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A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE WADEBRIDGE AND DISTRICT ANGLING ASSOCIATION

Founded in 1956 the Wadebridge and District Angling Association controls several beats throughout the Rivers Camel and Allen and is able to offer its members and visiting game anglers reasonably priced sport for salmon and sea trout fishing.

The season opens on the first of April but the local associations and private fisheries keep their waters closed until the 1st May for conservation reasons The Sea Trout season ends on the 30th September whilst the Salmon season ends on the 15th December(Note: Current EA Byelaw dictates fishing season ends on 30th September)

Most sea trout (peal) fishing takes place on the lower and mid river stretches of the River Camel and whilst most fish are smaller school Peal there are each season a few large fish up to about 10lb. Many of these are taken by traditional fly fishing methods by night. The best months being May until the Middle of August. The River Allen also holds good numbers of sea trout but due to being heavily tree lined and with overgrown banks most peal are taken by worming.

Like most other fisheries the salmon runs have declined in recent years but many quality fish are taken from the River Camel each year. The summer spates provide sport with lively silver sea liced grilse whilst the autumn and winter fish are much larger with many salmon running from 12 to I8 lb. The largest recorded salmon was a 34lb cock fish taken by a local angler in the early 1970’s. Whilst we don’t see many of that size these days, a dying hen salmon was found after spawning in 2001and even then she weighed over 281b. Most salmon are taken by using spinning baits or the Rapala type lure. Worming and Prawn fishing is also permitted on most beats.

Anyone interested in joining the WDAA should contact the Honorary Secretary (Dave Churcher) Email: secywdaa@yahoo.co.uk Tel No 01208 812748