Shaun Antony Ley sent me this account of his trip to Blakewell with his son Danny.
As a keen angler growing up fishing with my dad it’s only natural that I’ve been waiting for my son to show an interest and catch his 1st fish by himself on a fly. New Years Day seemed like the perfect time to try our luck at Blakewell. Danny’s interest was soon established when we saw fish rising and turning as I set up he picked his fly and spot. Not long after he bagged his 1st trout quickly followed by a second which was bigger. A perfect start to the New Year.
This fine double figure rainbow trout brought a smile to Nick Hart’s face as he travelled through the Londons Piccadilly on his way to his work at Farlow’s. Content in the knowledge that his wife Sue is keeping the home lake running smoothly. The cracking fish was tempted from Exe Valley Fishery by fishery regular Danny Ford. Exe Valley wish everyone a fantastic few days break, and a Merry Christmas!
The report below is unfortunately a little short of news from North Devon with little reported from Wistlandpound our local brown trout fishery that has not been fished as much as it perhaps deserved. I know some anglers who fished there enjoyed some fine sport with the brown trout that were stocked and the population of resident wild brown trout. I will speak with South West Lakes Trust over the coming weeks and try to discover what the future holds for North Devon’s Trout anglers.
I caught my first rainbow trout at Wistlandpound Reservoir back in the mid 1970’s and the memory is etched as a vivid memory in my minds eye. Back then the reservoirs were under the ownership of The North Devon Water Board. A great deal has changed since then when several of our local reservoirs were trout fisheries. Melbury, Jennetts, Upper Tamar, Upper Slade and Lower Slade were all stocked with rainbow trout and all had a small head of resident brown trout.
The political and commercial landscape has changed dramatically since those far off days. It is easy to look back with rose tinted glasses at those days and the years that followed. The arrival of small well stocked still-waters with bigger easier to catch fish has to some extent changed many anglers expectations and bred discontent.
To a large extent trout fishings future will be dictated to by the price anglers are prepared to pay for their sport and numbers that buy a permit. There is vast range of fly fishing on offer to suit all the most important factor is going to be number of younger anglers that are motivated to pick up a rod.
Wayne Thomas
A fine Wistlandpound brown Trout
A good number of fish have still been feeding from the surface, which has led to some exciting dry fly sport, particularly with Daddies and Hoppers. Water levels are now starting to rise, while water temperatures are now between 13 ºc and 15 ºc. The Trust’s Brown Trout fisheries closed for the season on 13 October, with the Rainbow waters open until the end of November.
Fishing:
Kennick – Weekly rod averages varied between 1.5 and just under 3 fish per angler over the month, with most fish being caught from the banks (boat anglers did the best when fishing into the margins). Clampitts Bay, Smithacoot Bank and the shallow water off Laployd Bank produced the most fish. When fish fed from the surface in early mornings and evenings, dry sedge patterns and buzzer emergers caught well; otherwise small subsurface nymph patterns (Diawl Bach, Hares Ear Nymphs, Damsel Nymphs and Montanas) fished either singly or in teams on floating lines produced the best results, with deeper fish taking slow fished Boobies. The best fish caught in the month was a 3lb 7oz Rainbow caught by Mr J. Rumbold, while Mr Peppitt, from Newton Abbot, caught the best bag of 16 fish.
Siblyback – Two Meadows and Stocky Bay continued to produce the best sport, mainly for anglers fishing from the banks. While not many fish fed from the surface, they could still be tempted up with Daddies and Hoppers, although the majority of fish were caught on sub-surface nymph patterns (Diawl Bachs, Hares Ears and Pheasant Tails), while Red Blobs and Orange lures caught some of the deeper feeding fish.
Burrator – Longstone Peninsula continued to provide the best fishing from the banks and, with the presence of numerous sedges on the water, Deer Hare and Hares Ear sedge patterns produced good dry fly results, along with Silver Invictas fished on a floating line just under the surface. Parachute Emergers, fished in conjunction with a team of Buzzers and Diawl Bachs, proved to be a productive combination, especially in the mornings, while Kennick Killers fished on an intermediate or sinking line proved to be the most effective deeper pattern.
