A Danglers Diary – September 2025

I sometimes wonder what anglers want to read on North Devon Angling News in addition to the latest news from around the region. I thought it might be worthwhile taking a look back at the beginning of each month at the venues I have fished over the preceding month and the triumphs and trials I have encountered.

            In early September Pauline and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary. It is a testament to Pauline that she has accepted my obsession with angling throughout those fiorty plus years  supporting me great with patience. (Most of the time; for there are times when I have undoubtedly overstepped the mark a little).

            We celebrated at the Tarr Steps Inn beside the glorious River Barle that once teemed with salmon during the Autumn months. I remember catching a silver grilse on the day of Princess Diana’s funeral back in 1997. The river like many has suffered a dramatic decline in its salmon stocks though its wild brown trout are still abundant.

The Barle above Tarr Steps

In the Exmoor Town of Dulverton it was good to see minnows shoaling in the leat that runs past Rothwell & Dunsworth the book shop that always has a tempting array of fishing books.

An antique cased perch catches my eye…whats the story behind it?

The Glorious Wye

Whilst the River Wye in Herefordshire frequently makes the headlines regarding effluent from Chicken farms and agriculture it is still a beautiful rIver. its salmon runs have plummeted but it is still home to some wonderful Coarse fish.  I extracted a few bronze flanked chub on a trip in the middle of September.

A feast intended for barbel
This chub found rolled meat to its liking.

Evening light on a tranquil Wye.

HOME WATERS

The quiver tip back on home ground…

CORNISH REEF

The annual trip to fish in the Looe Basher was once again an enjoyable excursion visiting familar haunts.

The flooding tide
Out of Looe
A brace of comber for myself and Chris Hayton

Spectacular red gurnard

Bruce Elston with a fine conger

A decent black bream
wow ! what colours

Fish to brighten the dullest of days
Dominick is king of ling catching his third in three years.

Broken tips for two!

An un-welcome sign on the quayside where I spent many hours fishing as a child. Floatfishing for pollock after dark on Autumn evenings remembered with great fondness.

IN HOPE OF SALMON

Prime water on the River Torridge

THOSE WILD BROWNS ALWAYS OBLIGE

The beauty of a wild brown trout from the higher reaches of a local river.

Many thanks to Anglers Paradise for inviting Pauline and I to their 40 year celebrations.

Anglers Paradise