POPULAR FLY FAIR SIGNALS EVE OF A NEW SEASON

 

  The South West Fly Fair hosted by South West Lakes Trust and held at Roadford Lake has become a popular fixture in the West Country angling calendar and is seen by many as the curtain raiser to the season ahead. I have been attending the event for many years and always enjoy the opportunity to catch up with familiar faces and forge further connections within the fly fishing community. The main sponsors for this year’s event were once again Turrall, Chevron Hackles and Snowbee.

(Above) Snowbee’s Simon Kidd

            Gale force winds and heavy rain failed to dampen enthusiasm as keen fly fishers gathered around the many stalls within the spacious conference rooms. There was an impressive array of tackle, clothing and fly tying equipment on display along with representation from local angling clubs, associations and the hospitality sector. As always river conservation was high on the agenda with a real passion for the preservation of our rivers and wildlife within.

            The River Teign Restoration Project that brings a story of salmon decline and the efforts to restore the river to its former glory was of particular interest to myself and I look forward to reading all about it in ‘The Teign Book’  written by local angler Neil Yeandle. The book now sits on my desk ready to read over the coming weeks. Glancing through its pages I can already see that it is an evocative story of catastrophic decline and sterling work to restore habitat that brings hope for the future.

            Former head of angling at South West lakes Trust Ashley Bunning was present with South West Waters Invasive species team highlighting the threats posed to our environment and native species. https://www.southwestwater.co.uk/about-us/latest-news/tackling-invasive-non-native-species-to-help-protect-our-wetlands

Ashley Bunning – South West Water

            Talking with various organisations it would seem that 2025 is set to be a busy year for the regions anglers with plenty of events planned.

(Above) James Christoforou from the Arundell

The Arundell Arms is set to host several events over the coming months starting on March 5th with a grayling day and showing of Jack Perks acclaimed film ‘Britain’s Hidden Fishes’. This Country Hotel steeped in angling history since 1932 has a sound future with the vastly experienced  David Pilkington working with new fishing guide James Christoforou.

http://WWW.THEARUNDELL.COM

Charles Jardine and Leon Fisher

     Leon Fisher is the new head of fishing at South West Lakes Trust and welcomed well respected angler and long-time supporter of  the show Charles Jardine to open proceedings. Shortly after Charles took to the wet and windy outdoors to demonstrate the art of fly casting. Charles as always wielded his fly rod with deceptive ease to propel the fly line into the gale force gusts whilst casting valuable advice to the anglers sheltering in the porch area.

 

Charles stressed the importance of stance and how to hold the rod pointing out that these basic foundations are the key to consistent delivery of the fly to the target. A very important point is that protective glasses should be worn at all times. It was refreshing to hear Charles reflect upon the design of rods and their price tags. Whilst top of the range rods are a joy to use the actual performance is largely in the hands of the angler.

                                    https://www.hanak.eu/en/about-us/company-hanak

I chatted with Local angling guide Lewis Hendrie who was on the Hanak stand with their team of dedicated fly anglers. Lewis has his routes on Exmoor having grown up in the village of Exford learning his art on the wonderful rivers and streams that cascade to Devon’s North and South Coasts. Chatting with Lewis he pointed out that he had featured as a rising star in the Fly Fishing world in my North Devon Journal Angling column twenty five years ago. It is the mixing and mingling with fellow anglers that is at the heart of this event. Whilst fishing is the vital link conversations often flow far wider contributing  to a healthy community.

Andrew Beattie of https://abtfishr.co.uk 

Always interesting to see new and Innovative products ABT have a range of robust products for fly fishing and other disciplines designed by Andrew. The LRF Critter cradle with disgorger caught my eye as a useful tool for the growing band of sea anglers exploring the fascinating miniture world of species hunting.

The ideas behind the CritterCradle are as follows:-
  • Primary objective is fish care during for LRF angling
  • Provides a clean fish friendly surface for unhooking
  • Photography – a neutral grey compatible with camera exposure meters for good image exposure
Features
  • Competition card slot 68mm wide
  • Integral knot tightener (on the measure extension)
  • Measure & measure extension up to 300mm
  • Small hook disgorger
  • Light weight/ compact size for carrying
As a result it is a good tool for teaching & engraining good fish care techniques in young anglers (old too!).