Stithians – This fishery produced the best surface sport over the region, with a wide variety of floating patterns catching fish, including Dry Grey Goose, Bobs Bits, Deer Hair Sedges, Black Spiders and beige Klinkhammers, otherwise small nymph patterns fished just under the surface (Diawl Bachs, Hares Ears, Hares Ears and small Montanas) on floating or sink-tip lines produced good results. A few deeper feeding fish were caught on White Nomads and Cats Whisker Boobie patterns. The best locations included North Bank, Pipe Bay, Mossops and Goonlaze banks and the deeper water by the dam
Roadford– Numbers of Daddy Longlegs blown onto the water meant that fish were looking up to feed and were caught on Dry Daddies and Hoppers or Gold Head Daddies fished under the surface film. Dark patterns caught well, including Black Pennells and Black and Peacock Spiders, fished on sink-tip floating lines. Bank anglers picked up fish from Davey’s Bank and Gaddacombe Creek, while boats did well in Goodacre Bay, the deeper water near the dam and fishing over the boils.
Drift – Badger Bank continued to provide the best bank fishing, with good fishing to be had throughout the day now that temperatures have started to fall. While there have been some fish showing on the surface on calmer days and late evenings, anglers have favoured sub-surface dark patterns (small black nymphs, UV crunchers and small Woolly Buggers), preferably in teams, fished on a floating line.
THE BEST
The Trust’s prestigious ‘Best of the Best’ final, supported by Snowbee UK, was held at Kennick on 15 October, with 43 qualifying bank anglers taking part. Weather conditions were perfect, with a good ripple and plenty of fish showing all day. Takes were tentative and a frustrating number of fish were lost before netting, although 70 Rainbows, 20 Browns, and 1 Blue were landed. Last year’s Runner-up, Rob Gale, out-fished everybody and managed to bank six fish for 10lb 14oz to take the Winner’s trophy and a cash prize of £1500. Runner-up Paul Jones landed five fish weighing 10lb 3oz to take the £750 cash prize and Runner-Up Trophy.
The lake will be closed for essential maintenance for up to one week from Tuesday 19th September 2017 we intend to re-open on Monday 26th September.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We will endeavor to complete the work sooner and we will advise via our website email & Facebook if this is the case.
All our other facilities at Blakewell are open as usual, including the family fishing ponds and the cafe.
South West Lakes Trout Fisheries Report (August 2017)
Stocking quality rainbows
General:
Although water temperatures dropped slightly (to around 18 ºc) in August, the reservoir fishing across the region proved challenging, particularly with Rainbows. Generally bag numbers and the size of fish caught were down on previous months, with Brown Trout, particularly in the evenings, providing the best sport. The Trout, particularly Rainbows, have been lethargic and not keen to feed, preferring to retire to the cooler, deeper waters of the fisheries. Water levels continue to drop, exposing fresh areas of bank.
Stocking quality rainbows
Fishing:
Kennick – The Top End, Narrows and Boat Bay proved to be the most productive areas for both boat and bank anglers, with the best sport to be had in the mornings and evenings. The most popular fly patterns included Damsel Nymphs, Diawl Bachs and teams of Buzzers fished at varying depths, with deeper fish taking Boobies and Tadpoles. The occasional fish would rise to small midges and Black Gnats, particularly in the evenings. The best fish caught included a 3lb 12oz Rainbow, caught by Mr R Goss from Exeter, using a Booby and a 3lb 9oz Rainbow, caught by Phil Bryant from Ermington, using a Cruncher. Barry Ware from North Tawton caught a bag of 11 fish whilst fishing from the bank early in the month. The majority of fish stocked and caught during August were Brown Trout.
Siblyback – The majority of catches during August were taken either from Stocky Bay or Two Meadows, with late afternoons and evenings the best time to fish. Although few fish were feeding from the surface, the occasional fish could be tempted to rise to Hopper patterns, sub-surface Montanas and teams of Buzzers as well as deeper-fished weighted dark patterns (Black Tadpoles and Gold-head Nomads in particular) which proved to be the most successful method.
