Fishing The UK, Fly Fishing in Devon, Exeter, South West

When it comes to choosing fishing tackle, accessories and clothing I find myself in a bit of a quandary. Because I like to fly, sea and coarse fish I cannot afford to buy at the expensive end of the scale for every item I use (which at my last count was 20 rods, 10 reels and all the accessories and clothing that goes with it) but nor do I ever want to buy cheap and suffer a lack of quality.  Therefore I think it would be interesting to share what in my opinion are really great quality pieces of kit that are affordable and yet ooze quality in terms of finish and detail.

When fly fishing I always like to use my 4wt rod whenever the conditions allow. To me fishing light is a joy and hooking into anything really tests you and the tackle. I have used the following set up on small rivers, ponds and reservoirs as large as Kennick. If you read some of my other posts on Kennick reservoir and Tavistock trout fishery you can see I have managed to land some very nice fish.

8ft Wychwood Truefly fly rod
As I mentioned in the first paragraph of this post I am very keen on kit that is affordable and of quality in terms of finish and detail. After buying quite a lot of rubbish in the past I first discovered Wychwood when I was looking for a couple of decent carp rods. Those rods didn’t fit my criteria but exceeded them and since then every Wychwood product I have purchased has been the same.

I was on the search for an 8ft rod to fish the upper Teign more effectively. The 7ft rod I had been using was ok but I found I needed something a little longer so it was easier to mend the line, but not too long as it is hard to cast on the majority of the Teign. Naturally I started to look and see what Wychwood had to offer in the way of fly fishing rods. There are currently two types of Wychwood fly rods available, the Truefly range and the more expensive Aura range.

After handling both rods in the shop (Exeter Angling, great shop and even better advice) I was extremely impressed, each felt and looked great. The Aura range doesn’t include a 4wt rod so I couldn’t say no to the 8ft Truefly rod price tag of £55 and made a purchase.

The rod specification includes..

- Middle to tip smooth casting action
- Multi-modulus carbon
- Dual anodised aluminium reel seat
- Premium grade AAA cork
- Section labelling & eyesights
- 3 piece rods
- Matching cordura rod tube & rod sleeve

Wychwood Truefly 4wt - Quality finish and detail

Small details on the reel seat give it a quality look and feel. The cork is as good as that found on my more expensive coarse and fly rods.

Wychwood Truefly 4wt - Rod tube, always a bonus

Wychwood Truefly 4wt - Rod tube, always a bonus

I cannot do without a rod tube, not only does it offer awesome protection but they also dare I say it, look cool. Chucking a few rods in the back of the car and not having to worry about them being crushed or damaged in transit is a no brainer.

Wychwood Truefly 4wt - Small details make all the difference

Wychwood Truefly 4wt - Quality Snake rings

Each rod section has ‘eyesights’ to ensure all of the snake rings are aligned and also should you have more than one Truefly rod and get them mixed up, each section is labeled.

Fishing with the Truefly is fantastic, the casting action is very smooth and because it is so light you can cast and cast all day. The rod is sensitive enough to pick up the smallest of knocks and although not ideal for playing 5lb+ trout it absorbs anything the fish throws at it.

You can purchase the Wychwood Truefly rods from Sportfish – Online Fly Fishing Superstore

Shakespeare Pflueger Trion
After using the Truefly rod with my extremely cheap 3/4 wt reel I decided it needed a reel to match it’s performance and looks. Being a 4wt rod I didn’t need to worry or think about having a floating, intermediate and sinking line set-up so disregarded a cartridge spool style reel. While in the tackle shop (Exeter Angling) I asked what was available in the £50-100 price range. The first reel I was pass was the Shakespeare Pflueger Trion costing £60.

The Pflueger Trion has been machined from cold forged aluminum making it extremely light as well  looking the part. Like Wychwood have done with the Truefly rod, Shakespeare has matched in the Pflueger Trion range. For the price it is hard to believe what Shakespeare have achieved and it is no wonder the reel has won numerous awards, and apparently it is one of the best selling reels in the UK.

The reel includes the following features

- Forged, machined and anodized aluminum frame and spool.
- Mid arbor spool design.
- Over-sized ball bearing.
- One-way clutch bearing.
- Patented center-disc drag system for total drag control.
- Convertible left/right hand retrieve.
- Large rosewood knob.
- Easy-release spool switch.
- Protective storage bag included.

Shakespeare Pflueger Trion

Shakespeare Pflueger Trion

Shakespeare Pflueger Trion - Details

Using the reel is a joy, it makes all the right noises, is extremely smooth and has a great drag that can be easily tightened or loosened.  To finish the overall look of the reel the line happened to be a mint green, which I am sure you will agree again looks great.

This combination of rod and reel cannot be beaten on price. Out of all my fishing tackle I don’t think I have anything that I have been more pleased with. I am fully aware there are better rods and reels available but nothing really gets close in matching these two for quality and price.

Wychwood Truefly 4wt and Shakespeare Pflueger Trion

Wychwood Truefly 4wt and Shakespeare Pflueger Trion

Tavistock trout fishery is a fly fishing and self-catering holiday cottage venue situated on the edge of Dartmoor. The owner Abigail is incredibly enthusiastic about creating a fishery that exceeds ones expectations of fishing. Tavistock trout fishery manages to achieve this through the opportunity to catch sizable fish in a picturesque setting while having access to great on-site facilities.

As I passed over the bridge and onto the fishery I was greeted by a pot belly pig, chickens of various shapes / sizes, cats and a great authentic farmyard feel. As you walk down through the farm and past the self-catering cottages you eventually stumble upon the 5 lakes. The fishing lodge is great, it caters not only for the fisherman but for partners and children. The tackle shop is surprisingly well stocked and the staff are friendly and approachable. In terms of what a small fishery could offer Tavistock trout fishery has it all.