Fly tying features extensively at the fair those present creating a wonderful range of flies, lures and nymphs to tempt a wide range of species in many waters. Tiny dry flies and nymphs to temp wily wild brown trout and grayling. Gaudy lures for freshly stocked rainbows and those big mouthfuls for ferocious pike. Fly tying can be a hobby itself filling those long winter nights spent dreaming of those warmer brighter days ahead.

Rodney Wevill of the Fluff Chucker’s

We are very fortunate in the West Country to have a vast range of waters to explore. One of the discussions at the expert forum between Charles Jardine, Rodney Wevill and Gary Champion was the wonderful places that fly fishing takes anglers to across the world. With a vital connection to nature highlighted by the speakers.

I returned home from the fair with my mind buzzing and full of inspiration for the coming season. The value of life and savouring each day and moment emersed in angling and the natural world is always highlighted at these events.

John Aplin (Centre) from Casterbridge Fisheries Ltd

Accommodation and Fly Fishing in Dorset

Grayling in a timeless Valley

Trout Fishing for Beginners – with Directions for Dressing Flies for Trout and Grayling and useful Recipes

By Devonshire Fisherman ( Rev A Hughes)

The month of January is, unfortunately for the fisherman Artic in its conditions to tempt him to leave the fireside and pursue the gentle art: but February though it has well-earned itself the cognomen of “fill Dyke.” Is not always a wet month. There are many of its twenty eight days which possess a charm as fascinating to the piscator as the more genial breath of spring: when the fish are alert, and rise to the fly with exceptional readiness.

            “About the year 1896 grayling  were first introduced into the River Exe”. Five hundred yearlings.

Trout Fishing for beginners published in 1926 tells of the River Exe and its grayling.

The River Haddeo joins the River Exe a couple of miles downstream of Dulverton and has a character all of its own. This is probably in partly due to the influence of Wimbleball reservoir that has impacted upon flows reducing flooding as the dam takes the sting out of any heavy rainfall events.

            The Dulverton AA beat runs for about a mile upstream of the junction with the Exe and has a wealth of interesting features to explore. Grayling are a fish I have a fondness for part in due to the fact that they give an excuse to fish the river during the winter months when the landscape has a unique and beguiling atmosphere.

            I waded beneath the old stone bridge that carries the A396 to enter the peaceful Haddeo valley. Working upstream the left of the River consists of woodland and pheasant pens used by the local shoot. High above on the hill are the remains of Bury Castle believed to have been built by William de Say before his death in 1144. A google search for William de say brings little reward so the history just adds a bit of mystery to the valley. To the right is farmland with sheep grazing and young lambs already in evidence.

            The river is running clear and at a good height as I start to explore its pools and runs with a pair of heavy nymphs. Evidence of winter storms are all about with plenty of fallen trees and woody debris some of which will add to the rivers health and biodiversity even if it renders a few swims unfishable in the short term.

            I fished this beat in January of 2024 over twelve months previous so I already have an inkling on the best areas for grayling. It is remarkable how the river often seems devoid of fish during the winter months. During the late spring and summer wild brown trout are abundant darting for cover in the clear waters and rising for flies. I catch a couple of out of season browns during the day but I often wonder where the majority retreat to in winter.

            It’s an overcast misty day, cock pheasants, survivors of the shooting season strut arrogantly on the far bank eyeing me with suspicion. Snow drops add a welcome brightness to the gloomy day and foretell of the Spring days to come. A shallow pool is full of frogspawn a sight I have relished since a young boy fascinated with ponds and the life within.

            It is a joy to work my way slowly upriver allowing the nymphs to trundle close to the river bed. I watch the bright tip of my nymphing line intently lifting the rod each time it pauses feeling for a fish. After half an hour or so in a small pool I lift the rod and feel that wonderful life throbbing at the end of the line. The 3 weight rod bends pleasingly as I glimpse the silver flanks of a grayling its crimson sail like dorsal fin adding momentum as it holds in the fast flow. A pleasing fish of perhaps 8oz is soon safely in the net and slipped carefully back into the river.

 

            Catching that first fish of the day always brings a certain contentment for whilst it doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things it does bring satisfaction for when asked later about the day you can at least report upon a degree of success.

            I fish on upriver and eventually come to a deep lie from which I extracted a grayling on my visit last year. To some extent success always encourages that little extra perseverance next time you fish.  A fact that often leads to the belief that you have located a hotspot when you may perhaps have just had an extra drift or two because you believe. Anyway the line twitch’s just where I expect it to and the second grayling of the day is soon netted.

