Brown trout taken from River Trent
The stretch of the River Trent below the famous Cromwell Weir is one of the most prolific areas for barbel in the UK, so imagine Marcus Joy’s shock when his session was interrupted by this 5lb 8oz brown trout.
Due to bright, clear conditions, the 32-year-old from Gainsborough, Lincs, thought hair-rigged sweetcorn would prove to be a more effective alternative to the popular boilie and pellet approach.
Soon after casting his rig into the weir, his decision was justified after his bait was picked up by the ‘brownie’, plus his intended quarry did also make an appearance as barbel weighing 11lb 2oz, 9lb, 7lb and 4lb also came to the net.
15lb 2oz Lough Corrib ferox brown trout landed
Uwe Pinnau realised a lifelong ambition when he banked this 15lb 2oz Ferox brown trout from Ireland’s Lough Corrib.
Under the guidance of expert coach Michael Canney, the German angling journalist was taken to a known ‘hotspot’ on the 42,000-acre water, and two hours after starting received a violent take while trolling a deadbait. Unfortunately, that fish managed to throw the hooks, but the mishap was soon forgotten when Uwe received another bite shortly afterwards.
“Uwe had travelled a long way for this experience and to land a fish of such proportions was a fantastic achievement,” explained Michael.
Catch and release salmon scheme a success
A scheme to encourage anglers to return salmon back to a popular river after capture has been hailed a success after stats revealed local fishermen had embraced the idea.
Environment Agency officials created an incentive system for those fishing the River Tees to not take the species home for the dinner pot and in 2011 64 per cent of fish landed were released without harm.
Prizes were awarded for the most conversation minded anglers, with Bob Forsyth winning a Haze reel worth £170 for returning the biggest specimen of the season of 18lb 6oz.
Angling legend Bob Church enjoys impressive Rutland haul
Visitors to the UK’s biggest trout reservoir Rutland Water have enjoyed a fantastic opening few weeks of the season, among them angling legend Bob Church who he spent two days at the 3,300-acre venue.
Despite suffering a heart attack earlier this year, the all-rounder from Northampton has wasted no time in getting back on the bank, and on his latest trip used a sinking line in conjunction with various patterns of fly to land seven rainbow trout for a 19lb 8oz total.
The action was even hotter on Bob’s second day on the water, where he compiled an eight fish bag for a 26lb 8oz total, while his boat partner Gareth Hancock landed 13 trout.
“This fishery is always the last to open, but it’s certainly worth the wait as the quality of fish is outstanding,” Bob told Angling Times.
Huge brace of 20lb-plus salmon caught from the River Wye
This huge salmon was one half of a brace of fine fish that were both estimated to weigh ‘well over 20lb’ and were landed by Clive Peglar from the River Wye last week.
Even though the specimen was not weighed, it measured 40 inches in length and took over 10 minutes to beat to the bank after grabbing a spinner. As if that wasn’t enough excitement for one day, Clive, from Weston-Super-Mare, revealed how he lost an even bigger specimen that eventually slipped the hook.
“I’ve showed this picture to many experts that fish for salmon on the river and the biggest estimate put the fish at 25lb, and the one I had before it was definitely over 20lb as well. However, the one I lost could easily have been a ‘thirty’,” said Clive.
His friend Martin Mumby, who was on hand to help bank the ‘25’ told AT: “Clive has been after a big salmon for years, with little success, then the very first time I visit him fishing the Wye and within 20 minutes he hooked this thing!”
Record smashed at Ringstead
Game angling haven Ringstead Grange Fishery has been in stunning form in recent weeks and venue regular David Hastie topped off a hectic period by landing a lake record 19lb 8oz rainbow.
The Ravensthorpe-based rod decided to use a black and green fritz fly from the caravan bank and latched into the lump midway through the short outing.
Several other large trout have also been taken, with Milton Keynes ace Robin Holt enduring a 30 minute battle before he eventually slipped the net under a pristine 15lb 2oz fish.
Venue closure rocks game anglers
The owners of a popular game fishing hotspot have announced it will not open this year just two weeks before action was due to commence.
Stirling’s North Third Trout Fishery draws fishermen in from all over the country but Scottish Water have made the late decision to keep the doors closed during 2012 to help them complete major repair and upgrade work to the dam wall which will require water levels being dropped drastically.
For more details on the developments visit www.north-third-trout-fishery.co.uk
Record numbers of trout stocked
Game anglers have been given a boost after a body that controls a series of popular waters revealed it is set to introduce a record number of trout before the opening of the season.
Northumbrian Water controls the sport at venues such as Derwent, Fontburn and Kielder Water and has announced it will split 22,000 rainbows between all of its fisheries before sport commences – 4,000 more than last year.
Weekly stockings will then take place, with 135,000 fish set to be introduced throughout the season.
