Bulldog Fisheries November Trout Fishing Competition was won by Ian Conabear with six rainbow trout for a total bag weight of 15lb. Aidan Revie was runner up with six for 14lb 15oz and Nick Tamlin fourth with six for 14lb. The biggest fish of the day was a fine tiger trout of 6lb 14oz to Aidan Revie.
The winners with their well earned prizes
Bulldogs monthly trout competitions are very much a social occasion with plenty of coffee, biscuits, bacon rolls to start the day and burgers and chips for midday lunch. The events are limited to twelve anglers and generally sell out quickly. Novembers competition was blessed with sunshine and light winds which may not have been ideal for the trout were certainly perfect for the competitors. Heavy rain showers had hit hard the previous day and weather warnings were in place for the following day.
The competition got underway shortly after 9.00am and the trout were obliging for the first hour with most anglers catching a brace or two with lures working well.
My own morning session resulted in four rainbow trout to 3lb 12oz all tempted on my favourite olive damsel. I enjoyed an hour chatting with fellow anglers and capturing a few images of this last day of Autumn.
The afternoon session proved hard going with just a few trout tempted a fact that proved frustrating for Tom and Nigel who had recently stocked some very large brown trout, spartics and tigers. These large fish will undoubtedly succumb to anglers over the coming weeks or maybe at the Christmas Competition on December 14th.
The Trust’s Brown Trout fisheries have now closed for the 2025 season, while the Rainbow waters will stay open until the end of the year – check the South West Lakes Trust website for current ticket price offers. The drop in temperatures and the recent winds and rains have meant that water temperatures continue to fall, while levels continue to rise, except for at Kennick, where South West Water has lowered the levels for operational reasons.
Fishing:
Kennick – The level here is now down to 15% capacity, which means that there are a lot of newly exposed muddy banks – anglers should check for the latest information regarding boat availability and any bank closures (due to soft mud). The East Bank, The Lawns, Kennick Bay and Boat Bay have continued to produce some good sport, with either floating, sink-tip lines and long leaders, or intermediate lines with a slow retrieve producing the best results. Anglers were averaging 1.6 fish per visit. Small Black Buzzers, Coch-y-bondhus, Damsels and Diawl Bachs have all caught well, as have Silver Butchers, Whiskey Flies, Cats Whiskers, Vivas, Yellow Blobs and Fry Imitations.
Siblyback – The sport really picked up this month at Siblyback, with anglers reporting catch averages of 3.4 fish per visit. The favoured tactic was a floating line fished with a medium or slow retrieve. Rainbows rose to Foam Daddies and Hopper patterns, with sub-surface feeders taking Black Buzzers, sunk Daddies, Orange Fritz Blobs, Kennick Killers and Black and Red Cormorants. The best locations included West Bank, Stocky Bay, Crylla, The Meadows and The Stones. Water levels remained at around 38% capacity throughout the month.
Burrator – The excellent fishing at Burrator continued throughout the month, with anglers averaging 2.7 fish per visit. Productive locations included Discovery Bay, Longstone, Pig Trough, Back Bay and Narrator; fishing a sub-surface pattern with a slow retrieve on a floating, sink-tip, or intermediate line proved to be the most successful tactic. A selection of nymph patterns (Damsels, Buzzers, Diawl Bachs and Montanas) as well as lures (Viva, Orange Streamer, Baby Doll, Yellow Blob, Cats Whisker and Tadpole) all caught fish. The level is at 53% capacity at the time of writing.
Stithians – Anglers averaged 1.9 fish per visit over the month, with the best of the fishing to be found at Yellowort, Pub Bay, Mossops, Golden Lion Point and Sailing Club Banks. Floating line tactics proved to be the most productive, with most fish feeding within a foot of the surface. Popular patterns included dry Foam Daddies, Deer Hair Sedge patterns and Dry Grizzle Mink, or sub-surface Hares Ears, Black Spiders, Whiskey Flies, Orange Muglers and Orange Nomads. The water level remained at around 46% throughout the month.
