31 Mar 2025

ANGLERS PASSIONATE ABOUT DEVON RIVERS – RTFCA AGM

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            The River Taw Fisheries and Conservation Association held their AGM at The Fox and Hounds Country Hotel last Friday. Chairman Andy Grey reported on a disappointing season in 2024 with salmon catches the lowest since 1952. The Environment Agency statistics showed a consistent number of rod hours over recent seasons with an estimated 0.18 salmon per licence holder if my notes are correct. A month into a new season and no salmon have been recorded from the Taw. The Torridge has done rather better with three salmon recorded.

http://www.halfmoonsheepwash.co.uk

            The environment was as always at the top of the agenda with the association working extremely hard with the North Devon Catchment Partnership to help raise funding for habitat improvement and enhanced water quality.

Members raised their concerns regarding water abstraction and pollution incidents with the EA officers. It was very apparent that the Environment Agency is understaffed with hard working ground staff covering a very wide geographical area. Agricultural practices and sewage overflows are undoubtedly the main concerns and progress is being made in combatting the issues via education and fines for breaches of consents. The Environment Agency officers present emphasised the importance of reporting any pollution concerns via the EA hotline number 0800 807060. Anglers are very much the eyes of the river and play a vital role in raising awareness.

The number of Environment Agency Fishery officers in Devon now stands at two a reduction from over twenty employed recalled one North Devon water bailiff present at the meeting. Whilst the issues facing rivers have changed to some extent over the decades and focus has moved more towards environmental protection it is obvious that political priority is not on the health of rivers. Observations of local sewage infrastructure indicated that there has been no significant upgrade in the capacity of some rural sites despite extensive housing development. South Molton being a good example of this.

The dedication of local environment officers including Sam Fenner and Harry Chance was noted with those present at the meeting eager to share their observations on the river and its many issues. There is a great deal of work being undertaken to work with farmers to ensure compliance and improved working practices to reduce soil run off and silage spills.

            The association are working with scientists to gather vital data using EDNA technology to help build a picture of migratory fish locations including shad, salmon, sea trout, eels and lamprey. This will enable targeted investment over the coming years.

            The Torridge Rivers Association held their AGM at the Half Moon Inn at Sheepwash the previous week where the environment was also high on the agenda. The main focus was the associations salmon hatchery that has successfully raised 33,000 swim up fry. These fry have now been stocked out into strategic areas of the Torridge river system.

            The RTFCA welcomes new members and has launched a Facebook page and new website to help promote and engage. https://www.rtfca.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/groups/RiverTawFisheriesAssociation

17 Mar 2025

RIVER TAW FISHERIES AND CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION NOTICE OF AGM AND ANNUAL FUNDRAISER – FRIDAY 28 MARCH 2025

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RIVER TAW FISHERIES AND CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION

NOTICE OF AGM AND ANNUAL FUNDRAISER – FRIDAY 28 MARCH 2025

https://www.rtfca.co.uk

The RTFCA AGM will be held at the Fox and Hounds Hotel, Eggesford EX18 7JZ on Fri 28 March 2025 commencing at 1845hrs.

Bar facilities and a Finger Buffet will be provided (Members are politely asked to make a donation for the buffet at the event)

Guest speakers will update on some exciting new projects taking place on the Taw catchment.

Some great and rare opportunities for fishing have been very generously provided in the fundraiser. We use all of the money we raise to fund or match fund projects on the Taw catchment.

We would prefer you to attend the AGM and bid on the night (non-members are welcome to attend) but will be offering an opportunity to make a bid online.The list of auction lots is attached

RIVER TAW FISHERIES & CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION – 2025 ANNUAL FUNDRAISING AUCTION

Lot No

 

 Description Guide Price Remarks
 

1

 A day’s Guided woodland deer stalking in 700 acres of mature woodland near Exeter.

Red and roe; either sex. At a time to suit you and the seasons. Kindly donated by Andy Gray

 

  

£100 – 150

  
 

2

 

 A tweed jacket of your choice from Brooke Taverner

 

Donated by Russell Scott Lawson

  

£300

  
 

3

 An evening’s Duck Flighting for 4 to 6 guns at Colleton Manor followed by a warming drink.

