THE Environment Agency has announced the River Tyne upstream count for January was four – sharing the ninth highest first month of the year spot on record with 2000, 2007 and 2009.
The count is lower than both the five-year (eight) and long-term (28) averages.
As of 9am on Tuesday, one upstream count had been recorded.
The four upstream all occurred between January 8 and 14 and, as in most winter months, all were recorded during daylight hours, one just after 8am and the others between 11am and noon.
With the 2013 fishing season now under way, the EA hopes anglers will remember to send in scales from the fish they catch.
This year, the EA would like to receive about 600 salmon and 200 sea trout scale samples and would like scales from fish of all sizes, not just large and small examples.
Although this is not directly part of the Angler Scale Sampling Programme, the EA would also like scale samples from brown trout. Scales from fish caught on other rivers are welcome too.
Tom Watson won a Hardy Cascapedia reel, supplied by Hardy and Greys, and Glyn Hall won an Airflo STX reel, donated by Bagnall and Kirkwood, in the prize draw for anglers who took part in the 2012 programme. Anglers who would like further details of the programme or the Tyne Angler Logbook Scheme, or know of someone who would like to join, should call the environmental monitoring team on 0191 203 4140 or email morton.heddell-cowie@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Simon Hart from Newcastle landed a personal-best 8lb 12oz rainbow at Chatton Lakes, where fish have been caught predominantly on lures fished on intermediate lines, although Black Buzzers have also been working well.
Dougie McMurdo from Ashington kept two and returned eight using a Bunny Leech and White Fritz.
Matty Divine from Hadston caught nine on lures and Tony Robinson from Howtel and Gordon Swain from Dipton, also fishing lures, each caught eight. The fishery is now closing at 4.30pm seven days a week.
After the recent snow, wind and frozen lakes, anglers have returned to South Linden, where good numbers of fish have been landed from the well-stocked fly and bait lakes.
A stocking of fresh fish was put in during the past week.
FLY BOX
South Linden: Black Buzzer, various lures, Black Zonker.
