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Search forWhy I'm spoilt for choice as I prepare to cast my line again
Thursday, November 13, 2008, 07:00
I started to turn over options while trying to get to sleep recently — a big mistake.
At this time of year there is so much choice. Should I go to the estuary to tempt a humble flounder and perhaps use what I catch as bait to tempt a tope from the coast? Perhaps I should try for late bass or target grey mullet. A big conger could be on the cards.
Perhaps I should float fish lobworm in the margins of a lake for a handsome perch. The fly rod could be put to good use on the local stillwaters for a hard-fighting rainbow trout.
Carp are also in prime condition and could be feeding hard in local lakes. Pike are a traditional target at this time so a trip to Slade Reservoir could be worth a go. It's not too late to trek down to Cornwall for a late salmon on the River Camel. I will let you know of my destinations in my next couple of columns along with what I catch.
Dick Talbot will be guest speaker at this weekend's North Devon League weigh in, which is being held at Bideford Angling Club. He will explain steps that are being proposed to help protect bass stocks.
The selection of new fishing gear to enable immature bass go free is apparently being trialled. There will also be a presentation on marine sanctuary areas.
Bideford Angling Club is hosting a competition on November 23 to raise funds for CLIC. The event is sponsored by NJ Martin Windows, TD Flooring, Anglers Heaven, Blackwell Pasties and Kingfisher Tackle.
There is a guaranteed first prize of £175 and the chance to win the Phyllis Martin Memorial Shield.
The Cyril Petherick Open, staged by Bideford Angling Club, drew a field of 70 competitors despite squally conditions. Top spot went to Keith Owen with a flounder of 1lb 11-and-one-eighth oz.
Runner-up was S Tithecott with a silver eel of 1lb nine-and-five-eighths oz. C Fox took third and fourth positions with flounder of 1lb 5¾oz and 1lb 3½oz.
Furzebray Carp Lakes at South Molton are continuing to reward anglers with some stunning carp. Phil Stanley visited the fishery to land a mirror carp of 15lb 14oz.
The carp was stocked into the lake last November at a weight of 10lb, which indicates a very impressive growth rate.
Fishery manager Tony Kingdon had a short session on the water last Sunday and took a brace weighing 13lb and 14lb. Tony caught the fish using maggots, which is by far the top bait on this water at present.
Jon Patten followed up recent success with tope by landing a further two specimens of 32lb 6oz and 31lb 9oz.
Salmon anglers will have received their 2008 catch return form over recent weeks, these have to be completed and returned before January 1.
With the return comes rod catch statistics for 2007. The data reveals an increase in salmon and sea trout catches throughout the country and a big increase in the numbers released.
The River Taw saw 345 salmon and 451 sea trout declared, with the Torridge recording 56 salmon and 106 sea trout. The Lyn had 88 salmon recorded.
I would expect an increase in rod catches again this year, due largely to the healthy rainfall levels this summer.
I was saddened to receive the news that Terry Hulland, chairman and long-standing member of Wistlandpound Flyfishing Club, had passed away suddenly. Terry was the winner of the club's end of season competition just a few days before his untimely death.
Diary dates
Saturday and Sunday: North Devon League. Fishing 6pm Saturday to 7.30pm Sunday, weigh in at 7.30pm Bideford Angling Club.
Saturday: Combe Martin Sea Angling Club — Clovelly. Fixed venue match, catch and release bag weight, 4 to 8.30pm. Meet in the Red Lion at 9pm for presentation.
Saturday: Blackdown SAC Open Match — Blue Anchor to Minehead. Fishing 5.30 to 9.30pm. Sign in at Blue Anchor Hotel from 3pm.
November 23: CLIC Open Match — Limits Appledore to Halfpenny Bridge Book in at Bideford clubhouse 9 to 10am. Entry £3 for seniors, £1 for juniors. Fishing 10am to 3pm. Weigh in 4pm. For further details call 01237 478993.
LINEAR MIRROR CARP: Tony Kingdon with his 14lb catch from Furzebray Lake, South Molton.
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