7 Apr 2026

Big Brownies and other news from Bulldog Fisheries

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Grant is the latest angler to bank a double figure brown trout from Bulldog Fishery. The fish was  part of a six fish limit.

Bulldog are proud to announce thatthey have managed their  goal!
The fish cleaning station  at Bulldog has raised £1000 for the veterans charity!
“We’d like to thank everyone who has used the station and contributed to helped us raise this money ♥️
We’ll be carrying this on with our next aim to raise the same amount for the kiddy’s hospice ♥️
Thanks again everyone, we couldn’t have done this without you!”
2 Feb 2026

Bulldog Fisheries Fly Fishing Competition – 1st February 2026

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Bulldog Fisheries Fly Fishing Competition – 1st February 2026
Many thanks to Tom Early for his report on the competition below ;- My own account follows
Our latest fly fishing competition at Bulldog Fisheries took place on the 1st of February 2026, and on arrival the conditions looked absolutely perfect. Overcast skies paired with still air set the scene nicely. Over a cup of tea and a bacon roll, plenty of fish were already showing, rising steadily along the far bank. Much of the early conversation centred around the recent stocking, with Nigel and Tom boasting of monster browns that had been introduced — excitement levels were high before a line had even been cast.
Following a quick peg draw, keen anglers made their way to their designated spots, patiently awaiting the starting horn. When it sounded, the ‘stocky’ rainbows came hard and fast during the opening hour of the competition.
Then came the first real moment of the day. Out on the point, with his rod bent double and a huge splash at the end of the line, it was clear Dave Chapman was connected to something special. After a lengthy fight and some expert netting from his son Freddy, the first big brown of the day was landed. Weighing in at just over 11lb, it was a cracking fish and gave Dave’s total weight a serious boost.
As the day went on, the rain arrived — heavy at times — and the fishing followed a familiar rhythm of sudden flurries and quieter lulls. There were moments when multiple anglers were playing fish across the lake at once, followed by brief pauses before the action fired up again.
Big browns continued to make an appearance throughout the day, particularly for Andrew Facey — quickly earning him the nickname “the man of many browns”. Fish after fish came to the net, including a double-figure brownie and a second biggen not far off, prompting a running joke that he’d soon need a wheelbarrow to carry his fish bag.
Just before lunch, the biggest fish of the day decided to show itself. North Devon Angling News editor, Mr Wayne Thomas, found himself locked into the battle of a lifetime. When the fish was finally landed, it was nothing short of spectacular — fin perfect and a prime example of what Bulldog Fisheries is capable of producing. Weighing an incredible 13.7lb, it was not only the largest brown taken from Bulldog’s waters in several years, but also a brand-new personal best for Wayne!
By lunchtime, anglers were soaked through and thoroughly hungry, so lunch was very welcome — cheeseburgers and chips all round!
Competition Results
1st Place: Andrew Facey – 5 fish, total weight 29.4lb
2nd Place: Dave Chapman – 5 fish, total weight 23.10lb
3rd Place: Chris Dunn – 6 fish, total weight 22.13lb
Biggest Fish of the Day: Wayne Thomas – 13.7lb Brown Trout
Many fish were landed throughout the day, including multiple Spartics and browns in the 4.5lb to 6lb range.
Overall, this was definitely one of the better competitions we’ve held. It’s always great to see everyone enjoying the venue, and knowing that our hard work is appreciated makes it all worthwhile 🙏
Onwards to the next one

The Cultivation of luck

Those big moments in angling are often the result of a bit of luck and there are many sayings used in relation to the luck factor. ” The harder I try the luckier I get” is perhaps one of the biggest in angling. Chatting with Nigel about the carp lake I pondered upon the investment of time when he commented on an angler having caught one carp in eight days fishing. Carp fishing by its nature is a discipline where the amount of time spent on the bank can be seen as hours invested results in success.

Fly Fishing and in particular competitive fly fishing is time constrained meaning that the decisions made on the day within a strict time frame are perhaps more focused. Thinking back over my many years at the water’s edge many of my personal best fish can be attributed to a big slice of luck that has to some extent been cultivated.

