Northumbrian Water Go Fishing
Ranger's Weekly Fishing Review
Fishery: Fontburn
Date: 02/05/2008
Number of rods: 223
Number of trout taken:
rainbows 823
blues: 120
brown
Total number of trout taken : 943
Rod average: 4.22
Best blue:
Best rainbow:
Number of fish re-stocked: 1,200
Number of anglers to date: 1448
Total number of fish taken to date: 5673
Largest rainbow of the season so far: 12lb 3oz
Largest blue of the season so far: 4lb 8oz
Largest brown of the season so far:
Ranger's review: "Fontburn Fishing Is Child's Play"
The youngsters are amongst the fish again at Fontburn, showing the older generation how to catch fish.
Seven year old Niall Squires from Guide post landed four cracking blues while out with his dad Neil to finish with seven fish for just under 22lbs. It was only Niall's second time out fishing.
Five year old Darren Smailes and 14 year old Keiron Allaker out for the day with their fathers from Stanley caught two over wintered rainbows off the North shore weighing just over 5lbs each. They were both caught on ledgered worm. Both families went on to catch their limits. With water temperatures up to 8 degrees, the fish are on fighting form at Fontburn, with some days seeing rod averages of 5.2. Mr L. White took a mixed limit catch of blues and rainbows for just over 20lbs using flies including Vivas and Fritz from the bay in the South Shore. Regular Greg white was amongst the fish again landing eight for just under 20lbs. I.Cummings took 5 for just over 18lbs including a 4 3/4 lb blue and two 5lb plus rainbows. Bait anglers are reporting that a Powerbait or Greedy Bait and worm cocktail is still the best bait. For the fly angler either a Cat's Whisker on an intermediate line, or Black and Green Vivas with a slow retrieve are best.
Best flies: Cat's Whisker, Vivas, Bibios.
Best bait: Pink Powerbait, Blood Money Greedy Bait & worm cocktail.
Best areas: North Shore.
David Forster