Reservoir rods reel in six of the best

Oct 8 2009 The Journal

IT WAS a good week’s sport at Derwent Reservoir with six fish of between 7lb and 10lb brought to the net.

R Bruce, from Whickham, fishing Green Fritz, landed the fish of the week – a rainbow of 10lb – while George Wind from West Denton had one of 9lb 8oz on a Black Fritz.

Fly anglers are advised to try Cronkley, but if conditions allow the Tower is an excellent place to start as the prevailing westerly winds often force fish into this corner. Hunter House and Pow Hill continue to be hot spots for bait anglers with the fish in the shallower water, with no need to cast out huge distances.

The upland wild brown trout fisheries at Cow Green, Selset and Balderhead are now closed until March. This season 476 anglers brought 1,121 trout brought to the net with 1,053 safely returned. Several limit catches were recorded at Fontburn, including two of 15lb and 17lb 7oz for regular angler Irving Brace from Whitley Bay.

M Herron and S Barnes had rainbows of 4lb and 4lb 7oz respectively – an indication that the larger fish are starting to feed up for the winter. Lawrence Thompson, fishing ledgered orange Powerbait Eggs from the boat ramp, landed the best rainbow of the season to date at Grassholme – a fighting fit fish of 13lb 4oz.

With many fish now lying deeper in the water bait anglers have good results with ledgered Powerbaits while fly anglers, using intermediate lines, who were prepared to cast and walk were well rewarded for their efforts.

L Gibson had a good day at Hury with a total catch of 17lb, including the week’s best rainbow at 4lb 8oz while M palmer had a blue of 5lb.

Intermediate lines with a Booby on the point and Invicta or Bibio on the droppers have worked well and accounted for good numbers of fish.

Kevin Arnott, fishing a quill minnow from the Wave Chamber on the north shore at Kielder water, landed the week’s best rainbow at 5lb 7oz while M Davison had rainbows of 3lb and 3lb 6oz on ledgered worm from the slipway at Hawkhope and R Ibbetson, fishing worm and sweet corn from the bank at the top of Whickhope, had seven rainbows for 15lb. Throughout this month boats – which must be booked at Leaplish Waterside Park on (01434) 250 294 – are available for hire between 9am and 3.30pm.

Scaling Dam anglers enjoyed an action-packed week with 11 rainbows of more than 3lb – the best at 5lb 4oz – brought to the net and 26 limit bags recorded. Both ends of the dam wall were on top form with bait anglers ledgering Powerbait eggs and worm having the best results although swimfeeders with maggots were also very successful.

The south shore remains the best area for fly rods and anglers at then east end reported great sport on floating lines and sunken Daddies. Other successful patterns included Kate McLaren and the Silver Invicta.

Places are still available for anyone interested in a day’s fly fishing with the Fishing For Everyone Ladies Fishing Club on Saturday. log on to www.fishingforeveryone.com or e-mail Lucy Bowden at lucy@fishingforeveryone.com.

FLY BOX

Derwent: Dawson’s Olive, Black and Orange Fritz, Consett Budgie.

Fontburn: Dawson’s Olive, Montana.

Grassholme: Dawson’s Olive, Silver Humungus, Muddlers, Boobies.

Hury: Cat Booby, Black Fritz, Invicta.

Kielder: Clan Chief, Black and Green Nomads, Yellow Fritz.

Knitsley: Damsels, Black Buzzers, Beamish Killer, Cat’s Whisker, Zonkers.

Scaling: Sunken Daddies, Kate McLaren, Invicta.

Sweethope: Dawson Olive, Damsel Nymph, Black Fritz, Daddies, Muddlers.

BAIT BOX

Derwent: Yellow Powerbait Eggs and worm.

Fontburn: Chartreuse Powerbait Eggs.

Grassholme: Ledgered Powerbait tipped with small worm, Flying “C”.

Kielder: Worm and sweetcorn.

Scaling: Worm and Powerbait Eggs.