MANY young people are introduced to fishing during the summer holidays.

But all too often it seems that it is towards the end of the break that they make the discovery.

We really should encourage young people to start in the spring when the light lasts longer.

I visited Little Comfort Farm, near Braunton, last week with a work colleague, his son and a friend of his son.

None of them had previously caught a fish, so this delightful venue would be the ideal location, I thought.

Nestled in a sheltered valley, this well-established lake is populated with a variety of species, including golden-flanked rudd, crimson-finned roach and wily bronze carp.

I tend to set newcomers up with float-fishing tactics, aware that the crimson-topped float gives a focal point that delights in its disappearance and instils buoyant optimism as it rests upon the surface.

I tossed a handful of sweetcorn into the margins to stir the interest of the fish while I showed my apprentices how to set up.

Within a few minutes of lowering the bait into the water, young James's float sank beneath the surface and a brightly-coloured rudd was swung to hand.

After a quick snap with the camera, the fish was slipped back into the water.

It was soon Tom Armstrong's turn to respond to a sinking float and another glittering fish was swung to hand.

Eventually, my work colleague, Steve Armstrong, joined the successful trio and a broad smile showed that he too had enjoyed the experience.

With luck, at least one of them will become a long-term angler. If not, they will at least have a memory of the joys of angling.

In angling, it is possible for anyone at any age to have success at the highest level.

Michael Towers, a 15-year-old from Cheshire, visited the Kracking Karp day-ticket lake at Angler's Paradise.

A stunning common carp of 32lb 12oz took his pineapple pop-up boilie to set a new lake record.

Michael also fished Eldorado Lake and landed a 24lb 4oz catfish.

The John Vaughan Coarse Cup, run by Barnstaple's Triple Hook Club at Riverton Fishery, saw Gordy Williams triumph with a 48lb 15oz bag. John Vaughan was runner-up with 30lb 4oz.

Adam Bourne, aged 12, finished his day at Bratton Water with an impressive five-fish bag that included four stunning brown trout weighing 4lb 4oz, 4lb, 3lb 12oz and 3lb.

All the fish were in immaculate condition and would bring a smile to any fly fisher.

Anglers have landed some fine rainbow trout at Blakewell Fishery, where the water is crystal clear despite the occasional problematic algal bloom.

Anglers who have considered the algae too restrictive have been offered fishing at a later date.

Gavin Colwill, of Bude, landed three fine rainbows of 12lb, 9lb and 7lb.

Neil Harrison, of Worcester, had a three-fish bag of 19lb that included a 15lb rainbow.

Chris Wall, of Dumfries, caught a 12lb rainbow and a 4lb 8oz brown.

Pete Norman, from Dorset, landed six trout, including an 11lb 5oz rainbow and a 3lb brown.

J Bryan, of Bristol, had six fish for a 28lb bag that included a 12lb rainbow.

Ken Carlow, of Barnstaple, landed five for 26lb, the best a 10lb 8oz rainbow.

They are stunning bags of fish, illustrating that if you want a double-figure trout there are few fisheries in Devon with a better track record.

The lake has been stocked with several double-figure brown trout that will inevitably succumb to some lucky anglers before too long.

Wistlandpound Flyfishing Club's trip to Tavistock Trout Fishery proved an enjoyable event with all members landing hard-fighting rainbows.

The winner of the Berry Shield was Tom Bird with a bag of 17lb 13oz.

He also won a weekend break in one of the venue's holiday cottages courtesy of a donation by fishery owner Abigail.

The runner-up was David Eldred with 15lb 1oz, and third was Dave Richards with 14lb 3oz.

Heavy rain has resulted in a long-awaited rise in river levels that should see game anglers reaping the rewards as fresh run salmon and sea trout forge upstream.

Triggerfish are providing sport for anglers along the coast. Mackerel should also be present for another couple of weeks before moving off as autumn approaches.

Summerlands Tackle in Westward Ho!, in association with Adventure Fly Fishing UK, will hold a saltwater fly fishing open day on Saturday. Entry is free.

Sea anglers will compete for a prize fund of more than £500 in Bideford Angling Club's Sea Angling Festival this weekend.

Diary dates

Today: Stafford Moor Fishery Junior Open. Call Andy Seery on 01805 804360.

Tomorrow, Saturday, Sunday: Bideford Sea Angling Festival. Book in between 7 and 8.30pm on Friday, and between 7 and 10pm on Saturday. Weigh in Saturday 8pm and Sunday 8pm. Limits from Towan Head to Brean Down. For further details, call Damien Babb on 07875 611772.

Saturday: Appledore Shipbuilders boat competition, fishing 8.30am to 8.30pm.