GAME ANGLING
RECENT rainfall, coupled with significant Kielder releases ranging from 15.4 cumecs to 10 cumecs, have resulted in some fine catches on the river Tyne and its tributaries.
The North Tyne in particular had seen some fine sport. Haughton Castle produced some very good sea trout while Chipchase Castle accounted for 16 salmon for the week.
The main river has also produced some fine sport with Bywell producing salmon to 22lb. Chesters had the largest sea trout weighing 10lb. Fish upstream counts at Riding Mill show a total 7,581 for the month of June giving a total of 8,591 for the season so far.
The Kielder releases have certainly freshened things up on the North Tyne and main Tyne.
The River Wear has had its best run of migratory fish with 3,174 coming in during June. The total for the season so far is 3,595. The present weather situation may also give local rivers another welcome lift.
These figures give heart to the Tyne and Wear anglers for a good season.
On the subject of salmon and sea trout, the Environment Agency is to contact all anglers in our region who bought their rod licence on line.
Other anglers will need to scrutinise the internet to find the 15-page consultation process.
This Net Limitation Order for salmon netting is crucial for the future of salmon and sea trout fishing in our Northern rivers.
Anglers will get their chance to give their opinions in the consultation process which will be available for 10 weeks. When the consultation is available online I will give the link in this column.
It is important that anglers give their opinions as this order will then be in place for another decade.
On Wednesday 26th July, the Northumbria branch of the Salmon and Trout Conservation UK meeting has been re-arranged at Northern Rugby Club in the McCracken Suite for 7pm.
People who are attending should email philadams77@me.com. Topics include: Salmon and sea trout exploitation: what do we want from changes to regulations? Kielder releases: the how and why. Catching more brown trout and increasing trout stocks! Take your chance to give your opinions by attending.
A three-way charity boat fly fishing competition was held at Kielder Water involving Northumbrian Water, Forestry Commission and the Environment Agency at the weekend.
Northumbrian Water came out winners with an average of 3.9 trout per angler. Top angler was Peter Pattinson with 8 fish and his boat had the best catch overall which included fish caught by his boat partner Ray Fothergill. Largest fish caught by Eddie Forster with a 3lb rainbow and a total of £500 was raised for the Great North Air Ambulance.
The UK Troutmasters Final takes place on the Coe Crag Lake at Thrunton on Saturday 22nd July and Sunday 23rd July. The Long Crag Lake will be open as usual to regular anglers over the whole weekend.