DESPITE several extremely windy days over the past two weeks, all lakes at Chatton have been fishing well.
Among anglers who recorded good catches were Rob Frame from West Denton who caught 14; Trevor Wadds from Craster (13); Peter Richardson from Tynemouth and G Curry from Durham (12 each); Matty Divine from Hadston (11) and R Hopper from Durham (10).
It has been hard work this week for those anglers who braved the cold and coloured water at South Linden.
Paul Talbolt of Cramlington brought two, including a six-pound rainbow, to the net while D Slaughter caught and released two.
Both the fly and bait lakes are well stocked. The fishery will be open every day but anglers are advised to phone 01670 788366 to check conditions before setting out, to dress the beat the cold and to take a flask of warm drink.
Although the fishing has been very good at Jubilee Lakes, Thursday and Friday were very difficult and patterns were variable.
Terry Ross from Willington did nothing all morning, then put on a CdC and had seven trout in an hour.
On Friday, when it was absolutely miserable and the fishing was very hard, the best patterns, for some anglers at least, were the slightly more delicate stuff such as Mini Dawson’s, Damsels and Diawl Bachs. Stuart Walker from Marske took a 7lb 5oz rainbow; Dave Maddox from Consett took one of 5lb 14oz and Andrew Raw from Shildon landed a 5lb 2oz rainbow.
It has been a great start to the New Year at Sharpley Springs with Jim Tuck landing one of 11lb while Willie Emery and Andy Campbell each took fish of 13lb from the Doxford Lake.
In the week between Christmas and New Year, Tom Stephenson from Rowland Gill landed fish of 12lb, 10lb, and 8lb; Wade Brown from Tynemouth safely returned an 11lb 8oz rainbow; Jim Tuck had the biggest trout of the week at 14lb and Geoff Curry from Durham released a 10-pounder from the Alice and Albert. Andrew Tinkiler from Sedgefield landed a 10lb 8oz rainbow and Howard Croston from Morpeth returned 15 while Paul King, visiting from Bishop Auckland, took a 10-pounder and S Shipley from Bishopton had one of 12lb 8oz.
Zack Dauda, aged six, from London caught a silvered 4lb trout and Steve Ashton from South Shields safely released a 10-pounder.
Naworth was open over the Christmas period for the first time in a number of years and, although lightly fished, produced good trout.
The best fish of the week went to D Cruikshank with a rainbow of 15lb to fly.
D McKnight landed fish of 14lb 4oz and 10lb to fly, M Proudfoot landed a fish of 14lb to fly, P McDonald landed one of 12lb to fly, S Park had one of 10lb 8oz to fly, I Davidson took a fish of 10lb 8oz to worm, L Wilkinson killed a fish of 10lb to fly and J Wardrope landed a fish of 10lb to fly.
The good fishing at Knitsley Mill has continued this week with a rod average of 3.8.
There will be a large stocking going in this week.
FLY BOX
Chatton: Bloodworms, Cat’s Whiskers, Hare’s Ears, Buzzers, Dawson’s Olives, Bunny Leeches, various Fritz patterns.
Jubilee: Goldhead Muddler, Damsels, Dawson’s Olive, Diawl Bach.
Knitsley: Olive/Black Zonkers, Black and Green Nomads, various Bloodworm, various Blobs, Green Nymphs, Hi Glo Buzzers.
Sharpley: Black Buzzer, Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear nymph and foamhead, Apps Bloodworm, Pinky, Fluff Cats, Appetiser, Pink/Yellow Blobs.
South Linden: Cat’s Whiskers, Yellow Dancer, White Fritz.