The luck of the draw

The big brown trout I caught during Bulldogs February Competition is a good example. I had started the day in peg 10 determined by a random draw. As is often the case the first twenty minutes are often hectic with the fish seizing anglers offerings with gusto. I capitalised on this early spell banking two rainbows though I could and should have done better as numerous fish came off after a few seconds of brief connection. A lesson that I have learnt is that in a competition keep at it if the fish are playing ball for they will often switch off quickly as a result of angling pressure.

The competitive format is that every twenty minutes the horn is blown and all move two pegs along. The next three moves resulted in just one fish for myself and by late morning I had still to catch that fourth fish to complete the morning quota. Colin Combe a friend from Wistlandpound angling Club had come for a chat and we talked of previous successes at various lakes. Fly choice is a widely debated topic amongst fly fishers and we both agreed that Bulldog Trout seem to respond to larger lure patterns. My own favourite is an olive damsel whilst Colin reflected upon recent success with a cats-whisker. Now I know the cats whisker is a very successful fly but it is not a fly I tend to use often.

Half an hour or so later I was fishing the point a good peg but success was eluding me. It was by now lashing with rain and there were only three of us left on the striving for that fourth fish whilst all other anglers chatted in the warmth of the hut beside a roaring woodburner with hot drinks and biscuits. Tom walked over and perhaps taking pity upon us told us we could fish where we liked during the last twenty minutes.

I took the opportunity to walk ten yards to peg ten where I had started the day. I carefully tied on a catswhisker  and checked the hooks bend for it was a fly that had resided in my fly box for quite a while. I cast the fly to what I perceived was the hot spot and after two tweaks of retrieve all locked up as a big fish hit the fly. Five apprehensive minutes or so later a big beautiful brown trout slid over the rim of the net.

It was a very lucky cast destined by being in the right place at the right time with a fly at the lines end that tempted the trout. In a stocked Stillwater big fish are no wiser than small fish. If there is any skill it is in the landing of the fish as a big fish can break free as they often do. Checking those knots, hooks and removing those line weakening wind knots are key to capitalising upon luck.

The burger and chips went down well as we chatted of fishing, country sports, healthy eating, cooking, local meetings with rock stars and a wide range of wider topics wisely keeping clear of politics and other contentious issues.

The afternoon session proved harder going with most struggling to complete their six fish limit. I did add another brown trout of a couple of pounds and lost a good rainbow of perhaps four pounds when the hook pulled. Chatting later it was obvious that the trout were nipping at the tails of the flys without fully committing.

It was cheery bunch at the weigh in as the days catches were admired and memories captured before heading home with plenty of trout and  prizes.

 

 

9 Jan 2026

Wild Trout Trust Auction 13-22 March 2026: auction.wildtrout.org

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Wild Trout Trust Auction 13-22 March 2026: auction.wildtrout.org

Over 300 lots with guide prices from £8 to £1850

Days in England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and overseas,
some on private and exclusive beats available only via this auction, including
fishing for trout, salmon, grayling, charr, bass, pike, barbel, carp, roach and more.

Plus: art, fishing tackle (new and used), expert-tied flies, literature and experience days.

Register to bid at www.auction.wildtrout.org
PDF catalogue available from 28 February.
Browse all the lots online from 5 March, with bidding live on 13 March.

 

All the funds raised in our annual charity auction will directly support the work of WTT’s Conservation Officers to deliver in-river habitat projects and give practical advice to anyone who needs help – landowners, fishing clubs, community groups and other conservation bodies.
To keep costs low, we run this auction on our own auction website. Proceeds will also play a crucial role
in getting practical projects off the ground by leveraging more funds from other sources.

Examples of fishing lots in the Wild Trout Trust Auction 2026

One day for 2 rods, wild trout fishing on Ross Brawn’s private beat of the River Itchen at St Cross, Winchester, including lunch with Ross. The beat is a mile of water and much of it has been beautifully improved, providing interesting main river and intimate and challenging carrier fishing (guide price £400). 

