Scilly Isles adventure?

Having just returned from my Scilly Isles adventure all I can say is 'Wow'! If you've never been then you must go! I've been to the Seychelles but this is better! We kayaked about 6 - 8 km each day calling at many of the tiny islands. On arriving at each island we made a cup of tea and then did some litter picking. The weather was gorgeous! I'm booked in again for next year - God willing!

My Scilly Isles kayaking adventure!

Latest news from the river?

As far as I am aware Martin is spending a few days on the river this week so it will be interesting to get his report! Water levels are low and there are reports of algae! Watch this space!

Water Level 19th April 2019?

Just been looking more deeply into the water level charts! From what I can see the water level on the nights Rod and I fished and had some sport was at about 1.000m! From a fishing point of view I reckon the water was just about perfect - a nice flow making the fly come around nicely. From what I've seen of Crewel Pool this season the water flow seems slower than ever!

Double figure sea trout on the 19th April?

Can you believe it? Rod and I spent 2 nights on the river. The first night Rod hooked a big fish, played it for ages and then it came off! Then he hooked another and that came off! Friday night I hooked a double figure sea trout and landed it - just about! As soon as I hooked it it jumped at least 5 ft out of the water and then ran like hell! It made a number of runs where I just couldn't hold it. I don't remember such a hard fighting fish as this ever! No picture I'm afraid because Rod couldn't understand my phone!! The earliest I've ever caught sea trout is early May, never in April! All in all we had a very exciting 2 nights fishing. The river has changed massive this season by the way so be careful!

Target reached!!!!

At last I've reached my Target of £750 for The Marine Conservation Society!

Thank God! I am so bored of begging!

Thanks to Gilda for supporting me like she always does, my Dad (bless him) and some of my neighbors and a handful of my fishing pals! That's it now   - I'm done! Looking forward to the adventure now!

Latest donation?

Thanks Tim Wilkinson for your donation! That brings my total now to £540.50! That's 72% of my Target! I will definitely reach the £750 Target now with a Car Boot and 2 Sundays at Bodenham Arboretum selling photos! Thanks everyone!

River Torridge expedition?

Rod and I went down to the Torridge last week in the hope of catching a spring salmon! Our hopes were dashed when the river rose after 2 hours of us being there and then became completely unfishable! We came home thoroughly disheartened! To make things worse we stayed at the Half Moon Inn in Sheepwash but the food was awful! Probably my last visit ever!

Chris Morris kindly donates 2 fishing rods to my cause!

You will be pleased to know that the 2 fly rods that Chris gave me to put on Ebay to raise funds for my Marine Conservation Society Kayaking Challenge has raised a profit of £78.00 towards my target! This is the biggest single donation I've received so far so I would like to thank Chris for his generosity! Cheers pal!

I'm now 69% there having raised £520 so far! I've been car washing, selling records, selling my photographs, selling my body (got fuck all for that)! Also Gilda has been making little pump bags aprons and other oddments which have sold really well but I'm not surprised because she is a very professional seamstress! Thanks Gilda! All of you have contributed and I really appreciate it! Thanks again!

My Fundraising Page!

My first visit of the 2019 Season?

Hi all

I'm planning on fishing the river for the first time this season next Thursday and Friday! I think Rod might be joining me? Anyway it will be great to get out with a fly rod in my hand and to see how the river has changed!

This Blog was previously open to the Public but had little or no contribution from others so from now on it will be restricted to the following Members:-

Me

Martin

Chris

Rod

John
Tim (if he wants?)

My Facebook Group will no longer be my focus for fishing news and I will not be posting anything on it again! The reason for this decision is because the only people posting were me, Martin or Chris! Like most fishing platforms I think they fail because anglers are renowned for keeping their fishing knowledge to themselves! I've never been like that so I will continue to focus on recording all my fishing experiences here on my Blog so that you too can benefit and enjoy! I will encourage you all to contribute too!

This blog has much history to it and I enjoy looking back at my reports on how the fishing was back then. I also love reading the fox story! It is for these reasons that I think I should keep it going!

Tight lines!

KIck Off!

Let the 2019 Season Commence! Tight lines everyone!

The new season beckons!

It's just a few days before the 2019 Season gets underway! I notice that the water level is just perfect and weather forecast settled. Is anyone planning on fishing on the first day of the season? I might be having a go later in the week if the the River Torridge's water level is too low as Rod and I are supposed to going on spring salmon fishing trip! We'll have to wait and see! Can't to get that fly rod out on the river!

Fly Rods FOR SALE on Ebay!

Chris Morris, a friend of mine and fellow Towy angler, has kindly donated these 2 exceptional fly rods to my fundraising campaign to raise funds for the Marine Conservation Society! Thank you so much Chris for your kindness it is much appreciated! You can click on the links below to view them and bid if you wish!

G Loomis

Shakespeare

My 'Save our Seas' Fundraising Page!

Fundraising to 'save our seas'!