            A few yards upriver there is a tempting deep looking pit where I prospect carefully. The line again pulls tight and there is another pleasing tussle with a lovely plump grayling of 12oz or more. Whilst these Devon grayling seldom reach the weights of their fellows in Dorset or Hampshire they can only be judged on the rivers they dwell in and on light tackle they offer superb and challenging sport.

            Before starting to work my way back down river I pause to savour the scene. Country cottages across the valley woodsmoke drifting into the still cool air. An ancient oak tree stands beside the river its immense worn and weathered trunk testament to its age. It is fascinating to ponder for a moment or two on the history of this tree and what has transpired through its long life. Generations of anglers have fished this stream. Children from the village have undoubtedly caught trout here in days gone by drifting worms perhaps ignored and tolerated by the river keeper of the day. Poachers would undoubtedly have taken salmon from these waters during the late autumn and winter. Both types of poacher are seldom seen these days for children sadly seem to have lost the freedom and inclination to connect with rivers whilst the salmon are no longer there to poach in any number.

            These observations only relate to the past fifty or so years. The old oak could be four hundred years or more old dating from before the Industrial revolution and witness to the many wars and tribulations of mankind. I guess the reassuring ever rolling stream and majestic oak bring a certain grounding to ones soul as we fish these pleasing rivers of life. In his new book due to be released this spring Robert MacFarlane askes the question. “ Is a River alive?” .

https://www.sevenfables.co.uk/product-page/book-is-a-river-alive-robert-macfarlane-1

            Standing within these cool, enchanting waters the answer is surely yes and that its  life is long, unlike our own lives in the words of the rock group Jethro Tull,

“Life’s a long songBut the tune ends too soon for us all”.

I retrace my steps back down river as the afternoon light begins to slowly fade. Ancient trees towering in the misty landscape. I look forward to returning in a month or so when those crimson spotted brown trout will rise, spring flowers will decorate the river bank and birdsong will reverberate through this peaceful timeless valley.

 

Snowbee Open Day – March 15th 2025

South West Fly Fair 2025 returns to Roadford Lake

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The South West Fly Fair makes a welcome return to Roadford Lake on Sunday 23 February.

The fair is hosted by charity South West Lakes Trust at Roadford Lake, between Launceston and Okehampton. The event is a highlight in the Westcountry’s angling calendar ahead of the new trout fishing season.

The day is made possible thanks to sponsorship from Turrall, Chevron Hackles and Snowbee.

Throughout the day there will be fly tying demonstrations from local and national expert Charles Jardine, with a chance to ‘have a go’, as well as the opportunity to pick up useful tips and valuable advice from other experts.

Other activities include casting demonstrations, fly casting lessons, and a chance to speak to trout, sea and coarse fly fishers.

There will be a live trout cooking demonstration from Gary Champion as well as the opportunity to meet members of fly fishing clubs based at lakes across the South West and find out more about coaching and tuition available in the region – perfect for both newcomers to the sport and experienced anglers feeling a little rusty after the closed season.

Trade stands will be selling new and used tackle and equipment and food and drink will be available at the onsite café.

Book in advance to avoid disappointment. Entry is £7 for adults (£10 on the door) and free for under 18s. Entry includes car parking and a raffle ticket. Tickets are available fromwww.swlakestrust.org.uk/trout-fishing

All attendees to the event will be offered a 10% season ticket discount.

For more information please contact South West Lakes on 01566 771930 or email [email protected].

Winter Trout at Bulldog

            A cloudless blue sky, bright sunshine a cold east wind and frosty margins; conditions that are generally not good for fishing with one exception perhaps? Winter trout fishing in small still-waters is often at its best during the winter months and when few other fish are prepared to feed the inhabitants of these calm waters can provide exciting sport if you get the tactics right.

            I arrived at Bulldog Trout fishery for a leisurely start at around 9:30am  and after chatting with fishery owners Nigel and Tom Early I grabbed my already set up gear.  My standard set up for Stillwater trout consisting of a  10’ 7-weight , Snowbee Diamond 2 Fly Rod,  Spectre Reel,   XS- plus Spectre Floating Fly Line an 8lb b.s  Fluorocarbon leader and an Olive damsel nymph.

