Stillwater sport is bringing net profit

Jul 2 2010 The Journal

YET again low water levels have marred sport on the region’s rivers, but stillwaters continue to be bang in form.

With water temperatures rising there has been some excellent fishing on Lookout Lake, with the best tench, a 7lb 10oz specimen caught by 14-year-old Jordan Grimes from Horden.

The best bream out this week was 10lb 8oz, but the true mark of the Angel’s success lies in the fact that more than 16 carp of 20lb or over have been caught during the evening sessions by season ticket holders, the best 29lb 8oz.

On Bassetts large bags of carp, crucians, rudd, orfe, and ide have been recorded, with most anglers catching over 150 fish in a session.

There has been good sport on the banks of Whittle Dene this week, where the wardens are asking all anglers to remember to sign out their catches on the return sheet when they leave.

The northern and lower lakes have been producing the best catches, and Chris and Ian Robson took mixed nets of roach, dace and gudgeon from the Lower, while Michael Davis reported a similar catch from the same lake.

Elsewhere, James Potts landed a personal best common carp of 9lb 11oz from Silksworth lake at Sunderland.

Thornaby AA’s match on the River Tees at Croft saw Bob Blenkinsop of Darlington win with 46lb 3oz made up of 11 bream taken on waggler upstream of the Skerne mouth, where Jim Johnson was runner-up with 11lb.

Ripon Piscatorials Open on the Ure was won by Chester-le-Street’s Graham Skirrey with 34lb 12oz, made up of 15 chub and five perch.

Sunday’s Angel of the North Open was won by Ricky Bennett with 69lb 10oz of carp to 5lb, ahead of Tony Watson with 58lb and Dave Foster with 53lb 8oz.

The Friday afternoon Open saw John Foster win with 95lb 2oz, while the Wednesday evening match on Bowes was won by Tony Watson with 58lb 13oz, a terrific weight for a three-hour match.

Diary dates

Saturday: CADCAC juniors fish Crofron and Big Waters juniors fish a Junior summer League match on Dissington.

Sunday: Open matches are scheduled for The Oaks, Woodlands, Carp Vale and Raker Lake. Langley Park AC meet in Langley Park Workingmen’s Club (in the back room) with a 10am start.

Ferryhill and District fish their CRY Charity Open on Shildon, while The Angel holds another Summer League Event. A Super League Team match takes place on the Tees at Yarm, as does another match in the float only series on Whin’s Pond – to book ring Jeff on 07762 139768.

This Sunday the TRT is holding an angling event on the South Tyne at Lambley Farm, one mile from the A689 [the Brampton to Alston road] and four miles from the A69 on the Haltwhistle to Alston Road. The event is free and includes casting instruction for both fly and bait rods, expert casting and fly tying demonstrations.

Monday: Langley Park AC hold an evening series match on Tursdale, fishing from 6.30pm until 9.30pm.

Tuesday: WACAC hold a club meeting in Dudley & Weetslade Social Club, Clayton Street, Dudley and the Darlington and County Durham branch of the PAC holds their monthly get-together in the Coxhoe CIU club, while Big Waters fish an evening series match on Dissington Pond.

Wednesday: A open takes place on Woodlands and another three-hour event on The Angel goes ahead.

Thursday: A midweek open will be held on The Oaks and, due to prior bookings at the Catholic Club, the next members and committee meeting of Ferryhill will be held.

Friday: The Angel hosts an open, while CADCAC fish a Friday evening match on Crofton.