Most visiting and indeed local anglers to North Devon tend to consider Salmon as the most exhilerating and sought after quarry when fishing the Taw and the Torridge. Salmon are present in the Taw and to a lesser extent the Torridge from opening day onwards and the Taw in particular still has an accountable Spring run. From March through until late May and the months of August and September tend to be the most productive times, depending of course on water levels. The fish normally average between 8-10lbs but it is not uncommon for fish up to 18lbs or more to be caught particularly in the Spring. There is often also a fair grilse run during the Summer months. Fly fishing for Salmon on the North Devon rivers is an opportunists sport but by seizing the moment there is plenty of excitement to be had.

Not wishing to take anything away from the King of Fish it is however the Sea Trout that for many provides the cream of the sport. Unlike Salmon they need little water to run and pound for pound they usually fight much harder. To fish successfully for Sea Trout does however provide a real challenge, particularly as being such a shy fish to approach the best sport tends to be during the hours of darkness. Known in the West Country as Peal, these " Silver Ghosts " remain almost invisible during daylight other than to the experienced eye. However, with persistence success in catching them on the fly can be memorable and to feel the surging rush of a 4 lb. fish as it rips line off the reel on a pitch black night causes the pulse to race and the heart to miss several beats. The Taw and the Torridge systems produce fish up to 12 lb. each season so that a soft pluck at the fly could be from a small school peal of ½ lb. or perhaps from a Sea Trout of a lifetime.

4lbs and Her First Sea Trout

A Successful Day on the Taw for Father and Son

There is good brown trout fishing to be had on many of the North Devon rivers although fish are not large, averaging three to the pound with the occasional fish of 8-10oz. They are however wild fish and on light fly tackle give excellent sport on the dry fly, wet fly and nymph. In addition there are of course local stocked stillwater fisheries with both brown and rainbow trout so there is plenty of choice for the visiting angler

The sea fishing in North Devon offers some of the best sport to be found around our coastline and is equally good from shore or boat. The Bass fishing in particular can be excellent during the summer months and saltwater fly fishing for the school Bass provides an exciting alternative for the fresh water angler. Boat fishing excursions can be arranged out of Instow or Clovelly.