As the 2025 angling season draws to a close, anglers across the Westcountry are packing up their gear and submitting catch reports in their dozens. With over 1,000 anglers casting through the Fish Pass app this year, the Westcountry Rivers Trust angling team has certainly had its work cut out managing the project.
FishPass beats map. Numbers refer to the number of tokens required, grey icon show beats currently closed.
Spring began strong, with Beat 21: Netherbridge (and Netherbridge Court) and Beat 58: Kingscombe proving especially popular in the early season as winter flows eased. These two sites alone saw 107 catch returns submitted across the year. As summer arrived, longer days and prolific hatches created ideal conditions for fishing. However, the soaring temperatures (reaching 18–20°C in some areas) and falling river levels lead to the temporary closure of several beats to allow the rivers and fish time to recover from the heat. With the return of autumn rains, the levels have improved, and the fish have begun biting again.
This season, anglers recorded over 2,500 brown trout across the region, with Colliford Lake consistently producing some of the largest catches; some reaching up to 50cm. Little Dart Farm, the Upper Teign, and the Duchy of Cornwall Estate were among the most productive brown trout locations, with one angler reporting up to 40 catches in a single day! Dry flies reigned supreme once again, with the Black Sedge and Parachute Adams emerging as fan favourites.
Meanwhile, Kennick Reservoir was a standout for rainbow trout, with anglers landing as many as 12 in a day, the largest stretching to an impressive 63 cm. Streamer and buzzer patterns such as the Clouser Deep Minnow and Muddler Minnow were reported as near fool-proof choices.
This year also saw the addition of three new beats to the Fish Pass system – Beat 80: Halswell Farm, Beat 86: Mill Cottage, Beat 89: River Meavy. These underfished areas hold exciting untapped potential, and we encourage anglers to discover what lies within these waters in 2026. As we move into the final months of 2025, grayling season is well underway, with catches up to 38 cm reported at Beat 53: Lydlew and Beat 58: Kingscombe.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Angling Team is preparing several updates to enhance the Fish Pass app and improve the overall user experience. We’re also pleased to announce that a new Duchy of Cornwall Fisheries leaflet will be released early next year.
Finally, we extend our sincere thanks to every angler and supporter of the Fish Pass project. Your engagement and enthusiasm continue to help the initiative grow from strength to strength, ensuring a memorable and sustainable angling experience across the Westcountry.
Tight lines,
The Fish Pass Team
