Fishing in a valley of five rivers

The charm of our rivers is that they are wild. Four of them — the Lyd, Lew, Wolf and Thrushel — rise on the flanks or the peaks of Dartmoor, that high granite moorland which covers more than 400 square miles of the south-west. They bring the quality of the moor down into our valleys, bright flashing streams, long pools, gravelly runs, twisting through pasture and woodlands, the banks full of wild daffodils and bluebells. Within a mile or so of the hotel two more rivers, the Carey and the Ottery, join the Tamar, the frontier river that divides Devon from Cornwall. On the six rivers and the Tamar we have altogether 20 miles of private fishing with individual beats of anything from a half-mile to a mile-and-a quarter where you can fish alone all day, with only a dipper, a kingfisher or a buzzard for company. If you are particularly lucky you may see an otter.

Our salmon run is in the Tamar and the Lyd. Salmon average between 6 and 12 lb., grilse 5lb. Our rivers are true spate rivers and catches are dependent on rainfall. When you make a booking you should indicate how many salmon fishing days you want and we put you down on the list and organise the beats in strict rotation. Your name will be on the list in the hall when you arrive. If you decide not to make a booking until your arrival we will try to give you a beat but this will depend on prior bookings.

Sea Trout

The local name for sea trout is peal and there are variations, such as harvest peel and school peal, but they really are all sea trout, migratory brown trout. Because they are shy and wild they are best fished for at night. The main run of school Peal averages 3/4 lb. to 1 1/2 lb. But there are a number of larger fish up to 6lb. Beats are allocated in rotation. The sea trout run is in the Tamar, Lyd and Thrushel and there is a separate list for night fishing.

The native brown trout, which are in all our rivers are small but they are wonderful fighters and provide some very skilful dry fly fishing on a type of leader that Negley Farson once described as being ‘as fine as a brunette’s hair.’ This is traditional English fly fishing, upstream dry, or wet if you feel like it, either up or down, but it is of interest that the best fish seem to be taken on the dry fly. The banks are often high and the rivers well bushed so that you have to wade up the fast stickles and round the deep pools. The average is two or three to the pound, but a considerable number of fish over half a pound are taken every season. You make your own booking on the brown trout list in the hall when you arrive at the hotel. Bookings are made not more than one day in advance; that is, from 8.30 a.m. on one day you can book your beat for the following day. You cannot pre-book for the same beat on two days running. At the end of your stay you are charged for the number of days fishing. Sea trout fishing is booked separately.

The three acre Tinhay lake, which belongs to the hotel, is on the other side of the village. It was formerly a limestone quarry that flooded a century ago. It has gin-clear water and a maximum depth of 90 feet. It is fished from a level grassy bank along the southern shore, and is also used for teaching casting and still water techniques on our courses. The lake provides exciting clear-water sight fishing for browns and rainbows. The fish stocked as pounders grow on to 9lbs and are in superb condition. There is a variety of natural food — buzzers, corixa, sedges, olives, mayflies, damsels, and minnows, allowing serious imitative fishing with nymphs and dry flies. The water remains clear throughout the season, so if the rivers are in spate, Tinhay Lake is always fishable. Being a totally enclosed water, the lake can be fished for rainbow trout at any time of the year.

We can arrange a trip for hotel guests to the coast to fly fish from the shore for bass and other marine fish with David Pilkington. Bookings should be made in advance.

It may have been a while since you were last on a river. What you may enjoy is a little reminder of what to do. David and Tim are here to help with a day or part day to remind/improve or teach new skills, look at the fly life around you, see what is hatching and select the appropriate imitation. A day – or part day – tailored specifically for fishermen with some fishing experience, who feel they would like to expand their knowledge. Conducted on river or stillwater depending on conditions and the types of water you’re likely to have access to. Ideal for individuals or couples.

Inclusive of tackle hire if needed and VAT.