It had been too long since my last visit to Wimbleball Reservoir and on arrival at the lake shoreline I was shocked to stand at top water level and gaze at the distant boat launching pontoon far away at the water’s edge.
The lake now at less than 30% capacity demonstrates the impact of a dry spring followed by a long dry summer. The recent Autumn rainfall has had little impact so far and we can only hope for a very wet winter to restore the reservoir to full before next Spring. Abstraction from the River Exe will be key for Wessex and South West Water in achieving this goal for the lake is a shared resource that provides water across Devon and Somerset. I believe there are plans to build a new reservoir adjacent to Cheddar Reservoir that will take some of the load off Wimbleball but this is several years away.
There was a brisk North West Wind blowing which would undoubtedly influence where to fish. After loading the boat I headed up to Bessom’s an area that had been producing and is often productive at this time of year.
The road bridge stood high and dry a stark indication of the low level already mentioned. Autumn leaves in shades of bronze stood as a backdrop to the scene. It was indeed well worth visiting the lake to witness the banks revealing scars from its living past before the huge concrete dam held back the River Haddeo that joins the River Exe a mile or so below Dulverton.
The water at this shallow end of the lake was rather murky as a result of recent rain. I thought this could be the reason I could get no action as I searched the water with my flies. I headed to the dam end of the lake and passed the two other boats fishing the lake. I enquired as to success to be told that they too were struggling to find the fish.
I ventured into the deeply wooded Upton Arm hoping to find some shelter but the North West Wind seemed to be increasing in strength making fishing difficult. It was fascinating to explore the steep slopes with the rotting roots of tree’s an eery testament to the valley that was flooded in the late 1970’s.
I felt slightly ill at ease alone in this secluded area and decided to head back up to the dam area where I found more sheltered water. After half an hour or so I still failed to connect with any of the lakes trout. I was using a sinking line with a damsel nymph on the point and a black cormorant on a dropper. This was a combination I felt confident with and my gut feeling was to stick with this and search for fish.
I headed back up the lake again trying the shallow end. It was one of those days when things just seemed hard going. Those days when the wind catches the fly and it ends up stuck right in the middle of your back forcing you to disrobe to remove it. The fly you have just selected and put on the seat blows off into your fishing bag resulting in five minutes playing find the fly.
Deciding on another move I pulled the starter rope to be met with a brief splutter and total engine seizure. Looking over the back of the boat I spied a short length of rope wrapped tightly around the prop. It was impossible to remove the rope in situation so I had to haul the outboard on to the boat. The rope was solid and there was no way I could untangle it. All I had on me was a pair of line snips totally inadequate for cutting the rope free. Fortunately a friend of mine was within hailing distance and was able to assist cutting the rope free with a pair of robust garden scissors. A valuable lesson was learnt; always carry a knife in your fishing bag just in case you need to cut yourself free. Luck was to some extent on my side though for if this had happened whilst in the Upton Arm my days fishing would undoubtedly have been ruined. As the long row back against the strong wind would have been challenging to say the least.
Persistence will generally pay off and I headed to the North shore where I found better clarity and deep water close to the bank. I stuck to the same fly combination and was encouraged to see anglers in another boat enjoying some success as their rods flexed as a fish splashed in the water.
I felt a momentary tightening of the line that injected a degree of optimism and belief. Five minutes later there came that delightful tug on the line as a rainbow trout devoured one of my offerings. The fish fought hard leaping from the water and giving numerous strong runs that tested both tackle and my nerves.
I was relieved to pull a splendid rainbow of around 4lb 8oz into the net. It had taken the black cormorant on the dropper and I noted that the barbless hook was held by just a sliver of skin in the side of the mouth. I noted that it was now cloudy with light drizzle, the wind had dropped and it was undoubtedly a couple of degrees warmer. A brace of rainbows followed in the next half an hour and with the light starting to fade I called it a day contented with success on a hard day.
