FIERCE, flooded rivers rendered both the Tyne and Eden unfishable at the weekend, and the blustery winds did not help either.
However, sheltered stillwaters saw anglers out and on the Big Waters Dissington Pond fishery.
Nets of 40 to 50 fish a session – mostly roach interspersed with large Ide – are making weights of up to 20lb for pleasure anglers
Angler of the week, however, must be quantity surveyor James Hinley whose pursuit of pike on the Tees had endured four blank trips until, on the fifth outing, he had a run on ledgered smelt within five minutes of casting in.
What a fish it was, a hard-fighting specimen of 22lb 8oz, a fish which illustrates the quality of River Tees pike.
Northumbrian pike fans do not need to travel to find good sport.
That was proved by the catch only last month of a terrific pike weighing 19lb 8oz from the QE2 at Ashington, a water run by Wansbeck and Cramlington AC who issue day tickets at only £4 each from the Lakeside Hotel or McDermotts of Ashington Tackle Shop.
Wednesday’s match on The Angel saw encouraging weights, and it was won by Ricky Bennett with 33lb 4oz.
Saturday’s match on the Oaks saw John Chapman win with a terrific weight of 60lb 2oz made up of carp to 3lb while at Thirsk.
Craig Taylor won the Woodlands Open with 42lb 9oz made up of six carp and several skimmers
Yarm AC’s match on the River Tees was won by Ray Hughes of Shotton, who found seven bream to win with 23lb 3oz.
The Environment.Agency .are asking anglers intending to travel to their Fisheries Forum meeting at the Durham County Council offices in Durham on Tuesday, February 22, to let them know they will be attending.
The open meeting will start at 6 p.m, with a light buffet provided from 5.30 , and will end not later than 9pm.
If any anglers have any proposals to be included in the agenda, notify Helen Newsome by noon on Monday – either by ringing 0191 203 4321 or e-mailing her at helen.newsome@environment-agency.gov.uk
Meanwhile, plans have been drawn up to create a new National Angling Centre capable of bringing the World Championships back to home soil.
The scheme could finally end years of English embarrassment which have seen the world’s greatest angling nation unable to stage a premier event due to a lack of large, quality waters.
Diary dates
Tomorrow: An open match takes place on The Angel's Bowes Lake, fishing from 10.30am until 3.30pm, and a Lower Tees AA match on Bowesfield takes place. Tickets in anglers’ choice 01642 899288.
Sunday: Big Waters AC fish a Winter Series match on Eden Meadows and an open takes place on Lookout Lake, drawing at 9am. Wilton AC have a match on The Old Match Lakes at Woodlands. Yarm AA contest a Fundraiser on the Tees, WACAC fish a Winter League match on Horton Grange, while CADCAC fish the first match of 2011 on The Broom Fishery at Annan.
Tuesday: A meeting of The Tyne Anglers’ Alliance, to which all member clubs are asked to send a delegate, will be held at the Empire CIU Club on Salters Road, Gosforth, Newcastle.
Wednesday: Opens takes place on Woodlands and on The Angel. An assessment to see just what damage the ice has caused to the platforms of Wydon takes place by a Health and Safety inspector.
Thursday: The Oaks hosts a midweek open.
