Coarse angling

Nov 27 2009 The Journal

THE floods and cold winds combined to make angling difficult in the last week, especially on the region’s rivers, but some hardy souls have still been out catching fish.

Fontburn Reservoir turned up trumps last Sunday for Wansbeck and Cramlington AC members fishing for the roach. With permission from Northumbrian Water and the Environment Agency, WACAC were allowed to catch and re-house some of the roach population into its waters, and Brenkley received the first batch of over 60lb with Horton Grange targeted for this Sundays visit.

Next month’s roach match on Derwent Reservoir in support of the Great North Air Ambulance is already a 100 peg sell-out. Coarse anglers can fish Derwent reservoir in the run-up to the match for £6 per day, but must report to the lodge and purchase a ticket. Fishing times are 9am to 3pm, and all trout caught must be returned immediately.

Anglers reported catches to 20lb of roach, with fish topping the 1lb mark. The weather at Derwent can be very changeable at this time of year and anglers should come prepared for inclement weather.

Although fewer than 20 people fished Whittle Dene this week S Chesters had a cracking day, catching 72 mixed fish from the Lower Reservoir. Nigel Beardsley also had no problem locating the fish; taking 63 roach for a total weight of 8 lb 8 oz.

At Aldin Grange young Andrew Rutherford had Ide almost feeding out of his hand on feeding caster on Saturday.

Grayling are starting to boost coarse angling catches due to their willingness to feed on the coldest of days. Chris Owers with 28lb 8oz of carp won Sunday’s match on The Angel ahead of Neil Brown with 28lb 6oz and Tony Watson third with 27lb.