These hard days are often more rewarding than those days when fish come easily to the lures.
As I drove away in the fading light a barn owl glided close to the road and I slowed down to watch it settle on an old farm trailer. The privileged sight of this ghostly bird still lingers in the mind as I reflect upon the day fishing Exmoor’s premier trout water.
A month of mixed weather conditions, some days warm and sunny, others wet, windy, and cooler, which, along with cooler nights, has meant that water temperatures are starting to drop, and water levels to slowly rise. Storm Amy helped to stir things up, with strong winds and some heavy downpours making angling conditions challenging.
Fishing:
Kennick – The fishing improved as the month progressed, with anglers averaging 2.3 fish per rod overall. The best locations included Smithacott, The East Wall, The Narrows, Poplar Bay and Bracken Point, with boat anglers doing well in Clampitts and in the deeper central water. Fish proved to be feeding at all depths, so anglers needed to be open-minded to trying a selection of different line methods and tactics. Similarly, a wide variety of fly types all caught fish, depending on the conditions on the day (particularly successful patterns included Black Hoppers, Foam-back Daddies, Sedges, Buzzers, Montanas, Damsels, Diawl Bachs, Cats Whiskers, Orange Blobs, Cormorants and Nomads).
Graham Roberts (from Totnes) and his boat partner caught four rainbows to 4lbs on a sunny day, about 16ºc, fishing deep with lure patterns; in another session they caught thirteen fish to 3lb 12oz, again using fast sinking lines and lures. Andrew Kirchin (from Dawlish) caught two rainbows to 3lb, using foam-back Daddies, while Richard Berrisford caught two rainbows to 3lb using a mini-snake pattern on an intermediate line in one session, and another six fish to 2lb 10oz on a deep-fished Tequila Booby on another visit. For operational reasons, South West Water has recently dropped the level considerably, which has restricted the number of boats available, and left some banks unfishable due to soft mud – the level is now down to 32%. Check the Trust’s website for the latest updates.
Burrator – The fishing at Burrator continued to improve, with anglers achieving an overall monthly average of 4.6 fish per rod (with a couple of weeks exceeding six fish). Generally, floating or intermediate line tactics proved to be the most successful. Popular locations included Longstone, Back Bay, Pigs Trough, Sheepstor, Discovery Bay and Pines. Foam Daddies, Hawthorns, Tequila Hoppers, Sedges and Klinkhammers caught surface-feeding fish, while deeper fish were caught on both nymphs (Damsels, Buzzers and Hares Ear Nymphs) and lure patterns (Goldhead Yellow and Orange streamers, Tequila Blobs, Orange Fritz and Cats Whiskers).
Gordon McLeod (from Tavistock), caught a bag of twelve fish, which included a cracking 4lb rainbow (a personal best as well as the best fish caught at Burrator this season) on a Candy Blob; Gordon also caught a bag of eleven rainbows to 2lb on another visit using a Tequila Blob. Daniel Forrester (from Hatherleigh) also caught eleven fish to 2lb using a Candyfloss Booby pulled slowly across the surface to imitate floating fry. Water levels are now at 47%.
Stithians – The fishing continued to improve as the month progressed, with anglers averaging well over three fish per visit in two of the weeks. Floating line tactics proved to be the best, with plenty of fish rising to dry patterns (Hares Ear Parachute, Elk Hair Sedge, Beetles, Midge Hoppers and Black Hoppers). Sub-surface feeders were caught on Diawl Bachs, Spider patterns and Damsels, as well as lure patterns (Orange Blobs, Minkies, Cormorants, Black Fritz, Cats Whiskers and Fry Patterns). Popular locations included The Dam, Mossopps, Goonlaze, Pipe Bay, Hollis, Yellowort and Sluice Bank. John Henderson had an excellent day’s sport, catching five rainbows and twelve browns, with most fish taking surface patterns. Levels are at 50%.
