‘Thanks,’ I said, then nearly had the rod ripped out of my hands as something akin to an express train hit the mepps and was gone. ‘Bloody hell, what was that?’
‘Tiger. Don’t worry, you’ll probably only hook into one in ten takes.’
He was right. I wasn’t short of obliging tiger fish; I just couldn’t get them to stay on the hook. I tried hitting them immediately, giving them time, not striking at all, hard strikes, soft strikes … and then one did stick, although I’m not sure I did anything significantly different to make it happen.
The fight was amazin
‘Olaf stayed with her for a few honeymoon months,’ David continued, ‘but then his men got twitchy and persuaded him to go off on a pillaging raid down the coast. While he was gone, his new princess started getting doubts about whether Olaf really loved her; you know, she was worried he was happier fighting with his men than being married to her. So she hatched a plan for when he came home, to see whether he really did love her or not. As soon as his boat came into the loch from the River Ewe, she got onto her barge and lay down on a sort of funeral pyre, as thou
Full List of areas covered on our Devon Fishing Lake Directory:
Abbots Bickington, Abbotsham, Abbotskerswell, Alfardisworthy, Alfington, Allaleigh, Allerford, Almiston Cross, Alphington, Alston, Alswear, Alverdiscott, Anvil Corner, Appledore, Arlington, Ash, Ash Bullayne, Ash Mill, Ash Thomas, Ashburton, Ashbury, Ashcombe, Ashford, Ashill, Ashley, Ashmansworthy, Ashprington, Ashreigney, Ashwater, Atherington, Aunk, Aveton Gifford, Avonwick, Awliscombe, Axminster, Axmouth, Aylesbeare, Ayshford, Babbacombe, Babeny, Bampton, Bantham, Barbrook, Barnstaple, Barton, Bassett’s Cross, Battisborough Cross, Beacon, Beaford, Beardon, Beaworthy, Beer, Beesands, Beeson, Bellever, Belsford, Belstone, Belstone Corner, Benton, Bere Alston, Bere Ferrers, Berry Pomeroy, Berrynarbor, Bickham Bridge, Bickham House, Bickington, Bickleigh, Bickleton, Bideford, Bigbury, Bigbury-on-Sea, Bishop’s Nympton, Bishop’s Tawton, Bishopsteignton, Bittadon, Bittaford, Black Dog, Black Torrington, Blackawton, Blackborough, Blackdown, Blackmoor Gate, Blagdon, Boasley Cross, Bolberry, Bolham, Bolham Water, Bondleigh, Boohay, Bovey Tracey, Bow, Bowd, Bowden, Bradford, Bradninch, Bradstone, Bradworthy, Brampford Speke, Brandis Corner, Branscombe, Bratton Clovelly, Bratton Fleming, Braunton, Brayford, Brendon, Bridestowe, Bridford, Bridgerule, Brimley, Brithem Bottom, Brixham, Brixton, Broad Clyst, Broadhembury, Broadhempston, Broadnymet, Broadwood Kelly, Broadwoodwidger, Brownston, Brushford Barton, Buckerell, Buckfast, Buckfastleigh, Buckland, Buckland Brewer, Buckland Filleigh, Buckland in the Moor, Buckland Monachorum, Buckland-tout-Saints, Buck’s Cross, Buck’s Mills, Budlake, Budleigh Salterton, Bulkworthy, Burlescombe, Burrington, Butterleigh, Cadbury, Cadbury Barton, Cadeleigh, Cadover Bridge, Calverleigh, Capton, Caton, Cator Court, Chagford, Challacombe, Chapman’s Well, Chardstock, Charles, Chasty, Chawleigh, Cheldon, Cheriton, Cheriton Bishop, Cheriton Cross, Cheriton Fitzpaine, Chettiscombe, Chevithorne, Chillaton, Chillington, Chilsworthy, Chittlehamholt, Chittlehampton, Chivelstone, Christow, Chudleigh, Chudleigh Knighton, Chulmleigh, Church Green, Churchstow, Churchtown, Churston Ferrers, Clannaborough Barton, Clapworthy, Clawton, Clayhanger, Clayhidon, Clearbrook, Clovelly, Clovelly Cross, Clyst Honiton, Clyst Hydon, Clyst St George, Clyst St Lawrence, Clyst St Mary, Cobbaton, Cockington, Cockwood, Coffinswell, Colaton Raleigh, Coldeast, Coldridge, Colebrook, Colebrooke, Coleford, Cole’s Cross, Colestocks, Collaton St Mary, Colleton Mills, Colliton, Colyford, Colyton, Combe Martin, Combe Raleigh, Combeinteignhead, Combpyne, Compton, Cookbury, Coombe, Copplestone, Copy Lake, Cornwood, Cornworthy, Coryton, Cotleigh, Countess