Anglers beat the weather at Witton castle

May 29 2008 by George Macintyre, The Journal

DESPITE the easterly winds there have been heavy bags recorded at Witton Castle Lakes with sporting ticket holders enjoying great sport for their £14.

John Bean had the fish of the week with a magnificent 15lb blue that was safely returned while G Hurst, fishing Klinkhammers, safely returned 24. Leadgate angler Joe Myers had a superb day’s fishing safely returning nine, including fish of 19lb, 11lb 8oz and 8lb.

Ron Hutton of Newton Aycliffe also had a good session returning 12 while Trevor and Dave Kay were happy with their haul of 22 taken on Pheasant tail Nymph and CdC Shuttlecocks.

Double-figure fish were landed at Jubilee Lakes this week by Jeff Hopper, from Newcastle, who had a 17lb 1oz rainbow, Gareth Tilley, from Lanchester, who had one of 15lb and Len Donoghue, from Marton, who netted a 12lb 12oz rainbow.

Houghton-le-Spring angler Fred Maddison had the biggest fish of the week at Sharpley Springs with a 14lb 8oz rainbow. Matthew Holdroyd had the week’s best bag with 20 trout to 12lbs 6ozs.

An Environment Agency Beginners’ Day for all newcomers, will be held on June 14 at 10am and 2pm – call Simon on 07860757527 to book. Participants can be any age and no fishing licence is required.

P Loughead from Hexham had an excellent first visit to Hadrian Fisheries at Haydon Bridge, taking eight hard-fighting rainbows for 28lb. M Gaffney from Newburn landed a bag of 12lb 7ozs on a catch-and-release ticket.

It was another good week at Knitsley Mill where Newcastle anglers Joe and Mark Foster had 63 fish, the best to 6lb 8oz, over two visits, Jim Tuck, of Ashington, had 25, the best at 7lb 12oz while first-time visitor to Knitsley J Brett, of Sunderland, had eight, the best at 8lb.

Caistron Lakes continue to fish well with Ally Tait safely returning 10, including one of 12lb 8oz. Gary Middleton of Whitley Bay had one of 12lb, Gary Scott from Amble brought 13 to the net including one of 12lb 8oz), R Hill had 26 in an eight hour session and J Robertson had 27.

Boat anglers P Crowe and E Craster shared 26 fish in a four-hour session while Brian Kerr and Stewart Cowans safely returned 22. S Mullens had the best bag taken on worm with four for 14.

FLY BOX

HADRIAN: Red Buzzer, Grey Nymph, Black Pennell.

JUBILEE: Various black dries, Sedges, Klinkhammers, CdC emergers, Shipman’s, Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear, Buzzers, Goldhead Damsel, Nomads, Cat’s Whisker, Dawson’s Olive, Olive Zonker, red Bloodworm, Blobs, Olive Zonker.

KNITSLEY: Buzzers, Bloodworm, Black or Olive CdC patterns, Dawson’s Olive, Damsel Nymphs, Black Hopper, Pond Olive, various Fritz patterns.

LOCKWOOD: Various dries, CdC Shuttlecock, Bloodworm, Bibio, Buzzers, Damsels.

SHARPLEY: Bloodworm, beetles, Upwing Olives, Hawthorns, Daddies, Olive Spinner, Sedge emergers.

WITTON CASTLE: Pheasant tail Nymph, CdC Shuttlecock, various dries, nymphs and emergers.

CAISTRON: Small lures, Buzzers.