History may be repeating itself as big flounder start to show at marks

The first really big flounder of the season have been taken at marks in the Kingsbridge estuary.

The biggest by as yet an unnamed angler, in fact a junior, is known to have weighed 3lb 6oz, and Plymouth's Roy Collard topped a catch of five with fish of 3lb 4oz and 2lb 14oz.

Both these came from marks on the western flank of the estuary. Gerston, Rowden and Tosnos Points have an excellent track record of fish over 3lb, and history may well be repeating itself.

Details of a new flounder competition – and a rich one at that – have been received.

It takes place on Sunday, January 15, and the first prize is £500 plus others put up by Torbay Tackle.

The competition has a roving concept and the boundaries are Orcombe Point, near Exmouth, to Bolt Head at Salcombe – taking in the estuaries of the Exe, Teign, Dart, Salcombe and Kingsbridge, from which surely will come at least one 4lb specimen.

The competition is based at Paignton Sea Anglers Club, Cliff Road, and the fishing time is from noon until 4pm. To enter telephone Matt or Chris on 01803 557025. Fees are senior: £10; junior: £5; optional pool: £2.

Members of Bideford & District Angling Club have had a variety of species in midweek and weekend competitions.

The Cyril Petherick Memorial, fished on the Torridge, was won by Keith Owens with a flounder of 1lb 5¾oz, and the runners-up were Matt Hooper and Jazzer John, both with fish over 1lb 3oz. A thornback of 9lb 15oz clinched victory for Dick Talbot in a 'rover' and he had another of 7lb 5oz.

Hans Clausen, who, during the 20 years he was a Plymouth resident with his wife, Hannah, had much success with conger, has died in his native Denmark after suffering a severe stroke during a fishing holiday in Florida. His enthusiasm for the species being such, it prompted the move to Devon and this was rewarded in 1991 when he set a world, European and British record with a fish of 110lb 4½oz, taken from Bill Warner's 'The Mistress'.

Always a great servant of the European Federation of Sea Anglers, Hans became its president and was later made one of the organisation's few honorary life members.

He also travelled the world and won several big-name 'blue-water' tournaments.

The coarse fishing scene is quiet, but the few carp enthusiasts who visited Emperor Lakes were rewarded with big specimens, notably a 32lb 5oz personal best common by Mark Harroway, a 30lb 12oz mirror for Tony Latter, and another PB mirror of 23lb 2oz for Steve Janes.

These were taken out of the day-ticket water, and the season lake produced a 33lb 1oz PB mirror for Rob Pierce, while a 26lb 10oz mirror fell to Mark Pollard.

A pike syndicate is being organised at Emperor. With Slapton Ley still not open for angling, the opportunity to fish for this iconic species opens a vital window that has not been available in Devon for the best part of a decade.

Emperor has a substantial head of pike and this will probably be enhanced once syndicate numbers are known.

Carp specialist Mark Owen put up pike tackle at the venue's day-ticket water and was soon battling a fish of about 20lb, although bigger examples are known to be there.

For syndicate, information telephone Paul on 07814 060147.