Lower East Dart above Dartmeet

[johnesmithson]

Calling all East Darters: is anyone familiar with the stretch from Dartmeet up to Babeny? The Duchy map says that the left bank (looking downstream) from Pizwell is private, so how easy is the access and casting from the other side? From Google Maps it looks very heavily wooded. Is it as impenetrable as the middle river? If I do manage to get up there I presume that terrestrial patterns would be in order at this time of year.

[terry]

It’s been some time since I fished up from dartmeet but if my memory serves (could be asking a lot these days) I found that walking up the path by the right of badgers holt and then crossing over the river was an option providing there is not too much water. Alternatively drive down to the conference centre at Brimpts farm and battle your way up river.
Please bear in mind that this was years ago so things may have changed.
I always (and still) enjoy the east dart up from post bridge as there is a lot of good fishing right up to the water fall. A good alternative to Bellever when the crowds are here.
Good luck with your ventures and let us know how you get on.

[johnesmithson]

Thanks very much for that Terry. I will report back in due course, and have made a mental note to give the upper river another go next time. I imagine with the extra water we have had this year that it could be fishing pretty well above Postbridge.

[johnesmithson]

Ended up having a reasonable day of it today. Plenty of shelter from the gusty cool NW breeze. Good paths all the way up to the stepping stones where the Wallabrook enters. There were quite a few walkers and dogs about, and it was probably no coincidence that the first two fish I landed were a little higher upstream , just at the point where the forestry people have put a sign advising against going any further due to 'Danger of Death'. Well I know the East Dart is tough going, but that seemed a bit extreme, even if I did do a face plant into one pool when I misjudged my balance on a boulder. Altogether I had 5 BT up to 10ins, every one came to a small dry ginger hopper. I have had success with that pattern on this part of the river before, despite it not looking like anything that was hatching or flying about. It sort of looks right against the faint orange tinge of the water and gravels. I got up as far as what's left of Little Newtake plantation, which is a WW1-like scene of sawn-off trunks and fallen timber. Handy tree stumps to sit down on for lunch though. The afternoon was quiet, but I tied on a big dry sedge pattern when I saw some emerging, and sure enough tempted a good fish from a fast run. Took the fly with an audible slurp but dived deep and I lost it. Nothing like that to hone your appetite for the next time!

[terry]

That sounds like a good session indeed Johnny. Well done a few good fish and no broken ankle, result. Did you walk up the left bank ( facing down stream) to the walla brook and then cross.
Many years ago I had a few words with the land owner of that bank who accused me of fishing illegally. I was carrying a rod but I told him I was crossing over but he did not believe me. A charming man as I recall. I might give that stretch another go again some day. Not been out much lately too many grockles about on the moor.

[johnesmithson]

I wonder whether this private fishing restriction is relevant nowadays Terry. There was a time many moons ago when the East Dart had a reasonable run of salmon, in which case the riparian owner would have been perfectly entitled to chuck you off his water if you turned up on a falling spate. You wouldn't have been able to claim that you were planning to wade across the river if you happened to be wondering along his bank with a rod, especially if it was a light double-hander and you were carrying a large net! But now, we are talking about summer fishing for humble brownies, all of which go back in any case. And as soon as you wade more than half way across the stream you are no longer on his side. So to answer your question slightly obliquely, there is a rough path in places, and I tried to walk and fish as far as possible from the far bank but criss-crossed over when faced with impenetrable jungle or barbed wire. Once the track from Brimpts Farm reaches the river it is much more straightforward going. There are some really tasty pools up there with huge fallen trees providing plenty of 'woody debris' for juveniles: you can see them on Google Earth if you zoom in (the trees that is!).

[paul]

The latest Dartmoor National Park regulations copied from the Devon Live site.

WILDLIFE

· No person shall without lawful excuse or authority intentionally or recklessly take, kill, injure or disturb any animal, bird or fish; intentionally or recklessly take, damage or destroy any eggs or nests.

· Engage in any operations of or connected with hunting, shooting, fishing, trapping, snaring, taking or destroying of animals, birds or fish or have with them any engine, instrument or apparatus used for hunting, shooting, fishing, trapping, snaring, taking or destroying animals, birds or fish.

Th first one suggest we can fish if we have the authority.

The second, which lacks the qualification of the first, suggest we can't!

