Colin Combe won Wistlandpound Fly Fishing Clubs competition at Hawkridge Reservoir with a five fish bag totalling 10lb. Andre Muxworthy was runner up with four trout for 8lb 12oz.
DRY FLY DELIGHT ON NORTH DEVON RIVERS
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.
Bulldog Fishery – Dry Fly Competition Results
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
BIG BULLDOG TROUT
Bulldog Trout fishery is in top form with big trout putting smiles on visiting anglers faces. Biggest brown 14lb….
Fluff Chuckers / SWLT Brown Trout Masters Round 2.. WISTLANDPOUND
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.
SPRINGTIME at Wimbleball – 10/10
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!
Blakewell Spring Fly Competition Result
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
Wistlandpound – Fluff Chuckers Preview
Fluff Chuckers / SWLT brown trout masters round 2
Saturday May 2nd
Location Wistlandpound Reservoir
Rules.
Standard fishery rules apply with the competition rules below
Catch and release only
Barbless hooks only
Floating line only
Maximum three flies
Measurement of fish from nose to point of tail (photo proof of each fish)
Competition card shown in photo to prove capture is on the day
Sign on 8.30 for 9am start
Main Car Park
Stop fishing at 5pm
Meet back at main car park for results
I promised Rodney Wevill who organises the Fluff Chucker events that that I would give an update on Wistlandpound before the next Brown Trout Masters event on May 2nd. So on April 18th I set off for quick fish around the lake. On arrival it was pleasing to hear the call of chiff chaffs in the fresh green trees. Parking in the lower Car park I walked down across the dam noting that the reservoir level is around 4ft below top water level. There was also a green tinge to the water indicating an algae bloom a frequent issue this reservoir over the years.
Wistlandpound is 41 acres and is close to my home in North Devon. I have fished at the venue since the late 1970’s and have witnessed several phase of fishing at the venue. It was once a premier rainbow trout fishery but was downgraded a few years ago to become a natural brown trout water. Trout are no longer stocked into the lake but a healthy stock remain in the reservoir and there is the potential for some large specimens. Rudd are now abundant in the reservoir and undoubtedly provide food for the venues larger brown trout. Recent season have seen fish caught to 3lb with larger fish glimpsed as they smash into fry during late summer.
I walked along to the South bank where a good stretch of bank is fishable. I covered this stretch of water casting and stepping to cover as much water as possible. See Map below :-
The South bank gives access to deep water with some weed offering food for both trout and Rudd. The eastern end of the lake offer some access to extensive weedy shallows that can fish well especially when the water level is down a little giving casting space behind. There are two areas of accessible bank on the North Shore that can be productive if the boat launching area isn’t being used.
Despite searching all fishable areas I drew a blank on this short reconnoitre of the water. It will be interesting to see what is caught during the Fluff Chucker’s event. I generally fish a team of flie’s with black lures, black spiders and PTN’s generally working well along with Zulus and other traditional wets.
Below :- Typical Wistlandpound brown trout caught on previous trips to the venue.
Big Trout at Bulldog
Bulldog Fishery is in fine form with big trout and limit bags for many anglers as Spring brings increasing fish activity.
BRUCE BAGS PB BROWNIE @ BULLDOG
Bruce Elton enjoyed a day to remember at Bulldog Fishery banking this superb personal best brown trout scaling 11ln 10oz. The fish was tempted on a buzzer after missing the fish on a large black snake fly. Bruce also caught a 4lb 8oz brown trout and four rainbow trout of between 2lb and 3lb.
