|
GAME FISHING SUPPLIES OPEN DAY
GAME Fishing Supplies are welcoming anglers to their Morpeth shop on Saturday (February 13) from 9am till
4pm to their first open day called Is your fishing tackle ready for that big fish?
The free event at will give anglers some useful hints, tips and tackle maintenance
to improve their chances of catching more fish.
The all-day event will consist
of entertaining demonstrations from AAPGAI Master and renowned classic fly dresser Paul Little and GAIA
instructor and entomologist Cliff Johnston.
Everyone should come away well
informed with plenty of ideas on how to improve their fishing performance in 2010.
Managing director Ian Woods said: “With the new season fast approaching now is the time to dust the
gear down and get your rods, reels, lines and so on checked over for the season ahead.
"Staff will be able to advise on any maintenance required, any items that need replacing or simply how to get
the best performance from your gear”
The shop is encouraging families to come along too. Vicky Bell,
marketing director and a keen angler, said: “We want to make it a family day and promote the healthy family benefits
of fishing, from still water to salmon fishing on the Tyne; fishing is a great family day out in the North East”
The flies tied by Paul Little will be sold to raise funds for The Grace House North East Children’s Hospice
Appeal.
For all of the latest information on current and upcoming events, and
to register for Game Fishing Supplies’ monthly news letter please visit the website at www.ian-woods.co.uk
For further information please contact Vicky Bell on 01670 510434, mobile
07890 324592 or email Vicky@ian-woods.co.uk
|
| Brain Douglas with the first salmon of the season from the River Coquet. |
BRIAN LANDS FIRST SALMON OF SEASON - FOR SEVENTH
TIME
SHILBOTTLE angler Brian Douglas celebrated the opening day of the salmon fishing season on the River
Coquet by landing the first fresh salmon of the season – for the seventh time.
Fishing a black and white Devon
– affectionately called the “Toon Army” - Brian landed a cock fish at 8.30am on Monday to lift the Coquet
Trophy and three years’ free permits.
Traditionally the fish would have been presented to the Duke of Northumberland
but the Northumbrian Anglers’ Federation now operates a catch and release policy
until June 16.
Brian,
who has fished every opening day since 1978 – and a good number before that – said that the fish had been in the
river about a week but was in good condition.
With
six replica Coquet trophies already on his dresser, Brain is making space for the seventh but pride of place goes to a salmon
on a plinth presented by the Duke of Northumberland in recognition of winning the trophy for the fifth time.
“I didn’t know it
at the time but arrangements had been made that I would accompany the person who landed the first fish of the season in 2002
to meet the Duke where I would receive this special trophy marking my achievement of taking the first fish five times.
“As it turned out I also
caught the first fish of the 2002 season and the Duke joked that that wasn’t to be taken as the start towards another
special trophy.”
Brian
recorded the first fish of the season in 1980 (Sand Eel), 1995 (Toon Army Devon), 1997 (Prawn), 2000 (Toby Spoon), 2001 (Toon
Army Devon) and 2002 (Long Bladed Mepp). His best “first” fish was a 15-pounder landed in 2000.
He took a break from the river today to spend
some time working with his pigeons but will be back there tomorrow (Wednesday) and plans on being a regular visitor to the
river bank for the rest of the season.
The early catch of the first salmon would have been a relief to Federation members
who had to wait until May 4 last year - the latest the first fish has been caught since records began in 1957 – until
Robert Newton
of Hadston near Morpeth, landed a seven-pound fresh salmon at High Park just outside Felton.
The Federation has acquired a stretch of single
bank fishing for four rods on the south bank of the Coquet at Harbottle for this season. This water is likely to be of most interest to trout anglers.
In an effort to prevent overcrowding and to limit the numbers fishing on any given day, anyone wishing to fish this
stretch must obtain a special permit from head bailiff Willie Farndale (01669) 620 984.
Full details, including car parking,
can be found on the Federation website at www.northumbriananglersfed.co.uk
With only one rule change for the new season -
the maximum rod length for the River Coquet has been reduced to 12 feet – the Federation has held permit prices at last
year’s rates. A
full salmon season ticket will cost £95 (£60 concessionary) while a Coquet Tidal season ticket will be £70,
a trout season ticket £75 (£45 conc), a coarse season ticket £27, a seven-day visitor’s permit £75
and a one-day visitor’s permit £30.
Anglers
are reminded that full season tickets can only be bought by people who stay in Northumberland, County Durham and Tyne and
Wear.
|
| Carmelle Hook with her first grayling. |
CARMELLE LANDS HER
FIRST GRAYLING
FISHING For Everyone Ladies Club member Carmelle Hook, fishing a pink nymph, landed
her first grayling - a 45cm specimen - during the club's outing to the Tweedswood beat on the River Tweed last Sunday. Carmelle, one of 11 ladies fishing on the day, said:
"The day was fantastic - perfect weather and perfect fishing conditions - it couldn't have got any better until I
landed my first ever grayling."
The Club would like to thank Ron McCombe, Kevin Pearce and Scott Nellins
for their assistance on the day and are looking forward to the year ahead.
The Club's next event will
be on Saturday, March 27 at Whinney Loch, near Coldingham. Any ladies interested in attending this event should visit www.fishingforeveryone.com or email Club founder and chairman, Lucy Bowden on
lucy@fishingforeveryone.com
|
| The Fishing For Everyone Ladies Club enjoy their first grayling fishing day. |
SOUTH LINDEN
STOCKED UP FOR
NEW SEASON
SOUTH Linden Trout Fishery opened on Saturday and the management team is hoping for a great 2010 season with a fresh stock of fish
added to the overwintered double-figure rainbows, blues and browns.
Anglers should note that the ground and many of the fishing platforms at the fishery
are still very wet and slippery from the snow and winter water in general and that every care should be taken while moving
around.
The fishery’s management is to honour last year’s loyalty cards - so if you can still
find yours, bring it along to start off the new season.
There are also two new mobile contact numbers for the 2010 season. They are 07906804739 and
07960498065
 YOUR PICTURE, YOUR STORY,
YOUR FRONT PAGE
LANDED a prize-winning catch that you want to show off to your friends?
Want
it to hit the headlines and make a big splash on the front page?
Now you can thanks whyayemedia.
We specialise in bespoke personalised front pages where you
are the star.
Your picture, your story, your front page.
RAMBLERS WILL
BE WALKING ON WATER WITH FRED. OLSEN
FRED. Olsen
Cruise Lines and Ramblers Worldwide Holidays have joined forces to create the perfect Cruise & Walk holiday.
For more details. See Boudicca Cruise.
|