[halfstoned]

Hmm, interesting stuff Paul, I see its open for consultation for 6 weeks so might be amended. As it stands you seem correct that even carrying a rod would be outlawed ( or having with them any apparatus used for....fishing). I wonder if wild swimming would count as disturbing the fish? What's the betting that fishing will be allowed on the stretches you pay for but not on the "free" bits that I frequent.

[terry]

I wonder what the WRT have to say about this, surely some consultation must ( or should ) have taken place on the wording. After all they do administer all Duchy permits together with comprehensive rules.
Is this just a question of interpreting what the DP authority is saying or is this yet another dig against angling.
Incidentally I almost filled my rucksack with empty bottles kindly left by a party of so called wild swimmers the other day. Perhaps I should have left them for the rangers to pick up, after all don’t want to break any rules.

[paul]

I have written to the Angling Trust about this- see below- as I think it is much in their court to sort this out. If anyone has a contact in the WRT perhaps they cpoule raise it with them.

The latest Dartmoor National Park regulations copied from the Devon Live site say

WILDLIFE

· No person shall without lawful excuse or authority intentionally or recklessly take, kill, injure or disturb any animal, bird or fish; intentionally or recklessly take, damage or destroy any eggs or nests.

· Engage in any operations of or connected with hunting, shooting, fishing, trapping, snaring, taking or destroying of animals, birds or fish or have with them any engine, instrument or apparatus used for hunting, shooting, fishing, trapping, snaring, taking or destroying animals, birds or fish.

The first one suggests we can fish if we have the authority.

The second, which lacks the qualification of the first, suggests we can't even carry a rod anywhere on Dartmoor!!!!!!

I think it's open for consultation for 6 weeks so you might like to get it valtified/ amended. As it stands, it seems correct that even carrying a rod would be outlawed.

I presume that this means wild swimming is illegal, as is certainly throwing sticks or children into river for dogs to chase? Serious;l, this needs clarifying if it is to become law- it seems like a very sloppy bit of drafting even to a non-lawyer like me!

Could you please let me know if you will pursue this with the NPA as it will be taken note of far more seriously if it comes from you rather than a Joe Public!

Cheers, Paul

[halfstoned]

The consultation is now open, for what it's worth I've penned a few words.
How will this relate to fly fishing for Trout, Salmon and Seatrout on the moors? What will happen to the Duchy fishery or the Upper Teign Fishing Association or the Passport scheme? Will this be the end of fishing at Fernworthy reservoir or Kennick or Burrator. Have South West Lakes been consulted about this proposed ammendment? If "no person shall disturb any wild ......fish" or "engage in any operations connected with fishing" then surely all these venues will have to close.

Maybe others would like to chip in as well, the more replies the better I would have thought.

[johnesmithson]

I find it hard to imagine that we are talking about closure of the moorland fisheries to anglers; I suspect that the regulations are just carelessly worded, and that the intention is to emphasise the conditions of lawful excuse or authority. This actually works in our favour as holders of EA licences and permits.

[terry]

I agree with Johnny, I really can’t see that restrictions on so called camping on the moor will some how impact on our rights to legally fish. I could be wrong of course ( it wouldn’t be the first time) We do seem to live in times of the lowest common denominator though and anti social behaviour should not be tolerated under any circumstance.
I also agree with Chris and I also, for what it’s worth, will make a meagre contribution to the consultation.
Must still have faith in common sense prevailing.

[halfstoned]

You know that they won't close the fisheries that make money! Someone will go around and inform those fish that its OK for them to be disturbed. Anyone else caught bothering fish ( without paying) look out!

[paul]

Mark Owen, Head of Fisheries for the AT is getting involved, as are the local police who had not been consulted.

Even if there is no intention to stop us fishing, beware any legislation which, because it is sloppily worded, can be misused in the future!

[terry]

For anyone brave enough to venture out on the west dart this coming week be aware there is yet another deceased beast in the river. This time it’s a rather large cow. 100 yards down stream from the Dartmoor training centre. You will be aware or it believe me.
I have reported it to the Duchy office as I could not find the farmer.

[johnesmithson]

Sounds whiffy, thanks for the warning Terry; fortunately I am not in danger of coming across said beast, having hung up my small stream rod for this season. But a foray to North Uist for late sea trout is on the cards......

[terry]

I’m also about to call it a day for the Duchy this year Johnny. I’m very envious of your pending trip I went up to Lewis a couple of years back and fell in love with the Outer Hebrides. Loch style fishing from a drifting boat would be possible my ultimate. Sadly not been back since. Must rectify that before I’m past it.
Have a great trip.