NEWCASTLE angler Rob Frame was top rod with 11 fish in the fly fishing competition held at Higham Lakes, winning a £650 G Loomis Max competition rod.
Also in the competition, K Davision safely returned a nice brown trout in the 8lb to 9lb range and six rainbows.
The lakes have fished well this week with Ken Allman from Hazelrigg returning more than 20 fish over several visits. Michael Batey from Consett netted a nice 8lb rainbow from the bait lake.
There has been a good number of excellent catches at Chatton Lakes this week with Ross Lake fishing exceptionally well.
Double-figure fish have also featured in the returns from Chatton Lake with Scott Nellins from Ashington safely returning a 12lb 8oz rainbow in a bag of 10 and Shane Kelly from Hawick safely releasing a lovely double-figured fish.
Other anglers who recorded good bags included Gordon Swain from Dipton who caught 14; Jim Tuck from Ashington who caught 12; S Mertsch from Stakeford who kept three and safely returned eight; Robert Hopper from Durham who caught 11; and Peter Brack from Ashington, fishing free on a full loyalty card, who caught 10.
Billy King from Gateshead caught nine; John Robson from Newbiggin kept two and safely returned six; and George Burton from Ashington kept two and safely returned five.
South Linden fished well with the fly lake staying ice free and good numbers of larger fish brought to the net.
D Douglas and G Maddison of Bedlington each caught and released 10 to double figures; D Maddison of Bedlington safely returned nine, including double-figure fish; R Newton of Winlaton caught and released eight mainly; and R Graham of Amble caught and released a 12-pounder, a nine-pounder and two four-pounders in a two-hour session. The bait lake, although frozen over on a couple of days, also fished well and is well stocked with rainbows and blues to 6lb. J Aitkenhead and J H Whittle braved the cold and wet and to each land three fish of between 3lb and 5lb on worm.
Few anglers braved the conditions at Knitsley Mill this week but those who did recorded a rod average of 4.2.
D McKenna from Shield Row, County Durham, was top rod with 25 fish over two visits with D Hall, also from Shield Row, had 11 and Joe Forster from Stanley had eight. The lakes have iced over with the cold snap and anglers should call ahead on 07742 092741 to check conditions before setting off.
At Sharpley Springs, Wade Brown from Tynemouth safely returned a 12lb 8oz rainbow trout; Alan Woods from Seaham safely released two naturalised Sharpley brown trout; and Brian Conman from Crook brought 14 to the net.
Other anglers who recorded good catches included Jimmy Johnson from Bolton whose bag included one of 6lb 2oz; Bob Milne from Whitley Bay who started his day off with a hard-fighting 12lb 2oz rainbow; and John Stema (correct as supplied by email) from Ryhope who had a 12-pounder.
Fishing at Jubilee Lakes was excellent this week with the exception of Saturday when most anglers struggled and only one or two did well in the sparkly bright and conditions and flat calm following an overnight frost. Danny Wood from Scarborough had best trout of the week with a 10lb 7oz rainbow.
FLY BOX
Chatton: Bloodworms, Buzzers, Mini Cat’s Whiskers, Damsels, Bunny Leeches, Pheasant Tail Nymph.
Higham: Dawson’s Olive, Black Fritz, Black Buzzer, Bloodworm, Diawl Bach.
Jubilee: Olive Bloodworm, Hot Head Olive Damsel.
Knitsley Mill: Buzzers, Damsels, Cat’s Whisker, Zonkers, Bloodworm.
Sharpley: Black Buzzer, Pinky, Yellow Worm, Black Zonker, Two-tone Blobs.
South Linden: Yellow Dancer, Black Buzzer, Bloodworm, Dawson’s Olive, Cat’s Whisker, Ace of Spades.