Colliford – Colliford fished consistently well throughout the month, with anglers averaging 3.2 fish per visit, with Lords Waste, Middle Car Park, Stuffles, Dam and East Bank producing the best sport. Floating line tactics proved the be the best option, with Dry Sedges, Bibio Hoppers, Daddylonglegs, Olive Crunchers, Bobs Bits, Zulu, Bibios, Soldier Palmers, Alexandras and Black and Peacock Spiders all catching well. Chris Tilyard caught seven browns to 12” on Bobs Bits, while Paul Mockford caught four fish to 30cm on a Bibio pattern. Water levels are now at 44%.
Fernworthy – The fishing at Fernworthy proved to be fairly consistent throughout the month, with anglers averaging 1.4 fish per visit. Generally floating lines were preferred, with fish taking a variety of patterns on or just under the surface (Sedges, Black Parachute patterns, Silver Invicta, Kate McLarens, CDC Hoppers, Daddy Longlegs, Soldier Palmers, Hares Ear and Pheasant Tail nymphs). Thornworthy, Dam bank, Picnic area and South Bank proved to be the most productive locations. Levels are at 71% at time of writing.
Low level at the close of season at Roadford
Roadford – The excellent sport continued at Roadford as the season draws to an end, with anglers averaging 3.5 fish per visit (up to 5.8 in one week). Gaddacombe, Wortha, Big Oaks, South Shop, Goodacre and Daveys Bank all proved to be popular locations, with anglers preferring floating line tactics. Successful patterns included Diawl Bach, Soldier Palmer, Zulu, Cats Whiskers, Black Gnats, Black Tadpoles, Spiders, Crunchers and Black Pennels. Dean Boucher (from Gunnislake) caught eleven browns to 16” using a Soldier Palmer and Black Tadpole; he also caught thirteen fish up to 1lb on a previous visit, using pulled wet patterns (again Soldier Palmer and Black Tadpole). Chris Langton also caught five browns. Water levels are now at 60% capacity.
Below – The latest thirty to be caught at Bulldog.
The trout lake is now fishing well with big browns and hard fighting rainbows relishing the lower water temperatures and increased oxygen levels of Autumn. A few happy customers below..
A welcome drop in temperatures, along with some rain helped to freshen the reservoir waters, although at some fisheries many fish preferred to stay in the deeper water, where boat anglers fared slightly better than their counterparts on the bank.
Fishing:
Kennick – In spite of the cooler temperatures, the fishing proved challenging at Kennick, with anglers averaging 1.7 fish per visit. The best locations included Sycamore Wall, Poplar Bay and Bracken Point, with boat anglers catching fish in Clampitts Bay and the deeper central water. An intermediate line or floating line with a sink-tip, or a sinking line proved to be the most successful tactic, fishing either nymphs and wets (Diawl Bachs, Montanas, Buzzers and Damsels) or lure patterns (Tadpoles and Boobies). Graham Roberts (from Totnes) and his boat partner caught thirteen rainbows to 3lb 12oz, with two others over 3lb, using fast sinkers and lure patterns (having previously had no success fishing on the top). Richard Berresford caught six rainbows to 2lb 10oz using a Tequila Booby fished deep with a slow figure-of-eight retrieve with pauses from a boat, and two rainbows to 3lb using a mini snake pattern on an intermediate line on a further visit. Water levels are down to 45% capacity at the time of writing.