Wear, Countisbury, Court Barton, Cove, Cowley, Crabtree, Craddock, Cranford, Crapstone, Creacombe, Crediton, Creedy Park, Crockernwell, Cross Green, Crownhill, Croyde, Cruwys Morchard, Cudliptown, Cullompton, Culmstock, Daccombe, Dalwood, Dartington, Dartmeet, Dartmouth, Dawlish, Dean, Dean Prior, Denbury, Devonport, Didworthy, Dinworthy, Diptford, Dittisham, Doccombe, Doddiscombsleigh, Dog Village, Dolton, Dousland, Dowland, Dowlands, Down St Mary, Down Thomas, Downton, Drakeland Corner, Drewsteignton, Dulford, Dunchideock, Dunkeswell, Dunsford, Dunstone, Dunterton, Dyke, East Allington, East Anstey, East Buckland, East Budleigh, East Charleton, East Cornworthy, East Down, East Leigh, East Mere, East Ogwell, East Panson, East Portlemouth, East Prawle, East Putford, East Village, East Worlington, Eastington, Eastleigh, Easton, East-the-Water, Ebford, Edginswell, Edistone, Efford, Egg Buckland, Eggesford Barton, Elburton, Elmscott, Elstone, Ensis, Ermington, Eworthy, Exbourne, Exeter, Exminster, Exmouth, Exton, Exwick, Fairmile, Fairy Cross, Farringdon, Farway, Felldownhead, Feniton, Fenny Bridges, Filleigh, Fishley Barton, Flete, Folly Gate, Forches Cross, Ford, Forder Green, Fremington, Frenchbeer, Frithelstock, Frithelstock Stone, Frogmore, Furley, Furzehill, Galmpton, Gara Bridge, George Nympton, Georgeham, Germansweek, Gidleigh, Gittisham, Godford Cross, Goldworthy, Goodleigh, Goodrington, Goosewell, Goveton, Great Torrington, Gridley Corner, Gulworthy, Gunn, Haccombe, Halberton, Hallsands, Halsinger, Halwell, Halwill, Halwill Junction, Hamlet, Harberton, Harbertonford, Harbourneford, Harcombe, Harford, Harpford, Hartland, Hatherleigh, Hawkchurch, Hawkerland, Haytor Vale, Head Bridge, Heale, Heanton Punchardon, Heanton Satchville, Heasley Mill, Heathfield, Hele, Hele Bridge, Hele Lane, Hemborough Post, Hemyock, Henford, Hennock, Herdicott, Herner, Hewton, Hexworthy, Heybrook Bay, High Bickington, High Bray, High Bullen, Highampton, Higher Ashton, Higher Brixham, Higher Cheriton, Higher Gabwell, Higher Tale, Higher Walreddon, Highweek, Hillhead, Hillsford Bridge, Hiscott, Hittisleigh, Hockworthy, Holbeton, Holcombe, Holcombe Rogus, Hollacombe, Hollocombe, Holne, Holsworthy, Holsworthy Beacon, Honeychurch, Honiton, Hooe, Hookway, Hope, Horndon, Horns Cross, Horrabridge, Horridge, Horsebridge, Horwood, Houghton, Hudscott, Huish, Huntsham, Huntshaw Cross, Iddesleigh, Ide, Ideford, Ilfracombe, Ilsington, Instow, Inwardleigh, Ipplepen, Itton, Ivybridge, Jacobstowe, Kellaton, Kelly, Kenn, Kennerleigh, Kennford, Kentisbeare, Kentisbury, Kentisbury Ford, Kenton, Kerswell, Kilmington, Kings Heanton, King’s Nympton, Kingsbridge, Kingscott, Kingskerswell, Kingsteignton, Kingston, Kingswear, Kismeblon Bridge, Kitley, Knightacott, Knighton, Knowle, Knowstone, Lamerton, Lana, Landcross, Landkey, Landscove, Langdon House, Langford, Langridge, Langridgeford, Langtree, Lapford, Lee, Lee Mill Bridge, Lee Moor, Lettaford, Lewdown, Leworthy, Lewtrenchard, Lifton, Liftondown, Lincombe, Little Torrington, Littleham, Littlehempston, Liverton, Loddiswell, Longcross, Longdown, Loveacott, Lower Ashton, Lower Gabwell, Loxbeare, Loxhore, Luffincott, Luppitt, Lustleigh, Luton, Lutton, Lydacott, Lydcott, Lydford, Lympstone, Lynmouth, Lynton, Madford, Maidencombe, Malborough, Malmsmead, Mamhead, Manaton, Mariansleigh, Maristow, Marldon, Marsh, Marsh Green, Martinhoe, Marwood, Mary Tavy, Marystow, Meavy, Meddon, Meeth, Melbury, Meldon, Membury, Merrifield, Merrivale, Merton, Meshaw, Milber, Milford, Millcombe, Milltown, Milton Abbot, Milton Combe, Milton Damerel, Modbury, Molland, Monkleigh, Monkokehampton, Monkton, Morchard Bishop, Morebath, Moreleigh, Moretonhampstead, Mortehoe, Morwellham, Muddiford, Murchington, Musbury, Mutterton, Nether Exe, Netherton, Netton, Newcott, Newport, Newton Abbot, Newton Ferrers, Newton Poppleford, Newton