Devon Rivers 2007

[exerod]

Almost certainly mullet (European bonefish?).

Andy

[robmason]

Not much news on the salmon front these last few weeks or six. The dart has been catching some monster sea trout, one estimated at 20lbs and several at 10lbs. Planning a sortie myself tomorrow, rain willing. I see they have cancelled 10 tors

[johnny00]

On Monday and Tuesday this week I am staying at a hotel near Eggesford on the Taw. They have salmon fishing available but I can only fish for an hour or so late afternoon.

Is it worth packing a rod? If so is a 13ft salmon rod too big or would a single handed one be better?

Johnny00

[johnny00]

Thanks for the replies to my query about the fish on the Tamar. I didn't know that mullet went that far up river.

Johnny00

[robmason]

johnny00 said:

On Monday and Tuesday this week I am staying at a hotel near Eggesford on the Taw. They have salmon fishing available but I can only fish for an hour or so late afternoon.

Is it worth packing a rod? If so is a 13ft salmon rod too big or would a single handed one be better?

Johnny00

Is it the fox and hounds? If so you should be fine, I've fished it in high water likewise.

[smigel]

The Taw was rerportedly unfishable yesterday, and if you look at the Met Office rain radar,

www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/radar/index.html

you'll see that both Dartmoor and Exmoor are getting heavy or very heavy rain. The webcam on a weir on the neighbouring Exe may give an indication through the day:-

www.eco-watch.co.uk/ea/thorverton/

I would guess Monday/Tuesday will be out...

[exerod]

Johnny if you are washed off the Lyn may be worth a look if you can wangle the time, a few fish have come off in the last few days but they have been outnumbered by anglers so far. I had brief contact with one yesterday afternoon but they had been hammered in the morning and had gone off the take (well thats my excuse!)

Andy

[johnny00]

Thanks guys. Yes it is the Fox and Hounds and it sounds like I will have my usual luck with the weather, either too much or too little rain.

[johnny00]

Thanks for the Webcam smidgel, very useful. What is the ideal gauge reading for fly fishing? Might it be spinning height?

[robmason]

No spinning on the Taw after the opening month or so. Don't lose hope, the upper Taw doesn't get high water all that often, give it a crack!

[johnny00]

I'm there on business anyway so nothing lost, I'll have a couple of hours in the fresh air......then the bar

[robmason]

johnny00 said:

I'm there on business anyway so nothing lost, I'll have a couple of hours in the fresh air......then the bar

THats the spirit!!

[smigel]

Johnny - not sure on the ideal fishing height, I rarely fish the main Exe.

I generally use it to see if Exmoor rivers have moved at all and I am not at all used to seeing it as high as it is today. I presume it should spread fish up all the local rivers during the next few days, I hope to be out and about somewhere in North Devon when it becomes fishable.

[johnny00]

Lets hope it does move some fish, I'll certainly give it a try. Thanks again for your help

Johnny

[robmason]

No luck on the Dart today. Good water and a nice day to. One short lived tussle with a fish in some fast water. No salmon seen. Plenty of reports of big sea trout!

[smigel]

Fished the Exe yesterday (fairly heavy water and colouring, near Black Cat) to no avail. Looks perfect today, but I went to the Mole instead and caught a ~12lber on a sinking line and Red Allys. Pulled the fly out of the mouth of another fish (too much sea trouting so far this year) and caught a ~9lb sea trout in a pool tail. Landing each of the fish was somewhat stressful....

[robmason]

That's good going- well done, things are looking up!

[robmason]

smigel said:

Fished the Exe yesterday (fairly heavy water and colouring, near Black Cat) to no avail. Looks perfect today, but I went to the Mole instead and caught a ~12lber on a sinking line and Red Allys. Pulled the fly out of the mouth of another fish (too much sea trouting so far this year) and caught a ~9lb sea trout in a pool tail. Landing each of the fish was somewhat stressful....

Exe levels seem to be holding up nicely, may well give the river a bash on Monday. Any suggestions as to where?

I should add that of the DAA beats I think only Bolham (upper) is available on a monday and that is really dull with only one nice bit of fly water.

[smigel]

You could try the Bridge House Hotel at Bampton, I've never tried it myself but I can't think of any other places, unless you want to buy the Carnarvon Arms stretch (£150,000, I believe...)

The gauge seems to be up and down more than the rainfall would dictate. Have they been letting water out of Wimbleball for some reason, or am I just imagining it??

[robmason]

I could always ask for a "viewing" of the blackpool beat!