Burrator – The fishing at Burrator improved this month, with anglers averaging 3.9 per visit, with fish being caught all over the reservoir (including Longstone, Pig Trough, Discovery Bay, Bennett’s and Sheepstor). With fish coming to the surface to feed, floating lines with dry patterns (Foam Daddies, Bob’s Bits, Sedges and Hoppers) produced some good sport, while deeper feeders were caught on intermediate lines using nymph (Buzzers, Damsels, Montanas) and lure (Tequila Blob, Yellow Streamer, Cormorant, FAB, Black and Green Blob) patterns, fished with a variety of retrieval methods. Gordon McLeod (from Tavistock) caught eleven rainbows to 2lb using a Tequila Blob fishing early in the morning. Daniel Forrester (from Hatherleigh) also caught eleven rainbows to 2lb between Sheepstor Bank and Pig Trough Bank – in spite of plenty of surface activity, he could only interest his fish with deeper lure patterns (particularly Candy Floss Boobie). Water levels are now down to 40% capacity.
Stithians – The fishing improved as the month progressed, with lightweight floating lines together with dry patterns (Hares Ear Parachute, Midge Hopper, Elk Hair Sedge, Daddies and Beetles) producing some excellent surface sport. Deeper feeders took a selection of nymph patterns (mainly Damsel Nymphs) and lures (FAB, Cruncher Apache, Minkie and Orange Blob). Popular locations included Goonlaze, Ray’s Beech, Pipe Bay, Hollis, Oub Bay and Sluice Bank). Levels are down to 60% capacity at time of writing.
Colliford – The sport improved dramatically during the month, with anglers averaging 4.1 fish per visit. The best locations included the Middle Car Park, Lord’s Waste, The East Bank and the bank near the dam. Plenty of Sedge and Midge hatches meant that the browns were keen to feed off or just under the surface, taking Bibio Hoppers, Bob’s Bits, Black and Peacock Spiders, Black cdc Emergers, Zulus and Soldier Palmers. Water levels are now at 54% capacity.
Fernworthy – In spite of a fairly consistent hatch just before dusk, the fishing proved to be fairly challenging at Fernworthy, with anglers averaging less than a fish per visit. The South Bank proved to be the most popular, with some fish taking both dry patterns (Black Parachute, Tup’s, dry Sedge and cdc Hopper), and sub-surface Muddlers, Silver Invictas and Kate McLaren. Water levels are still quite high, at 78% capacity.
Roadford – The fishing at Roadford improved as the month progressed, with a weekly rod average increasing to 5.8 fish per angler. Popular locations included Davey’s Bank, Wortha and Goodacre, where Soldier Palmers, Spiders, Brown Hares Ear Nymphs and Diawl Bachs fished on floating lines proved to be the most successful, with a few fish also taking Black Tadpoles. Dean Boucher (from Gunnislake) caught eleven browns to 16” using pulled Soldier Palmers and Black Tadpoles on a floating line in one visit, and on another, thirteen fish to 1lb using the same tactics. Levels are now down to 65% at time of writing.
Please see the Trust’s website (www.swlakestrust.org.uk/trout-fishing) for more information on buying tickets, boat availability and booking, and forthcoming events.
Another hot dry month means that water and air temperatures have continued to rise, while levels continue to fall. Generally fish have been in the cooler deeper water, and fishing from boats (where available) with sinking or intermediate lines has often been the best option.
Fishing:
Kennick – Rods averaged 2.4 fish per visit, with boat anglers having the edge over bank anglers, managing to access the deeper water locations. Sinking, Intermediate or sink tip lines with a variety of retrieval methods (from slow ‘figure-of-eight’ to a fast pull) proved to be the best tactic, fishing the deep water or near the bottom in most cases. The Narrows, Boat Bay, Clampitts Bay, The East Wall, Smithacott, Oak Tree Point and The Causeway all proved to be popular locations. Some fish would rise to take a dry pattern (Foam Beetle, Daddy or Hopper), but most preferred to feed deeper, taking either Lures (Orange or Tequila Blobs, Green and Black or Orange Fritz, White Minnows, Yellow and Orange FABs) or deep nymphs (Buzzers, Damsels, Montanas and Hares Ears). Andrew Algar caught five rainbows to 3lb 7oz in one session, and seven to 3lb on another, fishing from a boat on both occasions, using dark flies and a slow retrieve on sinking lines. Joseph Croy caught five rainbows to 3lb; Graham Roberts and his boat partner caught nine rainbows to 3lb between them, again fishing the deep water. Water temperatures are now up to 21ºC, with the level down to 57% capacity.
