Holiday report

[wotnobivvy]

Took the family to a place in Devon called Otter Falls. It was my turn to have fishing as the prime reason for choosing a venue, and the wife found this one in the Hoseasons brochure,. I thought I might share the experience in case others can make use of the information. The fishing members were me, a pleasure angler for many many years, 12 year old lad, just starting, and an almost 15 year old daughter, who had more than a passing interest in beating her brother at anything. We all had our own gear but the lads rod had to be replaced during the first week as the butt ring collapsed on a cheap rod. Got a replacement from Trago Mills at Newton Abbott, really cheap shop, great for all the family

 

Accomodation was a 3 bedroom wooden chalet, with the master bedroom having an ensuite (so ok we weren't slumming it). On arival my fussy wife was amazed that for the first time she had no cleaning to do in the kitchen, as it was spotless, as was the rest of the place

 

Environment was peaceful, with a small pool, putting green and tennis court the only other attractions, so it was for a quiet holidaymaker, not the usual attraction filled lovers. Night time was very very quiet. We never switched the TV on for the whole fortnight.

 

Fishing was on three small lakes, spring fed with the water flowing down from top to middle to bottom lake via waterfalls , then off to enter the river Otter lower down the valley. We were informed on arrival that the top lake had the bigger fish, but was the hardest, the middle lake was easier with smaller fish, whilst the bottom lake was a work in progress with small fish being introduced after it's conversion from a trout lake.

 

At the start we caught so many 5-6 inch rudd in the middle lake we got tired of them, but a chat with a fellow angler got us off the sweetcorn onto luncheon meat, and bigger (8-120z) roach and rudd. We moved up to the top lake, where I put a boilie rod out, and carried on tiddler bashing. I managed my biggest fish, a 10:12 common there. I managed a few tench and bream to 1:12.

 

The carp were cruising on the surface all the time, as the weather was hot, but no one managed to hook them. One curious thing was that artificial baits (sweetcorn, bread) were totally ignored by all the fish. Most carp came out to boilies or bread, and some swims were more productive than others, but they got taken early. Having said that, the place was never crowded and it was nice to fish 'proper' lakes, not artificial puddles

 

By the end of the fortnight all three of us had had a great time, my other carp being 4 5-6 pounders which fought well above their weight, especially the fully scaled mirror I hooked on my 13 foot match rod !! Both kids had a great time, as they caught fish all the time and never got bored. Also they got into the mechanics of fishing, baiting, unhooking, untangling, and use of disgorgers, even though they only got rudd and roach. The lad won the big fish award for his 1 pound 2 ounce roach.

 

I must just mention Mr Crabtree, who for the first week had the chalet next to us which overlooked the bottom lake. He started in the morning, no matter what the weather (which was nearly always hot and sunny) wearing wellies, Crabtree hat and smoking a pipe. He would throw in the occasional few grains of sweetcorn, and catch the occasional fish on the waggler. He did this the whole week, whilst his wife sat on the verandah reading. One day my lad was fishing 2 swims down and hooking a fish a cast on meat. Mrs Crabtree was heard to call to Mr Crabtree to ask why he couldn't catch as many as the little boy 'over there'. We didn't hear the reply

 

Speaking to fellow anglers, most of whom had kids, we all agreed we would return. Nice fishing, easy tiddler bashing, peace and quiet. What more could a family want from a holiday.

 

Just one word of caution. As you have to pay for fishing permits, and gas/electricity, take cash or cheque as currently they do not accept any plastic on site

[AddictedToScopex]

Nice report and glad to hear you had a great holiday by the sounds of it.

[Dales]

Mrs Crabtree was heard to call to Mr Crabtree to ask why he couldn't catch as many as the little boy 'over there'. We didn't hear the reply

 

Thats priceless, it's always a blow to the ego when you are being outfished by a child

[markyedgar]

sounds a very nice place may have to take the misses there 4 a week

[Rusty]

From the report it sounds like they've got the balance just right, creature comforts for the family and a not too commercial fishery.

 

Logged in my memory banks for future reference, my parents live in Honiton.