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What's
the weather doing in our area....or yours ?
Well here they are the first attempt from my daughter and I at fly-tying
4 Goldhead Olive Marabou Damsels, nearly, lets see if they can catch some fish.
| The Dever experience |
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Well what can I say that has already not been said about this fine fishery, I had the chance to go with a Dever regular and expert stalker Neil Perry who incidentally has written for TF on Stalking, which I must have read a dozen times before going! As having not done much stalking before I was eager to get going so it was an early start also being over 120 miles away meant that we had to go while it was still dark. The journey went fairly quick as I must have asked every question ever asked on stalking and fly-fishing on the way down.
We arrived about 7 o'clock and as the fishery did not open till 8 we had time to stretch our legs and take a look around the stew ponds (with prior permission). We saw some fish that you only dream of catching. On a down note I noticed that I had left my camera back in the car at home and didn't feel like doing a 240 mile round trip to get it, well that means I will have to come back again to take some pic's.
Neil put us right on the choice of flies and hot spots and off we went in anticipation. I chose to go on the small pool where we could see some fish moving about even though the light was not brilliant the water was gin clear with a slight ripple, I trailed Neil for a while to get a feel for the tactics he uses, He was targeting the big fish doubles and over mind you they all looked big to me! After about an hour he was into his first fish then I also had a take a good scrap followed and a 5lb+ fish was netted I went over to Neil as he also had landed his fish and showed him, he the weighed his it was a fish of 16˝ pounds it made mine look like a minnow.
Within 10 minutes Neil was into another fish "this is a good un he shouted" but as I was making my way over he lost it. it was a fish well in excess of 20lb we later saw the fish again which confirmed it, we tried to tempt it but it was having none of it.
Neil had another big fish of 17˝lbs his best brace of the season and I had another one of 6lb. It was a brilliant experience one which will stay with me for a long time I am counting the days till we can go again. I can still see myself stalking that 20 pounder.
Thanks again to Neil and to Dever for a good day!!!
The perfect end to a day............... If you would like to see more of Dever Springs visit their web site at www.deversprings.com
Fishing on holiday
Had to get a little fishing in on holiday so I did a bit of homework and found a nice looking place called Watercress Farm. They stocked Brownies, Tigers and Rainbows so I decided to give it a whirl being rather hot I thought it best to go either early morning or evening the later being more attractive as "you aint got to get up early".
There was no catch and release policy so what you got you kept. I went to have a look at the fishery and get some local info from the anglers there to try and increase my odds of catching a fish. It was hot and you guessed it not a lot was being caught also they were suffering with a bit of weed but were controlling it, I decided to give it a go the next evening.
It was still hot and not one fish had been caught all day "I've picked the right time to come" I thought!
Watercress has 3 beautiful lakes with one being a specimen pool I chose a peg on the oak pool shaded in the corner setting up with a long leader greasing it all bar the last two foot fishing with a small black buzzer pulling the line back with a tug then letting the buzzer drop.
Second cast I had a fish, could not believe it but I had left my landing net in the car so I sent the little un to fetch it but in the mean time he was wrapping me up in the weed. Just before the net arrived I lost it. I thought my only chance and I've blown it but within ten minutes I had another one on "got to get this one" I thought and I did a rainbow of 2lbs 2oz I also had another 2 fish and lost another so all in all a very pleasant evening and a little embarrassing as these were the only fish caught. So if you are ever down South Devon and fancied a bit of fishing I recommend that you give this place a try.
It is a well kept fishery with a good stocking policy and very well priced, run by the cook family who also run Newhouse Fishery in Mortleigh Totnes S.Devon.
It certainly helped make the holiday a good un.
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Dreams come true!
I thought I would try a new venue out the weekend so I decided to go and take a look at Ellerdine Lakes in Shropshire. One or two anglers had told me that is was a good fishery. I decided to go early so I got there for 8 o'clock or there abouts and was welcomed with a smile and a cup off coffee. I wanted to try and catch a big un so I chose to fish the Lakemoor pool.which is the large fish pool (minimum stock size is 3lb.8oz ). I had a four fish ticket as I was going to be there all day. Would I get my limit I thought?
I started to fish the floating line with a Damsel but no pulls There was not a breath of wind so I decided to change to an intermediate line after my second cast I had a pull so cast out again rather rapidly and I caught my first fish of 4lb 8oz. this can't be bad I thought, a few minutes later the angler who was in front of me caught as well, "how big is it" I shouted "not a bad fish" he replied "about four and a half". It was a bit bigger than that it was 8lb 9oz !!!!! What a fish it was a pleasure to see fully finned and in excellent condition a credit to the fishery.
The best thing about fishing this lake is that if you get one on you know its going to be a good Un! It certainly gets the adrenalin pumping.
Within 20 minutes or so I had another fish this one was 5lb 12oz which took a Fritz Cats whisker on the drop! then another 5 pounder this is brilliant I thought but If I catch another I've had my limit and its only half way through the day! Although you can catch & release on the Meadow lake after. Someone must have heard me because then it went quiet as it so often does in the afternoons. Still not a breath of wind. That's when all the weird and wonderful patterns come out, The angler who had the 8 pounder had another fish of 9lb 9oz which made his day. It was about 6 o'clock I decided to put the Damsel back on again and move up the pool I cast in and let it sink for a while started to retrieve fairly quickly then bang! away went the line and my heart with it. It ran me all over the pool taking all the slack line and more, It took me an arm aching 15 mins to finally get into the net. The fish weighed in at 10lb 120z another good specimen, The stuff dreams are made off, If you visit Ellerdine you will see a picture of it in the cabin along with some more good specimens. What a day!!
Please note that the stocking policy has changed now see their web site for details.
Thanks Edward for making it possible
If you want some more information and details on the excellent fishing they have try the web site, to take a look just click on the picture below or e-mail enquiries@ellerdinelakes.co.uk
Tel/Fax 01952 771215 or phone Edward on 07860299342
Out & About
Have been fishing a few times now at a couple of local venues before the weather changed, Lets hope it was a taste of the summer to come. I took my daughters with me a couple of times they actually caught some trout and loved every minute and are now showing a keen interest in the sport. This is what its all about keeping the young ones interested.
I had a few good days the freezer is looking more healthy now. I have been trying a couple of new lines out I splashed out and got some Courtland 444s I must admit that they had some memory at first but with a bit of stretching it lost it only time will tell if it softens. they flew through the rod with ease and were a pleasure to cast.
The fish were mostly caught on Green Damsel and LS Damsel nymph. can't wait to go again soon very soon, might try somewhere different this time. Got to catch a big un, well It don't hurt to dream. tight lines!!!
Silligrove????
Silligrove fishery is in the heart of the Wyre forest which had a wonderful 3 acre trout pool stocked with good fighting rainbows and blues.
I enjoyed fishing here even though there were some favoured pegs. The last I heard is that the venue is now purely course fishing. If anyone has information to the contrary please let me know. I have tried to find out but all the information on the internet is quite old and still relates to it as a trout fishing venue.