 

Kindly donated by Simon & Grania Phillips

  

£160

 To be taken during the Autumn
 

4

 Haunch of Roe Deer Venison.

 

Kindly donated by Andy Gray.

 

  

£40

 Andy will take as many bids at £40 as he is able and will produce the goods!
 

5

 A day’s Salmon Fishing for two rods at Upper Weirmarsh, Middle Taw.

 

Kindly donated by Mark Maitland-Jones.

 

  

£100

  
 

6

 2 hour Fly Fishing and casting Instruction.

 

Kindly donated by Bryan Martin (Advanced Qualified Game Angling Instructor)

  

£75

 

  
 

7

 A day’s Salmon Fishing for two rods at Upper Braggamarsh, Middle Taw. This includes Radford’s and the Gutter.

 

Kindly donated by Alex Gibson

  

£100

 Alex may be convinced to offer another additional day if many bids are received.

 
 

8

 A day’s Salmon Fishing for two rods on the Kingford Beat, Middle Taw, including the Bend and Buckinghams.

 

Kindly donated by Simon Hillcox

  

£120

  
 

9

 A boxed bottle of Krohn 2016 Vintage Port.

 

Kindly donated by John Smith.

 

  

£25

  
10 A Magnum of 2021  Cotes du Rhone from M Chapoutier

 

Kindly donated by Charlie Cotton Bray Valley Wines

 

 £25  
 

11

 A day’s trout fishing on the classic and famous chalk stream the Bourne in Hants

 

Kindly donated by Michael Malyon

 

  

£200

 

  
 

12

 An evening/night’s Sea Trout Fishing for one rod at Junction Beat, Middle Taw guided by Richard Nickell.

 

kindly donated by the Junction Syndicate

 

  

£75

 Choice of day – Sat, Mon or Tue.
 

13

 A day’s Salmon Fishing in August or September for two rods at Cove on the Exe.

 

Kindly donated by Michael Malyon

 

  

£90

  
 

14

 A Silky Pocketboy 130mm Handsaw with case (absolutely ideal for bankwork).

 

Kindly donated by John Smith

 

  

£35

  
 

15

  

A day’s salmon fishing on the Woolhanger Beats, middle Taw. Includes a guide by Len Francis if taken on a Wednesday

 

Kindly donated by Woolhanger Estates

 £150 Nearly 3 miles of fishing above Umberleigh
 

16

 A day’s Salmon fishing for two rods on the Lenton Beat of the R Mole

 

Kindly donated by Mr Andrew Maund

 

  

£80

 

  
 

17

 A morning or evening’s Deer Stalking at King’s Nympton Park for a roe buck or doe, or a red deer, stag or hind, according to season, guided by the estate keeper Jerry Weston.

 

 

Kindly donated by Lord Lichfield

 

  

£80

  
 

18

 A day’s Salmon fishing on the King’s Nympton Park Home Beat on the Mole.

 

Kindly donated by Lord Lichfield

 

  

£75

  
 

19

 A day’s Salmon/sea trout fishing (Wednesday or Sunday) on the Junction Beat of the R Taw.

 

Kindly donated by Lord Lichfield.

 

  

£80

  
 

20

 A side of award winning Blakewell Smoked Salmon.

 

Kindly donated by Richard Nickell

 

  

£45

  
 

21

 A Shotgun Service, excluding parts, or Rod Ringing Voucher from Lance Nicholson in Dulverton.

 

Kindly donated by James Veale

  

£60

  
 

22

 A day’s Salmon and Sea Trout Fishing for two rods on the Mole at Alswear.

 

Kindly donated by George Marsh.

 

  

£60

  
 

23

 A 2 fish Trout Fishing Evening Ticket at Blakewell Fisheries. Muddiford Nr Barnstaple

 

Kindly donated by Richard Nickel

 

  

£35

  
 

24

 A day’s salmon fishing for 2 rods on the Golden Mile and Sheepwash Beats on the River Wye;  a night’s self-catering accommodation in the Retreat Fishing Lodge and the services of a resident ghillie can be arranged.

