The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

Olly wrote:Duncan Charman seems to have had a few 2lbers - late winter Feb/March. I had some good ones - 1.5lb+ - from the Little Pond years ago.

What about the 'crust' or 'dog biscuit' flies?

Watermole+ wrote: ↑Tue Apr 17, 2012 11:33 pm For those not familiar with the geography of South Devon, there is a large area to the east named 'Start bay' and one of the places there is called Torcross; a gently curved, steeply sloping beach of graduated shingle.
The road follows the shoreline closely from Torcross to Slapton village, a mile or so up the coast and amazingly, immediately on the opposite side of the road is a long freshwater lagoon called Slapton Ley. This is a designated nature reserve now, with no waterside access because of the extensive reedy margins, except by boat from the Lodge at Slapton. The Ley contains numerous large pike to 30lbs. probably much bigger if the truth were known, but also it is noted for its large rudd. I have fished here in the past for both species and seen pike of 20+ caught on legered herring deadbait (which for some reason, works better than floated baits) but the best way of catching rudd is with the fly rod. Most specimen hunters use flake to attract a shoal, then fish fly on the edge of them, where the better ones are found. They do not seem fussy as to what fly you use, but weighted nymphs seem to catch consistently.. Fish of 2-3lbs are regularly taken and there are certainly far greater ones there.

My late aunt used to have two fishing cottages at Torcross, near 'The Start Bay Inn' and I remember holidaying there as a boy and going bass and black bream fishing. During the War, the whole village was forcibly evacuated and taken over by the American forces, where it was used for 'Excercise Tiger', a dreadfully ill-fated rehearsal for the 'D-Day' landings of 6th June 1944. During the practice, much live ammunition was fired from ship to shore, many of the shells landing in the lake and it was said that many fish, including rudd of record breaking proportions were found dead afterwards, though I cannot substantiate this, but have heard that the Ley was never the same afterwards.
When the war ended and we were allowed to return to the cottage, the Americans had left it in a terrible state with much graffiti on the walls; but we let that remain as a reminder of their sacrifice later on 'Omaha' beach in Normandy. We used to sneak through the reeds and fish (quite illegally!) for pike with a spinning rod. My late uncle was a driver for The Western National Omnibus Co. and would carry a rod in his cab for when he was on the Torcross run. (There was a time-point there and sometimes the 'bus would have to wait for an hour or more before the return trip). Once, he caught a 10 pounder, wrapped it in paper and took it home in the driver's cab!! (Remember that food was still on ration then).

Have not been back there for some time now but as far as I know, you can still get fishing day tickets for about £5, plus extra for boat, from The Lodge at Slapton, but they are very strictly controlled and limited so advance booking and arrangements for oar collection is essential.

Hope this is of some interest..

With usual regards,

wm+