Small the way to go for bigger catches
Nov 17 2010 by George MacIntyre, The Journal
SMALL traditional flies are producing the best catches at Derwent Reservoir while maggot and worm are attracting fish for the bait rods.
The fish are quite well out so a cast of 20 or 30 yards is required to locate the feeding trout. The best areas have been Millshields, where Peter Scott had a 3lb brown trout on maggot on Sunday.
Fly anglers should be using sinking line tactics and more traditional flies to tempt the-well conditioned resident trout. A team of nymphs or a team of small black flies fish slowly on an intermediate line have been providing some great sport when conditions allow.
The best areas for the fly angler are the Meadow and Cronkley Point, where some shelter can be found from the prevailing westerly winds.
The miserable weather this week has had an impact on the number of anglers at Fontburn this week although those who did venture out were rewarded with good catches.
Anglers using ledgering tactics did best with a cocktail of baits such as worm tipped with a PowerBait Eggs. A swimfeeder filled with Magic Dust and/or PowerBait Paste can make all the difference in tempting the fish to feed in the colder coloured water.
Notable catches this week included R Marshall with three rainbows for 6lb and Irving Brace, who caught four for 10lb.
Grassholme remains at full level thanks to the recent rain and anglers are finding fish very close to the shore as they hunt for food in the freshly flooded margins.
The dam wall and Witch’s Hat have been consistent areas again with David Bussey taking four very nice rainbows from the Hat, including a very nice 3lb 8oz fish.
Spinning has accounted for good quality fish this week, particularly along the south shore where anglers have concentrated their efforts around the burn mouths and feeder streams. Those anglers using lures such a Flying ‘C’ or a large reflective Mepps blade spinner have had the best results.
Fly anglers have had their best results using sinking lines and black lures.
Not surprisingly during a week of heavy storms and gales, fewer anglers have ventured out at Scaling Dam. During the occasional bright sunny spells those anglers who did venture out managed to catch a few fish. The best tactic was to fish with a variety of baits as the trout are currently bottom feeding in the deeper water.
Kielder Water, Northumberland, is now closed and all other Northumbrian Water fisheries will close on November 30 and re-open on Saturday, March 12 2011. All the wild brown trout waters will re-open on March 22.
Fly box
Derwent: Diawl Bach, Black and Peacock Spider, Bibio, Black Pennell.
Fontburn: Dawson’s Olive, Sparkle Ghost.
Grassholme: Black Fritz, Ace of Spades, Humongous, Viva.
Scaling: Black and Orange Boobies.
Bait box
Derwent: Worm and Maggot.
Fontburn: Swimfeeder filled with Magic Dust. Worm, Yellow PowerBait.
Grassholme: Ledgered worm, Yellow PowerBait Eggs and various Spinners.
Scaling: Worm and PowerBait cocktail, Magic Dust in feeder, Maggot.
