Anglers braving the weather get their reward

Apr 24 2008 The Journal

ANOTHER change in weather at Sweethope Loughs this week saw snow, heavy hail and cold easterly winds, although those anglers braving the conditions were rewarded with some of the week’s better bags.

D Millican and B Garnette, from Blyth, had 13 fish on Black and Peacock Spiders while Ken Ward and Dale Pringle, from Cramlington, had eight fish, including a well-conditioned, hard-fighting 7lb rainbow on Dawson’s Olives. And T Stephenson, from Rowlands Gill, had five fish, including the best fish of the week at 10lb. He also safely returned a 4lb 8oz brown trout.

A and P Jones, from South Shields, were among the fish again, safely returning 14, all taken on Bloodworm and Sedges, while Neil Irwin, from Barrasford, had 15 fish, all safely returned, using Hoppers, Kate McLaren and Dawson’s Olive. Included in his bag was a 7lb rainbow.

A and D Dickins, from Newcastle, also had good sport on Dawson’s Olives, catching and returning nine fish. Anglers are reminded that the sessions at Sweethope are now 9am to 1pm, 1pm to 5pm and 5pm to 9pm.

Colin Roberts, from Newburn, had a great day at Hadrian Fishery, landing two brown trout, including one of 9lb, and two rainbows, the best at 6lb. Alan Jones, of Durham, took four for 15lb 8oz on a Hare’s Ear.

Hirst Park Trout Ticklers had their first fishing trip of the season to Fontburn Reservoir, where 22 anglers landed 35 fish for 77lb 11oz in challenging conditions.

The Trout Ticklers is a fishing club that is run through Hirst Park Middle School, Ashington, but is open to everyone. For more information, ring (01670) 813111 (Hirst Park) or email hirstparktroutticklers@yahoo.co.uk or visit the club’s website at www.hpmstroutticklers.zoomshare.com

The trout at Jubilee Lakes are starting to take a big interest in buzzers again after a long winter on lures. The Wicked White and the Jubilee Buzzer – black with a gold head – are both taking fish. Five double-figure fish were brought to the net this week. Andrew Greener, from Annfield Plain, had the week’s heaviest fish at 19lb 12oz, taken on a Cat’s Whisker, while R Stainthorp, from Barton, near Darlington, had one of 15lb 1oz on a Dawson’s Olive. Michael Watson, from Newcastle, took a 13lb 10oz rainbow on a White Fritz and Gordon Swain brought one of 12lb 14oz to the net on a Damsel. Ryan Barron, of Coxhoe, took a 10lb 12oz trout on a Cat’s Whisker.

The fish are feeding around the margins at Sharpley Springs with browns and rainbows seen in good numbers. Darren Walker, fishing Bloodworm, took the biggest fish of the week at 16lb 9oz. His 18-fish bag also included another double at 12lb 8oz. Ian Cairns safely released a 15-pounder and S Baptist, fishing a Black Nomad, brought a hard-fighting 13lb 2oz trout to the net. Ian Carter had the week’s best bag with 24 fish.

At last the dry flies can be successfully aired as small black midge try to hatch despite the unusually relentless-easterly winds. Mid-morning sees good hatches at the north eastern banks with small black dries imitating the naturals. With the rape fields trying to burst into life, black beetles should also be included in any fly box.

Malcolm Proudlock, with three for 19lb 4oz, won the Troutmaster fish-off at Knitsley Mill this week. Overall Malcolm landed 10 fish, the best at 7lb 4oz. Ernie Craster was second with three for 18lb, the best at 8lb 8oz, and Jim Foster was third with three for 17lb, the best at 7lb 4oz. After the competition was finished, Jim landed a rainbow of 13lb 4oz, safely returned.

FLY BOX

HADRIAN: Hare’s Ear, Dawson’s Olive, various nymphs, various lures

JUBILEE: Cat’s Whisker, Humungus, Zonker, Buzzers

KNITSLEY: Black Fritz, Cat’s Whisker, Buzzers, Pheasant tail Nymph, Damsel Hare’s Ear

SHARPLEY: Black Buzzer, Diawl Bach, William’s Favourite, Black F Fly, Black Beetle, Black Spider, Bloodworm, Cat’s Whisker, Nomads

SWEETHOPE: Black and Peacock Spider, Dawson’s Olive, Bloodworm, Sedges