Specimen Flounder takes top spot
Twenty eight anglers fished a friendly match at Fremington organised via Bideford’s Polyfield centre. The winner was Tony Gooch tempting a fine flounder of 2lb 2oz the biggest I have heard of so far this season. Paul Simmons was runner up with a flounder of 1lb 3ozs and David Jenkins third with a flounder of 1lb 2ozs.
FLOUNDER TIME –
Its flounder season and Triple Hook Club launch their Winter time table of events.
The Daniel Mackie Flukeys Flatty Open attracted 40 entrants. Lots of fish were caught up and down the river. Results as follows:
1st Stef Jones 1lb 8 1/4 oz £100
2nd David Jenkins 1lb 6 7/8 oz £60
3rd Taz Wotton 1lb 6 3/4 oz £40
Next comp is on the Sunday November 24th the entry sheet will be in Barnstaple Bait and Tackle from Tuesday £5 entry we also raised £125 for Children’s Hospice South West.
Estuaries of Opportunity
Combe Martin SAC member Jamie Steward tempted this fine specimen thin lipped grey mullet of 4lb 14oz whilst using baited spinner tactics.
The Taw and Torridge Estaury offer many miles of accessible angling where light tackle and varied tactics can be employed to tempt a surprisngly wide variety of species. Bass to double figures hunt the estuaries and can be found surprisingly high up on the confluence with freshwater as well as at the estuary mouth.
Gilthead bream are a more recent visitor to the Taw estaury with specimens tempted as far up as Fremington Quay. All three species of grey mullet can be found throughout the estuary and can be caught using bait, fly fishing and baited spinners.
Where the estuary meets the sea smoothound to double figures can provide excting tussles as they grab baits often intended for bass or gilthead bream.
( Above) Mullet will push up into the many creeks along the estuary offering a challenge that few anglers are prepared to accept.
The vast estuary with its many mudbanks, creeks and sandbanks offers a wealth of opportunities for anglers with the chance to glimpse a diverse variety of wildlife. The scene is ever changing as the tides ebb and flow beneath everchanging skies. As autumn approaches flounder enthusiasts will line the banks at popular venues. Codling can often provide a decent meal as the nights pull in during late autumn.
FLOUNDER SEASON – Competitions to put in your diary
The Flounder season is underway with catches starting to increase as winter edges nearer. Several local clubs have organised Open Flounder Competitions. Full Details below :-
Triple Hook Fishing Club 2022
Xmas Open Flounder
Sunday 18th December
8am – 1pm
£5 entry
Book in with Dennis Toleman tel.07815009260 or any committee member together with the entry fee before the event.
Must be back and present fish at weigh in by 2pm at rear of Barnstaple Social Club (formerly Royal British Legion), St.Georges Road, Barnstaple
Boundaries – Iron Bridge at Rock Park, Barnstaple to The White House, Crow on either side of the River Taw
Flounder must be at least 12” with prizes for the heaviest fish weighed in, only heaviest fish per angler counts
Maximum 2 rods per angler with total of 3 hooks. Juniors (6 – 16 years) must be accompanied by an adult
Decision of the Weighmaster is final
Please call Mark Beer 07796230674 if you have any queries
Golden Bars
Ian Laird and his thirteen year old son Ollie have been enjoying some superb gilt head bream sport in local estuaries. Their best so far this stunning gilt head of 4lb 1oz.
Thin lips and golden grey in estuary catches
Combe Martin SAC member David Jenkins fished the Taw estuary to land a dozen thin lipoped grey mullet to 3lb 6oz and golden grey mullet of 1lb 7oz.
Several golden grey mullet have been caught in the Taw estuary in recent days an encouraging sign early in the season. These hard fighting members of the mullet family are found off local beaches in large numbers but prove difficult to tempt.
CYRIL PETHERICK OPEN FLOUNDER COMPETITION
Specimen Flounder
Combe Martin SAC member Jamie Steward enjoyed a great session in the estuary landing close to thirty flounder with several fish over 1lb 8oz. Pick of the session was this fine 2lb specimen.
Summer gilts
In recent seasons gilthead bream have become a regular catch for North Devon anglers with specimens landed on a regular basis throughout the summer months. Combe Martin SAC member Jamie Steward has landed several of these hard fighting sea bream from local North Devon marks the best scaling 3lb 1oz.
