The Fishing ArchivesA-Z For Fishing

Summer Coarse Fishing in the North East (Part Two): Rivers

So we come to the running water part of our North East summer coarse angling extravaganza, and while this particular discipline may indeed be the sole official preserve of that old tradition associated with the 16th June, in actual fact, from mid to late June, stillwater species such as the tench are normally a far safer bet. The problem in these more northerly climes is that late June (and sometimes even early July following …

Summer Coarse Fishing in the North East (Part One): Stillwaters

The 16th June is an iconic date for most traditional coarse anglers, although in truth very few in the North East even realise its significance. For several decades now, a dispensation rule relating to the close season on stillwater venues means that the majority of North Eastern coarse anglers – with their supposed preference for commercial fisheries – have never needed to know the time honoured opening day of the season. In truth, …

Spring Fishing Part Three: Reservoir & Stillwater Trout Fishing in the North East

While fishing on North East rivers has generally been slow in this first month and a half of the trout season, by all accounts the region’s reservoir anglers have been filling their boots, with no ‘cold water’ issues hindering their sport in the way it has on running waters. In fact, in some places the trout season never even closed, for while those reservoirs owned by Northumbrian Water (as well as some of the …

Spring Fishing Part Two: Fly Fishing for Trout on Northumbrian Rivers

There are few more pleasant thoughts when you’re caught in the grip of a cold and unrelenting winter than that of walking along a river bank, fly rod in hand, on a warm and sunlit spring evening. Of course it doesn’t take me to tell you that it’s never quite that straightforward up here in the North East of England, given the weather that usually greets the opening day of the trout season on …

Spring Fishing Part One: Worm Fishing for Trout on Northumbrian Rivers

It’s that time of year again! The days are getting longer, the worst of the winter weather is (hopefully) behind us and – Hallelujah – the trout fishing season on Northumbrian rivers gets back underway on March 22nd. Unfortunately, due to our geography and climate, just when we think the snow and ice have receded for the last time, all too often back they come with a vengeance in the midst of force …

A Tale of Summer Holiday Fishing, 1980-style

Originally Published as “A Devilishly Good Jumper” in WATERLOG Magazine, Issue 55, Spring 2006

The year 1980 was a time of great sporting achievements. Nottingham Forest won the European Cup, punching above their weight for the second year running. Coe and Ovett were inspirational to a 14 year-old like me with an interest in all sports, and a bloke called Yates broke Richard Walker’s 28 year-old Carp record. Even I had …

Commercial Breakdown

The Way (Not) to Catch A Monster Trout in the Early-1980’s…

A few miles north of Scots Gap in central Northumberland there is a lay-by on the B6342 from where, on a clear day, you can take in a panoramic view of the county’s celebrated coastline some thirteen miles distant. From Ewesley Fell, 253 metres above sea level, you can see all the way from St. Mary’s Lighthouse in the south, to the corresponding …

River of Eternal Youth, Part Three

The History of Derwent Angling Association 1945-2010

As the Derwent Angling Association entered the austere period of post World War Two Britain, it began preparing in earnest for the sweeping changes that would soon be at hand in the world of both water regulation and angling itself. It started by re-embarking upon the path it had intended to take before the war and in1947 the fly tying competition first introduced …

River of Eternal Youth, Part Two

The History of The Derwent Angling Association: 1890 to 1945

By 1890, some twenty four years after the formation of the Derwent Angling Association, it seemed as though at last the club was entering a period of relative stability. Despite recent expenditure on the stocking of both trout and grayling into the River Derwent, the association was again in a strong position financially and apparently now winning the war …

River of Eternal Youth, Part One

The History of The Derwent Angling Association: 1865-1890

Love them or loathe them, there are few of us that haven’t relied on the services of an angling club or association at some time or another. And while commercial fisheries and syndicates have removed some of our reliance on the clubs and associations, millions of fishermen still depend on such angling societies to provide them with their sport. Some clubs are comparatively new, …

Major Media Coverage of 1.7 Million Signatures in Tokyo!

by Ric O’Barry Campaign Director Save Japan Dolphins Earth Island Institute Today was our big day to make a splash in the media in Tokyo about protecting dolphins. And we succeeded. We have kept our presence fairly quiet up until yesterday, Sept.

