30 May 2026

THE FISHING IS HOT

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The hottest May Day on record would not have been my chosen day to go pike fishing but having booked a boat for Bruce and I a couple of weeks back it had to be done. Talking with Bristol Water fishery staff there were no major concerns regarding water temperature as it was still only late Spring and water temperature and oxygen levels were not causing concern.

So with fishes welfare covered what about ours? Plenty of water, sun-cream, sunhat and light clothing. The occasional dunk of the hat in the lake to cool the head. Fly Fishing for pike is hard work but when it comes right the rewards are well worth the effort.

We arrived for 8.00am; clocked in and followed up by loading our boat with all the gear. We had a plan to head for the shallower water then maybe migrate to the deeper water as the day got warmer.

After an hour a big shape materialised behind my fly, its mouth opening to engulf the fly before having second thoughts and disappearing out of sight. A twenty plus I guessed and a fish that would have made the day.

We fished hard and had a few chances. One jack before we took a break at 3.00pm. Highlight of the day so far had been a juvenile grass snake swimming across the lake. I picked it from the water to admire and thought how vulnerable it was swimming across the lake. Birds of prey or pike would surely relish such a tasty snack.

We had hoped for an Ice Cream but the freezer was broke. Coffees for me, Earl Grey for Bruce. A good chat on the bench then it was time for part two.

            We fished around here and there in places that we had caught before with a short spell of action resulting in two more pike to my rod and one more to Bruce along with a couple of follows.

A thunderstorm rumbled away to the North, flashes of lightening. An exciting atmosphere that brought an air of expectation.

 

As the light faded from another glorious day we headed for the pontoons, a thirteen hour day of hard work. As I walked back to the car the call of cuckoo drifted across calm waters and the sky took on the embers of a hot dying day. The moon brightened to start its night shift.  Fish wise little reward but the memory bank is topped up and there’s another day to dream of…….

It was a long drive home, the link road was closed leading to an unwelcome diversion and a resulting return home at midnight.

15 May 2026

SOUTH MOLTON & DISTRICT ANGLING CLUB AT BULLDOG

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I joined eight members of South Molton Angling Club at Bulldog Fishery for their latest Mac Trophy event. I arrived shortly after 8:00pm to find several members already enjoying sport with the venues hard fighting rainbows.

High above I noted several swifts swooping high in the sky as a brisk North West breeze brought a chill to the morning air. I set up in the first available swim and put out a floating line and a long leader with an olive damsel with a bit of sparkle in its dressing. As is often the case fishing was easy for that first hour and most members caught fish. I put four into my bag by 9:00am and decided to switch tactics swapping my 7wt for a lighter 5wt rod and a single Pheasant tail nymph on the point. After a couple of missed takes I put another pleasing rainbow into my bag. With five rainbows averaging 3lb I decided to stop fishing and a take walk around the lake rod in hand hoping to spot a big cruising trout in the clear water.

This proved difficult as good visibility was only possible when a drop in the wind coincided with a burst of sunshine. On a circuit of the lake it was good to catch up with fellow club members and compare notes. Whilst chatting I watched several good trout cruising just a rod tip out and it was apparent that the trout had largely switched off.

Burger and chips were due at 12:30 and I hoped to complete my bag by then to get home and catch up with a few jobs. I had every confidence in the PTN and moved to a deep area that had a few fish rising within casting range.

The rippled surface made targeting individual fish difficult so I decided to fish blind again. Whilst some anglers believe in big flies for big fish I have every confidence that small flies work just as well especially when the fish are not feeding hard. I missed two takes and lost two fish in quick succession as the hook lost its hold.

Sometimes you get a lucky break as was the case when the line drew tight as I started a slow retrieve. I immediately felt sure that this was a better fish as it moved with a slower powerful movement with heavy thuds down the line as it shook its head. I was slightly apprehensive as I glimpsed its flanks and hoped that the 6lb b.s point and small fly would take the strain.

I was relieved when an impressive spartic trout rolled over the nets rim. Club Chairman Edward Rands was close at hand to secure an image of the fish and to hoist it onto the club scales that read a pleasing 7lb 13oz.

I spent the last half hour of the morning taking a few pictures and chatting with fellow club members before sitting down for burger and chips in the fishing hut. Mike Latham had a good spartic of 5lb 12oz and all members caught fish with three limit bags and several five fish bags.

11 May 2026

DRY FLY DELIGHT ON NORTH DEVON RIVERS

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A bit of old carpet adds a bit of life to waders as one sets up ready for a walk to water.

North Devon’s many miles of pristine river environment offer anglers splendid sport with wild brown trout many stretches can be fished at a very reasonable cost. I fished a splendid bit of the River Bray controlled by South Molton & District Angling Club and enjoyed a short session of exciting dry fly sport. The banks were decorated with bluebells and wild garlic, the air filled with the sound of birdsong. The only other fisher on the water a grey heron that lifted from the water as I intruded upon his fishing.

I was surprised how low the river had dropped since I last visited and watched many small trout dart for cover as I approached. Concentrating on the fast water at the head of the pools I brought several fish to the surface including a beauty of 12″ +.