St Cyres, Newton St Petrock, Newton Tracey, Nicholashayne, Nomansland, Norman’s Green, North Bovey, North Brentor, North Buckland, North Heasley, North Huish, North Molton, North Radworthy, North Tawton, North Town, North Whilborough, Northam, Northcote Manor, Northcott, Northleigh, Northlew, Noss Mayo, Nymet Rowland, Nymet Tracey, Oak Cross, Oakford, Offwell, Okehampton, Okehampton Camp, Oldborough, Oldridge, Oldways End, Oreston, Otterton, Ottery St Mary, Paignton, Pancrasweek, Parkham, Parkham Ash, Parracombe, Patchole, Payhembury, Pennymoor, Peter Tavy, Peters Marland, Petrockstow, Petton, Philham, Pickwell, Pilton, Pinhay, Pinhoe, Pinn, Pippacott, Pitt, Plym Bridge, Plymouth, Plympton, Plymstock, Plymtree, Pocombe Bridge, Poltimore, Ponsworthy, Portgate, Postbridge, Poughill, Poundsgate, Powderham, Powler’s Piece, Preston, Princetown, Prixford, Puddington, Pyworthy, Quoditch, Rackenford, Rattery, Ravenshayes, Rawridge, Raymond’s Hill, Red Post, Rew, Rewe, Riddlecombe, Ringmore, Riverford Bridge, Roborough, Rockbeare, Romansleigh, Rose Ash, Rosemary Lane, Rousdon, Rowley, Rundlestone, Rydon, Salcombe, Salcombe Regis, Sampford Courtenay, Sampford Peverell, Sampford Spiney, Sandford, Sanduck, Sandygate, Satterleigh, Saunton, Scorriton, Seaton, Seaton Junction, Sequer’s Bridge, Shaldon, Shallowford, Shaugh Prior, Shebbear, Sheepstor, Sheepwash, Sheldon, Sherford, Sherwood Green, Shillingford, Shillingford St George, Shilstone, Shinner’s Bridge, Shiphay, Shipley Bridge, Shirwell, Shirwell Cross, Shobrooke, Shortacombe, Shute, Sidbury, Sidford, Sidmouth, Sigford, Silverton, Slade, Slapton, Smallridge, Smeatharpe, Smithincott, Soar, Soldon Cross, Sourton, South Allington, South Brent, South Hole, South Huish, South Milton, South Molton, South Pool, South Radworthy, South Tawton, South Zeal, Southcott, Southleigh, Sowton, Sparkwell, Spreyton, St Ann’s Chapel, St Budeaux, St Giles in the Wood, St Giles on the Heath, St John’s Chapel, St Marychurch, Staddiscombe, Starcross, Staverton, Sterridge, Stibb Cross, Sticklepath, Stockland, Stockleigh English, Stockleigh Pomeroy, Stoke, Stoke Canon, Stoke Fleming, Stoke Gabriel, Stoke Rivers, Stokeinteignhead, Stokenham, Stonehouse, Stoodleigh, Stowford, Strete, Sutcombe, Swimbridge, Swimbridge Newland, Sydenham Damerel, Taddiport, Talaton, Tamerton Foliot, Tapeley, Tavistock, Taw Bridge, Taw Green, Tawstock, Tedburn St Mary, Teigngrace, Teignmouth, Templeton, Templeton Bridge, Tetcott, Thelbridge Barton, Thornbury, Thornton Cross, Thorverton, Throwleigh, Thrushelton, Thurlestone, Tigley, Tinhay, Tinney, Tippacott, Tipton St John, Titchberry, Tiverton, Topsham, Topsham Bridge, Torbryan, Torcross, Torquay, Torr, Tosberry, Totnes, Trentishoe, Trimstone, Trusham, Tuckenhay, Turnchapel, Twitchen, Two Bridges, Tytherleigh, Uffculme, Ugborough, Umberleigh, Up Exe, Upham, Uplowman, Uplyme, Upottery, Upton, Upton Hellions, Upton Pyne, Uton, Venn, Venn Ottery, Vicarage, Villavin, Virginstow, Walkhampton, Warkleigh, Warren House, Washbourne, Washfield, Washford Pyne, Waterloo Cross, Way Village, Weare Giffard, Week, Welcombe, Well Town, Wembury, Wembworthy, West Alvington, West Anstey, West Buckland, West Charleton, West Down, West Hill, West Ogwell, West Putford, West Worlington, Westcott, Westlake, Westleigh, Weston, Westward Ho!, Westwood, Weycroft, Whiddon Down, Whimple, Whipton, Whitchurch, Whitestone, Whiteworks, Whitford, Whitnage, Widecombe in the Moor, Widworthy, Wiggaton, Willand, Willsworthy, Wilmington, Winkleigh, Winswell, Witheridge, Withleigh, Withycombe Raleigh, Wolborough, Wonson, Woodbury, Woodbury Salterton, Woodland, Woodleigh, Woodtown, Woolacombe, Woolfardisworthy, Woollaton, Woolston Green, Worswell, Wrafton, Yarcombe, Yarnscombe, Yealmpton, Yelverton, Yeo Vale, Yeoford, Yeomadon, Yettington, Youldon, Youldonmoor Cross, Youlstone, Zeal Monachorum
