AFTER the most severe and longest cold spell for many a year, angling waters are trying to recover to somewhere near normal seasonal conditions.
Sadly, however, melting ice water has led to temperatures too low to see fish feed.
Anglers out on the mid-Tyne in the last couple of days have reported no bites at all, although there have been unconfirmed reports of dace and flounders being caught at the TAA tidal water at Newburn.
However, the rivers of North Yorkshire have been faring better, and on New Year’s Eve Northallerton angler Andy Wood, while fishing cheese paste for chub, landed a surprise 8lb 13oz Swale barbel in superb condition.
Match action returned to the rivers on Sunday with the Tees and the Swale both hosting two events. Thornaby AA’s match at Croft saw Barry Stephenson of Darlington weigh in 15lb 9oz made up of five chub taken on bread and cheese.
Paul Stainsby with 12lb 2oz was runner-up, with the consistent Bobby Trees on 10lb 13oz in third. Yarm AA’s match was won by Andy Hamilton, whose return of two bream and three skimmers totalled 12lb. Mal Dunlop was second with 11lb 4oz, ahead of Steve Bell with 11lb 1oz.
Sunday’s Idle and Thackley Open on the Swale at Swainby saw Colin Moore win with a chub and a pike for 11lb 10oz, both caught on bread. Ian Parker was runner-up with 9lb 1oz, while George Huscroft of Chester-le-Street framed with 6lb 4oz.
At Northallerton, another Chester-le-Street raider, Graham Skirrey, won the Open at Scruton with a terrific return of eight chub for 24lb.
Paul Bendilow was runner-up with 11lb 5oz. No fewer than three anglers – Kevin Weighell, Nick Smith and Ian Starbeck (Northallerton) – tied for third spot with10lb 6oz apiece.
Ferryhill and District AC are asking members to note that 2011 Memberships and guest permits can only be applied for by post. No Memberships or Guest permits will be issued by any other method, and all payments must be by cheque or postal order only. Cash payments will not be accepted.
Members should send fees and old ID cards to the Membership Secretary, Ferryhill & District Angling Club, PO Box 87, Ferryhill DL16 9AE
Chester-le-Street and District AC’s AGM was held in November but following that 10 members requested an Extra Ordinary General Meeting to re-examine proposals that were voted on and passed at the AGM.
Members have had a letter informing of the proposals they have entered and now an EOGM will be held this Monday at the Relton WMC, Chester-le-Street and all members are asked to attend.
The Angling Trust has written to Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon MP asking him to to reduce the red tape tangling up the process for a licence to control fish-eating birds.
The Angling Trust will be raising the issue with the Minister personally at an Angling Summit planned for later this month.
Diary dates
SUNDAY: Open matches are scheduled for The Oaks, Woodlands, Carp Vale and Raker Lake and on The Tees and Swale. The Angel also holds another Winter League match, while Wilton Angling Club hold a match on Old Match Lakes, Woodlands. Big Waters AC kick off their winter series at Woodlands, while WACAC contest another in their Pike Series on the QEII at Ashington. On the Swale, Richmond AC contest their New Year Trophy. Meet 8.45am at Great Langton Bridge. Also on Sunday, Ripon and District AC hold an attractive Open on the Ure, meeting at The Navigation Inn, Canal Road, Ripon at 9am.
MONDAY: The Northumberland County Area Angling Group meet at Yourlink Building, Manor Walks, Cramlington, NE23 6YB, starting at 7pm, and Chester-le-Street AC hold their EAGM.
TUESDAY: The Tyneside Division of the Pike Anglers’ Club have a meeting at The Highlander, Front Street, Winlaton, Blaydon, to which all pike anglers are welcome.
WEDNESDAY: An open takes place on Woodlands, and Lakeside Angling Club have a business meeting at the Robin Hood Inn, Jarrow.
THURSDAY: A midweek open is scheduled for The Oaks and Four in One AC meet at The Bay Horse Pub, Whickham.
FRIDAY: Another open will take place on The Angel.
