What a strange week - back into lockdown and all fishing cancelled and then within 24 hours came the announcement after considerable effort from the Angling Trust, we are allowed to go again, however with s
trict restrictions.
Fishing is only allowed locally and within your own household or bubble. You can meet one other person, socially distanced, of course.
Have a look at the Angling Trust website for full details.
I cannot praise the Angling Trust enough for all their efforts in keeping us fishing throughout this pandemic, the £29-a-year membership is worth it as they represent all anglers not just freshwater.
Mike Johnson’s flounder competition, just after Christmas, was fished in awful conditions with the estuaries full of rainwater.
Only four fish came to the scales with Steve Underwood scooping the £150 prize money with the best fish weighing in at 1lb 6oz and Sean Coulson just half an ounce behind in second spot.
Other flounders have been landed this week with Dan Hale having spent many hours fishing for them finally landing one, and Andy Browning of Honiton SAC finding a fish of 2lbs 2oz.
Elsewhere, the shore fishing seem to revolve round the whiting with plenty more still being caught.
Tom Stebbens had a good session in the in South Hams and managed some bull huss among them.
Kev Madeley managed to get among the huss this week again.
Justin Selway fished East Devon and found a fine shore caught small-eyed ray of 8lbs 14oz.
Ian Ross from Euro Angling took his young son Romeo Curran to Princess Pier in Torquay where the delighted youngster found a few mackerel.
Not much has been happening afloat this week however John Adkin, Adam Squance and James Trevett from Honiton SAC managed to get out and were rewarded with a few nice pollack.
The three-day conger competition aboard Pegasus out of Lyme Regis found over 200 eels, all of which were returned.
Mike Spiller's 58lb fish reported last week turned out to be the winner.
Spring Ponds held their last competition of the year in sunny conditions with Elliot Fay taking top weight of 21lbs 14oz and Jason Fay a close second, just 14oz behind.
The cold weather has not deterred the carp anglers at Newbarn Farm with Call Ward, Wayne Hockley and Scott Bryant all catching carp in the high double figures.
As I write this I hear that coarse fisheries are re-opening, it is worth checking Facebook pages and websites to find the full details. I am sure tackle shops will be following suit.
The fish of the month competition is up and running, sponsored by Sidewinder Lures and Newbarn Farm Fishing, to be in with a chance of winning send a picture of you holding the fish and a brief catch report to johnsherlockfish@gmail.com or via Messenger.
The winner will be announced the following month and will be either for sea or freshwater. The fish must be caught in south or east Devon, or by an angler from those areas. The judges' decision is final.
Please follow the law, tight lines and stay safe.
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