PREPARATIONS are under way for the start of the new salmon season on the Northumbrian Anglers’ Federation waters on the rivers Coquet and Tyne.
Head Bailiff Willie Farndale said that the new permits had arrived from the printers and would be sent out to members within the next few days.
“All preparations are well under way and we are hoping that we will get a good turnout for the opening day on Wednesday, February 1 and that we will get an early first fish to kick start the new season,” he said.
The angler who catches the first salmon of the season on the Coquet will hold the Coquet Trophy for a year and will also receive a replica trophy to keep and three years’ free permits.
For more information contact head bailiff Willie Farndale, 15 Woodlands, Rothbury, Northumberland NE65 7XZ. Telephone: (01669) 620984.
Simon Robinson, recently elected captain of the 2012 six-man England Bank Team which will fish in Wales in October, had a good day at Knitsley Mill, safely returning 26 rainbows between 2lb and 4lb.
Simon, who is also in the five-man 2012 England Team for the World Championships in Slovenia in June, was fishing a mixture of buzzers, nymphs and mini-lures.
In addition to his international duties, Simon is also acting as a coach with the Angling Trust Talent Pathway scheme for training and preparing youngsters in the North East and North West for the England Youth Loch Style Qualifier in June at Pitsford.
In a move to ensure ice free fishing at Chatton Trout Fishery, two aerators have been placed in Chatton Lake. Anglers who recorded good catches this week included Tom Snowdon from Cramlington who caught nine trout and Andy Campbell from Lynemouth and Ray Barrett from Bedlington who each caught eight each.
The few anglers braving the conditions at Higham Lakes this week enjoyed good sport with good numbers of quality fish taken on black Diawl Bachs and lures fished on an intermediate line although the best fish of the week at 5lb 5oz was taken on a Dawson’s Olive. There are still a few places left for the fishery’s competition January 29 when there will be more than £1,000 worth of tackle to be won. There will be a further stocking of the lakes this week. South Linden fished well this past week with anglers bringing a number of larger fish to the net.
Anglers who recorded good catches included P Lewin of Morpeth who caught and released two double figure trout, one in the 13lb range, in a two-hour session.
The best trout brought to the net at Jubilee Lakes this week went to George Barnett from Winston who landed a 5lb 4oz rainbow. Alan Corr from Wingate, creator of the now famous Wicked White, took one of 4lb 13oz on his own creation.
The fluctuation of temperature from early spring-like weather to -1 made for a very varied week’s fishing at Sharpley Springs.
Early in the week the doubles came up to feed at the surface but now they have taken shelter in the deeper parts of the lakes.
The start of the week saw Thomas Stephenson from Rowland’s Gill land a well-conditioned 12lb 8oz rainbow. Graeme Robbie from Blyth had a 12lb 7oz blue while Steven Greathead from Lumley, fishing midweek, had a rainbow of 14lb 2oz and Gordon Smith from Longbenton had one of 11lb 12oz. Margaret Ramshaw from Chilton Moor safely released a 10lb 8oz rainbow and Dave Cardwell took a hard fighting nine-pounder.
The bounty on the tagged fish is now £500.
FLY BOX
Chatton: Bloodworms, Cat’s Whiskers, Damsels, Yellow Dancers, Black Fritz, Bibios, Crunchers, Tinnies.
Higham: Black Diawl Bach, Black Fritz, Dawson’s Olive, Pink Bloodworm, Black Buzzer.
Jubilee: Small and black - particularly the Wicked White Buzzer which is predominantly black with two small white dots for cheeks - or the Orange Beadhead Wicked White. Anglers who have no Wicked White in their fly box should try a small black nymph.
Sharpley: Pink/Black Buzzer, Black Parachute Midge, Foamhead Hare’s Ear, Goldribbed Hare’s Ear Nymph, Yellow Worm, Yellow Dawson’s Olive, Black Fritz, Cat’s Whisker.
South Linden: Humungous, Black Buzzers, Black and Green lures, Yellow Dancer.
