Dartmoor 2023 - 3 days fishing the West Dart & Cherry Brook

I was hoping that this video would capture 3 days of fishing down on Dartmoor with multiple shots of beautiful brownies in the net. Unfortunately things didn't quite work out that way. A very early start on Wednesday then the excitement of getting a fly on the water meant I forgot my video camera so couldn't record multiple missed rises, and three hooked but lost fish. Day two was fantastic but I missed recording my only catch and even forgot to press 'record' on my phone. By Friday the weather was closing in and I suddenly stopped worrying about filming and just enjoyed the time we had left on the river. We had lots of fun, drank lots of beer, I fell in the river and had thigh waders full of water, and Tim had a close encounter with a bull. So this video is not just a fishing video. Hopefully it captures the sense of Dartmoor, the beautiful countryside and amazing rivers. We were there for almost 3 days and didn't even begin to fish all the rivers available on a day ticket for the crazy price of just £12. We saw only two other anglers in all our time there. Some handy tips - The Two Bridges Hotel just outside of Princetown is a great place to get your day ticket and have a beer after you finish - it's easy to drive to all the other rivers. Thigh-waders or chest-waders are a must, as is a wading stick for some of the rivers - the East and West Darts can be quite rocky in places with fast water. I fished a 9ft #3 weight with a 9ft tapered leader at 5x, and 2-3ft of tippet at 6x. I also took a 7ft 6inch #3 rod for the East Dart which can be quite overgrown in places. Take plenty of flies as the gorse and other plants/grasses along the banks can be very unforgiving! Tight lines and hope you enjoy the video. The sound is poor in places and I'll never be an editor of films but I enjoyed the process.

[@gordonmillsjr.1957]

You had it windy! …but I know how tricky Dartmoor can be. SHORT casts only - into little pools, and often fished on your knees is best. Wickham’s Fancy / Red Spinner works best up there.

[@robertalp3878]

They loved the Dynamite Harry but were so quick!

[@timothyarcher594]

Great stuff Rob. Thanks for taking the time and effort to record this...happy memories and we've improved 200% on our previous Dartmoor trip. Looking forward to next time already, hopefully without wind and bulls.

[@johnsmithson6390]

Thanks for the video. I fish these streams quite a bit, and I wonder if your hit rate might improve if you kept a lower profile, fished a shorter line and started right at the pool tail before moving up into the streamy stuff. You can spook every fish in the pool if you aren’t super stealthy! But then again I’m no expert and it’s never easy… tight lines for next season

[@robertalp3878]

Thanks, John, we’d had lots of takes on the upper Cherrybrook the day before. The challenge here was the down stream wind more than anything, and it was the first time we’d fished this section. Will be back next year! Tight lines 👍

[@johnsmithson6390]

I agree: a downstream wind can make it nigh on impossible (unless you fish downstream wets or even a sneaky dry!)@@robertalp3878

[@user-dv2ls3op8o]

Hi Robert what a great place to fish after watching this I think a trip down there in September for a few days did you stay local at two bridges

[@robertalp3878]

We camped at The Plume of Feathers, a pub in Princeton which is about 1.5 miles away. You can stay at The Two Bridges Hotel, or there are other places in Princetown.

[@robertalp3878]

I believe all the rivers that flow off the moor are ‘spate rivers’ they rise very quickly after rain so something to be wary of

[@user-dv2ls3op8o]

Hi Robert thanks for the info I’ll check out the camping at the plume of feathers also I’ll checking the weather before hand 👍@@robertalp3878

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

One of my favourite places on the planet Robert, I must get up there again soon👍 I don't know which camera you use for filming, but if it's a gopro type thing, I'd highly recommend a foam windslayer. Completely changed the standard of the audio on my videos 👍

[@robertalp3878]

Thanks, Chris, it’s an AKASO, a much cheaper version. All the GoPro accessories seem to fit so I’ll try that. Cheers