Doubles all round to cheer anglers
IT has been a case of doubles galore this week from local stillwaters.
Angler of the week was Morpeth’s John Williams who landed two specimen rainbow trout in excess of 20lb at Thrunton Trout Fishery. These specimens were part of a 14-fish catch, all caught on Buzzers.
Down at Sharpley Springs near Seaham, no fewer than 11 double figure rainbow trout came to the net.
Paul Marshall from Chester-le-Street, John Metcalfe, Andy Chaters from Sunderland, Colin Moscrop from Penshaw and Tom Reay from Felling all landed and returned rainbows between 10lb and 13lb.
Ryan Barron from Coxhoe caught the largest of the week at 18lb and also a 12lb rainbow in his catch of 18 trout. Barry Keenan from Blyth also landed a rainbow of 12lb 6oz.
Sport in general on the local stillwater trout fisheries has been very good despite the often very difficult weather conditions. Trout are still high in the water on the smaller stillwaters and dry fly enthusiasts have certainly had their moments.
While lures have produced some good sport, it has been the imitative patterns that have scored well.
Drifted Buzzers and nymphs fished on the wind produced some exciting sport. When deeper, the lures produced the takes and some fine fish were landed.
On the reservoirs, anglers found sport close in to the shoreline at venues like Derwent, Fontburn, Hury and Grassholme. The trout that had disappeared into the depths have been reappearing on these vast expanses of water and they are offering some fine late season sport.
A combination of unfavourable weather conditions and high flows on the Tyne slowed the salmon and sea–trout catches this week.
Only 26 salmon were reported from the Tyne’s prime beats and a mere 5 sea trout. Some good catches were reported from the South Tyne – one rod, Josh Ystenes, landed a salmon of 25lb and further fish of 14lb and a 4lb sea trout, while his father caught salmon of 16lb, 14lb, 14lb, 12lb and 4lb.
With only two weeks left in the salmon season and big Kielder releases this week, anglers will be hoping for a good end to the season.
I was out on Monday on the River Rede with Storm Ophelia approaching. I could not believe how dull it was and there were salmon everywhere but not one was caught in what were excellent conditions.
Tyneside Anglers Syndicate members have been catching some salmon this week. Among the catches was David Bowen Jones (8lb on fly), Dave Green (15lb fly), Daniel Patterson (6lb sea-trout), and David Carne caught a 5lb grilse on fly. Paul Neate landed two salmon of 7lb on fly off the Whiteadder and George Renwick returned a 10lb salmon caught on fly off the South Tyne. All these fish were carefully returned.