SPRING is on its way and fish are feeding up on The Angel complex with spawning not too far away.
Some very good catches have been made, from nets of 100lb of skimmers taken in under four-and-a-half hours to big bream, carp and tench being taken at only seven metres from the bank.
The Tyne has still failed to produce for most coarse anglers, though, and while the tidal Tyne and the Derwent have provided little sport with traditional coarse species, the odd migratory smelt as well as flounders have at least been adding variety to those searching for roach and dace.
Sunday’s Open on Lookout Lake saw Andy Simpson win with an all-carp 67lb 9oz net, and runner-up Alan McGuire’s 54lb 1oz was also an all-carp affair. Tony Watson was third (29lb 10oz).
Wednesday’s match on The Angel was won by Graham Skirrey with 48lb 6oz of silverfish plus bonus tench. Dave Herbert was runner-up with 32lb 2oz and Ricky Bennet third with 29lb 5oz.
Pike anglers have been doing well in the west of our region, where the Lake District offers prime piking at this time.
Derek Catton’s wife treated him to a guided pike safari on Windermere for his 60th birthday, where Derek used deadbait to tempt a 12lb fish and then a terrific 22lb specimen.
North East anglers are concerned at being the only ones without any form of a regional discussion or advisory group.
Moves to get the Angling Trust to create a North East region were explained at the latest EA Meeting at Durham. Former chairman David Stewart said that he looked for support in establishing alternative methods of influencing statutory and regulatory bodies.
Coarse angling diary
Tomorrow: An Open takes place at Bowes Lake, drawing at 9am and fishing from 10.30am to 3.30pm. There is also a charity match on Bowesfield on the Tees. Tickets from Anglers Choice on 01642 899 288. Whittle Dene Reservoir opens up to coarse rods for another season from today.
Sunday: Langley Park AC meet in Langley Park Working Men’s Club (starts 10am). Big Waters AC hold a work party on Marden Quarry from 10.30am as well as holding a Winter League match on Woodlands. A match is also taking place on Lookout Lake. Yarm AA hold a club match on the Tees, while Richmond AC contest their End of Season Trophy on the Swale, meeting at 8.45am at Great Langton Bridge.
Monday: Scotts Coarse hold their AGM at 8pm in The Salmon Inn, Galashiels, and the Tyne and Wear County Angling Action Group meet at the EA Headquarters in Newcastle Business Park.
Tuesday: The Tyneside Division of the Pike Anglers Club meet at Blaydon CIU Club, Blaydon Bank. All pike anglers are welcome. Aycliffe AC hold their AGM at 7.30pm at the Navy Club on Burnhill Way, Newton Aycliffe. The club is opposite the cemetery.
Wednesday: A midweek Open in The Angel takes place, drawing at 9am and fishing from 10.30am to 3.30pm. There is also an Open on Woodlands, and Lakeside Angling club has a business meeting at the Robin Hood Inn, Jarrow.
Thursday: An Open is being held on The Oaks at Sessay, while Four in One AC meet at The Bay Horse Pub in Whickham. Ferryhill and District meet in the Catholic Club, Dean Road, Ferryhill.
