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Post by johnesmithson on May 13, 2020 13:18:34 GMT
The official Dartmoor National Park website has been updated, stating that they are open to visitors from today. No specific mention of angling however; to my surprise, this isn't listed as one of the nine outdoor activities that you can enjoy on the Moor (so, by inference, we now rank below drone flying and geocaching....). I will assume that we can go fishing again at this point; I guess that the Post Offices might be open for permits, but if not, I will stock up on tokens from FishPass. Good luck to anyone heading up there in the next few days. A lovely thought to be fishing pristine water that hasn't seen a (legal) fly cast all season!
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Post by terry on May 17, 2020 15:10:10 GMT
The Dart Ang. ass. Web site still states no day tickets and no fishing on the Duchy yet. The West Country rivers and fish pass seem to say that the ticket outlets are still closed. As you say Johnie I would have thought that Post bridge post office would be open. I am desperate to get my usual season ticket has any one any positive news.
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Post by terry on May 18, 2020 13:06:42 GMT
Update on the Duchy via Westcountry Angling Passport. Currently no day, week or season tickets but those who already have a season ticket may now fish. (Sod it should bought one early) The good news is all options should be available soon.
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Post by johnesmithson on May 18, 2020 13:41:56 GMT
That is good news, thanks for the update Terry. Looking forward to your first match report!
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Post by johnesmithson on May 22, 2020 11:34:32 GMT
Duchy waters now showing 'open' on Fish Pass, so it looks like day fishing will now be officially permitted
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Post by terry on May 23, 2020 11:54:34 GMT
Your right Johnie but no paper tickets only fish pass apps. That seems sensible to me. Season tickets should be available through the web site soon. Can’t see them reducing the price though as two and a half months has gone😒
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Post by terry on May 29, 2020 15:41:15 GMT
Still no news on the prospect of a season ticket on the Duchy. Maybe just as well with the weather and the levels as they are. Might have a go at Fernworthy or maybe the sea (if I can find any room that is)
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Post by johnesmithson on May 30, 2020 19:07:13 GMT
Blackbrook on its bare bones today but managed to winkle out a few handsome little brownies up to 9 inches, all on a tiny Klinkhamer. Only a brief hatch of upwings in the middle of the day. Lots of freshly emerged fritillaries on the wing and I got a super view of a great spotted woodpecker in the trees near the car. Need some water and cloud now!
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Post by boisker on May 30, 2020 19:16:11 GMT
I walked up the East Dart above Postbridge yesterday... spotted a couple of 10-12” fish in the deeper pools but mostly the river was very skinny and fish very spooky... no rod with me, so it didn’t matter
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Post by terry on Jun 2, 2020 18:21:03 GMT
At last I can now get a season ticket for the Duchy. Rain and lower temps in the forecast and god must be in his heaven. Once I work out how to purchase said ticket my season is about to start.
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Post by rubble on Sept 12, 2020 12:20:27 GMT
Presently on the west Dart. Spot of lunch so updating while I rest. In short, dead. No rising fish, nothing on nymphs or dry. Spooked two large fish from the undercut banks (always happens here when working up the river). Anyway, heading to the cherry Brook now, maybe they will be more obliging in there!
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Post by rubble on Sept 12, 2020 15:04:23 GMT
Realised I had been following another angler for 3-4 hours🙄. A diversion up the cherry Brook did not improve things however. Totally knackered, bruised shins, not even a sniff of a fish. Next time.
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Post by terry on Sept 12, 2020 16:06:16 GMT
I share your frustration rubble, it’s been that way for me so far this season. I honestly think the fish on the Duchy are taking this self isolation far too seriously. I’m going to give it a go one day next week to see if there are any changes. But I’m not holding my breath😒
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Post by johnesmithson on Sept 12, 2020 20:25:54 GMT
Bad luck guys but the season isn't quite done yet. Looking at XC, there will be gentle wind from the E on Monday and Wednesday. If I didn't have to work next week I would be having a crack at the Blackbrook; it fishes really well with that wind direction, puts a ripple on the water and straightens your leader too!
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Post by terry on Sept 15, 2020 16:30:51 GMT
Tried the Swincombe this afternoon for a change. Very low water and most of the water above the bridge is now totally inaccessible. Rose a couple of tiddlers but that was it. Managed to damage my left calf muscle in the process so I reckon my season is just about through, MAYBE.
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Post by halfstoned on Sept 15, 2020 18:09:56 GMT
Commiserations Terry, I still haven't made it back to the Dart system despite promising myself this would be the year. What do you attribute the poor fishing to this season? Some of the books I have about fishing on the Dart and Cherry brook etc speak of good hatches and rises.
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Post by terry on Sept 16, 2020 9:33:38 GMT
Don’t really know Chris. The west dart in particular has always had it’s off days but these last two seasons have been the worst for me. Hatches have definitely gotten less and it’s rare to see any rising fish. Since dear old Mike Weaver wrote his brilliant book things have deteriorated. Not seen a cormorant for a couple of years ( maybe they know more than us) but there has been an increase in Goosanders / Mergansers. Plenty of trout fry though so who knows. I would be very keen to hear anybody else’s experience on the Duchy. It could just me getting old and slow of course.
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Post by johnesmithson on Sept 16, 2020 12:47:37 GMT
Only the one day for me on the Moor this year Terry (see May report above). Sadly I am fully committed at work and home until the season's end. Hoping for much better things in 2021!
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Post by halfstoned on Sept 18, 2020 21:05:35 GMT
Yes terry it would be nice to see some more reports but perhaps people aren't getting out much given the current situation. I spoke to MW a couple of seasons back and he also commented on the lack of hatches ( " if you get six flies come off then thats the hatch") he stated that he wouldn't be able to write his book today as what would he write about. Hard to believe that the billions of black gnats that used to hatch out on our Devon rivers are now a thing of the past for now. I still carry some green caterpillar patterns though I know I won't need them. On a positive note I should add that when I'm standing in a river on a beautiful summers evening casting a dry fly I still have to pinch myself at just how lucky we are to do what we do.
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Post by terry on Sept 19, 2020 10:26:33 GMT
Amen to that Chris. In a strange way if Mike thinks it has changed than maybe it’s not me after all. Roll on to next season. Stay safe.
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