THERE has been little else recently that has worried game and coarse anglers as much as the plans to build a hydro scheme in the River Tyne at Hexham.
The biggest problem has been the developers’ reluctance to engage in talks with the angling fraternity, who have warned of the potential dangers this scheme can bring, but now Hexham MP Guy Opperman is going to chair a meeting to ensure people will be able to hear directly from the scheme’s representatives and ask questions.
The meeting will be held at 7pm on March 27 in the Tynedale Function Suite, Hexham Auction Mart. The Tyne Rivers Trust will be presenting an update on the new fish pass at Hexham bridge before Hexham River Hydro presents its proposal for its scheme.
The meeting, however, is unlikely to be open everyone, and clubs, trusts and organisations have been invited to send a maximum of two representatives from each organisation.
After many months of pushing for a debate time is now of the essence, and confirmation of attendance needs to be in by March 21 to Mr Opperman’s Office: 014343 603 777 or email jadescott.guyopperman@gmail.com
The season on the region’s running waters ended midweek with double-figure barbell reported from the Swale at Morton, while on the Tyne around Hexham a few early dace have been caught by John Burns and a quartet of chub by David Hall.
Elsewhere the leviathian pike which equals the biggest pike ever to be caught in England has been reported at 46lb from day-ticket Wykeham Lakes near Scarborough, North Yorkshire
With water temperatures rising, fish are switching to feed and some good catches have been reported from The Angel complex. At Whittle Dene Iain Hunter had 131 roach for 10lb 2 oz from the Lower Reservoir, while Paul Hoult had 12lb and Trev Wilson 11lb from the Northern. On Aldin Grange carp nets of 35 to 40lb have been reported from Blackbird Lake, while Edward Rutherford bagged 50lb on Saturday and 23lb on Sunday. Norman Laing netted 30lb of ide and his brother Ray took 50lb as did Chris Surtees, with maggot and pellet doing the damage.
