Eel could be record breaker

Jun 8 2007 By The Journal

Coarse angling is still proving rewarding in the region with Kelso angler John King reporting the best fish of the week, a magnificent eel of 6lb 2oz caught from the Borders and thought to be a new Scottish record.

Day ticket anglers at Hury have seen the fishery enjoy its best week of the season so far with several anglers taking 10lb-plus nets, while seven roach over the 1lb mark were caught and all were reported to be in pristine condition.

Maggot and waggler has been the best method as the fish now appear to be higher in the water, although some good nets are still being taken around the Boil at the top end to feeder, with chopped worm attracting the bigger specimens.

Bulging nets have also been reported at Whittle Dene this week with most anglers reporting weights well into double figures made up of roach, perch, dace and gudgeon. Lookout is fishing excellently with high numbers of carp to 8lb, bream to 6lb, tench to 7lb 6oz, and some specimen roach of 2lb plus. Crucian carp to 4lb have been recorded with skimmers and perch in profusion.

On Bowes, excellent numbers of large carp have been caught this week with five of 20lb plus caught in one day and both pleasure and match anglers have taken over 25 double-figured carp this week alone.

Bassetts mixed coarse is still fishing very well, and first-time anglers from seven to 73 years old have had in excess of 35 fish per person in a three-hour coaching session. On Sunday, another birthday fishing party saw four to seven-year-olds, average 24 fish per child, and the coaches ran ragged unhooking fish for the kids.

Sunday's match on Whittle Dene fished exceptionally well with sixth place returning 10lb 4oz. The winner was Mal Gardener with 12lb 12oz ahead of Jeff Lincoln with 12lb 4oz in second and Peter Hamilton third with 12lb.

On Whins Pond teenage match angler Phil Ramsden returned to winning ways, landing a quartet of bream for 19lb 5oz.

Keith Ainsley had 72lb 2oz of carp plus 2lb 9oz of silver fish to ensure victory in the Open match on Lookout Lake on Sunday. Using pellet and paste, Keith won with a combined weight of 74lb 11oz from peg 38.

Saturday's Open match on Bowes saw Steve Preece win with 30lb 13oz ahead of Sid French with 21lb 8oz and Steve Chantry on 14lb 9oz . Mark Arrowsmith won the Wednesday match with 31lb 12oz from peg 39 netting a stunning 15lb 3oz common carp as part of his catch.

A carp match to raise money for the ACA on Longtown West Pond goes ahead from midday Saturday to midday Sunday with

tickets costing £40 all-in. Call 01228 674519 to book.

Environment Agency bailiffs netted only a few offenders when they held their

annual rod licence blitz over the latest Bank Holiday weekend. The team patrolled rivers and streams across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear over three days and checked 790 anglers at 62 fishing locations, and only 27 anglers (3%) were unable to produce a rod licence when asked.

Angling diary

saturday: There is another Open on The Angel, call Ann Adlington on 0191 4100449 to register, while a carp match to raise money for the ACA on Longtown West Pond goes ahead until mid-day Sunday with tickets costing £40 all-in. Call 01228 674519 to book.

SUNDAY: Stillwater Opens are scheduled on The Angel, The Oaks, Woodlands,Carp Vale and Raker Lakes. Aycliffe AC host an Open match on their Aycliffe Pond while Wansbeck and Cramlington AC hold a juniors and ladies match on Horton Grange. Northumbrian Water are hosting a match to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support at Derwent reservoir, open to both fly and multi-bait anglers.

MONDAY: There is another match in the Costcutter Match Series on the Angel meeting at 5pm.

TUESDAY: The Tyneside Division of the Pike Anglers Club host a meeting in Blaydon CIU club, while WACAC hold an OAP and disabled anglers match on Brenkley and an evening match on Whins Pond also takes place.

WEDNESDAY: There are midweek Open matches on both Woodlands and The Angel, with an LPAA match on Newcastle's Leazes Park with the draw taking place at 5.45pm.

THURSDAY: There is another Open on the Oaks at Sessay, while an Open match on Carlton Hill also takes place.

FRIDAY: Aycliffe AC host an Evening Series on their Aycliffe Pond Fishery, and CADCAC hold a match on Crofton pond in their Friday night series. The Angel's Junior club meets on Fridays at 6pm.