Cow Green

Best brown to date: 3lb 8oz, Duncan Turnbull

Fishery: Derwent

Weekending:     12 November 2009

Weekly Ranger’s review:

Fishery Headline:  “Season ends with a 6lb 5oz Beauty”

A quiet end to proceedings as the season on Derwent drew to a close.  However, the typical November weather did not dampen the spirits of S Trueman who caught a lovely rainbow weighing 6lb 5oz using a Black Fritz on the north shore.  The most productive areas have been Cronkley Bay and above the Sailing Club.

The Derwent Rangers would like to thank you all for your continued custom throughout the year and to take this opportunity of wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and New Year.  We look forward to welcoming you back in March.

Dean Wylock, Derwent, April 2009

Joe Carr, Tiger Trout, Derwent, Mar 2009
Chris Hodgson

Tiger Derwent March 2009. - caught by Steve Robson
on fly fishing on The Meadow at Derwent - what a pity that Steve hadn't
entered the £1 pool as he missed out on the £400 prize that's on offer for
landing one of the Tigers that have been recently stocked!!

Chris Milner fishing at
Derwent, 10lb 12oz rainbow in a total catch weighing 36lbs

Fishery: Fontburn

Weekending:     30 November 2009

Weekly Ranger’s review:

Fishery Headline:          “Sound Tactics from Syd.”

In a week when wintry conditions kept many anglers off the water Syd Barnes, a familiar face at Fontburn, stalked the north shore varying his casting distances and depths until his efforts were eventually rewarded as he located fish still feeding in the deeper water. Syd’s reward was a catch of 4 rainbows totalling 9.5 lbs and also included the fish of the week – a 3lb rainbow.

Anglers who make the effort to move around whilst trying different methods are locating the fish; spinners are particularly effective at this time of year.

Fly anglers have found the best sport is to be found in the bay on the South shore while keeping the strong prevailing winds to their backs, bait anglers have done well around the jetty on the North shore.

As the Fontburn season ends on 30th November the staff would like to take the opportunity to thank our customers and wish them a very Merry Christmas and look forward to seeing all of our regular anglers and hopefully many new faces in the New Year.

Best flies:           White Zonker.

Best baits:          Pink Power eggs and worm cocktail.

Best areas:         North shore jetty and middle sections.

Ranger:

Will Lovat

Mr Alan
Allaker with his 4lb 8oz rainbow caught bait fishing from the North shore
at Fontburn.

Fishery:  Grassholme

Weekending:     30 November 2009

Weekly Ranger’s review:

Fishery Headline:  “Grandad is tops”

The water has been quite coloured due to the excessive rainfall last week and high winds this week. This has meant brightly coloured baits and flashy spinners have given the best results. Regular angler Derek Carr brought his two grandsons and they enjoyed a smashing day taking six cracking rainbows, the best at a fraction over 3lb. This last report for 2009 finds a very full reservoir and typical November weather, but all in all it has been a very consistent season, with some memorable moments. The best of which was the capture of our stunning record blue trout weighing 10lb 12oz.  The good news is we expect to stock another record breaker in 2010 along with many more rainbows to at least 15lb, which have been specially selected and given five star treatment throughout this year at the fish farm.  Next year could be your fish of a lifetime!!

The Teesdale Rangers would like to thank all anglers for their custom and wish you all a Merry Christmas.

Best flies (During season):         Dawson’s Olive, Cat’s Whisker, Bibio, Kate McLaren.

Best baits (During season):        Ledgered Power eggs & Magic Dust, Float fished worm.

Best areas (During season):       Witch’s Hat & Lodge front, North overflow to Stake Hill.

Ranger:

Andrew Scott

Christopher Walls from Fence Houses had a nice 7lb 6oz rainbow

attached is a stunning home reared Blue caught by 15 year old Luke
Magnell from Barnard Castle... in a stunning location... Grassholme /
Teesdale

Dean and Luke
Ellison.

Tom Saysell, Blue, 5lb 7oz, April 2009.

Braden Gray, aged 11, Grassholme April 2009.

