Nick tries his luck too!

Nick has sent me this report which should precede Sandy's.

Spent 2 nights on the river Tuesday and Wednesday. The river is looking nice. Best night was Tuesday night as the moon was out and the river was calm. I had one good pull which was a sea trout or salmon and I am planning to go again in 3 weeks!

Sandy ventures out!

Sandy spent 2 nights on the river last weekend. He installed the ladder above Crewel Pool and tested it out by swinging back and forth and generally acting like a wild ape! He said it didn't move an inch although some locals walking their dog on the other side of the river were concerned and shouted to him asking him if he needed any help!

Many fellow anglers will be delighted with the ladder news, me being one so thank you Sandy for going to so much trouble to help others! He has even made a table to go with the bench and rod rack he made last year for Crewel Pool which he will be installing later in the month! I for one can't wait to try them all out!

Sandy tells me that he fished Friday and Saturday night. He saw some big running fish but didn't manage to connect with them. From what he said I gather that the overnight temperature on Saturday night fell quite sharply making fishing uncomfortable. Fair play to him for having a go so early in the season!

Tight lines

kingfisher

This years springer has eluded us!

We had a lovely time at the Half Moon Inn and enjoyed the fishing very much but the conditions weren't quite right. The water was at perfect level most of the time but was far too dirty! Today was a complete no no! Gale force winds, rain - just horrible so we didn't bother fishing. We concentrated all our efforts on Beam which is the best beat at this time of year but still the water wouldn't clear enough to bring the salmon on. Although neither of us connected with a salmon there were other highlights that we will remember! We watched a female otter fishing in turbulent waters which was fascinating and most enjoyable. We saw a wide selection of birds including Kingfishers, Herons and a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. We had some great crack in the bar in the evenings, especially one certain member of our party getting pissed which was completely out of character of a person who I thought was largely tea-total! Brilliant! Great food, breakfasts that could not be bettered anywhere in my view. The only let down was the wine or lack of it - shame on you HMI!

This morning we all picked up our copies of Torridge Reflections, a book written by Charles Inness, previous owner of the HMI and on initial inspection I think it will be a very entertaining read. The book recalls the Inness family's ownership of the HMI for 40 years and tells many stories of success and failure, the rise and fall of the river Torridge and the many characters who have blessed the rooms of this famous fishing Inn. Charles says that the first print run of 500 is nearly sold out. I can't wait to read it!

Another spring salmon caught!

Charles from the HMI told me today that a 14lb springer was caught at Beam yesterday! Lets hope we get lucky with our trip.

10 1/2 lb sewin caught!

Rodney Byles has informed me that a cracking 10 1/2 lb sewin has just been caught on the Towy but there is no information available as to where it was caught. Even so its quite an encouraging start to our new season and so early too!

Tight lines - kingfisher