One day for 2 rods fishing for ferox trout (up to 30lb) and big pike (up to 25lb) on Loch Awe, Scotland, with former WTT Trustee, Alan Kettle-White. Alan’s role as Senior Fisheries Biologist with Argyll Fisheries Trust involves tagging ferox in Loch Awe where he has caught fish of over 30lb. This is a great chance to learn about ecology and fish behaviour in big lochs. Best for ferox mid-March to June, and for pike June to September (guide price £300).

One day for 2 rods fishing the exclusive Cressbrook & Litton Club’s waters of the Derbyshire Wye with Don Stazicker. Don is a regular contributor to Trout & Salmon magazine. His recent book The Flies That Trout Prefer, co-authored with Peter Hayes, was researched on this highly productive river, where there is a good chance of catching wild rainbows as well as brown trout (guide price £240).  

One day for 1 rod, dry fly fishing for wild brown trout on the clear limestone tributaries of the River Suir in Ireland with Phil Cobham and local guide, George McGrath. With lovely Cashel in Co Tipperary as a base, and stealth and accurate casting required, you’ll be seeking out rising fish during hatches that might include LDOs, Iron Blues, Alder fly, and later in May, the Mayfly (guide price £250).

One day for 2 rods on a private beat of the Upper Itchen at Chilland, accompanied by Nick Measham, who has fished this beat for many years. This exclusive double-bank beat, around ⅔ of a mile, offers pristine chalk stream fishing for wild brown trout and grayling. It has changed very little since it was fished by Viscount Grey of Falloden over 100 years ago (the ruins of his fishing cottage are nearby). Fly hatches are prolific and wild trout average well over 1lb (guide price £900).

Two days for 2 rods fishing for salmon, sea trout and brown trout on the Marnoch Lodge beat of the River Deveron in Scotland: a beautiful 2¼ mile beat, with 12 named pools and 2 bothies. The Deveron is rapidly becoming one of the premier large brown trout angling destinations in the UK, and Marnoch Lodge is one of the best beats on the river for trophy brown trout (guide price £300). 

A day for 2 rods on the legendary Royalty Fishery of the Hampshire Avon, in Christchurch, including rare access to the Top Weir compound. Your target could be the river’s monstrous pike or barbel, with many other species to aim for, including sea trout, chub, dace and roach. You’ll be guided by the Fishery Manager and top angler, Dan Gale, who knows all the likely spots (guide price £300).

One day for 2 rods fly-fishing for wild brown trout on Llyn Gwyddior, a remote 31-acre lake high above Llanbrynmair, Mid Wales, fishing from the bank or from a club boat. Access is by 4×4 via forest tracks with spectacular views, and a good fish is about a pound, with some over 2lb (guide price £140). 

Examples of non-fishing lots in the Wild Trout Trust Auction 2026

Your ‘best trout’ faithfully re-created in exquisite watercolour by Graham Stevenson, who has been painting watercolours of fish for over 30 years. Capture the memory of that special fish in a unique, life-size, side-view portrait of your trout up to 80cm in length (guide price £800). 

One day for 1 or 2 people with acclaimed photographer Dick Hawkes, exploring the Hampshire Avon. Get creative in beautiful surroundings, learning how to capture fantastic nature photographs, and gain further inspiration from a signed copy of Chalk Streams: A Unique Environment Worth Conserving, Dick’s celebrated photo book (guide price £150). 

Thirty-six North Country Spiders tied by Nathan Friel, presented in a Walters’ Navy Cut cigarette tin. Tied using traditional fur, feather and silk on Partridge Spider, short shank, straight eye hooks. Patterns include: Partridge and Orange size 14; Black Magic size 18; Waterhen Bloa size 16; Yorkshire Greenwell size 14; Snipe and Purple size 16; Dark Watchet size 16 (guide price £90).

For more information and photos, please contact Christina Bryant

[email protected] / 023 9257 0985

2 Nov 2025

A Danglers Diary – October – 2025

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October has to be one of my favourite months to be at the waters edge.

Roadford Lake – Brown Trout Masters 2025

Pleased with runner up for 2025

Grey Mullet in local harbours –

An early start Looe Chasing giants
Bruce takes an early strike

Its very much a team effort
The classic tuna pose
James takes strain and pain

Tuna two estimated at 300lb

The days takes it toll

Team tuna.

