Set lines found on top Devon pike water

The Exeter Canal is the latest water to be targeted with illegal set lines to catch and kill pike.

Devon PAC report the gear was found near the Double Locks on the Westcountry waterway, which has produced the largest pike caught in the county. More here.

There are few pike waters in Devon, with just the Exeter Canal, River Exe, Grand Western Canal and Trenchford Reservoir holding the species.

Devon PAC blog goes on: "Anybody who fishes the canal should be on the lookout for anything/anyone suspicious.

"If you do see anything untoward then please gather as much info as you can. Numbers of people, descriptions etc and report it as soon as possible."

The EA's 24hr hotline is 0800 807060 (add to your mobile...). Controlling club Exeter DAA 07967 251443.

The latest find was clearly aimed at pike, as lines were baited with dead roach on snap tackles. The EA is now investigating.

It comes after a number of pike were found dead on a Lincolnshire Drain two weeks ago, like the one pictured above. More on that here and here.

+++How to spot the pike killers' handiwork and what you can do here.

Pete Climo talk in Devon

Lure fishing for big pike will be the main topic, when Pete Climo travels down to deepest Devon to do a talk this week.

He'll be at the Barge Inn, at Halberton, near Tiverton, on Friday, November 26 (7.30pm).

Pete knows more than a thing or two about big pike - he led the 13-year campaign to get Llandegfedd opened up to pike anglers, before catching his 42lbs 5oz PB there.

Admission to what promises to be an interesting evening is £2 members/£3 non-member. There will be a raffle, with prizes including a signed copy of Big Water Pike Fishing, by Neville Fickling.

You can find out more about Devon PAC on their blog - click here.

Devon PAC stage lure fish-in

Devon PAC are staging a lure fish-in on the Grand Western Canal on Sunday, November 21.

The meet's at Sampford Peverell car park (7.30am). Click here for more details on their blog.

Campaigning for pike conservation in Devon

Devon PAC hope to get the club that controls fishing on the Grand Western Canal to adopt some rules in place to help safeguard its pike stock.

The canal hit the headlines three years ago, when PAC members caught pike which had been crudely tagged by having plastic cable ties pushed through their backs (left).

The culprit or culprits were never caught. But the PAC's response made all the local papers and even the BBC news, and the tagging stopped after that.

Now the Devon region plans to lobby the Tiverton & District Angling Club AGM, at the town's Conservative Club, on Friday (7.30pm).

Their blog reports:

"At the moment the club have no rules in their handbook relating to pike angling, care and welfare.

"We have written to them with a view to addressing this. Also we would like to bring up the question of what seems to be a fairly haphazard approach to the bailiffing of the canal.

"Any members of the club who would like to come along and support us would be very welcome."

Click here for the Devon blog.

Click here for BBC report on the tagging.