Wayne Thomas

I HAVE just got back from a week's family holiday on the Isles of Scilly, a magical place that has much to offer.

While it was not a fishing holiday, it would have been sacrilege not to have a cast or two into such promising waters.

Holiday fishing should not be taken too seriously, just get back to the basics of catching a few fish, enjoy the surroundings and discover the potential.

The crystal clear waters teem with life. Large shoals of golden grey mullet cruise the beaches while large, thick-lipped grey mullet haunt rocky coves and harbours.

My son James joined me on a short trip to a rocky headland.

Fifteen minutes foraging for bait on the rocky foreshore gave us ample supply and was in itself good fun.

A couple of limpets fished on a light outfit in deep water at our feet soon resulted in a trio of vividly decorated wrasse that brought a broad smile to James's face.

Great Torrington Community School's angling activity day saw 27 pupils enjoy great sport at Bideford Angling Club's Tarka Swims.

This was part of an initiative, backed by the Environment Agency, to promote angling for young people.

Qualified tuition was provided, with tackle supplied by the agency.

Several pupils went on to take part in the North Devon Schools match covered in Match of the Week on page 106.

Showery rain has had no impact on the region's rivers, which have been at exceptionally low levels for many weeks.

Salmon fishing is at a standstill until significant rainfall arrives, and the long-term weather forecast is not hopeful.

Lampreys have been spawning in the lower reaches of rivers, an indication that the river system is in good health.

There have also been reliable reports of twaite shad spawning on the Taw.

These fish migrate up rivers such as the Wye and Severn in large numbers each summer but have not previously been witnessed spawning on the Taw.

Such developments reflect on nature's continually fascinating evolution.

Trout anglers have been enjoying sport at local stillwaters, with Bratton Water well worth a visit as quality brown trout succumb to carefully presented flies in the crystal clear waters.

M McDonnel, of Bideford, landed a brace of browns that included a fine specimen of 5lb 8oz.

Wimbleball Reservoir provided sport, with diawl bach's, buzzers and damsel nymphs proving effective.

The latest rod average is 3.7 fish per day, slightly down on earlier in the season though still good considering the hot sunny weather that is not generally conducive to good trout fishing.

The best fish last week was a superb rainbow of 6lb 4oz to B Carl.

South West Lakes Trust have issued a warning of soft mud in some areas as water levels drop.

Coarse anglers are enjoying great sport at Simpson Valley Fisheries where local boys Kyle, Reece and Jake, all aged 14, landed bags of between 28lb and 41lb from Martin's Lake.

Fuzzy Lake is producing carp into double figures on surface baits.

Stafford Moor Fishery have entered the Angling Times Super Cup and won two home heats at Tanners Lake.

A long trip to Essex for the semi-final saw the team secure third place and the chance to fish in the prestigious final at Tunnel Barn in Warwickshire.

Nathan James enjoyed a stunning ten-night run of sessions on Beatties Lake, landing 125 double-figure carp to 23lb. One night produced four 20lb-plus fish.

Many came during late evening to surface fished chum mixer.

Stafford Moor's Fish O Maniac match takes place on August 7 with £2,000 up for grabs. There are still a few places left, for details call Andy on 01805 804360.

Sea anglers have been enjoying exciting sport with tope from boats all along the coast.

Mackerel shoals are also ranging throughout the area with large catches made on some tides.

Combe Martin SAC's monthly competition saw Dave Brooke secure top prize with a starry smoothound of 12lb 8oz. Runner-up was Mario Manley with a thin-lipped mullet of 3lb 13oz. He also took third with a thick-lipped mullet of 4lb 2½oz.

Appledore Shipbuilders' monthly competition saw specimen gilt head bream win first and second place.

Gary Stanbury took the largest at 4lb 1¾oz, with James Atkinson second with a gilt of 4lb 1oz. Michael Hammett took third with a grey mullet of 3lb 1oz.

Cameron Atkinson took the junior section with a grey mullet of 2lb 5¾oz. Runner-up was Josh Atkinson with a grey mullet of 2lb 1oz.

Appledore Shipbuilders' June boat competition resulted in a draw for first place with Kevin Pike and Wesley Horrel landing dogfish of 2lb 10oz. Graham Fisher was third with a smoothound of 7lb 8oz.

Bideford Angling Club's monthly rover competition was won by Graham Snow with a thin-lipped grey mullet of 3lb 12oz.

He also took third with a thin-lipped mullet of 3lb 3oz. Nathan Clements was runner-up with a bull huss of 9lb 5½oz. Damien Babb was fourth with a smoothound of 7lb 5oz.

The junior section mirrored the Shipbuilders match except for third place, which was taken by Nathan Angell with a mackerel of 11¾oz.

Diary dates

Saturday & Sunday: North Devon League match, 6 to 7.30pm, weigh in at Rolle Quay 7.30pm.

Saturday: Appledore Shipbuilders boat match, fishing 5.30am to 5.30pm.

Sunday: Combe Martin SAC casting & barbecue event.