Rainbow Pond to be new outlet for coarse anglers

07/12/2007

SOME great news for coarse fishermen has been confirmed this week as, following negotiations with the Tyne Anglers Alliance, Northumbrian Water’s fisheries manager, Don Coe has announced a new day ticket outlet for coarse anglers from next year.

The Rainbow Pond at Whittle Dene, used as a trout only fishery by West Water, will become another option for coarse anglers, offering day ticket coarse fishing from April 1 2008 – a month after Whittle Dene’s other waters open on March 1.

It’s a great boost for coarse rods in the region, as some quality perch to 4lb have been recorded in the past with specimen roach and dace known to be present too.

With water temperatures below six degrees, fishing has been challenging at Whittle Dene this week. However, some good nets of roach have been caught on the Lower Reservoir.

Unlike Hury, whose season ended on November 30, the Whittle Dene fishery will enjoy a fortnight’s extension this season and will not close until end Monday December 17, re-opening on March 1, 2008.

Elsewhere, the Tyne has seen few anglers out due to high water levels but, in the west, the Eden has still been fishing well for grayling and Loch Ken has
produced some encouraging bream and roach catches to long-distance ledger tactics.

On Lookout Lake, carp to 8lb 9oz, bream to 4lb and tench to 3lb have been recorded with crucians to 2lb 8oz caught on maggot.

Paul Johnston had a good day with 26 skimmer bream and tench.

Bowes Lake has seen carp feeding on still days. Jeff Blacklock from Newcastle had a good day this week, taking 21 carp to 5lb, whilst his friend John Smith, using ledger took two doubles and a superb 21lb 4oz mirror carp, using fishmeal pellet.

Piking is in full swing now and a superb 23lb 8oz specimen was taken from Longtown West Lakes by Ryan Laurie.

There is an ACA Pike qualifier there this weekend and recently the first qualifier on the water saw Shaun Wall and Alistair Paisley tie with a 5lb 8oz pike apiece.

Esthwaite Water continues to attract local rods as the pike season on that water has already seen some monsters netted. Luke Robinson heads the big fish list so far with a 29lb 7oz fish taken on a lure. Match anglers found conditions tough on Sunday with the Yarm AA match being won by Graham Jones with a sole 3lb 6oz bream plus a dace, from peg 37.

Richard Besemer was runner up with 3lb and Malcolm Dunlop third with 2lb 7oz.

The Darlington Brown Trout, match fished further up the River Tees at Coniscliffe saw Dave Nicholson put together a fine net of grayling for 4lb 2oz ahead of Charlie Hodgson with 3lb 3oz and Steve Chantry with 2lb 13 oz.

Chris Owers fished 10 metres out on pole to win Sunday’s Open on The Angel with 28lb from peg 28. Keith West was second with 10lb l0oz, while a junior angler, Anthony Longstaff, finished third with 9lb 15oz.

If you fancy a break from the food and drink celebrations, then The Angel is holding a Pairs match on Sunday December 30th with names being taken now.

SATURDAY: There is an Open on The Angel.

SUNDAY: Another ACA Pike Championships Qualifier match takes place on Longtown West Pond, at £20 all in, call 01228 674519 to book. Sunday also brings the last match in the winter series on Silksworth while an Angling Times Winter League match takes place on the Tees and Durham City hold a match on their Prebends to the Cathedral stretch of the Wear. WACAC host a Fur and Feather match on Horton Grange. Stillwater Opens are scheduled on The Oaks, Woodlands, The Angel, Carp Vale and Raker Lakes

TUESDAY: The Tyneside Division of the Pike Anglers Club meet at The Highlander, Front St Winlaton, Blaydon, to which all pike anglers are welcome. Also on Tuesday, Leazes Park AA hold their Annual General Meeting at the Companions Club, Leazes Road, Newcastle and the meeting will start at 7.30pm.

WEDNESDAY: Midweek Open matches take place on both Woodlands and The Angel whilst
Wansbeck and Cramlington Angling Club hold their AGM and presentation night at Cramlington CIU club.

THURSDAY: There is another Open on the Oaks at Sessay whilst Four in One AC hold a monthly club meeting in The Bay Horse in Front Street Whickham from 7.45pm.

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