11/02/2008

Anglers who visit Northumbrian Water’s premier fisheries this season can bank on £500,000 being spent on at least 165,000 trout to be reared and stocked.

Northumbrian Water aims to maintain its position as the leading provider of stillwater game fishing in Northern Europe with major investment in its business which attracted some 55,000 angler visits last season.

A rod average of three fish per angler visit would match the return enjoyed last year when independent commentary described what the company provided as being “the best-ever consistent quality and rod averages from Northumbrian Water fisheries in history.”

The water company’s new-look 28-page “go fishing” guide out now reveals full details of the plans for the 2008 season including highlights for multi bait, fly and coarse anglers.

Fishing visitors to the top water – Derwent reservoir near Consett, County Durham – have a special quarry to stalk – a number of Tiger Trout will be stocked throughout the season and there will be special tackle prizes for the captors.

Coarse anglers have a new water to fish as the New Western lake at the Whittle Dene reservoir complex in the Tyne Valley, formerly leased to a club for trout fishing, will open for public coarse fishing from 1 April with bags of roach and perch expected.

And in the Tees Valley fly-only fishing will return to Hury reservoir leaving Blackton as a wild trout refuge. Coarse anglers will also still be able to fish Hury during the trout close season from December to March.

During the season Northumbrian Water will also introduce a ‘Reel Points’ scheme with purchases earning points to redeem on items from fishery lodges and shops.

Permit prices for trout fishing will rise by £2 to cover increased costs of fish, feed and transportation. A premier fishery 8 fish day ticket will consequently cost £20. Coarse fishing permits are held at the same level as for the last four years at £6 for a Whittle Dene day pass.

Children under 17 years of age can once again fish free to build on the 3,500 juniors who took up the offer to share a permit bought by an adult last year.

Book a break in a luxury log cabin at Kielder and anglers can fish for free (excluding boat hire).

Back by popular demand is the Magnificent 7 deal which allows anglers who collect seven day tickets or boat permits to get one free.

Separate banks for multi bait and fly fishing at Derwent will continue and there will be multi-bait and fly fishing at Fontburn, Northumberland; Grassholme in Teesdale and at Scaling on the North York moors. 

Fishing opens at all reservoirs from Saturday 15  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.

After raising more than £15,000 for the charity WaterAid in the last three years Northumbrian Water has again teamed up with Alnwick-based international tackle company Hardy Greys to stage a series of fun charity competitions.

0 There is a fly and multi-bait competition at Derwent on 27 April from separate banks of the reservoir on the same day with prizes for both sections.
0 This year the pairs fly-only boat fundraiser at Kielder has been extended and there will be two heats each for 30 anglers on 31 May and 22 June with the top half of competitors in both heats going through to the free final on 20 July.
0 And the coarse fishing challenge is at Whittle Dene on 25 August.

Copies of the ‘go fishing’ guide - which 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

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.

“I’m also 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 and be in with the change to win an Explorer Season Ticket and Hardy Greys prizes.”

end

Tail note: Of the £500,000 to be spent on fish about £400,000 will go to Northumbrian Water’s fisheries in the North East and £100,000 to its Essex & Suffolk Hanningfield reservoir near Chelmsford. Some 130,000 fish will be stocked in the North East and around 35,000 fish at Hanningfield.

For further information contact Alistair Baker on 0191 301 6851 or 07711 793 493.