Burrator – The banks at Longstone Peninsula and the South Bank produced the best fishing over the month, with Bobs Bits, Buzzer Emergers and Black Gants all taking rising fish. The majority of fish, however, have again been caught on sub-surface nymphs (Damsel Nymphs, Montanas, Black Crunchers and Black and Peacock Spiders) fished on either sink-tip or intermediate lines, with more fish now being taken on dark lures (Boobies and Tadpoles) fished on sinking lines. Local angler Alan Lawson caught the best fish of the month, a 3lb 3oz Rainbow caught on a drowned Black Gnat.
Stithians – The presence of midges and beetles over the water meant that fish continued to look to the surface for food, with a variety of dry patterns, including Sedges, Hawthorns, various emergers patterns, Muddlers, F-Flies and Black and Peacock Spiders fished in the surface film, all producing results. The majority of fish, however, were taken on nymphs and wet patterns, particularly teams of Buzzers, Caddis pupa, Pheasant Tail Nymphs and Hares Ears. Fish were well spread out over the fishery, with the best locations including Pipe Bay, Sluice, Goonlaze Bank, Pub Bay, Carmenellis Bank and Yellowort Bay. Mr R Lambourne from Lanner caught a number of Rainbows of around 2lb using a dry Deerhair Sedge and Claret Emergers.
Roadford – With fish rising in the mornings and evenings, small dry patterns (Black Gnats and Black Spiders in the surface film) have been fishing well, particularly off the banks (Daveys and Gaddacombe). There are also large numbers of damsel and dragonfly nymphs present and Roadford’s Brown Trout are feasting on these. Damsel and large olive nymphs are producing good results. Boat anglers are enjoying success, either fishing nymphs into the banks or pulling muddlers and lures over the boils.
Colliford – Large Browns are chasing shoals of sticklebacks in the shallows near the dam – pulled lures and muddlers should produce some exciting sport.
Wistlandpound – Anglers averaged just under two fish per rod, with the best fishing in the deeper water by the dam and from the jetty, generally with small nymph patterns.
Nick Hart at Exe Valley writes : I Just love introducing new people to fly fishing and this weekend I have been looking after The Crawfords … and how well did they catch?! Celebrating Robins 60th birthday, his sons Adrian and Gary treated the 3 of them to a weekend away on Exe Valley. After casting tuition yesterday they got stuck into the fishing and in tough bright windy conditions picked out 4 nice Trout (and a whitebait!) using a washing line with Blobs. Better was to come as today they excelled with Robin fittingly topping the leader board with 4 Trout to 6lb. Their total bag of 10 pulled the scales down to 36lbs … and they lost at least another 6. All fish caught on #14 quill buzzers in the top 2 feet. Very well done guys it has been a pleasure to fish with you this weekend!
Russell Hill and Samantha Fullerton joined NIck Hart on Exmoor’s wild streams chasing the beautiful wild brown trout that abound in these clear waters.
It looks like the work to improve Exe Valley Fishery and most notably Anchor Lake is paying off as the venue has just been voted as one of the Top 100 UK Still-waters by the Trout Fisherman magazine. In fact the fishery entered the top 50, reaching 42nd place, even better news, this year the water remains open to anglers after last year’s disastrous summer when I had to close. There is no doubt that the cooler air and heavy rainfall have helped, but extensive work to clear weed has also assisted.
South West Lakes Trout Fisheries Report (July 2017)
General:
Temperatures have remained high throughout the month and, with bright sunshine and water at around 20 ºc, the Trout, particularly Rainbows, have been lethargic and not keen to feed, preferring to retire to the cooler deeper waters of the fisheries. Water levels have now started to drop, exposing fresh areas of bank.
Fishing:
Kennick – The warm conditions meant that fishing proved challenging during the main parts of the day, with best results to be had early in the morning or in the evenings, with the Top End and the Narrows producing the best fishing for boat and bank anglers alike. Fish were still happy to feed near the surface, with Hoppers and dry Buzzer Emergers producing reasonable results, although sub-surface nymphs, particularly Damsel Nymphs and Diawl Bachs or teams of Buzzers, fished on an intermediate or sink-tip line caught the most fish, with the occasional Trout taking a deeper-fished Tadpole. The best fish caught in the month was a 4lb 8oz Rainbow, caught by Mr A. Dunstone from Plymouth, using a Gold Ribbed Hares Ear nymph fished from the bank at the Top End, as part of a full bag. During the hot weather the lake will now be stocked with Brown Trout.