 

Kindly donated by Ian Thorpe.

 

  

£150 – 200

  

 
 

25

 Tour of Lord’s Cricket Ground for two, outside the cricket season, including the Pavilion and Long Room and the Real Tennis Court, to include watching a game of real tennis and having it explained.

 

Kindly donated by Alex Gibson.

 

  

£60

  
 

26

 A day’s salmon fishing in August or September for two Rods at Cove on the R Exe

 

Kindly donated by Michael Malyon.

 

  

£90

  

 
 

27

 A nights sea trout fishing at Watertown on the Mole. Days available Sunday or Monday, dates to be agreed by both parties.

 

Kindly donated by the Brown, Eastwood and Martin families

 

  

£80 – 100

  
 

28

 A day’s guided fishing on the famous Golden Pool on the R Torridge for salmon, sea trout or trout.

 

Kindly donated by Peter Twomey

 

  

£100

  
 

29

 Half a day strimming or chainsaw work 4 hrs.

Within 10 miles of Chulmleigh.

 

Kindly donated by Eddie Rands

 

  

£80

  
 

30

 Kit Heath Jewellery to be viewed on the night.

 

Kindly donated by Richard and Kate Nickell

 

  

£75

  
 

31

 A day’s guided fishing for one rod on the Glyn water on the R Fowey

 

Kindly donated by Andrew Maund

 

  

£80 – 100

  
 

32

 A day’s salmon fishing for two rods on the Bolham beat of the R Exe

 

Kindly donated by Andrew Maund

 

  

£80 -100

  
 

33

 An evening’s Brown Trout fishing on the Little Dart

 

Kindly donated by George Stucley

 

  

£50

  

If you wish to make an online bid for a lot/item in the fundraising auction then please forward your bid by email to [email protected]

And include:

Title: ie Fundraiser Bid

Name:

Contact Email:

Lot/Ser Number:

Amount bid:

Bids must be submitted by no later than midday on Thursday 27 March 2025. If you are lucky enough to secure the bid then we will be in touch with you by email. The payment will be by BACs (details will be provided to you). On receipt of your payment we will release the contact details to you so that you can arrange your fishing/purchase pick up directly with the donor who will be expecting your call.

 

 

2 Mar 2025

Celebrating the Salmon Season 2025

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March 1st and the commencement of a new salmon season on North Devon’s Taw and Torridge. I joined members of Barnstaple & District Angling Club at Newbridge to celebrate the occasion at their bankside hut. Warm spring sunshine brought smiles and optimism a contrast to last season’s start with a raging torrent of dirty water combined with hail and thunder.

A Hang glider drifted high above in a clear blue sky. We chatted warmly of seasons gone and those who had walked the river banks at this very spot. It was good to share the spring day with a band of fellow piscators those stories of silver bars bringing hope for the season for anglers are an eternally optimistic bunch. A cool beer, hot dogs, Lemon drizzle and a cup of afternoon tea.

The river was running high with that healthy aqua tinge of spring. With the biggest tides of the season any salmon were likely to be well upriver by now but it was perhaps still worthwhile savouring the throb of a spinner as it traversed the currents or the drift of the fly over well-known taking lies.

Daffodils, celandines and primroses brought that touch of yellow to the lanes and river bank. We will soon glimpse the first martins and swallows and who knows perhaps that silver tourist will bring a touch of silver to enrich some lucky anglers life.   I look forward to reporting on the first spring salmon of 2025.

