfracombe. Several other prizes were provided by IFCA and one by North Devon Angling News.
CMSAC’s two month long species competition ended with two anglers way out ahead of the field with John Shapland registering an amazing 43 species and Dan Welch 41. To catch such an array of fish over two months is an achievement to be proud of, both anglers received quality prizes from High Street Tackle. In third place was Ross Stanway with 25 species and in forth Lee Holden on 21.
The prominent statue of Verity always stimulates debate amongst both locals and visitors.
(Above)Safety on the coast demonstrations from the David Harper of the local Coastguard.
(Above)Paul Hutchings holds the wrasse for young Cory who is wary of the spines.
Peter Knight visited the tranquil waters at Agapi Fruit Farm and Fishing to land a pleasing brace of carp that are amongst the first to be caught at the water that I visited just a week ago. Peter a local angler visited the water with his partner after reading the review on North Devon Angling News.
Agapi is a delightful lake teaming with rudd and a healthy stock of carp that make the venue an ideal pleasure fishing venue for family’s and anyone wanting to escape for few hours by the water. This is not yet a water for the specimen hunter but is ideal for those who love fishing.
Agapi Fruit and Fishing is a unique venue nestled in a tranquil valley near Torrington that offers a fine family fishing experience. The owner Sandra Hood invited Pauline, James and I to sample the fishing and write a short review on the complex.
We followed an intriguing country lane at the end of which we came upon a pleasing lake stretching before us reflecting a blue sky and wispy white clouds.
Glancing into the water I immediately saw dimples on the water as small rudd broke the surface. At the far end of the lake a few carp could be seen cruising slowly, fish of up to around 4lb that would give a pleasing tussle on light tackle.
Sandra greeted us warmly and told us about the fishery and its facilities that include a spacious ready made up bell tent and a two birth caravan where guests can stay over at a modest cost.
James and I were eager to get fishing as late August evenings pass by all too quickly and it was already past 6.00pm. I had brought along a bait box full of Jolly Green Giant sweetcorn and half a loaf of white sliced bread. No need for modern fancy baits here just simple basics.
James started off float fishing with a single grain of corn and was soon swinging in small golden rudd the float disappearing with pleasing regularity within seconds of it sitting upright in the still water.
I was already focusing on the chance of a carp and tied a size 10 barbless hook to the end of my 3lb line that was loaded on my old Avon Royal Centre Pin. I tossed a few crusts out onto the water and expected the carp to devour them but shoals of rudd were on the bait within seconds. I wondered along the bank rod in hand to a shady corner where several carp were visible. I pinched a generous piece of flake onto the hook and swung it out in front of a cruising carp. The bait disappeared and the line slowly tightened. I felt a pleasing resistance as I set the hook, the carp made a dash for the weedy margin beneath the tree branch’s and after a tense struggle came adrift.
Sandra arrived shortly after with a tasty plateful of ham sandwiches, homemade chutney and a flask of hot water with tea, coffee and cakes.
Pauline chatted at length with Sandra whilst James and I became immersed in the tense and frustrating game of stalking carp. James found a group of carp on the far bank and was soon calling for me to rush over with the net. I got there to find the carp battling beneath the rod tip partially tangling in trailing grass and brambles. My attempt to net the carp resulted in the fish shedding the hook.
I had one further chance in the shady corner as I watched a carp suck in my bread flake just few inches from the bank. I lifted the rod expecting to feel a solid resistance; I instead felt the deflating thin air. Its been a while since I stalked carp and but after this exciting session it will not be long before I am creeping the banks again. I had forgotten just how addictive, and exciting this close up fishing is!
Sandra’s vision is to offer a unique fishing experience the emphasis being on fun. This is not at present a specimen fishing lake though I am sure the carp will soon pack on weight and in two or there years there will be carp present topping ten pounds. The fishing on offer is perfect for a fun family day out in beautiful surroundings. A cosy summerhouse offers shelter with a wooden platform that gives access to the centre of the lake.
Float fishing with sweetcorn bread or maggot will bring constant action ensuring newcomers to the sport get plenty of bites and beautiful golden scaled rudd.
We caught several rudd up to 8oz and there are undoubtedly a few bigger ones. The carp are plentiful and at present range from a couple of pounds up to perhaps 5lb.
The lake is available for exclusive use with adults paying just £5 for a day ticket and children fishing for free. Only one booking per day is taken with groups of up to six around the maximum for the venue. The lake has a very pleasing atmosphere and intimacy that is lost at many crowded commercial fisheries. To get away from it all and escape into the countryside with a bit of fishing I can highly recommend the venue.
In addition to the fishing Sandra is pleased to provide tasty food including Devon Cream teas and cooked breakfasts. In addition to fishing there is also the opportunity to pick your own Fruit in season.
For more details contact – Sandra Hood
Email – [email protected]
Tel – 07776315696
Lower Cranford
St Giles In the Wood
Gt Torrington
Devon
EX38 7LA
Scott Mann MP for North Cornwall is a keen angler and paid a visit to Stafford Moor Fishery with his family enjoying success landing five carp to 16lb 9oz. Scott tells me that the family are hooked and looking forward to a return visit.
Kid Fishing day – Report from Zenia Gregorek
Anglers Paradise recently held a Kid’s Fishing Day that was a great success raising money for the local school and also encouraging the younger generation to fish!
Here are some pictures of the recent Kid’s Fishing Day at Anglers Eldorado, where Angling Coach Tommy Flower offered his services for a day to help kids learn to fish and to help those that already fish to further their angling knowledge.
It really was a wonderful day, the kids loved it from ages 3 up to the age of 12, some had fished before and others hadn’t, but every single one of them loved it which is exactly why we wanted to do it.
Here are some of the magic moments we shared, we hope to do more Kid’s Fishing Days in the future to encourage and help, as they are the future of this sport and it’s great to see more younger ones enjoying the sport like we do!
Thank you to all the Kids that joined in, you were all FABULOUS and a Special Thank You to Tommy Flower and his assistant Adam May – What you did was what Angling should always be about – Enjoying the Sport, Helping Others and of course keeping the Angling Passion going! Also special thanks to Skretting for donating the bait for the event. All proceeds raised will go to Halwill Primary School.
Six year old was on holiday with his dad and took a trip on Ilfracombe Charter Boat Reel Deal where he boated a fine tope on Ammo mackerel with rods reels and a 8/0 varivas big mouth extra from Veal’s mail order.
The Van Koutrik family visited Creedy Carp Lake near Crediton and enjoyed a hectic session with thirteen year Woodrow van Koutrik landing a 16lb 10oz common and younger brother Wilder aged 9 landing a fine an 18lb 2oz common.
North Devon Angling News has been up and running for just over twelve months and I hope that it has been of benefit to the local angling community. My intention has always been to entertain and inform. The site would not work without regular news stories from anglers in North Devon and with huge support from my sponsors who have placed adverts with me. I try to give good value and welcome any new supporters who would like to come on-board.
I was going to put up a few highlights from the past year but on reflection this would be difficult as there are so many and I would undoubtedly over look so many so perhaps I should just encourage you to take a look back over your particular area of interest. And don’t forget to send your latest news and images. If you want to comment you can always do so via the Facebook or twitter feed or even using the telephone.