ZYG GREGOREK, owner of Angler's Eldorado in Halwill, is renowned for his globe-trotting exploits in search of outsize specimen fish.

His latest foray to the waters off Kenya proved spectacularly successful with his whole family striking into some superb sport.

Zyg's daughter, Zenia, caught her first marlin and followed that by completing a billfish grand slam, catching black marlin, striped marlin and sailfish on the same day — a feat achieved by very few anglers. During the six-day trip on the boat Tega they landed 35 billfish, 25 of which were marlin. All were tagged and released.

Last week members of Combe Martin Sea Angling Club, Triple Hook Club and Rod 'n' Reeler's met Jennie Reeves of Finding Sanctuary to discuss and provide information that will be used in the initial stages of setting up Marine Conservation Zones.

These are to be introduced over the next few years through the UK Marine and Coastal Access Act.

It is essential anglers get involved in the process.

Future drop-in days are planned in the coming months and when I receive details I will post them in this column.

Jennie has received valuable information from anglers in the South West who are reflecting upon a rapidly declining population of fish.

Talking with fellow anglers drives home just how fish stocks have declined in the past 20 years.

It is very sad to think the next generation will not have the chance to enjoy the sport I grew up with.

Let's hope the efforts to manage our waters have not come too late.

Combe Martin Sea Angling Club's latest monthly competition was won by Jason Barrow with a fine boat-caught cod of 17lb 14oz. Runner-up was a boat-caught spurdog of 11lb 8oz, and in third place was Dave Brooke with a dogfish of 2lb 12oz.

Graham Snow won Bideford Angling Club's Monthly Rover with a fine specimen grey mullet of 4lb 7½oz. Second was Jazza John with a wrasse of 4lb 9½oz and in third Martin Short with a wrasse of 3lb 15-and-one-eighth oz. John took fourth with a wrasse of 3lb 12-and-one-eighth oz, Dick Talbot was fifth with a dogfish of 2lb three-and-seven-eighths oz, sixth was Steve Found with a flounder of 1lb 9½oz.

Martyn John won Appledore Shipbuilders' monthly competition with a wrasse of 4lb nine-and-three-eighths oz. Michael Hammett was runner-up with a wrasse of 4lb seven-eighths oz and in third Jazza John with a wrasse of 3lb 11-and-seven-eighths oz. Jack Sharrock won the junior section with a flounder of 1lb three-eighths oz.

Carp anglers are enjoying some great sport at Stafford Moor where recent weekends have seen up to 30 double-figure carp brought to the bank, including a fine mirror of 23lb 3oz to Brian Ford. Lee Short took 10 doubles, including a fine fish of 19lb 4oz.

Joseph's Lake is fishing well for roach, skimmer bream and perch, with double-figure nets to float-fished maggot.

Furzebray, near South Molton, is also well worth a try for carp, with several doubles caught in recent weeks.

It is only a matter of time before this well-designed three-acre lake yields its first 30lb carp.

It's a good time to have a sort through the tackle shed and make plans for the coming months.

A mate of mine had an unpleasant discovery when he delved into his tackle store to find an army of mice and rats had descended upon his bags and nets, causing hundreds of pounds of damage.

Don't leave it until the last minute, remember it's only a couple of weeks now until the start of a new salmon season.

Diary dates

Saturday & Sunday: Triple Hook Club Windy Shield Rover, fishing 6pm Saturday to 6pm Sunday, weigh in at Royal British Legion 7.30pm.

Saturday & Sunday: North Devon League, fishing 6 to 7.30pm, weigh in at Royal British Legion 7.30pm.