Siblyback – Late afternoons and evenings produced the best fishing at Siblyback, when fish could be taken on Daddylonglegs and Dark Hoppers from the surface, or more successfully on a selection of sub-surface nymphs (Diawl Bachs, Buzzers and Montanas) fished on floating and intermediate lines. The best fish of the month was a 3lb 3oz Rainbow, caught by Dave Johns from Holsworthy.
Burrator – The banks at Longstone Peninsula and along to Sheepstor Dam have produced the best fishing over the month, with Hoppers, Hawthorns and Black Gants all taking rising fish. The majority of fish, however, have again been caught on sub-surface nymphs (Damsel Nymphs, Montanas, sunk Bibios and Kate Mclarens) fished on either floating or intermediate lines, while the occasional deeper fish have taken pulled Vivas and dark Cats Whiskers.
During the summer holiday period there is a special offer of a £5 reduction in ticket and boat prices – see the South West Lakes Trust website or contact the fishery for more details.
Stithians – In spite of the high temperatures, anglers averaged just under 2 fish per rod during the month. The most productive locations included Yellowort Bay, Chapel Bay, Pub Bay and Pipe Bay. With a lot of midges and brown beetles blown onto the water, fish are still looking up to feed and dry patterns have fished particularly well – in particular Beetles, Black Hoppers, Hawthorns, Bobs Bits and dark dry sedge patterns. A selection of small sub-surface nymphs have also produced some good results, particularly Hares ears, Buzzers, Diawl Bachs and Pheasant Tail Nymphs, when fished on sink-tip lines. The best fish caught during the month was a 3lb Brown Trout, caught by Mr R.Keast from Penryn, using a Gold-ribbed Hares Ear at Yellowort Bay.
Drift –Rods averaged 3.5 fish per angler, which included a number of full bags of both Rainbows and Brown Trout. Bank anglers achieved the best results fishing from Badger Sett Bank and the North Bank, while boats and float-tubes caught well off the woods and by the dam. Subsurface patterns fished on a floating line caught the most fish, with Diawl Bachs, Black Crunchers and small black nymphs, all producing good results, either singly or fished in teams.
Roadford – In spite of the hot weather, the Brownies at Roadford have continued to look to the surface to feed, particularly off the banks (Daveys and Gaddacombe), where fish have been taking a selection of small nymphs, wets (fished on sink-tip lines) and dry patterns (including Daddies and Beetles). Boat anglers have also enjoyed success while fishing into the banks and over the boils – Andy Birkett from Plymouth caught the best fish of the month, a stunning 5lb 8oz Brown (as part of a bag of 16 fish), while fishing a Soldier Palmer under the bubbles.
Fernworthy – Anglers have had a tremendous month at this picturesque Brown Trout water, averaging over 6.5 fish per rod. The annual arrival of the swarms of beetle have meant that the fish have been looking up to feed, resulting in excellent dry fly sport, with foam beetle patterns, Dry Bibios, Sedges and Spiders producing outstanding sport, with a few sub-surface feeders taking Hares Ears, Montanas and Damsel Nymphs. Fish have been feeding well throughout the day, with most fish caught by the permit hut and from the Lawns. The best fish caught during the month was a grown-on Brown Trout of 2lb 1oz using a Bracken Beetle, while Paul Ackland from Plympton caught and returned 32 fish using a Black Ethafoam Beetle – in his words, a ‘red letter’ day!
Colliford – The fishing has at last started to pick up at Colliford, with local angler Dean Boucher losing a fish estimated at over 5lb at the net, as a final run pulled the hook.
Purchase a fishing ticket in July or August & you can come back as often as you like until you have reached your bag limit! That’s right, so if you purchase say a 5 fish ticket you can keep coming back through July & August until you have caught your 5 fish… Bargain!
