Cast off for new season and catch for charity
21/02/2005
Anglers at Northumbrian Water fisheries can catch trout and coarse fish in the new season and help save lives at the same time.
The water company has teamed up with Northumberland tackle company Hardy Greys to launch a series of fun Sunday competitions throughout the season with all money raised going to the independent international charity WaterAid.
There is a unique mid-summer boat fly fishing fundraiser at Kielder Water, Northumberland, starting at 3AM on 19 June.
Trout bank anglers can catch for charity at the newly opened fly-only Hury reservoir, Teessdale on 22 May.
Multi-bait fishers can raise cash with a competition at Derwent reservoir in County Durham on 14 August.
And coarse anglers can weigh in for WaterAid with a contest at the Whittle Dene reservoir complex in the Tyne Valley on 5 June.
Northumbrian Water’s season casts off on Saturday 19 March, 2005 with ticket sales available from 7am at the lodges. (Cow Green opens on Tuesday 22 March in line with the brown trout season.)
The new-look free ‘go fishing’ 24 page guide is now available and can be requested by calling 0870 240 3549.
Prices have been pegged at just 50 pence more than last season – representing exceptional value for money at fisheries which returned a rod average of more than three fish per angler in 2004. An eight-fish standard ticket is £16.50 (concessions £14.50) and four-fish ‘Stress Busters’ cost £13.50 and are available from 2pm at Derwent, Scaling on the North York moors and Grassholme in Teessdale.
Hury will re-open as a fly-only trout fishery - heavily stocked with home reared rainbows, blues and browns – where an eight-fish ticket costs £17 (concessions £15). Blackton will re-open as a coarse fishery for 2005.
Big fish water Fontburn in Northumberland will benefit from whoppers reared on site where fish have flourished, feeding well during a mild winter.
Boats are again available at Kielder and Fontburn with reductions at Kielder for the shorter days in March, April and October where standard boat hire costs £22.50 for the rest of the season. There is also a half-day hire at Kielder for £11.50 and a full day rowing boat hire at Fontburn for just £10.50.
Don Coe, Fishing and Waterside Parks Leisure Operations Manager, said: “We are also delighted to once again be able to offer our ‘Magnificent 7’ loyalty bonus scheme where anglers can collect seven day permits and hand them in over the counter to claim their free day’s fishing.
“We are also continuing our three-hour ‘Try It Day’ sessions at Derwent reservoir and don’t forget that two under 17-year-old’s can fish for free on an adult’s permit sharing the eight-fish bag limit between them.”
Northumbrian Water has also increased the selection of essential tackle items available, together with refreshments, from its lodges.
Don Coe added: “I am particularly pleased to declare 2005 the season to catch fish and save lives at our reservoirs in conjunction with Hardy Greys. All our company-run fun competitions will be dedicated to the charity WaterAid which raises money to provide clean water, sanitation and hygiene education in the developing world – basic essential that we can take for granted.
“In Africa and Asia that is sadly not the case but each £10 we can raise guarantees a clean water supply for someone there for their entire life.”
21 February 2005
(supplied with, or copy on request of, Go Fishing 2005 guide)
Catch a 'Silver Express' to start the new season.
Many hundreds of over wintered grown-on rainbows - stocked last summer at up to six pounds in weight – are expected to reach double figures when the new season casts off from 8am at Hanningfield reservoir, near Chelmsford on Saturday 19 March.
Don Coe, Fishing and Waterside Parks Leisure Operations Manager, said: “ There are lots of those ‘grilse-like’ fish still to be caught and they will be like silver express trains and will fight like tigers!”
The new-look free ‘go fishing’ 24 page guide is now available and can be requested by calling 0870 240 3549.
In 2004 anglers averaged more than three fish and 2005 stocking levels are set to maintain Hanningfield’s success.
Anglers can also catch trout in 2005 and help save lives at the same time.
Essex & Suffolk Water and its parent company Northumbrian Water has teamed up with tackle company Hardy Greys to stage a fun friendly Sunday pairs competition with all money raised going to the independent international charity WaterAid.
Don Coe said: “WaterAid raises money to provide clean water, sanitation and hygiene education in the developing world – basic essential that we can take for granted.
“In Africa and Asia that is sadly not the case but each £10 we can raise guarantees a clean water supply for someone there for their entire life.”
Hanningfield will once again be offering its ‘Magnificent 7’ loyalty bonus scheme where anglers can collect seven day fishing or boat permits and hand them in over the counter to claim their next session free.
Spinning will also be allowed every last Wednesday of the month. Site Manager, Julian Plummer, said: “Spinning is a great introduction to catching trout – there are so many coarse and sea anglers in the area and it is often hard to catch decent fish but Hanningfield offers the chance of good fish averaging 2lbs and you can take them home for tea!”
The tackle shop at Hanningfield is also due to be well stocked with a full range of accessories and equipment at competitive prices.
For more information and to enquire about professionally run and instructed beginners courses contact the ranger team on 01245 212 034. A two-fish beginners permit cost just £8.50.
Under 17-year-old’s can fish for free on an adult’s permit providing they sharing the bag limit between them but please note age restrictions apply and should be checked with the ranger team.
An eight-fish permit including catch and release costs just £18.50 (concessions £16.50), a four-fish ‘Stress Buster’ available afternoons costs £15.50. A motor boat for the day is £22.50 (reduced to £18.50 in the shorter days of March, April and October) and a rower is £13.50. Two wheely boats are available for disabled angers at the concessionary rate of £9.50.