Badgworthy Water

[BarleBlanker]

Just to get things started, a few of piccies of the Badgworthy Water from last year, up through the fields above Malmsmead Bridge.







I really must try to get back up there soon.

Andy

[Pete Tyjas]

Nice pics Andy. I know what you mean, I only get over there probably once a year but always really enjoy it.

I thought I would be over on the Lyn a bit more when we had the last dry summer a couple of years back but even that struggled a bit and the Teign was a better bet.

[mattyf]

Hi
New to the board. Looking at coming down to Rockford this weekend and giving the Lyn a try. Hoping it will be clearing and dropping after all the rain we have had.

[BarleBlanker]

Welcome aboard Matty.
Should be clear and big at the moment but rain edging in as I write hope it's not too much for you
Let us how you get on even if it is only to report back on the quality of the cream teas at Watersmeet


Andy

[mattyf]

Hi
Long time since my last post but thought I ought to post something about our impromptu weekend back in August. We drove down from Oxfordshire to Rockford on the Friday night and arrived at the Rockford Inn about 9ish in time to put the kids into bed and I was able to creep back down to the bar to have a couple of beers. Saturday dawned and after breakfast we were able to have a walk from the Rockford Inn to Watersmeet, I had my rod with me so was able to walk on ahead and fish any likely looking pools while my wife and kids caught up or I carried on fishing and then caught them up. We got to Watersmeet for a cup of tea and some cake or in the case of my kids hot chocolate and squirty cream - it has become the ritual for them each time we have visited of late. Point of interest - look out for the semi tame robin and other small birds who turn up and scrounge crumbs from your plate. A few other anglers were out, all spinning as the water was high but falling following recent rains.
We returned to the Rockford Inn for lunch and I ventured out with my Son to try spinning from some of the pools seen on our walk up. We met up with Andy and Will who we had met in the pub the evening before, they were good enough to share some knowledge and suggested trying Rapala rather than the small Mepps that we had been using unsuccessfully. Managed to hook a 3-4lb Salmon who seemed even more surprised than we were and it came to the net quickly as my 9 year old doesn't now any other tactic other than just winding it in yet. Unfortunately the top hook on the lure snagged on the net and a combination of a short rod, too short a landing net and an excited 9 year old stood on top of a wet, slippery, moss covered rock above a deep fast flowing pool conspired against us and with one flick of the tail the fish was off.
A case of better luck next time - hopefully! Will be back again next season to visit this beautiful river.
Matt

[Theo]

Spot the late reaction here, Andy, but is it possible to get day tickets for that stretch of the Badgeworthy Water above Malmsmead? Looks like just my kind of frustrating ultralight fun...

Theo

[BarleBlanker]

Theo just pop into the gift shop in Malmsmead (there is only one shop) to get the ticket.
The bit from Malmsmead to Cloud farm sees few walkers as there is no right of way on that section.
The bit around Cloud farm is best avoided on bank holiday weekends or in August. Nobody has ever given me a satisfactory answer as to where the upper limit of the fishing is... I just keep going.
The very small streams that come in on the left bank from Lank Combe, Hoccombe Combe and Trout Hill where fished in Victorian times. Just how desperate for a fish were they back then!


Andy

[Theo]

Thanks Andy... break out the Superfines!

;D

Theo

[BarleBlanker]

I took a wander back up the Badgworthy last weekend. Not the best of fishing days, very low water and a grey hazy light that made approaching the fish difficult. Grand total for the afternoon was three tiddlers.
The rhododendrons along the strecth from Malmsmead to Cloud Farm have all been removed! This will undoubtedly do the river (and woods) some good as much more light wil now get in but I shall still miss all the flowers in June!

I mentioned the very small streams that the Victorians used to fish in an earlier post. Well here is the stream coming out of Lank Combe, I really can't see how (or why) they fished it! This is also the dangerous "waterslide" from R D Blackmore's Lorna Doone...



They had good imagination back then!


Andy