Cooler overcast days are setting in as Autumn is upon us, fish are rarely shoaling on the top as they are down, feeding up,  for the winter period.

Successful fly patterns have been Cats Whiskers, Black Fritz, Black Zonkers and  Viva’s , anything black and green on an intermediate line fished slowly down in the water column.

Best catch of the week fell to David Bower from Leeds, with all three fish in beautiful condition weighing in at 17.5lbs,  6lbs and 3lbs , all on a white pearl eyed fritz body with a black tail.     

Stuart Hambleton from Bishop Auckland, had another successful day out on a Black Zonker with fish of 7lbs, 4lbs and  2lbs.

Sporting permit anglers are returning fish between 2lbs and 5lbs, giving them excellent fighting sport, mostly on lures.

Steven Knight from Bishop Auckland, on a Black Fritz, fishing a sporting permit, returned a cracking 18lber , back into the east lake, after a very productive days fishing.

The River Wear.

The River Wear has just had a fresh input of coloured water, running at around a foot above summer level.

Sea Trout are heads down,  and running into the upper reaches.

Let’s hope this small lift of water brings in fresh fish into our pools. The river is running off very rapidly. We really could do with another couple of hits before the season comes to the end.