ANGLERS continue to enjoy fine late-season sport at Derwent Reservoir, with fly and bait anglers recording great catches.

The fish, many of 2lb or more, recently stocked from Northumbrian Water’s Lartington farm have spiced up sport, with anglers reporting the trout to be in outstanding condition and providing aggressive takes and feisty sport.

The fish of the week was caught by T Lee who landed a fine 4lb rainbow, while C Irwin landed the best catch of the week on Sunday with seven for 11lb 4oz taken on the north side near the overflow.

Until the close of the season a week today, bait anglers may fish from the north shore of the reservoir.

Fontburn has been lightly fished this week with large areas of potentially fish-producing banks remaining untouched, but anglers who travelled light to cover more water were rewarded with the ever-popular north shore the most productive area. Brian Beverley landed the best catch of the week on Saturday with six rainbows, including fish of 7lb 12oz and 4lb 8oz, for 19lb 12oz.

Alan Thiemann from Blyth fished along the north shore and was rewarded with three, including one of 4lb 4oz, for 8lb 8oz, while M Nicholson, fishing in the south shore bay, took a nice 4lb rainbow.

Grassholme continues to provide some first-class sport with anglers recording a fine weekly catch rod average of 3.5.

M Carverhill had an excellent day on the fly at the west end, taking eight. Easter bay is still producing good numbers of fish around the White Post, where Gordon Russell and his friend each took 10-fish limits on a variety of methods flies and baits. On November 30, the last day of the season, the fishery will be running an optional sweep with a nominal entry fee that will guarantee a minimum cash prize of £50 for the heaviest single fish on the day. Although lightly fished, Hury continued to be in outstanding form with an excellent rod average of almost five. Fish have been seen rising on most days and small traditional wets such as Zulu and Kate McLaren, fished slowly on floating lines, have produced some hard and vicious takes.

Scaling Dam regular Les Wheatley from Stockton enjoyed a good midweek session topped by catching a fine conditioned specimen 4lb brown trout on a Coch y Bonddu wet fly. This excellent out-of-season fish was safely returned.

The fishery has continued to produce steady sport with fish being caught from all areas of the reservoir by fly and bait rods. Those anglers fly fishing have had their best sport while keeping on the move and working along the length of the south shore. Traditional patterns fished on floating and intermediate lines have given the best results. Bait rods fishing with popped up ledgered baits have located feeding fish in 15 to 20 feet of water at a range of 20-25 yards.

Fly Box

Derwent: Black and Orange Fritz, Cats Whisker, Dawson’s Olive.

Fontburn: Dawson’s Olive, Cat’s Whisker, Orange and Black Fritz.

Grassholme: Orange Blob, Black Fritz, Zulu.

Hury: Black and Peacock Spider, Kate McLaren, Zulu, Cat’s Whisker, Orange Blob.

Scaling: Coch y Bonddu, Black and Blue Zulu, Cormorant, Ace of Spades.

Bait Box

Derwent: Worm, Rainbow PowerBait Paste and Pink Eggs.

Fontburn: Red and Yellow PowerBait Paste, worm, Magic Dust.

Grassholme: Ledgered Yellow PowerBait Eggs, Magic Dust, worm

Scaling: Worm, Mixed PowerBait Eggs and Yellow PowerBait paste.