Free event for lovers of rivers and countryside

Jul 15 2010 by George MacIntyre, The Journal

A FREE event for anyone interested in the countryside and rivers is being held at Derwent Park, Rowlands Gill, from 10am to 3pm on Sunday.

Anyone interested can register their interest with Aidan Pollard on 07753 729192 or by email at aidanpollard@hotmail.co.uk.

On Saturday, Witton Castle Lakes host a Help The Heroes Day. Three-times world champion Scott Mackenzie will be giving advice. More details are available at www.fishingforanglers.com

The fishery’s second all-night special took place last weekend with Bishop Auckland’s Lee Wilkinson leading the way with 14 fish to 5lb, mostly on Zonkers and Fritz patterns, while D Carnell, also fishing lures, had 11 to 7lb.

Now the South Lake has returned to fly only, it continues to produce good sport with Durham rods J Bradley and A King returning 18 and 15 fish.

Meadowfield’s Bernie McKewon also had a fantastic day on the South Lake, returning 17 fish.

Meanwhile, Bernie’s long-time fishing pal Johnnie Bean was on the West Lake and had trouble landing two fish at the same time with his first double hook-up.

Conditions have been difficult because of high winds at Waskerley where the best tactics have been finding sheltered water, out of the wind, and fishing close to the bank with tiny black dries and fine tippets.

Notable catches this week have been from J Johnson and P Morris each with 12 fish, Steve White with 10 .

John Liddle landed eight, as did Bill Webster, R Picton and R Arkle. One day-ticket angler even managed eight fish using tactics normally associated with rainbows – full Montys and Orange Blobs.

The change in the weather improved catches to fly at Naworth with M Proudfoot landing 40 fish to 6lb, J McNeal 17 to 3lb, P McNeal 16 to 6lb and F Story 10 to 3lb on worm.

Fishing at Jubilee Lakes has at times been hampered with the wind although the rod average of between two and five, depending on the day, is still relatively good – especially with the warm and thundery weather.

Lockwood Beck’s big fish are still being caught on traditional patterns from the bank.

Robert Lynas caught a lovely 14lb 4oz rainbow from the holly bush on a Partridge and Claret spider, while Simon Pierson had one of 14lb 2oz rainbow from the bay at the top of the moorside on an Invicta.

Mike Walker caught 16 rainbows wading at the top of the Woodside, while Mark Walker fished from 7.30pm to 10pm and caught 18 specimens from the boat jetty.

The boat anglers have also enjoyed great sport. On Monday, John McGarrell and Bernard Fitzhugh caught 42 between them with John catching 22.

Keith Morley caught 12, Les Davison had 11 and Brian Gardiner had good fish of 12lb 5oz while Colin Brown caught 11, J Rust eight and John McGarrell returned on Friday to catch 16 rainbows.

The fly lake at South Linden Trout Fishery has been fishing well with T Davidson, on a catch and release ticket, safely returning three while fishery regular G Maddison brought four to the net.

The bait lake is also fishing well with worm with a rod average of three.

The fishery is running a course with resident instructor Kevin Dawson on Sunday for anyone wishing to learn or improve their fishing techniques.

Originally scheduled for Saturday, the course costs £40. Phone Kevin on 01669 621417 to book a place.

Several good fish have been caught at Chatton Trout Fishery, with Morpeth angler Bill Potter returning a 17lb 4oz rainbow to Ross Lake, while John Adams from Cornhill had a rainbow of 14lb 4oz and John Pease from Duns recorded a personal best with a 10lb rainbow.

FLY BOX

Chatton: Buzzers, Muddlers, Crunchers, various dries, Hare’s Ear, Hoppers.

Jubilee: Damsels, Dawson’s Olive, Olive Zonker, Buzzers, large black dries.

Knitsley: Hare’s Ear, Buzzers, Damsels Pheasant Tail Nymph.

Langley: Hoppers, Black CdC patterns, Green Nymph, Kate McLaren.

Sharpley: Foam Beetle, Black Gnat, Griffith’s Gnat, CdC Sedge, Damsel Nymph/Adult, Black/Olive lures, Hare’s Ear Shipman’s.

South Linden: Yellow Dancer.

Sweethope: Black Spiders, Hoppers, Sedges, Muddlers, Daddies, CdC patterns, Heather Flies.