Siblyback – The warmer conditions have proved challenging for anglers, with rods averaging under one fish per visit. A few anglers have found success with a floating line, with the occasional fish rising to a Daddy or Black Hopper, but most fish have fallen to Orange Blobs, Green Boobies or Orange Fritz, as well as some nymph patterns (Buzzers, PTNs, Invictas and GH Montanas), all fished with a medium retrieve on a sinking line. Popular locations included Stocky Bay, Two Meadows, West Bank and the deeper water by the dam. Levels are now down to 56% capacity.
Burrator – Levels were down to 45% capacity by the end of the month, thus opening up additional areas to bank anglers. In spite of the warm conditions, anglers enjoyed some excellent sport, averaging 3.2 fish per visit, which included some great bags of up to ten fish. The best locations included Lowery Point, Longstone, Sheepstor, Bennetts, The Pines and Pig’s Trough. Fish fed throughout the water column, with anglers catching on Floating, Intermediate and Sinking lines, generally using a fast retrieve. Successful dry patterns included Black Gnats, Claret Hoppers, Sedges, Bobs Bits and Foam Daddies. Otherwise, Damsels, Buzzers, Diawl Bachs and Montanas took the sub-surface feeders, as did lure patterns such as Tequila Blobs, Orange Blobs, Vivas, Cormorants and Boobies. Al Green (from Plymouth) caught ten fish in one session, fishing early in the morning, with feeding fish showing on the surface – he fished with floating and intermediate lines and a fast strip or fast ‘figure-of-eight’ retrieve. Richard Peel also netted ten fish from a boat. Kevin Sellar (from Plymouth) caught a bag of nine rainbows, as did Nick Forrester. Levels are at 45% capacity at time of writing.
Stithians – Anglers managed just under one fish per rod, mainly using floating or sink-tip lines, with fish being caught at Pub Bay, Goonlaze, Yellowort, Ray’s Reach and Pipe Bay, generally between four and five feet down. With fish coming up to the surface, Beetles, Black Gnats, Daddies and Hoppers all caught trout, while deeper feeders took Montanas, Diawl Bachs, Buzzers and Soldier Palmers. Levels are now down to 65% capacity.
Colliford – This month anglers averaged just under two browns per visit, with most anglers favouring floating lines with a variety of retrieves. Productive banks included Lord’s Waste, Menaridian, Stuffles and the deeper water by the dam. Dry patterns were popular, with fish taking Beetles, Orange Daddies, Claret Hoppers, Deer Hair Sedge and Dry Red Ants; successful sunk patterns included Soldier Palmers, Peter Ross, Zulus and Black Pennells.
Fernworthy – Anglers averaged 1.2 fish per visit this month, with most fish being caught off Lowton, Permit Hut, Thornworthy, Brownhills and the South Bank. Floating lines proved to be the order of the day, with Sedges, Black Gnats, Daddies and Bibio Hoppers catching rising fish, while Diawl Bachs, Buzzers and Black Pennells took the deeper feeders. There has been a good hatch of buzzers in the evenings. Water levels are now down to 83%.
Roadford – It proved to be a quiet month at Roadford with anglers averaging 0.6 fish per visit. Fish were found at Grinnacombe, Shop Bay, Davey’s Bank and the deeper water by the dam, with nymph and wet patterns catching most fish (Buzzers, Invictas, Black Pennells and Soldier Palmers). Water levels are at 77% at the time of writing.
Please see the Trust’s website (www.swlakestrust.org.uk/trout-fishing) for more information on buying tickets, boat availability and booking, and forthcoming events.
Don’t miss the Bulldog Fisheries Christmas fly comp!
