Exmouth, Devon, England 23/24/25, September, 2011

  Every September for the last 4 years John and Helen have organised a meet at or near Exmouth Devon.




Friday morning saw me up early and on the road to Devon by 6 O'clock. I managed to beat the traffic on the M25 and was at Ladram Bay by 11am.
I set up my new small tent and made my way down to the beach ready to launch. It was a little lumpy but still do-able, a few mackerel were caught and kept for bait and the barbecue,the mackerel went down a treat along with a few beers. It was a great to meet up with friends old and new.






Saturday and I was on the water again, this time armed with a fly rod, I paddled out to a pot buoy and tied up to it, passing a few team competitors on the way. I had heard that plenty of garfish were being caught and my plan was to take one 'on the fly' Chopping up yesterdays mackerel into small pieces I flicked out a steady stream in front of the yak and brought the fish to me. It was not long before fish were showing and I started to get a few pulls and plucks on my fly, often the gars would leap out of the water in hot pursuit. But could I hook one? I got frustrated and put a strip of mackerel on the blue and white lefties deciever. That did the trick and I was playing my first gar on a fly rod; just as Ian came past. Half an hour after that I managed one on a fly proper, with no extra fishy attraction.






That evening it was up to the bar/restaurant for a curry and a few beers.
Sunday started wet and windy and many packed up to go home. I um'd and arr'd over whether I should go too, in the mean time the sun came out and the wind died off…so I stayed another night.
I got to the beach just in time to see Starvin and Dorado come in, Dave was on a Marlin... it was an entertaining landing. Then Steve [Lureman] decided to have a go… it was an entertaining launch.



After seeing the crash and burn antics in the shore dump I decided to seal launch from the top of the beach. Woohoo. If I was going to make an arse of myself it would be at full speed not just falling off stationary.






There was a fair swell out in the bay we paddled about for an hour or so fishing and chewing the cud we managed a wrasse and a mackerel between us. We paddled back I decided to have a play in the surf after stripping the yak of any breakables. I need not have bothered I did not fall off once, it was quite a confidence booster and good fun to boot.



The evening saw us back at the bar/restaurant this time followed by dancing. Eek!
It was a great weekend and good fun from start to finish. Thanks must go to John and Helen for organising it all and of course to all those that attended. Here's to Exmouth 2012.








So that was Exmouth 2011  Next years is already in the planning stages.
Next month I am off to Eastern England and Scotland for a two week kayak fishing grand tour/fishing marathon. it could be epic.

another fun read & watch. Always appreciated!
The big pinnacle rocks look much like our own rugged coastline. Looks to me the main difference is you have pubs within striking distance of most of your tourney spots, very civilized!

Looks like a great time, thanks for the escape!