Anchor Lake has been fishing its head off ! One angler had 9 in under 2 hours and there have been a couple of 7lb fish in amongst some limit bags including this cracker caught by Daniel Stocker which was also tagged so he headed home with £20 and an Easter Egg! Despite the concerns about C&R making the lake hard we see no evidence of it and today of the 14 anglers fishing 7 are on sport tickets, all catching using a variety of tactics including washing line, straight nymphs & dries.
Although I had been meaning to add a catch report during March it is quite poignant to be writing one up now as this weekend heralds a two month period since Catch & Release options were introduced here at Exe Valley Fishery.
Catch & Release News
I am happy to report that the initial trial has been a resounding success with twenty percent of anglers choosing to opt for Catch & Release only while many others have completed their limits prior to enjoying an enjoyable sporting session rather than leaving the fishery prematurely.
Catch & Release options will continue for the foreseeable future until such time that water temperatures become too high. Please check the website and facebook for details or call 01398 323008, although I anticipate that the options should be available until June 2017 at least. We are the only small stillwater fishery in the area offering such a range of flexible fishing permits and now that spring is in the air you can expect some fantastic imitative sport … especially as there are a few wise Trout in Anchor Lake now.
Top Sport … and some of it is top of the water!
Over the last few weeks 228 anglers have enjoyed some great sport landing 893 Trout for a very healthy average of 3.9 fish per angler. Top flies have been Damsels, especially the Blue Flash variety and Buzzers under a bung are also very successful. But as the water begins to warm and the longer days are upon us don’t be afraid to try a straightforward dry fly such as a CDC Owl. Andrew Berwick, who started fly fishing late last year, did just that and was rewarded with his first ever surface caught Trout.
Looking back through the returns as usual we have witnessed some great catches including Perry Bamonte with a 5 fish bag at 17lb plus another 5 fish released, the second time he has achieved this in as many weeks. Matt Hunt has become a regular, travelling from Torquay to fish with us having heard that C&R fishing is now available. Fishing with his pal Mr Morgan they consistently catch 15 – 20 fish between them during weekly sessions since the new options were introduced back in February.
Nick Billet from Wellington said “Great day, many thanks will be back” after his first visit, completing a limit of 8 with his 4 fish taken tipping the scales at 14lb. Buzzers under an indicator proved to be the successful tactic which also worked for Nicks mate Shaun Rowden, also landing 8 fish.
News of the changes have spread across the West Country and Peter Philips from Plymouth was another first time visitor who had a best Trout of 5lb 8oz in a bag of 4, with one safely released. He commented “Great Fishery – lovely setting, nice condition & variety of size of fish, easy back casting – will certainly be back!”
Mr Metcalfe all the way from Wales was rewarded for his journey today in the form of this 11lb Rainbow.
Anglers are enjoying some great sport at Exe Valley Fishery where a new catch and release ticket has been embraced by numerous anglers who appreciate the option of a days sport without having to pack up because they have caught their quota or have more than enough trout in the freezer. Below is Nick Harts latest report on one anglers visit to the water.
Perhaps it is the mild weather but I have been out with a fair few anglers already this year and today it was Andrew Avery from Bristol. He had been having a mare and landed just one fish in his last 3 trips, so it was time to get his mojo back. After an hour tuning up his cast this morning we got straight down to business and found pretty quickly that the fish are very podded. If you catch and then it goes quiet it is time to move! That’s what we did and using Tungsten Buzzers Andy banked 9 fish in total, often reacting to the line moving rather than feeling for the take.
During the 15 years that I have been involved with Exe Valley Fishery, firstly as an instructor and then as the manager, the only option available has been to catch & kill any Trout caught.
However times are changing rapidly and increasingly I talk with anglers who don’t want to dispatch fish and fill their freezers. I also meet plenty of anglers who are put off by the thought of reaching their limit and then having to head home prematurely, cutting short their enjoyment & experience.
Therefore after a number of successful catch & release events, such as this one in December 2016, I have decided to introduce a new trial permit.
The Catch & Release options will start on Tuesday 7th February 2017 and will be available until Sunday 9th April 2017. During this time we will listen to your thoughts and welcome feedback. If the fishery is well supported during these changes the options will be made available throughout the year, other than during periods of high water temperatures. Full details will be available at the fishery regarding the rules applied to catch & release. The key points include:
– Catch & Release available on Anchor Lake only
– Rubber mesh nets only (we can loan nets)
– Barbless flies only (not debarbed – barbless flies will be available for purchase in the shop)
– Fish to be released must not be removed from the water.
– No Boobies.
– Kill tickets – Fish limit must be killed prior to Catch & Release.
Catch & Release Permit Options & Prices (07.02.17 to 09.04.17)
10 Fish Catch & Release Only – £25
2 Fish Kill & 2 Fish Release – £30
3 Fish Kill & 3 Fish Release – £35
4 Fish Kill & 4 Fish Release – £40
5 Fish Kill & 5 Fish Release – £45
Although there is an increase in permit prices, the first for several seasons, the new structure with the inclusion of catch & release offers some of the best value small stillwater fishing in the West Country if not the UK.