Chasing memories these giant fish are perhaps the ultimate in British waters very much a team day out with mates with all credit to the skipper Dan Margetts and John McMaster. The day was like a sea safari with dolphins, sea birds diving into bait balls and of coarse huge fish to test tackle and stamina.

A few hours spent casting for Autumn salmon with my good friend Jeff in deepest Cornwall before heading home.
Back to normal with a plague of North Devon dogfish

Better fish are there if you can get through the dogfish
Kevin with one of three small eyed he landed. Good to catch up with a fishing buddy of close to fifty years.
Proud to have an article in the last edition of Fly Culture Magazine
Something to read on those cold Winter nights. https://www.northdevonanglingnews.co.uk/2025/10/28/35531/

 

 

 

(Above) Grandad takes new generation to the waters edge.

Tides out at Wimbleball!

I end the months chasing hard fighting rainbow trout at Wimbeball and enjoy success with a pristine fish of close to 5lb.

8 Jun 2025

2025 Fluff Chuckers / SWLT Brown Trout Masters Round Two Fernworthy Reservoir.

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2025 Fluff Chuckers / SWLT Brown Trout Masters Round Two Fernworthy Reservoir.
REPORT FROM Rodney Wevill
What a day we have had today on Dartmoor .
The high winds never came even though it was windy enough, but the rain was extremely heavy and tested all our waterproof gear. And by and large most of the jackets failed at some point.
Funny that the non fishing gear worked a lot better than the ultra expensive stuff 👎.
We signed on at 8.30 for a 9 am start and a 5pm finish.
A real close day for three anglers, the series leader Roger Truscott  and Wayne Thomas and Rodney Wevill all shadowing each others catch totals and Wayne and Rodders neck on neck for biggest fish of the day.
By the end of the day Wayne came out on top with 339cm total length and 10 fish, Rodders runner up also on 10 fish and a total length of 336cm and Roger Third also on 10 fish and a total length of 289cm
Rodders taking the biggest fish , with a very nice 48cm from Wayne’s 47cm.
John Huckings coming in Fourth with 4 fish.
All the other anglers sharing out the points with 3, 2, 1 fish and a couple blanks.
As always a special thank you to Turrall Flies the main sponsor, YETI Europe, Lakedown Brewing Co. & Tap Room, Trout Fishing South West Lakes Trust our partners in these events, thank you for all your continued support
And thank you to all the anglers that turned up and gave it a go and had some fun even if a damp day .
Results round 2.
1. Wayne Thomas. 339cm
2. Rodney Wevill. 336cm
3. Roger Truscott 289cm
4. John Hickings 118cm
5. keith Burnett  100cm
6. Richard Adeney 70cm
7. Steve Retallack 25cm
8. Dave Cook  23cm
9. Matthew Woods 15 cm
10. Pete Williams
11. Ben Elliot
Standings after 2 rounds. Points
1. Roger Truscott. 4
2. Wayne Thomas. 6
3. John Huckings. 6
4. Keith Burnett. 8
5. Rodney Wevill. 10
6. Steve Retallack. 13
7. Richard Adeney. 18
8. Matthew Woods. 18
9. Steve Lawes. 18
10. Simon Peters  21
11.Kevin Sellar . 24
12. Peter Williams. 25
13. Phillip Hoskins. 27
14. Ben Elliot. 28

Many thanks to Rodney Wevill who is head Fluff Chucker and chief organiser of these enjoyable and friendly events. The Fernworthy heat proved challenging with epic rainfall throughout several hours of the 8 hour long event. I was fortunate to secure top spot with ten brown trout the best a stunning fish of 47cm. All but one of the fish was tempted using a red headed black tadpole. To some extent I would have to say that my success was in part due to the old adage that the harder I try the luckier I get.

It is sometimes puzzling why fish are caught by an angler whilst another angler fishing just a few yards away blanks. Whilst this can be luck it is often a subtle difference in retrieve, depth or perhaps a bottom contour that attracts the fish to a certain area.

