Despite the extremely cold weather the hardy souls who have turned out to fish have been rewarded with some cracking specimens. 9 doubles have been caught the best weighing in at 23lbs 2ozs, just under the record by 6ozs. These are all fish in exellent condition fully finned and giving anglers a right battle in the cold water.
 
Most fish are being caught on Zonkers in various colours, black, blue, pink,olive and coral, fished on intermeadiate or slow sinking lines, other successful patterns have been Cats Whisker and Black Fritz.
 
Some anglers are persevering with small flies and Black Buzzers and Daiwl Bachs are catching during the middle parts of the day.
 
Best fish taken this week weighed in at 23lbs 2ozs and was caught on a Black Zonker by Chester le Street angler Mr Shaun Soulsby.

 
Mr J Hodgson from Consett had a good fish of 14lbs 8ozs. Mr Melvyn Hope from Tow Law a 13lbs 8oz on a Black Fritz.

 Mr Anthony Stanger from Stanley again amongst the doubles with a fish of 12lbs 8ozs on a Purple Zonker

 and Mr Dave Lumley from Stanley had a cracking bag with fish of 11lbs, 8lbs, and 3lbs all on Black Buzzers.
 
Two anglers on sporting permits had exellent days sport. Mr Joe Myers from Consett returned fish of 16lbs 8ozs and 10lbs on Black Buzzers, along with Mr B Lowther from Stanley returning 15 fish best to 10lbs on Black Buzzers.
 
Thankyou
Colin Bill