In 1970, two long established Exeter angling clubs; the “Exonia Angling Association” and “City of Exeter Angling Association” amalgamated and became one; the new “Exeter & District Angling Association” was born (E&DAA). The obvious result of this amalgamation saw not only a large membership under the one name, but also additional waters for local anglers to fish.
The Association membership comprises of pleasure, match and specimen anglers, and as such, our waters reflect all styles of coarse angling, whether it be small seclude ponds, or one of our prolific rivers such as the Exe, all however, offer excellent, affordable fishing.
The E&DAA now controls over 26 miles of fishing in and around the Exeter area, covering canal, ponds and rivers. The Associations aim is to provide low-cost, varied fishing for local anglers, this is confirmed by the Associations relatively low adult and very low junior membership fee. Association membership currently stands at well over 1000 anglers.
To encourage juniors Harpers Ponds were the last we had created along side Exeter Canal near to Double Locks Pub, purpose built twin ponds. Built on behalf of the association, by the Environment Agency in 2009. These ponds, although providing excellent all year road catches, are primarily for the introduction and nurturing of junior anglers. Frequent junior coaching days/evenings are held on these waters. ( Roly Palmer, Junior Officer, see lower down on this page)
In addition to the club’s many coarse fisheries, unusually for an angling club, the Association also owns the game and coarse fishing rights on part of the River Exe (Weirfield fishery) and River Otter (Ottery St. Mary). An additional 13 Salmon beats are available on the River Exe. In association with our club more salmon beats higher up the river Exe can be accessed through the Fish The Exe scheme. Visit http://www.riverexefisheries.org.uk/fish-exe.php where subsidised day tickets to fly-fish for salmon and trout can be booked for £10-£30 (check for most recent prices) and further details of the conservation work undertaken by the River Exe and Tributaries Association (RETA) can be found.”
For the specimen pike and carp angler, perhaps the best venue being the Exeter Ship Canal, with pike in excess of 30lb and carp to 40lb plus, whilst not an easy water, the rewards can be great for the dedicated specialist angler (see carp/pike anglers page). As a point of historical Interest, the 6-mile long canal was constructed in 1563 and the first ship canal to be built in Britain.
