North East anglers being made to work hard
Nov 19 2010 The Journal
THE shorter days and cooler temperatures mean coarse anglers are working hard for their fish but some productive days on the Wear, Tees and Tyne are still being recorded with dace providing the bulk of the action.
Stillwater commercial waters such as The Angel, Aldin Grange and Eden Meadows are still capable of producing encouraging catches and ensure sport no matter the weather.
The rebirth of any new fishery is very welcome in this region and is about to happen. Hartburn Brick pond, near Stockton, is now being managed by Martyn Riley, who has a lease for the water for the next 10 years and he has been working hard since February of this year improving the site. Stockton Borough Council and the Environment Agency are keen to help the project and it will be re-opened properly next spring as a day-ticket coarse fishery.
The Chub Study Group is currently looking for members from the North East and North West areas.They are looking for active members who would be willing to get involved in either attending the Group weekend get-togethers or contributing to the Group magazine ‘Chevin’ which is issued free on a quarterly basis.
The website is www.chubstudygroup.co.uk and they have a forum board ‘Chub Chat’. Subscriptions for new members are £30. Postal enquiries to: John Hepworth, Group Secretary, 244 Finchale Road, Newton Hall, Durham, DH1 5PR, telephone 0191 3866000 before 7pm, mobile 07504895272 or e-mail secretary@chubstudygroup.co.uk.
Local pikers will be delighted to learn that three 2010/2011 Angling Trust British Pike Championship qualifying matches will be fished at Longtown West Pond. The winner of each match qualifies for the final and a chance of the coveted winner’s trophy, along with thousands of pounds of prize money. The matches start on Sunday, with the other dates being December 19 and February 27, 2011. Contact Chris Bowman on 01228 674519 to book your place.
Sadly there is not a lot of pike fishing to be had locally, but Wansbeck and Cramlington Angling Club offers piking on the QE2 at Ashington and even run a Pike League.
Matches take place on November 28 and December 19, with the draw at 8am and fishing from 9am-3pm. Other piking venues are The Tees, Northumbrian Water’s Scaling Dam, Semerwater, Bolam Lake, Talkin Tarn or the few that exist in Killingworth Lake, while Barmston Pond in Washington and Sweethope Lough near Otterburn also offer pike fishing.
Through to the end of March Cumbria’s Esthwaite Water offers some of the best pike fishing on offer in the North of England. The fishery record is 39lb 8oz and every winter numerous 20lb-plus fish are landed with a 30-pound leviathan a distinct possibility. Methods include deadbait & lures. Deadbaits must be bought from the onsite tackle shop, where an extensive range is on offer. The season extends until March 31. Day tickets and boat hire are available or for regular visits, membership to the Big ‘S’ club may be more appropriate. Call 01539436541.
DIARY DATES
SATURDAY: Open Match on The Angel complex.
SUNDAY: Open Matches are scheduled for The Oaks, Woodlands, Carp Vale and Raker Lake. An Angling Times Winter League match takes place on the Tees at Yarm. A Winter League series match takes place on The Angel and an Angling Trust British Pike Championship qualifying match takes place on Longtown West Pond. Sunderland FAC are at Silksworth for Winter Series Round four, while Leazes Park AA contest their Fur and Feather and WACAC fish a Winter league match.
WEDNESDAY: Opens takes place on both The Angel and Woodlands and Big Waters AC hold their monthly meeting in Newcastle Companions CIU Club.
THURSDAY: Midweek Open on The Oaks.