It was often reward enough to bring a fish to the fly from a difficult cast into tricky woody debris lies. One of dry fly fishing greatest joys is asking the question with each cast when fishing blind and of course to drop the fly into rings of a rise is sublime.  I did glimpse one particularly good fish that I intend to try for on a another occasion.

 

 

4 May 2026

Bulldog Fishery – Dry Fly Competition Results

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A great day for the May fly comp  finally the easterly wind had died down, only a couple spots of rain throughout the day. And a lake stock with fat trout
Top Results:
1st – Ian connabeer 5fish total weight 30lb2oz biggest fish 11lb1oz brown
2nd – Steve burnel 5 fish total weight 25lb4oz biggest fish 7lb11oz Spartic
3rd Grant Jefferson 6fish total weight 19lb6ox biggest fish 5lb6oz Spartic
Biggest fish of the day: Ian Connabeer – 11lb1oz Brown trout
Lunch for the day was a BBQ styled buffet cooked by Nigel
Some beautiful fish landed by all participants :
Fran Eastwood – 8lb4oz Rainbow
Nick Tamlin – 7lb11oz Rainbow
Dave & Freddie Chapman – 6lb6oz Rainbow
Peter Phillips – 5lb6oz Spartic (personal best)
Steve Burnel – A brace of 6lb Rainbows
Andrew facey – 5lb11oz Rainbow
Chris Dunn – 5lb11oz Spartic
Graham Snowden – 5lb11oz Rainbow
Alan Evans – 5lb10oz Rainbow
Ian Connabeer – 7lb10oz Rainbow
A great day had by all!
That’s the fly comps finished for the summer months now, roll on September! Looking forward to the restart of the comps later in the year as we will be introducing some blues into the mix
Plenty of the bigger fish not only left in the fly lake from the comp, but also in the stock pond . These will be stocked in the lake over the next few months  looking forward to the calm summer evenings to come
3 May 2026

Fluff Chuckers / SWLT Brown Trout Masters Round 2.. WISTLANDPOUND

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Report by Rodney Wevill

A day of two half’s on Wistlandpound Reservoir for the 2nd round of the Brown trout masters.
The morning was warm , bright and calm and slow fishing, only 2 browns to the net in the morning, 1 each for Paul McEvoy and Keith Burnett , 33cm and 35cm
Pete Williams and Rodders found a shoal of Rudd and had hour of fun, we must have had 25 plus between us , most taking a Mini Scruffy tiger and black lure.
The later afternoon brought some hard rain and three more angler caught 1 fish each, Rodney Wevill with a 38cm, Wayne Thomas with another fine 38cm and Andrew Gooding with a 30cm.
Must anglers reporting losing fish in the afternoon.
So 5 fish in total on a difficult day, but the standard of fish caught was very good, all full tailed and very plump .
Today was a little bit of a trial, we weren’t sure about adding Wistlandpound to the Brown Trout master series, with it being a non stocked water,
But everyone liked the venue, loved the condition of the fish and it added another challenge to the overall competition.
So that’s a yes we will be back in 2027 👍
We also had the pleasure of John Deprieelle and his camara skills.
John was filming the event and discussing tactics with Rodders on behalf of Turrall Flies and SWLT so keep your eyes peeled for the short film’s release.
Once again a massive thank you to Turrall Flies, YETI Europe , Lakedown Brewing Co. & Tap Room and Trout Fishing South West Lakes Trust
For all the prizes and continued support.
Results
1 Wayne Thomas
2. Rodney Wevill
3. Keith Burnett
4. Paul Mc Evoy
5. Andrew Gooding
6.John Huckins
6. Pete Williams
Overall Standings after 2 Rounds
1. Keith Burnett. 4 points
2. Wayne Thomas. 5
3. Andrew Gooding. 7
4. Rodney Wevlll. 8
5. Paul McEvoy. 10
6. Pete Williams. 12
6. John Huckins. 12
7. Tony Chipman. 17
8. Gary Brazier. 19
9. Garry Boyde. 20
9. Dave Perks. 20
9. Steve Retallack. 20
Next round June 6th Fernworthy.
The day from a personal perspective.
Wistlandpound is local to me so it was a pleasant change to fish an event that didnt require an early rise and two hour drive. It was also a great start to the day with The Whistling Bean on hand with great coffee and breakfast rolls.
I was concerned that the algal bloom would impact upon the fishing but conditions were the same for everyone and it is a beautiful place to spend a day.

The fishing did prove difficult and it was very much a one chance day with five trout banked between the eight keen competitors. My own tactics were very much based on fishing a team of flies I had confidence in a black bead head woolly bugger on the point and two small black flies on the droppers. I persisted with this for 98% of the day only changing the point fly for a few casts on a whim. I had four takes throughout the day and converted just the one that produced a stunning wild brown of 38.5 cm.

On difficult days like this its often just a case of roving about trying here and there and keeping the fly in the water as much as possible in the hope that a feeding fish sees the lure.

Whn the algal bloom clears as it does every year sport will improve and those wild browns will succumb to good angling. Several good fish were lost and I’m sure the lake holds some really big specimen brown that grow large predating on the abundance of rudd fry.