1. Tavistock trout fishery lodge and tackle shop

The fish stocks vary depending on which of the 5 lakes you fish but each contains a few surprises. There are some enormous fish to be caught if you are lucky enough to hook into one. They regularly stock 10lb+ brown and rainbow trout along with a large number of smaller fish. None of the lakes are particularly large in size but some are between 12-18ft deep, so I am assuming there is enough water volume to avoid over-stocking.

On the day of my visit the weather seemed pretty much perfect, overcast and not boiling hot. For the first couple of hours I struggled and after fishing 4 of the lakes (ponds) all I manged to induce was the frustration of a fish swirling. I went super fine and ended up using my 4wt rod, a 2.5lb leader and a very small gold head nymph. I eventually induced some more confident pulls and using a very slow retrieve hooked into a 5.5lb rainbow.

2. 5.5lb Rainbow Trout

After a while more fish started to show in the upper level of water and throughout the rest of the day I managed to catch another 4 fish. The staff made me aware of a number of escapee’s from the stock ponds one of which I caught, it was the smallest rainbow I have ever landed, all 4 inches of it.

I left around 5pm after an enjoyable but difficult fishing, out of the 7-8 anglers there I was the only person to catch. Without wanting to blow my own trumpet I think that a lot of other fly fishermen under-estimate how difficult fisheries of this size can be. The fish can become extremely wary of being fished for so I like to use very small flies and cast to moving fish, rather than relentlessly casting again and again hoping something will take.

Although I prefer to fish larger venues I think you can learn a lot from fishing smaller venues when conditions are not perfect. On the day I was rather optimistic and purchased a 6 fish permit with limited catch and release for £40 which is not cheap but nor is it expensive. I read a few negative reviews about Tavistock which I think were unfair, and more than likely based on people thinking it would be easy to catch. If you keep an open mind and don’t make the assumption it will be easy and enjoy the facilities and relaxed environment you will have a great days fly fishing.

I had fun at Tavistock Trout Fishery and I think Abigail has created more than just a fishery. If you interested in learning about everything it has to offer take a look at – http://www.tavistocktroutfishery.co.uk/

View Tavistock Trout Fishery in a larger map

3. Tavistock trout fishery resident

4. Overlooking Kingfisher lake from the lodge

5. Osprey Lake

6. Tavistock trout fishery resident

7. Entrance to Tavistock trout fishery

8. Tavistock trout fishery resident

9. Tavistock trout fishery lake

10. Tavistock trout fishery

As stated in a previous post I regard Kennick Reservoir to be among the best trout fisheries in Devon. One of the biggest advantages Kennick has over other fisheries is that it is managed by the South West Lakes Trust who paved the way to creating the South West’s largest conservation and recreation charity. Established in April 2000, the project provides not only trout fishing but an area both wildlife and visitors can enjoy.

Set on the edge of Dartmoor Kennick is spectacularly strange in appearance. The combination of woodland, Rhododendrons, wild grasses, lawns and 45 acres of water has you wondering if you have stepped into the mind of Capability Brown.

1. Kennick reservoir trout fishery

The on-site facilities are of a high standard which makes any visit a comfortable one. Kennick provides self-service ticketing from the fisherman’s hut, boat hire (book in advanced from the ranger Mark Baxendale – 01647 277587), toilet, and various places to relax, rest or escape from the elements.

The stocked fish are primarily between 1-2lb in weight, the occasional 3-5lb fish and for those who are a lucky enough to catch them rainbows up to and over 10lb. There is also a large number of brown trout which can provide amazing dry fly sport to those anglers who fish on into dusk. For me though it is not about the size of the fish but the quality.

Kennick has struck a balance between water quality, water volume and actual stock levels of trout. As a result the small fish put up an exceptional fight while the larger fish like to stay deep making powerful lunges testing anyone who likes to fish light. Some of the best battles I have experienced in my fly fishing past have taken place using a 4wt rod and a 2lb leader at Kennick. I also believe that the water quality is reflected in the way the fish taste, I am not a fan of trout but my cats have developed a taste for the fish turning their noses up at any other Devon fishery produce.

Kennick although not big compared to other UK reservoirs can appear daunting to those who are not familiar with fishing larger waters but I actually find it easier to fish than smaller venues. I have had great success on traditional fly patterns and unusual ones, so as long as you are willing to try something new if you are struggling you will experience some great fishing. On average I catch between 2-3 fish per visit, 1-2lb is the norm but I have had several fish over 6lb.

I wouldn’t like to suggest a certain fly over another as I think it is more fun to experiment yourself, but if you want to try something different take a look at this post.

The cost to fish at Kennick in very reasonable, £20 for 6 fish (of high quality) is a bargain when compared to much smaller fisheries in and around the Devon area. Reservoir fishing is not for everyone but I really do suggest you give it a go, a hard fighting Kennick fish will give those bloated 15lb+ pond fish a run for their money any day of the week.

At the time of writing this article the permit prices are:

Full Day – £20.00
Concession – £16.50
Child under16/wheelchair – £4.00
Evening – £16.50
Season – Full – £430.00
Season Concession – £320.00
Season Child – £90.00
Boat Full Day – £12.00
Catch and Release – £17.00

View Kennick Reservoir Trout Fishery in a larger map

2. Kennick Reservoir Trout Fishery

3. Kennick Reservoir Trout Fishery

4. Kennick Reservoir Trout Fishery

5. Kennick Reservoir Trout Fishery