Well just back from a break in Devon, lovely county but the fishing !!!!

The first one I went to was The Hollies, really not a lot to say about the fishery. The welcome was to say the least very poor and the fishing the same. The water was very murky and fishing was in one smallish pool. I didn`t see any fish move all day, swimming, jumping or rising.
Ended up blind casting and finished the day with 3 fish to around 1.5lb.
I shan`t be rushing back there I am affraid.

The second fishery was Bellbrook, here I go again.
Great location and the welcome, fantastic. The pools/lakes look great as well but that was as far as it went.
6 pools in all 3 specimen and 3 normal as they are called.
Again the water was very cloudy and couldn`t see a thing.
No fish again rising or jumping in any of the pools .
Some other guy there did catch 2 from a specimen pool, all of 4/5lb. not really what I would class as a specimen but hey.

Looked at the stew ponds and threw a few pellets in not a murmer and there were some fish there, I could see them , but they showed no interest.
Again finished the day with 3 fish to around 1.5/2lb. Another place I wont be rushing to.
I am sure I heard one guy who obviously fishes there quite a bit say,

" I blank more times than I catch here"

If that were me and that the case I would have to find another venue.

The third and last place was Lower Buckland Farm near Seaton, honesty box for the money then fish.
At least this time the water was clear but still nothing moving, blind casting again but there were some better fish to be had. Only bought a three fish ticket and got them in about three hours.
Cracking condition to them and all three went 3.5 to 4lb.
I shall return there if in the area.

I hope I just hit bad days at the other two places, I would hate to think that was the norm.

Sorry for going on.

Dave

Sorry to hear that Dave.
Next time try Kennick reservoir or Tavistock trout fishery.
Or better still try one of the wondeful rivers we have in Devon, too many to mention!
Cheers
Richard

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Richard Jackson
Fly fishing instruction and guiding in the heart of Devon
www.devonflyfisher.com

Do give Blakewell a try, just outside Barnstaple.
Nice location, great people and very good value for money.
it's a rare day that you'll blank there and there are some good big fish in there.

__________________
Andrew W

"Maybe all one can do is hope to end up with the right regrets." Arthur Miller

Kennick gets my vote.

Very pretty rezzy.

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[COLOR="Blue"]"A fish seen is a fish nearly caught"[/COLOR]

Dave,

I have been told the same thing about Hollies, but never fishing their cant really pass comment. I have never done too bad at Bellbrook, but its always been hard work.....

I do agree with the others, give Kennick a try, its a beautiful location. Dartmoor has a few free (Rod License required) brown trout fisheries. Check out the SW lakes trust website. You could also try Wimbleball or Clatworthy, ok they are over the border in somerset, but fantastic locations with good quality hard fighting fish.

Hello Dave

Think maybe tweak your research techniques.There are some quality fisheries in Devon.Some have been mentioned here and some not.

The Dartmoor National Park fisheries like Kennick will take your breath away name that tune.

JP

Thanks for all the replies but I was going on the free booklet in Trout Fisherman last year.

As you say shall have to look closer next time.

Dave

Double post

Next time you are in Devon let me know and I would be happy to join you at Kennick or if you would prefer browns at Fernworthy. Kennick has got to be the prettiest reservoir in the UK especially when the Rhododendrons are in flower. The fishing is not bad either and can be quite challenging
Bill

Thanks for that. I hope it is a long standing invitation, it has taken me 54 years to get to stay there, hope the second visit doesn`t take as long.

Cheers mate.

Dave