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Dartmoor National Park is 365 square
miles of wild Westcountry, a wilderness area steeped in ancient history,
superstition and mythology. The standing stones and hut circles of
Dartmoor's earliest residents date from prehistoric times, there are walks and
talks as well as many books and maps available from Information centres and
shops across the Moor showing and
Fishing Dartmoor’s streams and stillwaters has a mystical magic and deep quietness found rarely in this overcrowded country of ours. The majesty of the granite Tors and deep cleft valleys, of steeply tumbling rivers such as the Plym, Dart, Teign and Taw make for picture postcard scenery which can be deceptive to those who have not experienced the Moors latent malevolence when the cold wet, disorienting mists form a swirling grey shroud and sensible, rational people swear they have heard Conan Doyle's “Hounds of the Baskervilles” distantly howling on the wind, then it is that the tales of Arthurian Druids, spooks and legends handed down from generation to generation never fail to send a shiver down your spine.
Kennick and lately Tottiford Reservoirs on the Eastern fringe of the Moor have been a well kept secret, except to those of us who live close to the Moor. So close to the end of the M5 motorway, yet so far, if you don’t know where they are. These scenic reservoirs are well worth the effort to find and fish. Kennick was probably the first reservoir in the country to have been stocked with Rainbow trout in the early part of this century by people who had returned from America. Tottiford is adjacent to Kennick and is a brown trout only fishery, which through the efforts of South West Water is now the best brown trout fishery on the South West peninsula. Burrator and Fernworthy reservoirs are a
pair of the most scenically pretty reservoirs in the country. Although the
fishing is described as "budget fishing" meaning that they are stocked at
irregular intervals with fish of small average size, they are well worth
fishing, especially mid week, for their clean air, tranquillity and the
sort of space that is healing to the mind. In the green belt surrounding Dartmoor’s fringe areas there are some excellent privately owned fisheries. If you want a chance at a big fish frequently exceeding twenty pounds, then you will be made welcome at Tavistock Trout Fishery. The normal stock lakes at Tavistock often have fish into double figures to add some spice to the proceedings. Watercress Farm and Newhouse are well established fisheries with an excellent reputation for the quality of their fish and the laid back, but professional attitude toward their customers. There is much to see and do in the Dartmoor area. The Moor itself is the main attraction with its wide variety of scenery and wildlife. Fernworthy Reservoir for instance, is situated in a densely wooded forest, to the northwest of which are two protected Butterfly meadows, protected because they harbour species of butterflies rarely seen in this country. There are the remains of ancient stone hut circles which were inhabited by the Beaker people and there is the burial maund of a Bronze age Chieftain on the northern side of the reservoir which you will have to seek out for yourself.. To the South of the Moor is Torbay with all the seaside holiday attractions and accommodation that a family might require, yet is perhaps an hour or so from the high moor. Right on the South West corner of Dartmoor is the proud City of Plymouth, with its rich Maritime history and attractions such as Plymouth Hoe where Drake played bowls whilst he waited for the tide to allow him to get his ships to sea to fight the Spanish Armada, the Royal Dockyard, the National Marine Aquarium, the Theatre Royal, Mayflower Steps and Visitor Centre... stand on the spot from where the Pilgrims set sail for America, good restaurants and many other attractions of interest to the discerning visitor.
Westcountry Trout Fisheries are often
small and situated in areas such as river valleys where the water is often n If you are fishing the reservoirs then a #7 weight rod is a good practical line weight which can also be used for Bass fishing from the rocks and estuaries. But most local anglers fish a #6 weight if the wind is up and a #5 weight outfit on the small fisheries when using dry fly and small nymphs. Flies such as the Pheasant tail nymph (PTN), Black and Peacock Spider, Gold Ribbed Hares Ear and especially Epoxy Buzzers tied in sizes from #12 to #16 are all that you really need to unlock the secrets of these crystal clear fisheries. Adding to the fun, dry flies such as the daddy, hawthorn (early season), black gnat from 12's to 16's and various hoppers will give some exciting top of the water sport. If fishing the rivers is your game then the Dart, Teign, Tamar, Plym, Taw, Torridge, Camel and Fowey all have dayticket's and private water is accessible by staying at various country hotels. The Salmon and Sea Trout fishing is far better than some would have you believe. My preference is for catching these fish in the sea, but then in truth you really have to live locally and be plugged into the grapevine to find out the where and when on anything like a consistent basis.
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telling
about this rich history of early peoples, hard rock mining and industrial
archaeology.
ot
so acidic as the streams of the high Moor. Having said that, in times of heavy
rain fall the waters of these small fisheries will often become more acidic and
the fishing will become more difficult. It is then that more brightly coloured
flies will be needed to provoke the fish as they lie deeper in the water, but
given a dry period when the water levels drop and the water flow slows down then
the Westcountry tradition of small sparsely dressed flies fished off small rods
and light lines will pay dividends.