Heavy rain brought a trickle of salmon

By esoxwayne@tiscali.co.uk

Wayne Thomas

THE HEAVY rain that fell last week brought a small but welcome rise to local rivers.

The Torridge came up enough to bring a few salmon into the system, though when I fished it on Saturday it was heavily coloured.

At least one salmon was taken from a mid-river beat and several were seen leaping from the muddy river.

A few salmon trickled into the Taw following the influx of freshwater, including one of just over 10lb from a middle-river beat.

Ron Warwick decided to make himself scarce when a party of ladies called for tea and took his rod to the river.

The venture proved worthwhile when a bright silver grilse of 4½lb seized his black and silver cascade fly.

Several salmon and sea trout were also taken from the East Lyn, with the best salmon about 9lb.

All the rivers have dropped back very quickly and will need substantial rain to bring further sport.

Anglers are asked to report any salmon they catch with signs of red vents, a condition that has been noted in Atlantic salmon stocks throughout the UK.

If possible, take a photo and e-mail it to the Environment Agency or myself and I will pass it on.

Sea trout will move upstream on surprisingly low water, so night-time excursions are likely to bring rewards.

The overcast, humid weather is perfect for the carp angler and catches have reflected this.

At Furzebray Lake, numerous carp have succumbed, with small particle baits outscoring boilies.

Brian Ford took the best carp in recent weeks, a stunning linear mirror of 21lb 4oz that took float-fished sweetcorn in a haul that included five other carp.

John Scobel also had a successful visit, landing four carp to 18lb 3oz.

At Simpson's fishery, anglers have been taking 100lb-plus bags on the mixed fish lake. Upper Fuzzy Lake is giving sport to carp anglers using surface baits, with several doubles landed.

Ilfracombe Match Group fished their annual float-only match at Lake View fishery, Morchard Road. The winner was Peter Slade, who landed more than 90 carp for a total weight of 111lb 5oz. Second spot went to Thomas Downing with 90lb 6oz, and third Kevin Wilton with 63lb.

Trout fishers at Wimbleball have seen an upturn in sport with overcast conditions bringing the trout on the feed.

The latest rod average is more than four fish per rod per day, with fish taking a wide variety of flies and lures. Top trout was a superb rainbow of 6lb by a Mr Tyzack, who used an orange leadhead.

Simpson's trout lake is giving steady sport, with regular Gavin Colwill taking numerous limits on recent sorties, using buzzer patterns with blues and rainbows topping 5lb.

The lake is regularly stocked with rainbows to double figures and browns to 9lb.

Sea anglers have been enjoying sport in the estuary with thin-lipped grey mullet.

Combe Martin SAC member Jon Patten landed specimens of 4lb 9oz and 4lb.

Mackerel are now numerous all along the coast, with tope providing good sport from boats.

Triggerfish, mackerel and wrasse are providing exciting summer sport from shore marks.

Big bass are a possibility from many marks along the coast, with a large mackerel or crab bait likely to bring success.

Triple Hook Club's mid-summer rover saw Dennis Toleman secure victory with a thin-lipped of 1lb 10½oz.

Appledore Shipbuilders' bass competition at Westward Ho! was won by Graham Harris with a fine bass of 7lb 13oz. Runner-up was Kevin Pike with a bass of 6lb 1½oz and in third Marcus Horrel with a bass of 2lb 15oz.

Kayaking is a fast growing branch of sea angling that enables the angler to explore areas not accessible to shore anglers or conventional boats.

It is crucial, however, that devotees adopt sensible safety precautions, including wearing a lifejacket and carrying a reliable means of communication.

The sea brings great joy but has no respect for the foolish.

Diary dates

Sunday: Bideford Club monthly rover.

Sunday: Appledore Shipbuilders monthly rover.

Sunday: Combe Martin Sea Angling Club monthly meeting, Braunton Cricket Club.