Kirsty Watson, Aged 11, Grassholme April 2009

D Carnall, Grassholme, April 2009

Stephen Dawes, 2Brown, Grassholme, 2009

Bill Mooney, 11lb 14oz, 31 March 09,

Fishery: Hury

Weekending:     30 November

Weekly Ranger’s review:

Fishery Headline:          “Roll On Next Year’s Mayflies”

With a huge amount of fresh water through the reservoir in the last couple of weeks, fishing has proved difficult and anglers have had to work very hard to pick up the odd fish.  We can now look forward to next season and hope that the remaining fish grow fat over winter on the abundant roach fry and provide an exciting bonus for the start of the season.  While looking back, the most memorable moment must be the wonderful mayfly hatch this year.  Who would have thought that high in the Pennines anglers would be taking fish on dry mayflies with the naturals flying all around, but that’s exactly what happened, brilliant!!  Will it happen again next year? You will have to be there around the first week in June to find out.

The Teesdale Rangers would like to thank all anglers for their custom and wish them a very Merry Christmas.

Best flies (during season):          Kate McLaren, Small Black Spiders, Dawson’s Olive, Invicta.

Best areas (during season):       Dam to Waterfall Bay, Corporal Hill to Deep Bay.

Ranger:

Steve Bisset

Fishery: Kielder

Weekending:     13 November 2009

Weekly Ranger’s review:

Fishery Headline:          “Out with a bang”

Things were looking wet and miserable for the last day of the season on Friday. But for those who braved the weather rewards were high. Mr John Grimes from Morpeth managed to take 8 fish for 16lb 4oz on a ledgered worm at Hawkhope car park. His son, who was fishing next to him, caught 4 fish (8lb 2oz) on a Black Cat’s Whisker fished on a Hi-D line.

With fairly constant water levels this season the fishing has remained fairly consistent. The two distinct periods when the rod average rose were the opening week when it reached 3.7 fish per angler, and the end of April into June, when it was around 3.3.

The most productive fishing areas this season were Tower Knowe, Hawkhope and the Belling Inlet.

The best bait was worm and the best fly patterns were green or black lures.

We would like to thank you for your continued support through the 2009 season and look forward to seeing you all in 2010.

Best flies:           During Season:  Green or Black lures.

Best baits:          During season:  Worm.

Best areas:         During season:    Tower Knowe, Hawkhope and the Belling Inlet.

Ranger:

John Reed

Thomas Chambers, 5lb 8lb rainbow trout.

Fishery: Scaling

Weekending:     30 November 2009

Weekly Ranger’s review:

Fishery Headline:          “Thanks for a great season.”

Although the season ended on a very wet and windy note, earlier in the week bait anglers

managed to tempt a few fish.  Ledgering very close to the bottom using a very short trace,

with worm or Powerbait eggs was the best method.  Colin Greenwell from Nunthorpe

finished his season off with a nice rainbow of 3lbs 10oz, the best of the week. He was

ledgering at the West end of the Dam Wall. Fly anglers tempted a few fish on a variety

of lures.

The 2008 season has been a very good one, and came to a close with an excellent

rod average of 3.2 fish per angler visit.

The Ranger team at Scaling would like to thank all anglers for their support, and wish

everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We look forward to seeing you

all again next season.

Best flies:           Lures.

Best baits:          Worm and Powerbait.

Best areas:         West end of the Dam wall and South shore.

Ranger:

Derek Gill

 8lbs 2oz was caught by Osmotherley angler Eric Neasham

Mr Stuart Vickers from Hinderwell caught a 9lb 2oz rainbow from the West end of the dam wall

George Hall from Middlesbrough

Alan Alison
and son with their 8lb rainbow caught on Green Powerbait on the Dog Leg at
Scaling

Fishery: Whittle Dene

Northumbrian water fishing reports 2009

16 February 2009 (Copy of Go Fishing 2009 guide on request)

THE FUTURE OF ANGLING IN GOOD HANDS

Nearly a thousand more youngsters went fishing for the day at Northumbrian Water’s premier reservoirs.

Statistics announced today show there was a 30% increase last season from 3379 under 17-year-old’s fishing in 2007 to 4,160 in 2008.

And Northumbrian Water - the leading provider of stillwater game fishing in Northern Europe with 46,000 angler visits to its North East fisheries last season – has lined up a selection of new attractions to build on that success for both adult and junior anglers in 2009.

Ø Anglers can bank on £400,000 being spent and at least 140,000 trout to be reared and stocked – the same investment as last year.

Ø There’s a new ‘credit cruncher’ - not a fly but a bargain four-fish day ticket - available from 2.30pm for just £15.

Ø Normal day and season ticket prices have been pegged the same as last year and a plastic ‘credit card-style’ loyalty card is being issued to be swiped for anglers to collect their free fishing bonus after seven visits.

