Wilderness Fishing Parte Deux

[JustMark]

I was out and about getting shots for a news photo agency today when I found myself not far from Ashburton. The weather was perfect so I decided to head to Venford to finish my recce there.

One word. Stunning!


The car park is top centre of the photo and the toilets are next to it. An easy walk across the road and past the security fencing around the maintenance work brings you to a swing gate which then leads to a path round the lake itself. The reservoir is only about 70% capacity right now, so you can walk all around the foreshore too.

After doing a complete circuit I couldn't resist any longer. My kit was in the car so I packed the camera away and put on me new Lidl's best waders and grabbed my rod etc.

I wasn't expecting to catch anything. I don't have any leader less than 6lb and the flies I have are on the big side for wild brownies, I know that. Plus the fact it was bright sunshine and fairly clear sky.

From what I've read a 2.5lb leader and size 12-14 flies would be better. Also, later in the day as the sun was setting would have given me a much better chance of catching something. But, I need the casting practice so away I went. I headed for the end of the lake with most shade, so pitched up on the foreshore in front of the trees behind and to the left of the stone stack in this pic


The next hour whizzed by in what felt like 5 minutes. I was determined to stick with what Pete taught me at Sutton Bingham and I'm really chuffed that it wasn't long before I was getting the power into the rod and casting a good 20-30 yards, maybe even more. Better still, I was even casting straight out into a gusting breeze.

Apart from the odd person walking their dogs, I had the water all to myself. I loved that bit. All I have to do now is tweak my kit and I may be in to my first wild brownie.

There is plenty of accommodation nearby from camp sites at the budget end and plenty of B+B. Nearest of which is the Forest Inn less than 2 miles away from the lake. Incidentally, while you are downing a pint of best local real ale or cider, ask them about a day or weekly ticket for all the Duchy of Cornwall's waters.

[paul p]

Hi mark what flies do you use for the brownies, i had only the 7 today forgot my phone, i caught them on floating line 12 foot leader and 2 goldhead hares ear. Looks beautiful mate. Tight lines. I caught them in the wee agivey which comes off the big agivey, its 8 miles long(wee agivey) 12 moles long (big agivey). My favourite set up is a dry fly on the point and a black buzzer on a 9 inch dropper. Hope you get a few soon mark.

[valleyboy]

lovely looking water keep at it the practice will pay off

[JustMark]

Thanks Paul.

This is a whole new world to me mate. I was using a size 10 epoxy buzzer today. I know that was probably a bit big for these fish. I have some gold head hare's ears following a recomendation from Ian at Sutton Bingham. I only had an hour spare though, (and that wasn't really spare, I stole it from the rest of my day) so I see my fluff chucking time as a bonus, regardless of actually catching. It was casting practice which is badly needed.

I just wanted to get out there to be honest.

I'm looking forward to catching my first wild brownie. And the pint at the Forest is really something.

[JustMark]

He he, I was going to do a parte the third when I got the trio.

My travels hunting would-be MP's led me to Okehampton today so within striking distance of Meldon Reservoir.

I'm not going to post any pics cos I don't want to bore everyone. In the shallows are millions of fry, which I got some good shots of. Got some of frogs just below the surface, and no, I'm sure I DIDN'T see loads of big juicy brownies feeding right off the top within 10-15 yards of the banks that are impossibly steep, honest.

This one is NOT worth visiting guys. Trust me

If anyone wants me for the next few days, please email. Mobiles don't work near Okehampton

[Banana Steve]

Lovly Looking Venue, Great Photos.

[BaggieRich]

Well done Mark, looks like a cracking venue.

[JustMark]

Another session of casting practice at venford this afternoon.

I was right, it was impossible to get enough power into the rod in just that short cast Pete showed me. That's because I was using 5 weight line on a 7/8 weight rod!!

Seriously,I knew something must be wrong so I compared my old reels to a new 7/8 weight one and there was a significant difference in size.

However, my old reels are not large arbour, so that could have accounted for it.

In the end I spent a little money on the new 7/8 reel, braid backing and a new 8 weight WF floating line. Put it all together and headed for the hills.

What a difference! Where I was struggling to get distance, I was now not pulling enough line off the reel. It's fantastic to see the line shooting off into the distance. I also invested in some tapered leaders too, so to see the fly gently rolling out to flop on the surface was a double bonus.

I didn't doubt you for a minute Pete, I just had to retreat to my hermitage on the moors and work out what was wrong.

Now all I have to do is get fly selection right and catch some fish