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Search forRalph is such a sad loss to North Devon angling
Thursday, November 06, 2008, 07:00
Ralph gave many anglers enjoyable days afloat in his boat Happy Hooker and I have reported on many fine fish caught from it in this column.
His death was a sad day for North Devon angling. Appledore Shipbuilders cancelled their monthly competition as a mark of respect.
As I write this, a north-east wind is sending grey clouds scurrying across the sky. I really want to get out on to the coast and cast a line but there is little inspiration for I can visualise the cold, grey waters and white-topped wavelets — and, as we all know, when the wind is in the east, fish bite least.
Of course there is always a chance of catching if there is bait in the water and with today's modern clothing there is no need to fear the inclement weather.
Jon Patten was undeterred by the east wind and spent three sessions on a rock mark in search of tope to be rewarded with a fine one of 37lb 10oz. The fish took a flounder fillet and was the only bite received over the three sessions.
I have also heard of other tope being caught, including a boat-caught specimen in the region of 75lb.
The flounder season is now in full swing on the local estuaries. It is this species that will be targeted by anglers in Bideford and District Angling Club's Cyril Petherick Memorial Competition on Sunday.
Bideford Angling Club's monthly Rover saw wrasse dominate the weigh in. Richard Boone took the best of the day at 5lb one-and-three-eighths oz. Jazza John took runner-up spot with a wrasse of 4lb seven-and-five-eighths oz, and third place went to Damien Babb with a wrasse of 3lb 14½oz.
The junior section saw Kieran Jewel top with a wrasse of 3lb 4oz. Thomas Downing took the remaining places with a dogfish of 1lb 6½oz and a pollock of 1lb five-and-one-eighth oz.
Barnstaple Triple Hook Club's RBL Shield Club Flounder Match saw plenty of flounder caught. Top fish was a flattie of 1lb 11½oz to the rod of Stuart Webber. Julian Stainer took second with a flounder of 1lb 10¼oz and Robert Hancock third with a flounder of 1lb 9½oz.
Riverton Fisheries' latest Open Match saw John Lisle secure victory with a bag of 86lb 2oz. In runner-up spot was Alec Griffin with 72lb 12oz and in third Kevin Shears with 52lb 8oz. The best silver fish bag prize went to Colin Ashby with 14lb 6oz. Top method on the day was paste fished in conjunction with feeder and pellet.
Wistlandpound Flyfishing Club held their last competition of the season at their home venue, where they endured a strong cold north-west wind and periods of rain. Terry Hulland won the match with four rainbows totalling 4lb 10oz. In second was Terry Beeney with three fish for 4lb 2oz and in third Colin Combe with a brace for 2lb 2oz.
The club's annual meeting is to be held at The ROAB Lodge room, South Molton, on Thursday, November 27.
The area's small stillwater trout fisheries are ideal venues to visit on cold winter days. It is always possible to find a fishery that is sheltered from the worst of the weather. Blakewell, Bratton Water, South Wood and Highampton all offer superb rainbow trout action on even the coldest of days.
On these cold winter nights many fly-fishers spend time using their skills to create artificial flies with which to tempt their quarry. This can be an absorbing hobby in itself, with many anglers carrying boxes bulging with creations, some of which are works of art.
Some of the most beautiful creations are those tied to tempt salmon with evocative names such as the Thunder and Lightning, Blue Charm, Hairy Mary and Willie Gunn. It is fanciful to imagine how the flies got their names and to think of the sport enjoyed by anglers in bygone eras when salmon numbers where far greater.
This month will see salmon and sea trout reaching the redd's high on the moors to spawn. With river levels now well up it may be possible to get a glorious glimpse of salmon as they forge upstream, leaping to surmount weirs and waterfalls.
Diary Dates
Sunday: Bideford and District Angling Club Cyril Petherick Memorial Competition. £100 prize money. Book in at Bideford Clubhouse 9.30 to 10.30am. Weigh in at 5.30pm. Fishing limits Appledore lifeboat slipway to Halfpenny Bridge.
Sunday: Rod 'n' Reelers Flounder Competition.
Sunday: Stafford Moor Silver Maniac Competition.
Tuesday: Barnstaple & District Angling Club annual meeting, Corner House, Barnstaple, 7.30pm.
ONLY BITE: Jon Patten with his tope.
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