Fishing frenzy
18/07/2007
Anglers and newcomers to the countries most popular outdoor participation sport have a fish frenzy lined up in the North East to celebrate National Fishing Week (July 21 – 29)
Northumbrian Water, the leading provider of stillwater trout fishing in Europe, have cast the net to improve the catch for both experienced anglers and first timers.
Highlights include:
• Monster 20-pound plus record-breaking rainbow trout stocked at Derwent reservoir in County Durham.
• Ten-pound plus golden trout to be stocked at Kielder Water in Northumberland with luxury log cabin weekend breaks to be won by their captors.
• A day-long free ‘Fun Fishing for Teenagers’ promotion at Derwent reservoir.
• A sold-out three-day fest of Northumbrian Water’s popular paid-for ‘Try it Days’ at Derwent reservoir. (July 27- 29).
• Half price fishing boat hire at Kielder Water from July 23 – August 31 with boats costing just £11.50.
Fisheries manager Don Coe, said: “We hope our regular customers will celebrate the special week on their favourite waters and also encourage first timers and youngsters to go fishing and further strengthen the popularity of this superb sport.
“It’s celebrations all round as Derwent reservoir is 40 years old this year and Kielder is celebrating its 25th anniversary,” said Don.
Fish are stocked at all of Northumbrian Water’s premier trout reservoirs, Fontburn and Kielder in Northumberland, Derwent in County Durham, Grassholme and Blackton in Teesdale and Scaling Dam on the North York moors. Coarse fishing is also available at Hury reservoir in Teesdale and Whittle Dene in the Tyne Valley.
Eleven monster rainbow trout have recently been stocked at Derwent reservoir. Senior Ranger Christopher Hodgson is pictured putting one of the fish into the reservoir.
To date only one of the monster fish have been landed and the current five-year-old fishery record of 19lb 8oz still stands. Chris says: “It is only a matter of time before someone makes history with a catch of a twenty pounder.”
Twenty five golden double-figure trout will be stocked at various locations around Kielder Water on August 1st to mark that reservoirs 25th anniversary.
Peter Pattinson, Assistant Operations Manager at Kielder, said: “Anglers can enjoy a day boat fishing at Kielder with the chance to land a big golden bonus in the shape of a fish that will win them a luxury log cabin weekend break – what a catch!”
To qualify for half price boat hire, available from 8.30am to 8pm and from July 23 to August 31, anglers MUST pre-book.
To qualify for a weekend luxury cabin break for 2008 (subject to availability) the specially identified golden trout must be caught during the 2007 season and verified at Leaplish Waterside Park.
The ‘Fun Fishing for Teenagers’ promotion at Derwent reservoir has been set up specifically for youth groups offering forty places for twelve to seventeen-year-old’s on July 26.
It is a joint promotion by Northumbrian Water in partnership with the Environment Agency and sponsored by tackle company Daiwa.
Scott Everett, Commercial Business Manager, said: “A free event of this kind is another special for Northumbrian Water for youth groups to celebrate National Fishing Week. It has proved really popular – so much so that we are already considering repeating it in the future.”
For fishing information visit www.nwl.co.uk/gofishing or email@ go.fishing@nwl.co.uk
For Derwent fishing lodge ring 01207 255 250 and for Kielder ring 01434 251 000.
For further information about this release contact Alistair Baker 0191 301 6851 or 07711 793 493.