WHILE we remain in the grip of winter, milder and longer days are getting ever nearer — a time of optimism for the angler.

On stillwater, anglers have been enjoying some fine sport since the ice melted.

Stafford Moor, as always, has been exciting with specimen and match anglers enjoying sport on the fishery's complex of lakes.

Martin Craven travelled from Cornwall and was rewarded with six double-figure carp.

Perch are showing in several of the moor's lakes, with numerous specimens landed between 2lb and 3lb.

There is every possibility of an outsize specimen, with fish known to top 4lb in past seasons.

The M5 Winter League's latest match saw Matt Griffiths triumphant with 78lb, using hair-rigged pellet presented beneath a waggler float.

There has been an upturn in stillwater trout sport at Blakewell Fishery as milder temperatures encourage the fish to search for food.

A variety of nymphs and lures are tempting trout that are averaging more than 3lb.

Roger Small, of Exeter, landed six trout, topped by a fine rainbow of 11lb 8oz.

Peter Norman, of Tiverton, took five for 25lb, the best a rainbow of 10lb 5oz.

Numerous bags of trout have included fish in the 4lb to 8lb range that often fight harder than the double-figure specimens.

Prospects for the coming months are excellent as spring approaches and fly life increases.

A healthy population of superbly conditioned brown trout are being carefully reared in preparation for stocking in March at the start of the brown trout fishing season.

There are only a few weeks until the start of the salmon season when anglers will be hoping to connect with that most prized of fish: the spring salmon.

While recent seasons have been slow starting, there is always a chance if conditions allow.

In any case, it will be good to flex the rod and feel the pull of the river as daffodils brighten the banks and bird song drifts through the air, a whole season stretching ahead.

Sea angling is often in the doldrums during spring with fish hard to find.

Dogfish and their close relative the bull huss will dominate match results, with the occasional specimen rockling.

Triple Hook Club's Croyde to Foreland Rover saw John Passmore secure victory with a fine specimen rockling of 1lb 15oz and a dogfish of 1lb 6oz. Julian Stainer was runner-up with a dogfish of 1lb 14oz and a rockling of 10oz.

Last weekend John Passmore won Rod 'n' Reelers' Rover with a rockling of 1lb 7¼oz. Second was Tarrant Wotton with a dogfish of 2lb 4oz and third Julian Stainer with a doggie of 2lb.

Seventeen members took part, with fish hard to find, possibly due in part to a full moon that lit up the winter seascape.

The latest heat of the North Devon League saw Passmore score valuable points for Triple Hook club with his rockling of 1lb 7¼oz and a bull huss of 6lb 13¼oz. Nathan Clements took third place with a dogfish of 2lb 1oz.

The next heat is on February 13, Triple Hook club hosting at the Royal British Legion.

There is every chance of connecting with spurdog from deepwater shore marks along the coast. Boat anglers will also be in with an excellent chance of catching these members of the shark family. The Heritage Lottery funded Shark Trust are initiating a project with the South West angling community to record shark, skate and ray in the region.

This work is vital in monitoring populations in the shark family to ensure future conservation measures are targeted correctly, building a future for these sporting fish.

Further information can be obtained from www.sharktrust.org.

Sandra Armishaw, of River Reads Books, has concluded many months of hard work with the publication of Recollections 1, a fine limited edition book and CD produced from the recollections of Frederick Buller and Fred J Taylor.

Proceeds from the sale of the book will go to Angling Heritage UK, created to preserve angling's rich history for future generations.

Diary dates

Tonight: Finding Sanctuary meeting with Combe Martin SAC and representatives from other North Devon clubs, Braunton Cricket Club, 7pm.

Sunday: Combe Martin SAC Monthly Meeting, Braunton Cricket Club, 7pm.

Sunday: Bideford Angling Club Monthly Rover.

Sunday: Appledore Shipbuilders Monthly Rover.