            A pure white egret glided close by alighting upon the bare branch of a riverside tree. Buzzards were gliding high above the valley in the vivid blue sky rekindling memories of the osprey I had seen at the fishery last Spring.

            I walked the bank peering into the crystal clear water hoping to spot a trout in the margins. I chose a platform that allowed me to put a line out onto water without casting my shadow. I expected a take at any moment but the trout proved elusive as I explored  various swims around the lake.

The electric blue flash of a kingfisher caught my eye as it darted across the lake, quickly followed by a second bird that I was able to focus on as it sped past.

            I moved to the windward bank and tied on a bright yellow damsel Nymph/lure.  Casting out I allowed the gold headed fly to sink before beginning an erratic retrieve. The line zipped delightfully tight, the rod hooped over and a chunky rainbow of around 5lb tested the tackle. It’s always good to get that first fish in the bag avoiding the blank.

            It did not take too long to get the second fish another rainbow that was almost a twin of the first. Confidence in the lure now cemented I fished on and soon added a third rainbow of a couple of pounds.

            It seemed  to go a bit quiet and my luck took a turn for the worse as over the next hour I hooked into three hard fighting trout that all shed the hook after prolonged and spirited tussles. I checked the hook that appeared to be razor sharp and in good order. Feeling that I needed a change I swapped to a green, yellow and black damsel. After five minutes working this lure deep and slow the line once again zipped tight as another good trout attempted to shed the hook. This one was fighting deeper and shaking its head vigorously and I was delighted to eventually slide a fine tiger trout over the rim of the waiting net.

 

            With four trout in the bag I was content with my days sport but as always there is that desire to complete a limit bag. It was now mid-afternoon and as is often the case the trout appeared to have switched off.

            It was perhaps a good time to have a walk around the lake trying different areas. There were two other anglers on the lake and they had both caught rainbows in the 3lb to 4lb size range but like me were not finding the fish easy to tempt.

            A walk around the lake failed to inspire as I had a feeling that most of the trout were lurking in the windward side of the lake.  So I headed back to the area from which I had enjoyed success earlier in the day.  Much of my fishing is determined upon a hunch and a feel for where the fish will be. The occasional fish was also rising in this area prompting me to try a short time with a  slow sinking daddy longlegs a pattern that often tempts a trout at Bulldog.

            After a couple of chances a rainbow of perhaps 2lb 8oz took my PTN fished on a dropper bringing my total to five fish. Deciding that with the sun sinking below the tree line it was a good time to pack up and gut the trout. A welcome facility at Bulldog is a fish preparation area where you can gut and fillet the catch removing the need to do so at home.

            As I returned to the car Brian Sedgebeer was playing a good trout that had succumbed in the fading light of the day.

            Bulldog Fishery is now a premium trout water that offers superb sport with a very good average size of stocked fish. I have found that the Bulldog trout seem to respond well to larger lures with small imitative tactics less successful. This may of course change during the warmer months when fish become more active feeding closer to the surface. A floating line with a long leader or an intermediate line will generally cover all days at Bulldog as the fish are seldom lurking close to the lake bed.

