Plenty to carp about on our Far East trip

YOUR writer at this time is sitting on the banks of Teaktree Lake, near Chiang Mai in Thailand where I, and fellow Geordie Gunter Cowan, are enjoying what can only be described as the fishing of a lifetime.

Under the guidance of owner and ex-pat Geordie Bruce Dale, we are experiencing the sort of fishing most anglers can only dream of.

Loads of different species but it is the carp which are giving us the most satisfaction.

Lots of these between 30-70lbs, but yours truly was blessed indeed on Tuesday when something rather large accepted my bread punch offering, and after a 40-minute fight in 40 degrees heat, I thankfully watched the net slip under a colossal Siamese Carp which weighed 150lbs. Hopefully there will be more to follow!

Although the Tyne hasn’t exactly been in good form lately, Matfen’s Dave Hall left the bankside with a smile on his face after landing a 4lb 14oz chub from a stretch near Hexham.

Dissington Pond is showing a bit of form at last. Les Goreham had an ide of 3lbs, with another angler taking a four-pounder.

Durham City AC fished the second match of their Pike Series at Brasside, where Bob Emmerson took the win with the only fish which weighed 4lb 13ozs.

Would frequent users of Blubbery Pond at Hebron please note that the water will be closed for the next three weeks because of the essential maintenance work which needs to be carried out.

Last Saturday’s match on Bowes Lake at the Angel of the North went to John Dryden with 72lb 1oz, John Foster followed with 46lbs, ahead of Dave Pearson with 44lb 14ozs.

Last Sunday’s match on Lookout Lake was won by Chris Pine with 63lb 6ozs, ahead of John Foster with 44lb 1oz and Ethan Bradley with 32lb 3ozs.