Devon Fishing Guides

Devon Fishing Guides is a small, specialist angling business built around one experienced coach, Martyn Green, who offers personalised tuition across sea, coarse and fly fishing in South Devon and the wider South West. Rather than operating as a large charter outfit, the focus here is on tailored coaching for individuals, families and small groups who want to develop skills and enjoy time on the water in a relaxed, structured way. For potential clients looking for a mix of practical instruction, local knowledge and patient support, it is a serious option to consider.

One of the most striking aspects of the service is Martyn’s background as an Angling Trust Level 2 tridiscipline coach, covering sea, coarse and fly fishing, as well as his role as a coach educator and qualified school teacher with decades of classroom experience. This combination means that sessions are not only about catching fish but also about building confidence, safety awareness and a genuine understanding of technique, which is especially valuable for juniors and nervous beginners. Parents frequently highlight how clearly he explains casting, baiting and handling fish, and how quickly complete novices feel at ease beside the water. For families or school groups seeking structured tuition rather than a simple boat trip, this educational emphasis can be a major advantage.

Devon Fishing Guides offers a wide spread of methods, from sea fishing over rough ground and reefs to coarse fishing on local lakes and rivers, as well as light tackle and fly fishing both in freshwater and, for those who want something different, in saltwater. Sessions can include beachcasting, boat fishing arranged with local skippers, float fishing, light tackle lure work, carp angling, pole and tenkara-style approaches, along with instruction in tying rigs and flies. This breadth means that people who already have experience in one style can use Martyn’s guidance to branch out into others, whether that is a coarse angler trying their first saltwater session or a holidaymaker moving from pier fishing to more technical approaches.

Location is a key strength for the business, with tuition available around the lakes and coastline of Torbay and neighbouring areas, including venues such as Babbacombe pier and commercial lakes across Devon and Cornwall. Clients mention successful sessions at Hatchlands and Bake Fishing Lakes, where complete beginners quickly progressed from never having held a rod to landing multiple fish in a single day. These examples illustrate how having an instructor who knows when and where conditions are likely to produce can transform a casual outing into a productive day, even when the angler is new to the sport. For visitors to the region who do not know the local venues, this local insight is a practical benefit.

Reviews from clients consistently emphasise patience, calm instruction and a friendly manner, especially with children and families. Parents describe teenage and younger anglers who arrive slightly nervous and leave completely absorbed in the experience, often keen to carry on with their new hobby after the session. Comments also highlight that Martyn provides a wide range of suitable tackle, rigs and baits so that guests can focus on learning technique rather than worrying about equipment. Several anglers note that they caught a variety of species in a single outing, from smaller fish to better-sized specimens suitable for dinner, which adds to the sense of achievement and value.

Although many people associate guided angling with offshore trips, Devon Fishing Guides places just as much emphasis on easily accessible sessions from the shore or at stillwaters, which suits families, younger anglers and those who may not be comfortable on boats. Teaching off structures such as Babbacombe pier or at managed lakes allows a controlled environment where casting, playing fish and handling them safely can be taught step by step. For some clients, this approach feels less intimidating than committing to a full charter and can be an ideal first introduction to sea fishing holidays or to freshwater trips in the region.

Martyn’s long-standing interest in light tackle and his writing on the subject also feed into the experience that clients receive. As an author of several books on sea fishing and a contributor to magazines such as Sea Angler, he brings a technical understanding of rigs, presentations and fish behaviour that can help anglers move beyond basic methods. This is evident in the way sessions often go beyond simply catching fish to cover why a particular approach is chosen for a given venue, how to read the water and how to adapt when conditions change. Anglers who already own their own gear may appreciate the opportunity to fine‑tune their existing setups and pick up small refinements that can make a noticeable difference.

An additional, distinctive element is the business’s involvement in initiatives such as "Angling on Prescription", where structured fishing sessions are used to support people’s wellbeing. Feedback from organisations working with young people indicates that under Martyn’s guidance, participants not only catch fish but also gain confidence, patience and a sense of achievement in an outdoor setting. This side of the operation may not be the first thing a holiday angler looks for, but it speaks to a broader commitment to using angling in a constructive way beyond pure recreation. For clients who value ethical practice and positive community engagement, that may carry some weight when choosing between providers.

From the perspective of someone considering a booking, one of the clear strengths is the ability to tailor sessions very closely to the angler’s age, experience and specific interests. Beginners can start with simple float or ledger fishing using bait, learning basic knots and safe fish handling, while more experienced anglers can focus on specialist topics such as ultra‑light lure tactics, sea bass fishing from the shore, or fine‑tuning fly presentation for trout and coarse species. There is scope to book as an individual, as a family or as part of a school or work group, which makes it a flexible option for a range of situations.

On the other hand, the very personal nature of the business brings some limitations that potential clients should be aware of. As the operation is centred on one coach, availability can be constrained at popular times, especially in school holidays or during peak tourist seasons. Those wanting specific tides, techniques or venues may need to plan and enquire well in advance to secure a suitable date. Larger corporate groups looking for extensive boat capacity or multi‑boat events might also find that a small, single‑coach business cannot offer the same scale as bigger charter operators.

Another consideration is that Devon Fishing Guides focuses on tuition and skill‑building rather than guaranteed trophy fish, and results inevitably depend on conditions, seasons and the angler’s own input. While many clients report excellent catches and memorable days, prospective customers with very fixed expectations of size or numbers should keep in mind that coaching days are structured around learning, safety and enjoyable participation first, and catching fish second. This does not mean that sessions are not productive; rather, the emphasis is on sustainable, realistic outcomes rather than hard‑selling a picture of non‑stop action.

Compared with some larger fishing charter operations, the online presence of the business is straightforward and information‑heavy, with extensive text about techniques, coaching philosophy and written resources. This is useful for those who like to read in depth about fishing tuition options, but it may feel slightly old‑fashioned to users who expect video‑led content or instant online booking. People comfortable with email or phone enquiries will find plenty of detail available, but those who prefer fully automated booking systems might find the process less streamlined than at some more commercially oriented charter firms.

For holidaymakers, the ability to combine structured coaching with the chance to take home a fish or two for the table can be appealing, as some sessions include species suitable for eating when regulations and venue rules allow. Families have mentioned leaving with fish in the cool box after shore or lake trips, which adds a tangible result to the day’s learning. At the same time, fish care and responsible handling are repeatedly emphasised, which is an important point for anglers who value sustainable angling holidays and ethical practice.

Devon Fishing Guides also stands out for clients who specifically want to develop their fly fishing lessons or improve casting and presentation for trout and coarse fish using fly tackle. The business offers ultralight fly techniques targeted at species not always associated with fly gear, expanding what many anglers think is possible on their local waters. Anglers interested in blending traditional game methods with innovative, light‑line approaches may find this particularly attractive, especially when guided by someone who has invested considerable time in writing and teaching about the subject.

Overall, Devon Fishing Guides provides a focused, education‑led angling service based around one highly experienced coach offering a wide range of methods in and around South Devon. Its strengths lie in patient, structured tuition, especially for families, juniors and beginners, as well as in the breadth of disciplines covered, from shore‑based sea fishing trips to freshwater and fly sessions. Potential drawbacks for some customers include limited scale, a strong emphasis on learning rather than guaranteed specimen catches, and a more traditional approach to booking and online presentation. For those whose priority is to gain skills, confidence and a deeper understanding of angling in a supportive environment, it represents a credible and well‑reviewed choice among South West fishing guides and coaching providers.