Tackling up at the start of the day
Eagerly awaiting the off
A rainy view across the lake
Epic rainfall
Calm waters after the rain
20 Apr 2025

SPRING TIME ON NORTH DEVON RIVERS

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The recent rainfall is welcomed by salmon and sea trout anglers across North Devon. The Taw and Torridge both saw water levels rise significantly anglers are waiting until the colours drops out providing good fishing conditions. There have been no reports of salmon or sea trout as I write this report but prospects are much improved.

I fished a short morning session on an upper tributary of the Taw and was surprised how low and clear the river was despite the recent rain. I used a duo set up consisting of a large deer hair dry fly and a bead headed nymph. During the first hour I tempted several delightful small wild brown trout but struggled to find any larger fish in the clear water.

Eventually I found a couple of better fish in a shady section of river the best an absolutely  stunning wild brown trout of 12”.

Whilst the fishing was challenging it was a real tonic for the mind being emersed within the Spring countryside as the songs of chiff-chaffs and wrens drifted through the valley in natures splendid springtime symphony.

30 Mar 2025

The first round of the Fluff Chuckers / SWLT Brown Trout Masters 2025

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The first round of the Fluff Chuckers / SWLT Brown Trout Masters was held today at Colliford Reservoir on March 29th.
The day started bright, breezy and warm and a good entry of all abilities ready to tackle the browns.
The temps dropped as the day went on and the winds gained momentum.
The fishing was a little tougher than on recent days, with lots of hook up only for the fish to come free before being landed.
The Cornish brown trout master, 2024 Brown trout master and Colliford specialist Roger Truscott was clear favourite at the start, but there where a few knocking on his the door at the end of the day.
Roger ended up winning the day with 8 fish and a total length of 293 cm, John Huckings new to this years competition a very close second with 8 fish and a total length of 286 cm.
The Fluff Chuckers Tankard for biggest fish going to Keith Burnett with a stunning fish of 46 cm and also new to this year comp Steve Lawes runner up for largest fish.
A total of 52 fish to the net and several fish between 40cm to 46 cm making it a very good day.
A big thanks to Trout Fishing South West Lakes Trust, Turrall Flies, YETI Europe, Lakedown Brewing Co. & Tap Room for your continued support with these events and a special thank you to Andrew Gooding for the loan of the measure gutters.
1 Roger Truscott 293cm Series points after first round 1
  • John Huckings 286 cm  2
3.Keith Burnett 240 cm        3
4.Steve Lawes 189 cm         4
5.Wayne Thomas 152 cm.    5
6.Steve Retallack 141 cm     6
7.Simon Peters 99 cm           7
8.Rodney Wevill 76 cm         8
9.Matthew Woods 68 cm.    9
10,Kevin Sellar 62 cm          10
11.Pete Williams 60 cm       11
12.Richard Adeney 59 cm   12
13.Philip Hoskin 52 cm       13
14.Ben Elliott 0                    14

It hardly seems possible that another twelve months have passed since I joined the Fluff Chucker’s at Colliford high on Bodmin Moor. Fortunately I had learnt a valuable lesson that despite the favourable weather forecast it gets cold up there on the Cornish highlands. It seemed relatively mild and with a light breeze I pondered for moment before donning a thick fleece under my fly fishing vest and waders. Familiar faces were gathered around Rodney Wevills car as we collected our measuring gutters and received our goodie pack from sponsors Turral Flies.

We all headed eagerly to the water’s edge with competitors heading to their favoured areas. I had a cunning plan to head to where I had fished before and with a gentle breeze blowing into the bay I felt sure a few fish would be present close in. I had set up with my new Snowbee Floating Line and leader with three flies. A black bead headed tadpole on the point, Black spider on the middle dropper and a black and red Zulu on the top dropper a combination that I would have confidence to fish most days in early spring.

The first hour proved difficult as I searched the water contacting a decent trout after ten minutes that threw the hook after a few seconds and a spectacular somersault!

A short while later the line again tightened and for a second or two I thought I had hooked the bottom; that slowly started to move followed by a glimpse of a thick spotted flank that erupted from the water in a flurry of spray! This was a beauty I thought but elation turned to despair as the hook hold gave way the big brown trout disappearing from whence it had come. Another tale of the one that got away added to life’s toll!