Our Japanese Partners’ Heartfelt Support for Dolphins

by Ric O’Barry Campaign Director Save Japan Dolphins Earth Island Institute We know what is bad about the dolphin killing going on in Japan.

Highest ever numbers of salmon recorded in River Tyne

Record numbers of salmon have been recorded in the River Tyne, according to a report on BBC Tyne, making it the best river for the species in England and Wales.

The full article can be read here.

North East River Levels and Angling Byelaws

A couple of useful links provided by the Environment Agency:

North East River Levels

National Angling Byelaws (click the link on the EA webpage to see those byelaws specific to the North East & Yorkshire)

The Angling Trust rejects calls for a National Sea Angling Licence

The Angling Trust have been quick to angrily respond to a statement issued by the Wildife and Countryside Link proposing all fisheries management be paid for by angling licence fees, including the marine environment.

The full article, posted in the Fly Fishing Forums’ News section, is here

Stillwater Coarse & Game Fishing Venues in Northumberland and Tyne & Wear

Stillwater Coarse Fishing Venues in Northumberland:

Bolam Lake. A decent sized lake of around 25 acres, situated about 2 miles off the A696 at Belsay – follow brown road signs. Species: Pike, Perch (and Roach & Rudd if you know where to find them!) Permits: Belsay Post Office – phone 01661 881207. Website: http://www.northumberlandlife.org/bolamlakecountrypark/AboutUs.asp

Brenkley Pond (nr Dinnington village). Close to the Milkhope Centre – from the A19/A1 Seaton Burn Roundabout, take road past the Holiday Inn, then the first left turn. Species: …

Coarse & Game Fishing on Rivers in Northumberland and Tyne & Wear

River Aln: The Aln Angling Association has five miles of Salmon, Sea Trout and Brown Trout fishing between Alnwick and Alnmouth. Permits can be obtained from Hardy & Greys Ltd., Willowburn Industrial Estate, Alnwick, Tel: 01665 510027, or Jobsons of Alnwick, Tower Showrooms, Tel: 01665 602135.

River Blyth: The Bedlington & Blagdon Angling Association controls some 6.8 miles of mostly double bank fishing on the River Blyth for Brown Trout and Grayling. The association’s water stretches from the bridge on the A1 at Stannington through Plessey Woods Country …

Stillwater Coarse & Game Fishing Venues in County Durham & North Yorkshire

Stillwater Coarse Fishing Venues in Co. Durham:

Aldin Grange Lakes is near Nevilles Cross, in Durham City. Turn off the A167 near the Pot & Glass and head towards Bear Park. Species: Carp & Tench. Permits: day tickets available on site. Website: http://www.aldingrangelakes.co.uk/

Brasside Pond Complex. Opposite Frankland Prison, Brasside, Durham City. Directions: Take the road off the A167 past the Arnison Centre and continue on down the hill through Brasside village and past the prison to your right. The entrance to …

Coarse & Game Fishing on Rivers in County Durham & North Yorkshire

County Durham:

River Browney. The Malton & District Angling Club controls about 2 miles of the upper Browney (a tributary of the Wear) downstream from Lanchester. Species: Brown Trout (fly & worm) Website: http://www.communigate.co.uk/ne/maltonanglingclub/index.phtml

River Derwent. Forming the border between County Durham and Northumberland, the first fifteen miles immediately below the dam of Derwent Reservoir (down as far as Lintsford) are under the control of the Derwent Angling Association, based in Shotley Bridge. The river contains Brown Trout and Grayling and fishing …

The Credit Crunch List: Free Fishing Locations in the North East

‘Free Fishing’ stretches:

There are only a few stretches of ‘free fishing’ available in the North East and all are parts of rivers – details below.

‘Free Fishing’ means you can fish from a particular section of bank (or banks) without first having to get permission / a permit / a day ticket, provided you are in possession of a valid Environment Agency Rod Licence. Local Byelaws concerning seasons and rules that may apply at certain times of the year should always be consulted before fishing. Assume …