South Molton, Devon ~ May 2024


We are here for a 3 day fly fishing course with our friends from the ICA. We decided to arrive on Tuesday and enjoy the lovely sunny weather and explore the area a little before the others arrive on Sunday.

So on Wednesday, we decided to first of all to explore the town, so we headed off, following the river initially into South Molton and then cutting through their community woodland, then picking up the road into the town, which is quite a busy little place. After a wander around and finding all the essential places, we decided that we needed to stop for lunch. We found a lovely coffee shop/restaurant with a courtyard where we were able to sit outside and have something to eat. 


After this, we headed back to the campsite, and decided to do the walk around to look at the fishing lakes that are here, although these are not the one's the course will be on, as that will be on rivers. 

We followed a track that took us through a meadow, through woods, following the river. There were lots of primroses around in these woods, adding a splash of colour to the rich green fauna. We crossed a wooden bridge and then came out into a open area where we walked up a mound where there were three lakes. The first one we came to was heaving with carp. We continued our stroll past two smaller lakes and returned back to the campsite.  



Thursday, we decided to walk to the next village, North Molton. Again another glorious day, we headed off on a trail that went through meadows and wooded areas, with banks of bluebells everywhere, although they were coming to their end. The wooded parts of the walk were very boggy but we managed to get through without any wet feet. At the end of the track it opened up into a field with a view of the village sitting up high on the hill. It was really quite lovely to look at. We were still at the bottom by the river, so we had a long uphill walk through the village to find the one and only place we could get some lunch.

The Pub. A really friendly place and the restaurant had a fabulous view over the valley. After our lunch, we picked up the trail and still had quite a walk up hill. As you can see we are now looking down on North Molton, so I'm not sure how high we walked, but it was pretty hard going. Once we reached the top, we got wonderful views over the valley. Then, it was down hill all the way back to the campsite.



Friday, we headed into South Molton again, just to get a few supplies and also stopped for some lunch at a nice little tearoom. After this, we headed back to site and were pleased to see that our friends, Steve and Marina had arrived. So the afternoon we caught up with them and then had a BBQ, which was most enjoyable. Saturday, we headed into South Molton with Steve and Marina. We had a look around the market and just browsed around the town and then stopped for some lunch at the same little tearoom. We then headed back to site, where Debbie and Michael had arrived. We had a lovely afternoon and evening catching up and having a BBQ. We made the most of the weather as it was looking like it was going to be wet for the next few days.

So Sunday, wasn't too bad afterall. The weather held out for us, although it was a little chilly. However, most of the other people arrived, a number of them, Steve and I didn't know as they were relatively new to ICA. So this was quite nice meeting new folk to the club. As is always the way, drinks and a briefing, where they were told to expect to fall in the water, be freezing cold and potentially get a fly in the eye! and it's very unlikely they'll catch anything. 

This was followed by a BBQ, which is a nice way to get to chat and meet everyone.

As you can see, Steve is somewhat excited about the fly fishing and is wearing his waders, despite it being dry! Lets see what tomorrow brings!



So on Monday and Tuesday, the lads and Donna set off bright and early to start learning the skills
and techniques of fly fishing, with wool on the end of their rods, no flies to start with. Monday night was a fish and chip supper in the restaurant on site, which was full of fishing tales. I actually just pottered around South Molton and did walk to North Molton with Marina on the Tuesday. Then Wednesday, they fished with flies and Steve Harvey, actually caught a trout. So, thankfully, no-one fell in, no-one hurt by a fly and a fish was caught, although it had to be thrown back. Wednesday evening, we had our final supper in the restaurant and then Thursday, thankfully a dry day, we packeed up and went home. Despite the bad weather from Monday onwards, we had a great time.



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