Reel in new season attractions

14/02/2006

Anglers at Northumbrian Water fisheries can read all about what’s lined up for them when the 2006 season casts off.

The new-look 24-page guide out now reveals full details of the plans for the season including highlights for game, coarse and disabled anglers.

Blackton reservoir in Teesdale, which was open for coarse fishing last year, returns as a fly-only premier trout fishery this season and nearby Hury reservoir returns as a coarse roach fishery after trouting there last season. 

After a successful trial at Kielder last season the use of the spinning method will be extended to all trout fisheries except the fly-only North Shore at County Durham’s Derwent reservoir and Blackton.  

Thousands of skimmer bronze bream have been stocked to add to the mixed coarse catches at the pleasure and match venue of the Whittle Dene reservoir complex in the Tyne Valley.

Disabled anglers have a new and extensive ‘slalom’-style ramped access at Derwent reservoir which provides fishing platforms when the water is at varying heights.

Northumbrian Water’s policy of allowing up to two under 17’s to fish for free when with an adult permit holder while sharing the catch limit is extended to allow husband and wives to fish together on the same season ticket, providing the daily and weekly catch limits are also shared.

Coarse fishing starts at Hury and Whittle Dene on Wednesday 1 March. Premier trout waters open on Saturday 18 March. The wild brown trout waters of Cow Green, Selset and Balderhead open on Wednesday 22 March.

After raising more than £6,600 for the WaterAid charity last year the water company has once again teamed up with Northumberland tackle company Hardy Greys to stage a series of fun Sunday charity competitions throughout the season.

0 There is a unique mid summer ‘night owls’ boat fly fishing fundraiser at Kielder Water, Northumberland, starting with a Sunday roast dinner and then with fishing from 2pm to 10pm on 18 June.
0 Trout bank anglers can catch for charity in the fly only ‘northsider’ competition at Derwent on 21 May.
0 Multi-bait fishers can raise cash in the ‘southsider’ competition also at Derwent reservoir on 13 August
0 And coarse anglers can weigh in for WaterAid in two competitions, at Hury on 4 June and Whittle Dene on 28 August.

Day ticket prices have been pegged at just 50 pence more than last season with an eight-fish standard ticket costing £17 (concessions £15) and four-fish ‘Stress Busters’ costing £14 and available from 2.30pm at Derwent, Scaling on the North York moors, Grassholme and Blackton in Teessdale and Kielder and Fontburn in Northumberland.

Copies of the ‘go fishing’ guide - which this year includes details, tips and hints for both the novice and experienced angler - can be requested by calling 0870-240-3549. Information is also available on the website: www.nwl.co.uk/gofishing

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 £23 for the rest of the season. There is also a half-day hire at Kielder for £12 and a full day rowing boat hire at Fontburn for just £10.
 
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 continuing our popular three-hour ‘Try It’ sessions at Derwent reservoir and I’m proud to report that we will be fundraising for charity with anglers once again being able to catch fish and save lives at the same time.

“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.”

Northumbrian Water has also expanded its retail selection at lodges with fishing tackle, clothing, flies and bait