WHILE the temperatures have at last taken a turn for the better most stillwaters remain frozen solid, such has been the severity of the long cold snap.
However, while the Tyne and the Wear have still been too cold to provide sport last week, elsewhere coarse angling on running water is slowly beginning to improve.
The River Eden has seen some top class grayling caught in the last seven days with fish up to 2lb coming from a stretch near Carlisle, and on the Teviot a visiting grayling hunter from London went one step better as he netted five grayling between 1lb 6oz and 2lb 1oz from a private stretch.
On the Tees some good-sized perch have been reported, and Geoff Douglas landed a superb fish of just under 2lb during a recent match at Yarm, while at Stockton roach and bream are being caught from the famous “Netto” pegs. The Swale continues to provide sport with chub with good individual fish reported from the Richmond and Morton areas with ledgered bread, cheesepaste or lob worm proving the best baits.
The Lower Tees AA held a match at Bowesfield on Saturday. Phil Noble landed five bream with skimmers for a winning weight of just under 20lb.
On Sunday Thornaby AA fished a match on the Tees at Hurworth. Mick Clitheroe of Darlington won with 24lb 4oz made up of seven chub.
At the Ripon Piscatorials Event on the River Ure Paul Bendilow win with 28lb 14oz consisting of nine chub taken on feeder and steak.
This coming Tuesday t he Annual general meeting is followed by a general meeting of The Tyne Anglers Alliance, at which all member clubs need to be represented. All clubs are asked to send a delegate at the Empire CIU Club on Salters Road, Gosforth for 8pm.
The Angling Trust has responded to angling interests worried by iced over stillwaters by issuing a factsheet to assist anglers worried that their waters have been frozen over for long periods. As it may yet happen again before the spring it is wise to be prepared as fish kills on many waters are inevitable after such prolonged cold weather.
Try to maintain an ice-free area in the fishery by using an air diffuser system to keep the water moving. Whenever thick ice covers the lake, it’s best to drop the water levels below it by a couple of inches if possible as this will create an air space and allow oxygen to be taken up through the water surface.
Diary dates
SATURDAY: There’s an Open at Bowes Lake drawing at 9am fishing 10.30-3.30pm. Middlesbrough AC fish the Zetland Trophy match on the Swale at Gatenby. Tel 01642/899288 to book.
SUNDAY: Open Matches are scheduled for The Tees where Yarm AA host their Prince Charles Trophy, the River Swale, The Oaks, Woodlands, Carp Vale and Raker Lake. The Angel also holds another Winter League match, as does Wansbeck and Cramlington A.C. on Horton Grange.
MONDAY: A CAAG meeting is being held at EA Offices, Tyneside House, Skinnerburn Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE4 7AR.
TUESDAY: The AGM and meeting of The Tyne Anglers Alliance to which all member clubs are asked to send a delegate takes place at the Empire CIU Club on Salters Road Gosforth.
WEDNESDAY: Open on Woodlands and also on The Angel.
THURSDAY: Open on The Oaks.
FRIDAY: Open on The Angel.
