River Lyd Webcam - now live

Thanks to Farson Digital's superb webcam service, we can check the height and colour of the Lyd at any time! Updated every 10 seconds, the camera shows Lifton Bridge, the border between Arundell Arms Beat 1 and Home Beat.

Click HERE to view the live webcam. 

Devon Salmon Fishing - great news for the future

It's great to report that very good numbers salmon have already spawned on the tributaries of the Tamar. Each winter we walk the rivers and take note of the numbers of fish that have spawned and where. Due to various reasons, some tributaries offer better opportunities for the fish, with the Lyd being a shining example. Much of the conservation work done by river keepers and organisations such as the Westcountry Rivers Trust  is to improve the quality of those tributaries that don't offer the fish appropriate habitat in which to spawn. Below are a few pictures taken in the last few days and a video of salmon spawning that we shot a couple of years ago. For the Lyd fish at least, all looks good for the future...

A large cock fish showing signs of fungus (this is normal) lies tucked under the bank.

Two salmon redds on the Lyd - note the 'clean' gravel. Good numbers of fish have already spawned this winter.

The salmon have made good use of the Lyd's perfect spawning habitat.

Summer Shark Fishing - adrenaline on the high seas...

Blue shark - an exciting alternative to our wild brown trout!

Many thanks must go to great friend of the hotel, charter boat skipper Dan Gardener. Instructors David and Tim have been treated to several great days out on Dan's boat over the last couple of years and we cannot rate it highly enough. The latest adventure took place 12 miles off the south Cornish coast, in search of blue sharks. The weather was a little wild and the boat a little lively, but the fishing was just awe-inspiring. 'Sport' fishing is the name of the game whether you are casting a size 18 dry fly to an eight-inch wild brownie or drifting a whole mackerel in the shipping lanes for these beautiful, primeval predators. We used light tackle (8-12lb class), which meant that even the smaller sharks took some beating. Dan's 2011 season saw sharks to 100lb landed, with up to 10 in a trip brought to the boat. On our October day, we hooked six and landed four, with a monster that took over 150 yards of line dropping the hook before we saw it. A proper 'one that got away'.
If you are planning on visiting us next summer, why not enjoy a day with Dan on his boat Blue Pointer ? You can contact us for details via fishingoffice@arundellarms.com, or phone Dan direct on 07814 191921. As well as big toothy things, Dan specialises in bass trips over the infamous Manacles reef, so you are guaranteed a great day out.
PS: a blue shark on the fly is entirely feasible... the next challenge???

Even the dog enjoyed himself (and eventually realised he didn't like eating mackerel).

Tim with a shark of 25-30lb. Not a monster but great sport on 8-12lb class tackle.

Why not try something a little 'different' next summer?!

Sea Trout Fly Tying - WMD Gurgler

Here's another pattern to tie up in preparation for the 2012 sea trout season. Surface lures account for a large number of Westcountry sea trout, and some of the largest too. Don't go through the hassle and mess of spinning deer hair... just try this instead.
By the way, the dates for the 2012 Sea Trout Festival are now listed on the hotel website, with some great workshops set to inspire newcomers to the dark art of night fishing...


WMD Gurgler.

Stealing Welshman Darren Jackson's inspired idea of using the Gurgler style of fly for sea trout, it's easy to tie, casts like a dream and.. well... just plain works. We doubt that the dressing matters, but the oversize treble at the back seems to help.

Hook: Kamasan B170, size 4

Flying treble: Owner ST-36BC, size 14 or size 12 treble of choice.

Nylon lonk: 30lb black Amnesia mono

Thread: Black

Back: Flat black ethafoam (a strip of 1/3 to 1/2in wide)

Tail: Black arctic fox or squirrel tail with two strands of flash

Body: Black seal's fur

Rib: Flat or oval silver tinsel

Hackle: Teal

WMD Gurgler

5lb 6oz on a WMD Gurgler

Wild trout, Bass and Sea Trout... in one day. Fancy a challenge?

The north coast is a bass fisher's paradise!

The 2012 tide tables have just arrived on the fishing office desk. We've got four dates earmarked when timing couldn't be better to try for an Arundell Arms Macnab - a trout, bass and sea trout in the same day. If you are an experienced fly fisher and fancy some challenging fishing in some of Devon's wildest surroundings, then this could well be for you. During late June, July and August, bass swarm in the estuaries and sea trout run the rivers. At the same time, wild brown trout feed freely and will snap up a dry fly that's dropped on their noses. We've run the Macnab for three seasons now and while the hit rate is dependent on weather and river conditions, get it right and it's a very attainable target. This is a hugely fun day (and night!) out for individuals and especially for a group of close fishing pals. All fishing is guided by AAPGAI instructors David Pilkington and Tim Smith. The bass fishing will take place on the spectacular north Devon/Cornwall coast while the trout and sea trout night fishing will be on the hotel's private water on the Tamar and tributaries. The dates we have are as follows:

Monday 18th June 2012

Monday 2nd July 2012

Tuesday 17th July 2012

Wednesday 29th August 2012

Price: £195 per person. £595 for a group of up to six.

We take a maximum of three people per guide, so a party of four to six persons will be guided by two instructors. All tackle can be provided at no extra cost. Accommodation and meals are extra - please see the hotel website for more information. To book or for more info, please contact us on 01566 784666 or via reservations@arundellarms.com.
PS: Our fishing course dates are also all now available on the hotel website.

A near 4lb bass on a Popper, north Devon coast.

Waiting for dark - the anticipation of a night's sea trout fishing on the Tamar.

Sea Trout Fly Tying - The Werewolf

It's a long close season for the sea trout fishers. The odd fish may be caught on the lower reaches  of some Westcountry rivers in April, but it's not really until June when many anglers turn fully nocturnal. Winter time usually involves re-filling fly boxes and experimenting with new ideas. Here's one of Tim's from last winter which more than proved its worth during this summer... good luck tying it and feel free to contact us at fishingoffice@arundellarms.com if you need any advice. By the way, some superb new sea trout patterns will join our current range in our online shop from the start of the next season.

A big fly for big fish - Werewolves can be tied from 1.5 - 4.5 inches long

The Werewolf.

A pattern based on Jeff Hickman's Fish Taco series for Oregon steelhead on the Deschutes River. Also proving its worth for sea trout at night in the Westcountry. Lightweight, easy to cast, tonnes of movement, good hook-ups and a fish-friendly single hook.

Hook: Fly tied on shank of straight-eye streamer hook (the bend and point is cut off using pliers after tying). Stinger/trailing hook, Gamakatsu Octopus size 2 or 4

Link: 20lb black Amnesia, tied in a loop and glued

Butt: Peacock Ice Dub

Body: Black seal's fur

Body hackle: Long black hackle, palmered

Rib: Oval silver tinsel

Wing: Peacock herl and black ostrich, a few strands of pearl flash

Hackle: Teal

Cheeks: JC tied long

The Werewolf

The key to this fly is a big silhouette, yet sparse, lightweight tying

Arundell Arms instructor Tim with a five-pounder to a 4in Werewolf, July 2011