26 Jan 2025

Family Flounder Bash 2025

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GREAT DAY!
Well, despite some appalling conditions,Barnstaple Bait & Tackles FAMILY FLOUNDER BASH went ahead with a good turnout of hardy (or mad) anglers braving the elements.
Plenty of fish were weighed in, plenty of raffle tickets were sold and over £200 was raised for the Children’s Hospice South West! We must say a big thanks to The Ebberley Arms for their hospitality and of course to David Jenkins for his help in running the event.
Big congrats to all the winners which were as follows:
JUNIORS:
1st – Max Chapple
2nd – Jack Chapple
3rd – Kayden Wolton
SENIORS:
1st – Richard Chapple
2nd – Taz Wolton
3rd – Scott Bowden
4th – Dave Bowden
COMBINED FAMILY:
‘The Chapples’
Thanks to everyone that took part and we look forward to seeing you on the next one in the Autumn! In the mean time, enjoy these pics of the day and a nice shot of some of the flounders before being returned safely back to the estuary.
24 Nov 2024

Flounder Competition – Results

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Strong winds and heavy rain associated with Storm Burt failed to deter competitors from trying their luck along the banks of the Taw Estuary in the second heat of Flukeys flounder competition that raised money for Children’s Hospice South West.
FLUKEYS FLOUNDER COMP Part 2 Report from David Jenkins
What a days fishing. Rain wind and lots of wood. Plenty of people weighed in with some good fish caught. Difficult day but some great results. The charity pot is up around £600 so thank to everyone taking part.
Todays Results
Junior Champion sponsored by Chris at Barnstaple Bait & Tackle was:
MURRAY REDMORE he was the only junior to catch so took the lot.
Senior Results
1st Tarrant Wotton 1lb 11oz
2nd Nigel Gullen 1lb10oz
3rd David Jenkins 1lb 7oz
4th Sine Pimon 1lb 6 7/8oz
Details of PT3 to come for the 15th December
Big thanks to Simon Pine, Daniel Mackie and Marcus Offield for the prizes, organising, the food and allowing us in the pub.

Combe Martin SAC – Flounder Competition

Nick Philips took first and second place in Combe Martin SAC’s annual flounder competition tempted flounder of 1lb 4oz and 1lb 3oz. Lenny Lake was third with a flounder of 1lb 1oz. Several bass were also caught the best around 3lb.

Nick Phillips with his winning flounder of 1lb 4oz
Lenny Lake with his third place flounder of 1lb 1oz

17 Nov 2024

FLUKEYS FLOUNDER OPEN – Part 2

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SUNDAY 24th NOVEMBER

£250 GUARANTEED PRIZE FUND

Fishing the River Taw 8:00 – 13:30
Weigh in at The Union Inn, Scales Close 2.30.
Entry form is now in store (cash only), all monies to be paid by Saturday 23rd entry fee £5.
Raffle in the pub raising money for Children’s Hospice South West so come and get involved.
One fish per person only please.
The first of the series result was as below : –  Attracted forty anglers with Stefan Jones taking the top prize with a flounder of 1lb 81/4oz. Runner up was David Jenkins with a flounder of 1lb 67/8oz and third Taz Wotton with a flounder of 1lb 63/4oz.
25 Sep 2024

A FEW LAST CASTS

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I had a few casts on a Middle Taw beat hoping that recent rain had encouraged a few salmon into the river. The river was surprisingly low with the rocks very slippery and  covered in algae.

The colour was good yet I saw no signs of salmon as I fished down through the pools and runs.

A kingfisher flashed past, leaves drifted down as a breeze stirred the trees. Tell tale accumulations of leaves told the story of the changing season. Just five days remain of the Taw and Torridge salmon season.

 

A wild brown seized the salmon fly

Lower down the Taw Simon Hillcox tempted a beautiful salmon of around 7lb. like most salmon caught in recent days it was already decorated in Autumn hues a sign that it has been in the river for a while. The Torridge has risen more than the Taw and several salmon have been glimpsed and lost. The last week will hopefully see a few salmon tempted to be discussed at the annual egg box dinner at the Half Moon Inn.

26 Aug 2024

RIVER TAW FISHERIES & CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION – WEBSITE LAUNCH

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Website Launch

   We have had a long period with no communication as a result of technical problems with our website. The problem has finally been resolved. Richard Nickell gripped it and commissioned a new website with a new address: www.rtfca.co.uk:. This modernised, cleaner, sharper website has been launched to allow us to communicate again. I would like to thank Richard and our web designer Elizabeth Walsh (www.elizabeth-walsh.co.uk), who collaborated so effectively. Liz will hopefully boss us into more regular communications.

