Taw report

[Deleted]

On account of little activity of the forum here is a brief summary of my 2 most recent visits to the Taw.
The first , just over a week ago was the Crediton water prior to the downpours we suffered and the water was extremely low and sluggish and fish were extrememly spooky. No matter how stalthily one approached fish scattered all over the place. Nevertheless I persevered with a small black klink and picked up fish here and there but nothing of any size to write home about. Fish in pools investigated the fly but gently declined!
The second just after some heavy downpours was on a beat near Chenson and the water was somewhat disappointingly up only about and inch or 2 BUT there was a bit of life in it having recieved a short injection of oxygen. I started with an adams klink and picked up a few fish including one of 11in but again pools and glides were challenging. However I switched to an elk hair caddis and focussed on the riffles and necks of runs and started to get a lot of activity including another 11in fish with many missed offers!( as per norm with me)
There is no question the rain helped but we need more!

[paul]

First time out for about four weeks- holidays and other things intruding. Went to the Crediton ffc stretch or the Taw after seeing that the Thorveton gauge showed 10-15 cm more water than before the recent rains. The Taw obviously missed out on the rain- very low and very little flow.

Fished like a drain- anyone wanting to fill their flybox should go along there; picked up three small fish in the first 15minutes as they committed hari kiri to a caddis dry. Switched to grey olive imitation as that was what was coming off and caught no more at all!

Back to the Creedy!

[paul]

Forgot to say that the day was made as I got into the river at the downstream end. There is a large (and very shallow) pool which can only be accessed by fishing downstream. I didn't as, on the trees some 20yds down was a family of six kingfishers- two adults and four kids being fed. Watched for about 10 minutes till they sensed me and flew off.

[flyboxfan]

I always think that seeing the kingfisher makes a day special, but seeing a family of them must make it very special. ;D ;D

[mojo]

Went for a stroll today out from Belstone up the Taw, crossed the river at a ford, water freezing, and continued up the far side of the Steeperton Brook onto the ridge and round to Hound Tor, onto Wild Tor then unto Hangingstone Hill, had a look at Taw Head, then followed the track back down the infant Taw to a crossing place about a mile and half below where we stopped and I discovered a Tenkara Rod in my pack, caught first BT on a dry on the Tenkara, 4'' and missed a bigger one. Walked back across the tops, all in all a cracking day out.

[rubble]

'discovered' lol ;D ;D

[paul]

Went for a wade today out from the bridge and up the Taw, crossed the river at the ford after the first pool, water freezing, and continued up the far side to the weir and onwards. I discovered a normal Rod in my hand, caught my first BT of the season on a dry , 4'', and missed a smaller one. Waded for about 4 1/2 hrs a ? day out.