I've just started a blog for my latest challenge! I'm hoping to be able to set up a 'Just Giving' page for it soon.

My Fundraising Blog for the Marine Conservation Society

Trout fishing warm up?

Last week I spent a couple of days fishing Garnffrwd Park Fishery, Llanelli as I was staying in my caravan near Llyn Brianne. I have to say this is a wonderful fishery and I can only recommend it with great enthusiasm. Good sized fish were cruising around taking tiny buzzers. The weather was awful but still there were plenty of fish about and were caught. I had 6 fish and lost a few. My largest was about 5lb but I saw much larger fish caught. The Cafe is wonderful by the way! For £20 per day catch and release I think it's great value for money especially at this time of year! Definitely worth considering especially if the Towy is not fishing very well!

Garnffrwd Park Fishery

Interesting reading about the River Torridge and Charles Inniss!

Charles Inniss and The Half Moon Inn fishing!

Spring salmon fishing?

I know this is not the Towy but I've been thinking about how I can fish early this season and I'm tempted to have a bash at the River Torridge in Devon in April. I've fished it on and off for years and enjoyed it very much but I haven't been there for a few years so maybe it's time to give it another chance? The Spring Salmon fishing can be good and with the news that ALL the estuary nets are being removed for good the future fishing prospects for this beautiful river may be much better. One thing I've missed is fishing Beam and walking along the river bank under the trees and smelling the gorgeous aroma of crushed garlic! Also, for anyone who is interested, the cost is reasonable. 3 nights B & B at the Half Moon Inn, Sheepwash, including salmon fishing £300! And there is always the chance of a wonderful spring salmon! Must get it booked I think!

The 2019 Season is not far away now!

Just 2 months separates us from the river we love! But I wonder what we will find this season? I wonder if there might be a bigger run as some fish may have chosen not to run last season because of the unfavourable conditions. I believe the LAL Permit costs are the same.

Well I'm keeping an open mind and the thought of a sea bass will probably never be far from my mind!

Recommended Facebook Group

Saltwater Fly Fishing for Bass

No fish for me this season!

This is the very first season in 30 years that my catch return will be officially and truthfully 0! Only fished a couple of times early in the season before the drought set in then I turned to the sea bass.

Rod looses a salmon!

Spent last Saturday in my bird hide whilst Rod went down to Crewil after two fruitless days bass fishing! He called me at 2.00pm to tell me he had lost a salmon! He then went on to catch a 5lb sea trout.

At last the river is ready for salmon!

Having fished this river for over 30 years one thing I have learn't is when the water level is right for salmon on the fly and take it from me today and maybe the next 2 days should be perfect! Today the river is 1ft - 2in on the gauge. I remember quite a few times when the water has been at this level and salmon have been caught on the fly. I've had quite a few myself and remember a few years back when I had one in Crewel and then another in the Car Park Pool.

After such a dreadful season of drought I hope a few anglers get some pleasure over the next few days!

I will be fishing the river tonight after months of low water!

Yes I'm fishing the river tonight! It seems ages since I've been on the river but Rod and I are going to give it a go tonight. After one of the longest hot summers ever the river has a couple of inches on it so we've decided to try our luck. Tomorrow we're off to Pembrokeshire to hit the bass for a few days! Also for my 67th birthday I got a GoPro camera so hopefully I'll be able get a bass and record it? Fingers crossed!

6 inches on the gauge tonight!

After my absence for several months I think I might give it go this week! I dare say there are fish everywhere but who's likely to tell me I wonder?

Back to square one?

River levels have dropped back again so forget fishing in the river this season! I hope that you will ALL join with me and demand a Licence refund from the EA?

Rain at last?

After nearly 3 months of no fishing due to extremely low water levels it is raining! The dam has been maintaining water levels at 0 at Manorafon for that period but today at last it's up to 3 inches with more rain forecast! At last perhaps the fishing season might start in August? Fingers crossed!

Can't catch a sewin or a salmon? Go after the Bass on the fly!

Tim Wilkinson's very first bass fishing trip and look at the beauty he catches in Pembrokeshire!

At least 4lb maybe larger! I think he's hooked like me! Safely returned to fight another day of course!

Heavy rain may be on it's way?

BBC Weather Forecast forecasts strong winds and heavy rain for Sunday! I wonder?

2 nights fishing but 0!

Had 2 enjoyable nights fishing on Wednesday and Thursday but to no avail. Fish were very few and far between from what I can see. I did disturb a large fish at the bottom of Crewel Pool in broad daylight as I walked down from the hill and it shot off like a torpedo leaving a huge bow wave in it's wake across the pool! Other than that I did hear a reasonable fish (not large) jumping a number of times down the bottom of the beat but nothing else! The next few weeks should bring some fish into the system I hope? Fingers crossed!

I think the first sewin of the season is imminent?

Mr prediction!

With rising pressure I believe that the first fish of the season is very close! It will be either the 17th, 18th or 19th May so WATCH THIS SPACE!