Angling: Shad makes rare appearance - only for a picture, of course

This was the case with Honiton SAC when they fished their latest Friday evening competition there. Species landed on the evening included Small Eyed Rays, Conger eels, Smoothhound, Mackerel, Gurnard, Plaice Pout, Dogfish, Scad and even a surprise Shad to the rod of James Trevett. Shad of course are a protected species and this was returned after a quick photo and didn’t count for the competition. The winner on the evening was Mike Spiller on one of his rare beach outings. He also took the fun fish pool for a 14.5oz Mackerel.
One of my favourite freshwater venues is Upham Farm near Exeter, the top six ponds have a high stocking of fish and can almost be guaranteed to give plenty of bites whether fishing for silver fish or small to medium sized carp. Pond 6 has plenty of carp in the 6 -8lb range and is great fun on light feeder gear. Pond 4 was the old specimen pond and still hold Carp to 18lbs and can be fished using a variety of methods with surface fish baits great fun in the evenings. Pond 3 also holds a good head of Tench with the margins the place to target these using either pellet or sweetcorn. The bottom, pond, pond 7 is the larger specimen pond and hold a good head of 20lb plus fish with the largest going over 30lbs. Peter Hindle fished pond 4 this week catching plenty of the smaller fish whilst fishery regular Simon White fished the specimen pond landing 3 fish over 25lbs and one of 31lbs amongst his catch.
Kennick Flyfishers travelled to Clatworthy reservoir in the BrendonHills near Wiveliscombe. Thirteen anglers made the journey on a day when the forecast was shower, some thundery with the day being warm. For one it was correct. Fishing proved difficult with only 19 fish landed for a bag weight of 48lbs 4oz. John Hern had the best fish of the day at 3lbs 12oz. Overall honours went to Peter Brown of Brixham with five fish for 12lbs 9oz with Tom Hendy of Chudleigh not far behind with five fish for 11lbs 9oz, third spot went to Kingsteignton’s Chris Bolt with two fish for 5lbs 13oz. Alex Venn won the raffle. The next event is also at Clatworthy on September 3 after the summer break.
There is still plenty of time to enter our Fish of the month competition kindly sponsored by Sidewinder lures and Carp a Diem Baits. Pleas send your pictures and catch reports to johnsherlockfish@gmail.com