Click on image below for website :-

Landscape Recovery Scheme – Thoughts

We are working on the idea presented at the AGM and, steadily in the background, on a thoughts document. Ian Blewett’s continuing involvement in the North Devon Catchment Partnership helps us stay engaged with other stakeholders. Landscape Recovery projects require an energetic and enthusiastic farmer as a starting point; one has emerged. Large acreages need to be signed up to enable funding to be applied for. This appears to be happening. We are in discussions with the right partners to keep this ambitious and long-term opportunity in our sights. An overview of the Landscape Recovery Scheme is shown as an addendum to this letter.

Our river has many critical Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species, from our salmon and sea trout through to freshwater pearl mussels as well as increasing numbers of rarer species like shad and otters. There will be more and for those with time on their hands, do look at https://jncc.gov.uk/our-work/uk-bap-priority-species/and see if you can identify all the species we host in, on and above our catchment’s rivers. As regards UK fish species, it is likely we have 7 of the15 listed. These BAP species add weight to our application.

Sewage Treatment Works (STWs)

          Alex Gibson has been waging war on South West Water because of the inadequate STW system in our catchment which is in part responsible for our water quality problems. We all know that the expansion of our towns and villages town puts additional pressure on already inadequate  \\\\|\|||||AASTWs. Alex continues to harass SWW ,trying to hold them to account and pressurise them into cleaning up their act. South Molton and Chittlehamholt STWs appear to be the most problematic STWs at the moment, but there are shortcomings all across the Taw catchment which contains about 35 STWs. All these outflow into the Taw and its tributaries. Alex is putting together a table to show the sewage discharges in our catchment. This will be put on the website when finished. To see how the STW in your area has been performing go to The Rivers Trust website –

https://theriverstrust.org/sewage-map

– and check on their sewage map.

SHAD

As referred to earlier, shad are returning to our river and are useful as a lever to acquire funding and bring pressure to bear on improving the water quality in our river. You cannot legally target this rare species when you fish, but if you do by chance catch a shad please return it to the river  as quickly as possible. If you keep catching them, I suggest you fish elsewhere on your beat. They won’t be there for long. Please report their presence and recover any dead shad you find for post mortem analysis as we need to prove they are spawning and demonstrate which species we have. We are confident we have the Allis shad; we may have Twaite shad as well.

Addendum

Landscape Recovery Scheme – Overview

There are 4 main distinguishing features of the Landscape Recovery Scheme:

  1.     Large scale projects: the scheme is designed to deliver outcomes that require collaborative action across a big area, such as restoring ecological or hydrological function across a landscape.
  2.     Long-term public funding (for example for 20years or longer); the scheme will support outcomes that take a long time to deliver, such as peatland restoration, woodland management or habitat restoration.
  3.     Bespoke agreements: the scheme can fund activities that contribute to priority outcomes but are specific to the locality and so difficult to facilitate through other schemes.
  4.     Blended funding: the features above and the provision of development funding should enable projects to attract private investment

 

Landscape Recovery projects will be selected in rounds, which will involve a competitive application process.

 

10 Jun 2024

Huge Rare Shad from local estuary

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         Dan Spearman was spinning for thin lipped mullet and had a shock when a huge allis shad estimated at 5lb seized his baited spinner. The fish gave an exciting account leaping from the water and making several long runs. The fish was landed and carefully returned to the water. The shad is a rare and endangered species and are not to be fished for intentionally.  The population appears to be increasing on the Taw with several reported each year by salmon anglers. The species spawn during late spring and early summer.

Thin lipped grey mullet are moving into the estuaries of the Taw and Torridge providing exciting sport for anglers using baited spinner tactics. Combe Martin SAC member John Shapland caught a fine  specimen thin lip of 4lb 4oz.