The leader was left tangled requiring a re-tying. This was not a brilliant start, then the wind started to strengthen and I nearly lost my cap the fastening button failed. I pulled my buff up over my cap and soldiered on as the wind picked up. I persisted for a while but no more takes followed and a move seemed a good idea. I walked a half a mile or so to an area I had caught from on my last two visits.

First cast and I hooked a trout that came detached after a brief leap from the lake. Fifty yards further along the bank and I hooked a brown trout of 36cm. Two casts later a beauty of 42.5 cm was safely in the net. Things were starting to come right and I fished on now with renewed confidence.

The wind was by now strong and bitter cold with the sun hiding behind grey clouds making it a rather bleak and inhospitable environment.

            I added another small brown before deciding to head back to where I had started the day adding another two trout to end the day with five trout. In truth I wasn’t to disappointed to reel in at 5.00pm and leave the cold water behind for a while.

            Back at the end of competition meet up Rodney worked out the results and I listened as tales of the day were told. The cold wind had resulted in widespread chilling to the bone, slip and trips, bloodied fingers from stray hooks and plenty of tales of escaping trout. All agreed through chattering teeth that it had been a great day and that the next event is eagerly awaited.

26 Mar 2025

Torridge Rivers Association – Spring Newsreel

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Torridge Rivers Association

President: Lord Clinton

Chairman: Paul Ashworth                                                    Secretary: Charles Inniss

                                                                        Beeches, Sheepwash Beaworthy Devon EX215NW

                                                                                    e-mail: [email protected]

NEWSREEL: SPRING 2025

            The season so far: it has been a more encouraging start to the season. March has been dry with the river clearing and falling only slowly. There have been three salmon caught all on the Lower Torridge including a superb springer of 15lb caught at Madeira on 2nd March. Towards the end of the month warmer weather has led to a rise in the water temperature and the brown trout have started feeding on the surface: a sure sign that spring is on the way.

            The AGM: was held at The Half Moon Inn on Friday 21st March. It was an excellent informal evening enjoyed by all present. 33 members and guests attended. We were delighted that our President Lord Clinton and Lady Clinton were able to join us and also Izzy Moser from the Devon Wildlife Trust and our fishery protection officer Sam Fenner.  The agm supported the proposal for subscriptions to remain at £20. The committee was re-elected “en bloc”. After the meeting we all enjoyed the usual excellent Half Moon buffet. Membership has increased from 87 to 94, which is very encouraging.

            The Hatchery Project: has been a great success this year with about 33,000 swim-up fry ready to be stocked out in selected sites in the headwaters in the next 2/3 weeks. We were able to trap our broodstock from the fish pass at Monkokehampton Weir with relative ease at the end of November and by mid-December all five hens had been stripped and the eggs fertilised. The alevin started to hatch at the end of January and have grown on steadily with very limited mortality. The weather has helped: it has been a colder winter than average with the water temperature only once going above 10C

            Sam Fenner: Fishery Protection Officer: was able to help trap the broodstock for the hatchery by providing access to the site and the oxygenated tank to transport the fish back to the hatchery. He informed the agm he was now the only fishery protection officer for the whole of Devon. In the 1980’s when Paul Carter was our fishery officer there were 24!! It was now more important than ever for all of us to be the eyes and ears of the river and report any concerns.

            Westcountry CSI: (Citizen Science Investigation) is a scheme established by the West Country Rivers Trust that involves regular monitoring the water quality of our streams and rivers. Volunteers are needed to support the scheme. Our Association and The Devon Wildlife Trust are supporting the initiative and Duncan Betts (one of our committee members) has agreed to lead the project on behalf of our Association. A training day has recently been held at Hatherleigh and those taking part have been supplied with the necessary equipment. The Upper Torridge has had more than its fair share of pollutions in recent years so regular water quality monitoring is essential.

            Beavers: there are beavers in the Torridge catchment!! For many years, with the support of the Devon Wildlife Trust, beaver colonies have been held in enclosed areas but there have been escapees, either by accident or design (I suspect the latter!!) with the result beavers are now widespread throughout the county. There are arguments for and against beavers. My concern is that like all rodents they can multiply very quickly and they have no predators Ten years ago a pair of beavers were introduced as a trial into the River Otter: now there are over 100 in that river.

 

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