Reviewing a year of mixed fortunes

Christmas is often a time of reflection and as I think back over this past year I do so with mixed feelings.
The fishing at times has been excellent, with many good Small eyed Rays, Bull Huss and Bass being caught in numbers whilst at other time the weather has been atrocious, hampering our charter boats, and indeed, my boat fishing was affected with more than fifteen trips being cancelled.
Clubs seem to be doing well as both Brixham, Honiton and Exmouth SAC’s having a good number of members with a growing amount of juniors, these are the future of our great sport and need to be encouraged.
Whilst we are a coastal area there are many freshwater anglers with a limited amount of freshwater fishing. It is good to Newbarn Angling centre returning to its formers glories and I look forward to reporting many good fish from there next year, hopefully with fish weights of 30lb+. They will also be holding both Silver fish and Carp matches throughout the year. Spring Ponds at Rocombe hold regular matches and for the pleasure angler can give hour of fun with silver fish, Carp and Perch to around the 4lbs mark. Newton Abbot Fishing Association waters provide good mixed fishing with plenty of different ponds to fish for all anglers whatever their age. Further afield Upham Farm near Exeter provides good day ticket fishing with prices from £10 per day and gives Carp up to 30lbs as well as Silver fish and Tench.
As I have already mentioned my fishing has been challenging this year, although sometimes just to sit by the water somewhere is all that is needed. I have been out fished three time by my granddaughter and have just been told by my wife that at the grand old age of ! ( I had better not print it) she wants to start Carp fishing, so I can look forward to being out fished many more times in the future.
On the actual fishing front, the South Hams continues to produce plenty of Rays. Tristan Rowe finding Small Eyed’s to over 10lbs and a specimen Spotted. Teignmouth SAC members found plenty of Rays on both the North and South coasts.
Exmouth SAC held their Tom Shepherd memorial Trophy match at Budleigh Salterton which was won for the second year running by Driss Rami with a mixed bag of of fish. Newbarn Angling Centre has continued to produce Carp and their first match was won by Ian (Rich) Park, who landed 2 Carp around the 20lbs mark several other good fish came to the bank including a fine Mirror Carp to the rod of Cameron Jones.
I would like to thank Both Newbarn Angling Centre and Sidewinder lures for their kind sponsorship of our Fish of the Month competition over the last year and for their continued support next year. Please email your Christmas catches to johnsherlockfish@gmail.com
Finally, a big thank-you to the readers of this column and those who have sent me pictures and reports this past year, I wish you all a very happy Christmas and a very fishy 2024.