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Thursday, October 16, 2008, 07:00
Fishery owner Andy Seary tells me anglers can expect some enjoyable days targeting the roach and perch with traditional float-fishing tactics.
Stafford Moor are holding their annual Silver Maniac competition on November 8 with a top prize of £2,000.
The entry fee is £50 and the event has already attracted some top match-fishing names.
Ilfracombe Match group's summer league drew to a close with Kevin Shears securing top spot with 145 points. Kevin Wilton took second with 140 points and Nielsen Jeffery third with 120 points.
The last match of the league was fished at Clawford Vineyard, near Holsworthy, where Richard Harman took top spot with a haul of carp taken on paste and feeder totalling 76lb. In second was Nielson Jeffery with 63lb of carp on the pole. Third was Andy Gratton with 56lb 15oz, also taken using the pole. The top silver fish bag of the day went to Barry Lee with 5lb 10oz.
Kyle Bishop visited a North Devon rock mark and was rewarded with a personal best conger on his first cast, scaling 27lb 11oz. The eel took a whole mackerel, a bait that is likely to attract big bass and tope in addition to prowling conger.
Simon McCarthy of Summerland's Tackle Shop visited a local beach to land seven small-eyed ray up to 7lb using frozen sand eel. There is often a good run of ray during the autumn months from both beach and rock marks.
The area's Stillwater trout fisheries are all fishing well now as temperatures drop.
Blakewell is certainly giving some fine sport with several double-figure trout succumbing to angler's offerings. Chris Wall from Dumfries took a fine rainbow of 14lb 10oz and John Dickson from Surrey a 14lb rainbow. Local angler Ken Barlow of Barnstaple landed a fine double of 12lb 4oz and William Hill, also from Barnstaple, a 9lb specimen. The trout at this water will respond to small flies presented near the surface throughout the year.
The fishery is now taking bookings for their Christmas competition on December 7.
Wistlandpound Flyfishing Club's Rogers and Guard Shield saw Darren Gratton take top spot with a bag of five trout totalling 6lb 11oz. David Eldred was close behind with five for 6lb 10oz. In third was Colin Combe with five totalling 6lb 5oz. In fourth was Bob Gooding with five for 6lb 2oz. Top fly of the day was cat's whisker.
The salmon and trout season is now over on the local rivers and game fish will be forging upstream to spawn.
The Environment Agency is continually working to enhance the spawning habitat and has recently completed gravel introduction on Kiesmeldon Stream, a tributary of the Torridge. The gravel was taken from Taddiport as part of a flood prevention scheme.
I was delighted to learn electro-fishing surveys on control sites of the Torridge stocked with salmon fry during the spring have been very encouraging.
I have discussed the impact of the economic climate with several local businessmen involved in angling and they have confidence that angling should not suffer too great an impact.
Judging by experience of previous recessions, anglers are particularly resilient creatures who will seek solace by the water's edge when times are hard.
I recently purchased a new spinning rod. The rod has a cork handle, which I prefer to the synthetic materials sometimes used.
I have noticed many anglers leave on the plastic protection that is wrapped around the cork. I always remove this immediately for two reasons, one being that I like the feel of cork and secondly if water gets under the plastic the inability to breath causes the cork to rot.
Diary Dates
Saturday and Sunday: North Devon League. Fishing Saturday 6pm to Sunday 7.30pm. Weigh in at Bideford Clubhouse at 7.30pm.
Sunday: Riverton Ilfracombe Pairs Match, Willow Lake.
Sunday: Appledore Shipbuilders AGM, Royal British Legion, Appledore 8pm.
SUPERB CATCH: Harry Laity with his 25lb 8oz mirror carp.
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