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Search forWe'll keep trying in our search for grey mullet
Thursday, October 23, 2008, 07:00
Members of Combe Martin Sea Angling Club have been visiting the island for four years, captivated by the elusive grey mullet, hard-fighting black bream and beautiful scenery.
Six of us spent eight days' intensive fishing that resulted in far less catching than we would have liked.
The grey mullet tantalised us by inspecting our baits and even submerging our floats, resulting in fruitless strikes to set our hooks.
Eight hours or more fishing each day was followed by detailed analysis of the events.
We will return, perhaps next year, to try to connect with and bring ashore one of the Islands' huge mullet — the prize will then be gently released to swim in both crystal clear waters and our dreams.
Jason Barrow took the best mullet of the trip — a modest specimen of 4lb 12oz. He also landed a specimen black bream of 3lb 2oz.
Today's travelling angler has a fine selection of tackle available, with multi-section travel rods that fit in a suitcase now comparable in performance to traditional two or three-piece rods. Such a rod can even be stashed in the car boot with a reel and few oddments of tackle.
Back at home I find news of a superb conger of 29lb 7oz caught from a local mark by Combe Martin Sea Angling Club member Derek Ferret. The fish gave a spirited account against Derek's 15lb b.s main line.
A conger of 33lb 14½oz gave David Atkinson victory in Appledore Shipbuilders' monthly boat competition. In second was Michael Toogood with a bull huss of 10lb 6oz, and third Owen Atkinson with a huss of 10lb 2oz.
Barnstaple Triple Hook Club's EWB Shield saw Dennis Toleman and Tony Burslem share first prize ahead of a field of 20 anglers with flounder of 1lb 9¼oz.
Rod 'N' Reelers' October rover saw Andy Joslin secure victory with a fine bull huss scaling 10lb 10oz. Dave Shapland took the runner-up spot with a flounder of 1lb 7½oz, third place went to John Passmore with a flounder of 1lb 7oz.Flounder sport in the estuary has been slow over recent weeks with location the key to success as pockets of fish inhabit deeper sections of water.
The October heat of the North Devon League saw Rod 'N' Reelers dominate proceedings at the weigh in. Steve Baker took first place with a rockling of 1lb 10¼oz, and team-mate Andy Joslin was runner-up with a dogfish of 3lb 4oz.
The recent mild weather has ensured carp fishing enthusiasts continue to enjoy top sport from the region's lakes.
Highampton carp lakes near Hatherleigh are well worth a visit, with mirror carp to 18lb among the catches.
The trout lakes at Highampton have also been producing good sport, with rainbows to over 4lb. The fishery was the ideal venue for the North Devon branch of the Salmon and Trout Association's Children's Flyfishing School.
The youngsters enjoyed a wonderful day's sport beneath a sunny sky, which made the trout a little difficult to tempt. Four had never fished before and were delighted to catch their first trout.
Bideford Angling Club's game section competition at Clatworthy saw Terry Dymond secure victory with a brace of rainbows totalling 6lb 1oz.
The extended salmon fishing season on the Torridge, which ended on October 14, saw eight salmon taken from beats in the middle of the river. Four of these fish were fresh run silver fish and the other four fish had been in the river some time.
The Torridge Fishery Association held its annual dinner at the Half Moon Inn at Sheepwash. A fundraising draw brought in £1,415 that will be used for the running of the Torridge hatchery. Forty-eight attended the event and reflected upon an excellent season.
Forty-seven salmon were taken from the Half Moon Inn waters and 33 from Teresa Norton-Smith's waters. Early estimates are that between 140 and 150 were taken for the season.
Diary dates
Sunday: Wistlandpound Flyfishing Club Secretary's Shield. Fishing 10am to 5pm.
Sunday: Riverton Fishery Open Match.
November 11: Barnstaple Anglers Association annual meeting, Corner House, 7.30pm.
FINE CONGER: Combe Martin Sea Angling Club's Derek Ferret with a 29lb 7oz conger.
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