Many thanks to Rodney for organising the events. I look forward to the next round at the picturesque Fernworthy high on Dartmoor.

Many thanks to my wife Pauline for a few additional images of the day.

27 Apr 2026

SPRINGTIME at Wimbleball – 10/10

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Trips to Wimbleball are always special especially as we approach those prime weeks of the trout fishing season as the English countryside blooms into new life. Fresh green growth illuminates the landscape and life seems to burst forth as insects proliferate. Summer migrants are arriving adding to the native birdlife. Chiff-chaffs distinctive notes drift across the landscape and the occasional martin or swallow swoops low over the water.

By late April we are coming to the end of what I term the yellow season as daffodils, primroses, celandines, cowslips and dandelions slowly fade as the bluebells bloom. Later the foxgloves will signal the start of summer but for now it’s time to relish the vibrancy of new life.

Recent posts on social media had raised expectations that the hawthorn fly could be about and the sight of these distinctive insects with their trailing legs lifted my expectations as I walked to the water’s edge of Rugg’s Bay my favourite early season area at Wimbleball.

I had set up a floating line with a team of three flies, a Montana on the point, a spider on the middle dropper and cormorant on the top dropper.

The cloudless sky was an azure blue with a strong North East wind. Not ideal conditions for fishing perhaps but at times it’s just great to be there in the moment drifting flies in expectation whilst relishing the peace of mind that comes with Springtime trout fishing.

After an hour without a pull and no sign of rising trout I decided to take a walk to the mouth of Cowmoor Bay. The walk through the woods, bluebells illuminated as sunshine streamed through the trees was no hardship and with a good days fishing still ahead of me I had a spring in my step.

The bank at Cowmoor offered access to deep water and with the wind blowing down the bay from left to right casting was easy. As I lifted the flies from the water a trout seized the point fly and gyrated on the lines end for a few moments before coming adrift.

This connection instilled that all important belief and it wasn’t long before I hooked another trout that seemed to spend a good time airborne as it leapt from the water on numerous occasions before being persuaded into the landing net. A fin perfect rainbow and that all important blank saver that is always good to get in the bag.

A few fish started to rise slurping down the black hawthorn flies that were being blown onto the water. I changed the point fly to a hawthorn imitation and added a second trout to my bag missing several other fish as I drifted my flies in the wind lane. After a while the trout stopped rising and I changed to an intermediate line swapping back to a Montana on the point and adding a bright orange blob to the top dropper. Second cast; wallop another hard fighting rainbow on the orange blob.

I fished on with this set up for a while but when a few fish started to show I reverted to the floating line set up. It seemed that the fish had switched off, so I decided to pause for a snack and drink before walking back to Rugg’s.

Back at Rugg’s I strolled along the water’s edge looking for rising fish. Observing a few rises in front of some towering willows I noted good numbers of hawthorns drifting out onto the lake. With withy branches poking out of the water I decided to snip off the droppers and rely on the dry hawthorn on the point. I was well aware that a tussle with one of Wimbleball’s finest would be hard enough without the added danger of droppers entangling underwater branches. Double figure rainbows have been stocked this season and have undoubtedly deprived several anglers of their flies already this season.

The next couple of hours were sublime as trout slurped down the abundant flies giving a pleasing target to aim at as I dropped my offering close to tell tale rings. Seven rainbows were deceived each giving a spectacular tussle many making the reel sing, pirouetting at the lines end to leave an imprint of images in the minds eye to relish when away from the waters edge.

I ended the day with ten trout, five to keep and five carefully released in line with the fisheries enlightened policy that allows anglers to enjoy a full days sport on those occasions when everything falls into place. I could have continued for longer but I was content with my day and the fish had become less active; yes there is always the desire for one more but ten out of ten isn’t a bad score for the day!

25 Apr 2026

Blakewell Spring Fly Competition Result

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Blakewell fisheries Spring Fly Fishing Open was an extremely  enjoyable affair with warm spring sunshine beaming down into the lakes crystal clear water.  It was obvious from the start that the lake had been well stocked as fish could be seen cruising and responded to a well presented fly. There is a time in the English countryside that is close to perfection as fresh green foliage surrounds the mature lake that reflects vivid azure blue skies.

            Bird song drifts across the tranquil waters and trout converge upon anglers offerings the line tightening in moments of sublime deception. As is so often the case good numbers of fish succumbed in the first hour of the competition.  Several anglers completed their allotted four fish morning allocation and took time to relish and absorb the ambience of the day.

            Hot pasties and cool beers were served to an appreciative party of anglers as good humoured banter and discussion flowed freely. All agreed that it was good to be sharing such a blissful day in surroundings far from the troubles of the world.

            The afternoon session proved a challenge for some but by the competitions end at 3.00pm all had managed their five fish limit. The average size of fish caught was close to 3lb with several topping four pound. Full tailed rainbow trout certainly fought hard and deprived several anglers of their flies.

COMPETITION RESULT

1st – Wayne Thomas 14lb 15oz

2nd – Dave Winter 14lb 14oz

3rd – Andy Nicholls – 14lb 12oz

A 4lb 3oz rainbow for Michael Birch