I lived in Barnstaple for several years, albeit about 15 years back now. I fished Jennets Reservoir a bit and know a few guys in that North Devon Match group so have seen some recent match reports. Jennets is a lovely reservoir, not that big, and popular with carpers, although most of them fish a few pegs right on the dam wall. It's quite deep, shallowing away from the dam, but I used to catch good nets of roach and odd bream on the pole.
Several of the other SWW venues are also worth a try - Darracott is smaller but a nice mixed fishery. Slade, in Ilfracombe, used to be popular but I always found that hard going. Stafford Moor has been mentioned already as has Tamar, which is a fabulous feeder and pole venue.
Apart from the Bude Canal, you aren't that far from the Grand Western (Tiverton) Canal, where I grew up, and probably the best canal in Devon and Cornwall - good sized specimen tench, bream, pike and even carp now, plus a good head of roach that feed all year.
Am sure you will find lots of suitable venues nearby and it is a lovely area to live.