Bulldog Fisheries New Year Fly Fishing Competition

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The long overdue New Year’s Fly comp! 🐟
Today Bulldog hosted the New Year’s fly fishing competition that had been postponed due to January’s appalling weather conditions.
The lake was stocked with a healthy number of rainbow, tiger, Spartic and brown trout ranging from 2-8lb.
An early start for Nigel & Tom as preparations began for the day. Tea urn on, log burner lit and the bacon starting to crackle 🥓
After the starting peg draw, a bacon roll and a cup of coffee our competitors were eager to get started!
With conditions set perfect for such an occasion the starting horn blasted and we were off! The record for fasted fish hooked stood at 15seconds from our Xmas comp. This was smashed by Alex Murray! A mere 5 seconds into the comp, the moment his fly touched the water it was hammered and he was locked into a hard fighting rainbow! 🐟
Fish came hard and fast leading us to have an action packed morning! A highlight was certainly seeing Nick having line stripped off his reel multiple times as he battled a Tiger trout of 6lb1oz!
Time for some lunch! On the menu today was roast beef, roasties and Yorkshire pudding 😋
Back at it after lunch and the short break was enough time to calm the spooked fish and sure enough lines started pulling tight once again. 🎣 One by one anglers reached their 6 fish limit and the talk soon turned to who was going to bag the top prize 🏆 Tom was keeping the score card hidden and the tension was building as many bags looked promising!
4 o’clock came and the final horn sounded! Finally it was time to reveal the winner and runners up!
Top results as follows:
1st – Steve Hunt. Total bag weight 24lb9oz
Prize: A meat bundle from our farm shop!
2nd – Nick Tamlin. Total bag weight 23lb1oz
Prize: A voucher for 4 anglers to have a legendary Bulldog ‘belly buster’ Breakfast
3rd – Andrew Facey. Total bag weight 21lb3oz
Prize: A 3 fish ticket
Biggest fish of the day:
Steve Hunt – 6lb10oz Tiger
Prize – A brand new filleting knife 🔪 purchased from Barnstaple Bait & tackle.
Last place prize will be awarded to Mr Bill Pink next time we see him 👀 this is because we were reliably informed by his brother Roy that the reason for Bills unexpected absence was due to having one to many ports at his beaters day yesterday 🤣 hope you feel better soon mate! 🍻
A very popular addition to Bulldog fishery is the gutting/filleting service Nigel & Tom provide, the service has a charge that 100% of goes to the Veterans charity!
With all the fish weighed, gutted & cleaned and prizes given out we said goodbye to our anglers. All of which commented on the enjoyment of the day 😊
We feel happy that our second competition was a success! And we look forward to the next one! 🎣

Wistlandpound Club – Winter Challenge @ Bulldog Round 2

I joined members of Wistlandpound Fly Fishing Club at Bulldog Trout Fishery last Sunday where we were greeted by a bright cloudless blue sky and milder conditions. The trout proved to be generally cooperative with all members catching fish with a mixture of rainbow and brown trout averaging over 3lb. Most fish were tempted using lures fished on long leaders with an erratic retrieve.

Nigel Bird with one of the trout that earned him top spot.

The winning bag was taken by Nigel Bird who had three trout for 10lb. Runner up was Andre Muxworthy with three for 9lb 9oz and myself third with three for 9lb 8oz.

It is intriguing how days unfold during these club competitions on small stillwater’s. Members will all have their favourite flies and lures that give them confidence and it is generally these that are tried first. Typically those first ten to fifteen minutes of fishing produce numerous trout as was the case during Sundays competition. I was fortunate to bank three hard fighting trout within the first twenty minutes and spent the rest of the morning wandering around the fishery with my camera capturing action shots of fellow club members.

I noted that fishing slowed after the initial flurry and for a while trout proved hard to tempt. After a while some tied on different patterns or moved to a fresh swim. This did sometimes bring results but what was noticeable was that if one angler hooked a fish it was not unusual to see several rods bending at the same time around the fishery as if the fish had suddenly switched on.

It is always interesting to compare notes at the end of the days fishing and I often note how an angler will state that a change of fly has triggered a response with perhaps a touch of orange or pink bringing success. A particular fly often seems to be the one to use! Yet it is often the case at the end of fishing as anglers chat that trout have been caught on a wide range of patterns. One angler swearing that white was the killer fly whilst others boast of success with black or orange.

There are many factors involved in the inexact science of fly fishing. Presentation of the fly, its size and colour, depth it is fished all interacting with water clarity, temperature, air pressure, lunar cycles, natural food sources and of course the location of the fish. All these factors make for a fascinating game that takes the mind away from the troubled world. The angler absorbed in natures complex chess board pondering upon tying on a Greenwell’s glory or a Wickham’s fancy.

Tip of the day – Check your flies and hooks. Several trout were lost during the day as hook shanks snapped. Hook shanks hidden beneath dressings can rust resulting in weakness that only show itself when a large powerful trout puts it to the test.

Seconds after this shot was taken Nigel cursed as his hook broke.

 

Bulldog Christmas rainbows

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Jon Patten and Reef Patten have recently returned from representing England in the World Championship Big Game Trolling in Mexico 2024. The dark grey skys of North Devon were undoubtedly a stark contrast to the tropical heat of Mexico. Reef and Indy were all smiles when I met them at Bulldog Trout Fishery on Christmas Eve enjoying a short session tussling with the venues hard fighting rainbow trout.

(Above) – Jon Patten fishing for Bulldogs hard fighting trout.