Some say anglers are mad, fishing in all weather but my opinion is that we are a hardy bunch and are prepared to brave it out just to catch that one good fish.

One such angler is Guy Martin, who fished Paignton’s Newbarn Farm this week in a torrential downpour. He was rewarded with a 16lbs plus mirror carp for his efforts.

Exmouth Journal: Rachael Bowhay at Newbarn FarmRachael Bowhay at Newbarn Farm (Image: Archant)

Exmouth Journal: Alex Webb with a 14lbs conger from SidmouthAlex Webb with a 14lbs conger from Sidmouth (Image: Archant)

Exmouth Journal: Rachael Bowhay at Newbarn FarmRachael Bowhay at Newbarn Farm (Image: Archant)

Other anglers visiting this venue this week include Rachael Bowhay, who was fishing the specimen lake with her husband and totally out-fished him, landing three fish to his none, all three were new personal best fish with the biggest being a fully scaled common carp weighing in at 22lbs 5oz.

Scott Bryant got in on the action with a mirror carp of 20lbs 8oz.

Exmouth Journal: Scott Bryant with a 20lbs 8oz mirror carp from Newbarn FarmScott Bryant with a 20lbs 8oz mirror carp from Newbarn Farm (Image: Archant)

Elsewhere on the complex, regular sea angler James Barton tried his hand on Willow lake and caught his first carp, a fish of 4lbs 8oz.

Exmouth Journal: James Barton with his first-ever carp from Newbarn FarmJames Barton with his first-ever carp from Newbarn Farm (Image: Archant)

If you are new to this type of fishery, tackle is available to hire and the on site tackle shop stocks all the bait you will need.

Fishery manager Matt is always willing to give advice and help where needed.

Spring ponds now has a new box on site for your payment envelopes and catch returns, the day ticket price is £7, please have correct money as change is not available.

Paul Egan took his nine-year-old son Adam to Upham Farm near Westpoint, a complex of seven ponds including as specimen pond with fish up to 30lbs in residence where the youngster had a great session on the waggler using sweetcorn and hemp for bait catching bream and carp.

Well known East Devon angler Alex Webb fished Sidmouth beach using cocktail baits of squid and crab cart and caught a new personal best Conger of 14lbs.

Kev Madeley was out and about again this week and found the bull huss hungry again, fishing a local rock mark he landed six fish to 7lbs.

With an announcement expected in the next few weeks as to when restrictions will be lifted, we should now be looking forward to the spring and all that fishing has to offer.

The freshwater anglers can expect the carp and tench to start being more active as the water warms and take baits more readily.

Trout water will start opening and the fly life should be more abundant giving the fish more to feed on.

The sea angler can look forward to the arrival of one of my favourite fish the smoothhound which give a terrific fight on light tackle.

I started targeting them from a boat in the Bristol Channel last year with a carp rod and light braid mainline and landed fish well in to double figures, great fun.

Stay local, stay safe and tight lines.


Exmouth Journal: Adam Egan with a carp from Upham FarmAdam Egan with a carp from Upham Farm (Image: Archant)

Exmouth Journal: Adam Egan with a Bream from Upham FarmAdam Egan with a Bream from Upham Farm (Image: Archant)

Exmouth Journal: Rachael Bowhay at Newbarn FarmRachael Bowhay at Newbarn Farm (Image: Archant)

Exmouth Journal: Kev Madeley with a 7lbs bull hussKev Madeley with a 7lbs bull huss (Image: Archant)

Exmouth Journal: Rachael Bowhay at Newbarn FarmRachael Bowhay at Newbarn Farm (Image: Archant)