Rainbow record is broken at Higham
PONTELAND stillwater trout angler Andrew Robinson took the headlines this week when he broke the fishery record at Higham Trout Lakes near Ponteland.
Andrew caught a massive 27lb 5oz rainbow on a size 10 Black Buzzer. The fish was weighed, witnessed and carefully returned.
River sport with salmon and seatrout has continued to be good. The Tyne has had more water and also Kielder releases which have kept fish running.
Salmon and sea-trout are well spread throughout the Tyne system, and salmon to well over 20lb and double-figure sea-trout have been caught on fly. Top beat last week was the Bywell beat with 21 salmon.
Some magnificent sea-trout have also been caught on the River Wear, with several double fish reported. Salmon have also been present, with fish to 20lb landed.
Given settled conditions, the seatrout “night shift” fly anglers will be very active on the local rivers that have good stocks of these magnificent migratory fish.
The final of the Kielder WaterAid boat competition was fished on Sunday, and Connor Metcalf and Lee Wilkinson ran out winners with 16 trout for 23lb 2oz.
Runners-up were Alan Jenkins and Ted Fenwick with 15 trout for 22lb 8oz. Andy Jones and Davy Mordue came third with 12 trout for 18lb 6oz. The Bank ATTEFF heat was fished at Chatton Trout Fishery, with Gareth Tilley, Carl Nixon, Alec Harvey, Craig Compton, Trevor Wadds and Rob Sharpe all qualifying.
The British Float Tube Association fished their competition at Sweethope Loughs at the weekend, and it was won by local angler Tony Barclay, weighing in three trout for 6lb 10oz and returning a further nine.
The Northumbrian Police Open competition was also held at Sweethope and was won by Nathan Crain with his catch for 12lb 12oz. Best fish was a 3lb 2oz rainbow caught by Eric Brunton.
Chatton hosts an open day this Saturday, July 15, from 10am to 4pm.
This is organised by members of the Game Angling Association, the IFFF and AAPGI. It is open to all novice and experienced anglers. There will be casting demos with single and double-handed fly rods. Casting tuition is also available.
Charges are £12 for adults and £5 for juniors under 16.
For further details contact Barry Mitchell on 07979 023301 or email bmitchellfishing@gmail.com
On Saturday, August 19, Chatton Trout Fishery is holding a charity fishing competition in aid of the Neuroblastoma Fund. This is also in memory of young Bradley Lowery who sadly passed away last week.
There is a £35 entry, lunch and barbecue. Competitors can continue fishing until 10pm. Places can be booked on 01668 215226.