Half Moon Inn is situated in some of the most picturesque countryside in North Devon, Sheepwash once a thriving market town in the middle ages overlooks the Torridge Valley. The Half Moon is one of the few original fishing inns remaining in Devon.
They have their own fishing for salmon, sea-trout and brown trout on ten miles of the River Torridge available exclusively for our guests. There is a large rod room, drying facilities and a small shop stocking all the basic requirements needed to fish the river.
They also issue licences so you do not even have to worry about obtaining one beforehand. For those of you who wish to ‘cast a line’ for the first time, expert advice is available. Tackle is also available for hire.
The game fishing on the River Torridge is extremely varied, with salmon, sea-trout and brown trout all providing excellent sport at different times throughout the season. The fishing season on the River Torridge starts on March 1st and finishes on September 30th.
Fishing for salmon on this spate river is very dependent on the weather, but when the height and colour of the water are correct, you will have a great chance of taking a fish. There is an early run of salmon and the best time is from mid March to mid May. Spinning is allowed in March but from April 1st ‘fly only’ is the rule. With the first of the Autunm rains, September is often a good month for salmon as well.
Large sea-trout up to 10lb enter the river in late April and May, but once they have been in the river for a few weeks and settled in the pools, become extremely difficult to catch. The main run of sea-trout up to 4lbs starts in June. Late June, July and early August is the best time. In normal low-flow conditions the best chance of taking a sea-trout is in the hour preceding and the hour following dusk.