Fishing at Riscombe Farm Holiday Cottages and Around Exmoor
There is an abundance of fishing opportunities around Exmoor – mostly fly fishing, for trout (predominantly wild brown, but with rainbow and browns in Wimbleball Lake and Clatworthy Reservoir), salmon, some grayling, and sea trout. You are welcome to fish here at Riscombe Farm, but we are only about 6 miles from the source of the Exe so the river is not wide and the brown trout are small. There are many options to fish elsewhere on Exmoor and beyond on rivers (the Exe, Little Exe, Barle, Haddeo and East Lyn), in stocked lakes (such as the Exe Valley Fishery at Exebridge), reservoirs (Wimbleball and Clatworthy) and on the coast. Please note that you must have a rod licence to fish in the UK if you are 12 years or older. Also, you are not allowed to fish for coarse fish in rivers (i.e. those other than salmon, trout and char – which are the game fish) between March 15th and June 15th. You can, however, fish for coarse fish, eels, rainbow trout and brown trout on most enclosed stillwaters and canals all year round.
Some suggested local points of contact are:
Fishing on the River Exe with Nick Hart:
The River Exe is an excellent venue for the intermediate to advanced fly fisher. Set in a secluded Exmoor Valley, this venue provides a range of opportunities for the experimental angler, including dries, upstream and rolled nymphs. One and a half miles of water provide a range of pools and runs, a wild trout in each and every one. These fish are not large, although for moorland Trout, they are well above average. Something in the 3/4lb region should turn up in each days catch and there are fish over 2lb in the system. Often these fish are best cast for using fry imitating patterns such as Wool Head Sculpins or the good old Muddler Minnow. The River Exe provides truly Wild Trout Fishing.
Season: March 15th – September 30th.
Tackle Required : 7 – 8 1/2ft rod, # 4 / 5 Floating Line, Nylon in 2 1/2 – 5lb for tippets Knotless tapered leaders from 7 1/2 – 12ft. Polaroids!
Flies – Dries: C.D.C. – F – Fly in various shades, black is a must, an Elk Hair Sedge or two and Adams. Sizes should include 18 – 12.
Flies – Nymphs: Pheasant Tails, Sawyer style, Gold Heads etc., they love them! Go very small with some, micro beads on an 18.
Contact:
Nick Hart Fly Fishing,
Benshayes Farm, Bampton, Nr Tiverton,
Devon, EX16 9LA
Tel: 01398 323008 or 07971 198559
Email: info@nickhartflyfishing.com
Website: www.nickhartflyfishing.com
John Dawson, Fly Fishing Guide:
Offering tuition for individuals, families or groups, John has huge experience of fly fishing on and around Exmoor.
Contact:
John Dawson Fly Fishing,
29 Bourchier Close, Bampton, Nr Tiverton,
Devon, EX16 9AG
Tel: 01398 331498
Email: info@johndawson.co.uk
Website: www.johndawson.co.uk
River Barle:
Trout and salmon fishing is available. To fish the River Barle and Little Exe join the Dulverton Angling Association, membership costs just £35.
Contact:
Lance Nicholson Fishing & Game, 9 High Street, Dulverton, TA22 9HB
Tel: 01398 323409
Email: lance.nicholson09@gmail.com