Tyneside pupils take part in ‘try it’ fishing day

Tyneside pupils take part in ‘try it’ fishing day
Jul 15 2010 by David Carrick, Evening Chronicle
Add a commentRecommend OVER 30 youngsters from a Tyneside school took part in a trout fishing ‘try it’ day at Northumbrian Water’s Derwent Reservoir.

The year six pupils had a great day under the instruction of the Environment Agency instructors and Northumbrian Water’s Derwent rangers and caught fish consistently during their visit.

The children, from Wharrier Street Primary School in Walker, Newcastle, caught trout to 3lb in weight and some of them could well be hooked on fishing!

The cream of the game fisher’s sport at present is still on the stillwaters and reservoirs. Early and late in the day have been the best times with sport slowing most days during the heat of the day.

Fish in general have been deeper, with bait anglers having the lion’s share of the sport in the middle of the day.

Evenings have been excellent with dry flies and nymphs fished on or just under the surface. Early mornings have also been productive when conditions have been cooler.

The River Tyne and other local rivers are still in dire need of a big spate to get sport going. Anglers have had sea-trout at Chipchase, and salmon have been caught on the main river, but sport is nowhere near the level it should be. I have heard of odd sea-trout being caught on the fly at night on the Wear and Till.

The Border Esk had several lifts of water from last week and sea-trout and some salmon and grilse have entered the river.

The Canonbie area has produced sea-trout to 3lb and salmon to 10lb.

:: THERE is a free Children’s Day at Sweethope Loughs, run by the Northumbrian Branch of the Salmon and Trout Association, on August 11, with sessions from 10.30am-1pm and 2pm-5pm.

Booking is essential. Contact Carole Sanderson on 016977 48003 or email Damselfly Caj@aol.com. Participants will get a goodie bag and certificate.

This Sunday, the Tyne Rivers Trust, National Trust, Gateshead Council and Environment Agency are involved in a Day on the River Derwent, hosted by the Axwell Park and Derwent Valley Angling Association.

River-dipping will feature, as will casting instruction from 10am to 3pm. All are welcome, but children under 16 should be with an adult. The venue is Derwent Park at Rowlands Gill.