Ø To promote extra fun in fishing there will be a special daily ‘pools’ run for anglers over 18-years-old at Grassholme, Fontburn and Derwent. Anglers who put in a pound and catch one of the unique specially-stocked fish will win the total pool. Unique fish for the pools will include ‘hunt the tiger’ (tiger trout) and ‘pot of gold’ (golden trout).

Ø Improved reservoir tackle shops will include special offers and the opportunity to try and buy the new range of SONIK gear – normally only available by mail order.

Ø There are lots of opportunities to join in fun charity competitions which last year raised about £7,000 for Northumbrian Water’s adopted international charity WaterAid and local good causes including the Gateshead Mayor’s Appeal, the Morpeth Lions, Macmillan Cancer Care, the Blind and Partially Sighted and the Air Ambulance.

Ø Another heat has been added to last season’s sell-out Kielder WaterAid boat pairs so anglers have three chances of landing a free place in the grand final.

Ø World class Alnwick-based tackle supplier Hardy Greys has once again donated major prizes for WaterAid competitions at Kielder, Derwent and Whittle Dene (coarse fishing) and winners will also land a Northumbrian Water season ticket.

Ø Top notch anglers can qualify for the final fish-off for the English national team with the return of the regional eliminator to Kielder on 14 June and where teams of six anglers can also take part in the prestigious national Airflo International on 20 June.

Ø Those who stay in a cabin at Kielder will get their fishing free and just have to pay for boat hire.

Ø Bank access at Kielder will be greatly improved with the completion of the multi-user Lakeside Way track which runs around the entire shoreline.

Ø New for this season is also automatic entry to the national TroutMasters SONIK-sponsored fly fishing competition at both Derwent and Hury. Every month the captor of the biggest fish will get the coveted cloth badge and earn a place in the fish-off finals.

Ø A rod average of three fish per angler visit throughout the fisheries would match the return enjoyed last year.

Ø Bumper catches, especially early in the season, can be expected because the special fish reared at Northumbrian Water’s farms in Northumberland and Teesdale have packed on the pounds in exceptional pre-season growth.

The water company’s new-look 28-page “Go Fishing - Angling for Everyone” guide out now reveals full details of the plans for the 2009 season including highlights for multi bait, fly and coarse anglers.

Copies of the guide can be requested by calling 0870-155-0236. Information is also available on the website: www.nwl.co.uk/gofishing.

There are features on all the stocked trout reservoirs – Derwent in County Durham; Fontburn and Kielder in Northumberland; Grassholme and Hury in Teesdale; Scaling on the edge of the North York Moors and the coarse lakes at Whittle Dene in the Tyne Valley.

There’s information about the wild brown trout waters of Balderhead, Cow Green and Selset and throughout the guide there are tips and information from Northumbrian Water’s own angling expert, Teesdale ranger Andrew Scott, who is a gold-medal winning England International.

Fishing opens at all reservoirs from Saturday 14 March except the wild brown trout waters of Cow Green, Selset, Balderhead and Blackton which open on 22 March. Brown trout caught at Kielder and Derwent must be returned before 1 May and after 31 October.

A premier fishery 8 fish day trout ticket will cost £20. Coarse fishing permits are held at the same level as for the last five years at £6.

After raising more than £20,000 for the charity WaterAid in the last four years Northumbrian Water has again teamed up with Hardy Greys to stage a series of fun charity competitions.

Ø There is a fly and multi-bait competition at Derwent on 17 May from separate banks of the reservoir on the same day with prizes for both sections.

Ø This year the pairs fly-only boat fundraiser at Kielder has been extended and there will be three heats each for 30 anglers on 25 April, 23 May and 28 June with the top five in the heats going through to the free final on 12 July.

Ø And the coarse fishing challenge is at Whittle Dene on 31 August.

Don Coe, Fishing and Waterside Parks Leisure Operations Manager, said: “We have a great season lined up for our customers and will continue to attract newcomers to the sport with our popular ‘Try It’ sessions at Derwent reservoir under qualified angling instruction.

“Our emphasis is on having fun while fishing. Encouraging youngsters is a big part of that with our great value family permit which allows parents or guardians plus any number of their children aged under 17 years to fish for the inclusive price of £25.

“The future of fishing is in the hands of the younger generation and we are doing everything we can to encourage them to go fishing. We are proud of the figures announced today that show many more youngsters are indeed getting hooked on our sport.”

For further information contact Alistair Baker on 0191-301-6851 or 07711-793493