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Thursday, September 18, 2008, 07:00
A trip to a favourite mullet mark on a recent late afternoon saw a calm and surprisingly clear sea stretch out to the horizon.
A bucketful of stale bread was mashed up and a few handfuls tossed into water at the base of the rocks. I tackled up a light float rig and flicked out my bread flake offering.
The orange-tipped float bobbed optimistically and I took in the surrounding seascape. I have fished this spot more than 30 years it was reassuring to know some things don't change.
It is always a relief when the float answers my question: are there any fish present? Over the next couple of hours it repeatedly dipped beneath the surface as mullet seized my bread bait.I missed several bites but landed five mullet to just over 3lb.
As low tide approached the mullet seemed to drift away and I headed for home as the sun sunk towards the horizon.
The next evening I was out again casting plugs and spinners for bass at a shallow rock mark. A large seal poked its head out of the water and drifted past. Many consider this a bad omen — not me, if a seal is around it is because he knows where he can get a meal, and if fish could sense his presence he would go hungry.
The sea was a touch rough but I persisted, casting expectantly for over an hour without any success.
Then, as the light and hope began to fade, I felt an electrifying tug of life as something hit my silver toby lure. Recharged with expectation I cast again and again until the rod surged over and I bullied a silver bass on to the rocks. At close to 2lb it was far too small for a meal so I slipped it carefully back after an admiring glance.
Peter Reed of Ilfracombe has recently retired and had an ambition to land a double-figure bass. His ambition was soon reached when he fished a local beach with mackerel strip. At 1.30am the tide started to flood and Peter hooked a superb bass scaling 14lb 1oz.
Appledore Shipbuilders' boat competition saw Andrew Atkinson secure victory with a bull huss of 11lb 6oz.
Combe Martin Sea Angling Club's competition, fished in the Lynmouth area, was won by myself with a grey mullet scaling 4lb ½oz.
Barnstaple's Rod 'n' Reelers' monthly rover was won by Steve Baker with a starry smoothound of 8lb 13½oz.
Wistlandpound Fly-Fishing Club made a trip to Wimbleball Reservoir and enjoyed a fine day's sport. Winner of the event was Terry Hulland with a six-fish bag of rainbows totalling 11lb 6oz.
Salmon anglers have been enjoying some sport now the rivers have dropped to a fishable level. Brian Martin took a 10lb salmon from Ivan Huxtable's day-ticket stretch of the Taw at Umberleigh.
On the Torridge at least three salmon were landed despite a very high river.
Salmon anglers will be delighted to know there will be an extension to the rivers season, with salmon fishing allowed until October 14. The extension is 100% catch and release with barbless hooks. Permits must be obtained from Charles Innis on 01409 231237.
Triple Hook Club's maggot-only competition at Jennett's saw Dennis Toleman take top spot with a bag of roach and perch totalling 5lb 1oz.
Highampton Lakes are hosting the Salmon and Trout Association's second junior fly- fishing school of the year on October 12.
Professional instructors will give tuition and the cost for the day is £5.
Full details are available on 01837 871156 or by e-mailing duncmnen@aol.com.
Angling writer Chris Yates will be signing copies of his new book Out Of The Blue at River Reads bookshop in Torrington on Saturday.
Diary Date
Saturday and Sunday: Combe Martin SAC Rover. Fishing 6pm Saturday to 7.30pm Sunday. Weigh in at Braunton Cricket Club at 7.30pm.
WINNER: Wayne with his 4lb ½oz grey mullet.
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