ALTHOUGH South Linden has been open all winter, this past weekend was like the first day of the season with the sun shining on Saturday and Sunday and the fly lake lined with fishermen all catching fish.
The start of the school holidays has led to good fishing on the well-stocked lakes, with good numbers of fish in the 6lb to 8lb range brought to the net on the fly lake and quality fish between 2lb and 3lb range landed on worm from the bait lake
In four-hour sessions, K Ansla of Gateshead caught and released 10 on an Ace of Spades; B King, also from Gateshead, caught and released eight on Bloodworm; and D York from Ashington caught and released five on a Cat’s whisker.
On Sunday, three anglers from Stanley fished an eight-hour catch-and-release session, each safely returning approximately 16 fish.
Billy Ashcroft from North Shields, fishing a Black and Green Dancer, had the best fish of the week at Chatton, safely returning a 15lb 5oz rainbow to the Dunnydeer lake.
Anglers who recorded good catches included Jeff Toothill from Newcastle, who had 14; Trevor Wadds from Craster, who returned 13; A Bolton from Gateshead, who caught 12; and Howard Croston from Morpeth and John Allan from Ashington who each caught 10.
George Burton from Ashington landed a 9lb 8oz rainbow on a Bunny Leech from Chatton lake, where Eric Petrie from Morpeth had one of 2lb 8oz on a UV Polar Bear. Dave Hermiston from Coldstream had one of 2lb from Dunnydeer lake.
The fishery will be closed all day on Saturday for the final of the Fritz and Fly Competition. It was another good week’s fishing at Knitsley Mill with a substantial number of fish caught, the heaviest a 7lb brown brought to the net by Nigel Moore.
The better weather has improved sport at Aldin Grange, which has had its first stocking of the year in the past week.
Gareth Tilley fished in an absolute blizzard to net 20 fish on Bloodworm and Buzzers fished under an indicator, with Brian Dawson netting 24 on home-tied patterns.,
On Sunday, the fishery hosted the Gamefishers Forum. Despite two hard frosts slowing down the sport, Jim Tuck netted seven and Tracey Davison six.
Fish are still being taken in the top 2ft at West House Lakes despite the low temperatures.
Season ticket holder Lee Cartmail from Middlesbrough had some excellent sessions this week, catching more than 40 fish, his 24 fish in a session on Apps Bloodworms.
David Bolton from Hartlepool had an excellent day landing 12 to 6lb, on a Black Zonker, and Peter Williamson from Bishop Auckland had nine on Buzzers.
The best method this week has been to fish a floating line and let the lure or Bloodworm drift around in the breeze with the occasional tweak to provoke takes.
The lakes are now open from 8am until 5pm every day with a four-hour sporting ticket costing £12.
For more information call 07836 330157.
FLY BOX
Aldin Grange: Buzzer, Bloodworm, Fluffcat, Tinnies.
Chatton: Nomads, Tadpoles, various Dancers, Buzzers, Damsels, Goldhead Pheasant tail Nymph, Bloodworms.
Knitsley: Black Fritz, Buzzers, Consett Budgie.
South Linden: Ace of Spades, Bloodworm, Cat’s Whisker, Black Buzzer, Yellow Dancer.
West House: Cat’s Whisker, Black Zonker, Blobs.
