THE weather this week has produced variations that have seen great catches during the warmer days and evenings. This is in contrast to a noticeable drop-off in form during the hours of darkness, as cool night water temperatures recording differences of as much as 4.2 degrees have influenced feeding patterns. On the Angel complex, Steve Shilling had a fantastic day on peg 25 of Lookout Lake – he lost count at 70 fish – and peg 15 yielded 17 Crucians on Saturday morning. On Bowes, Paul Irvin accounted for several double-figure carp and he went on to land a superb mirror carp of 21lb 4oz. The fish was recognized as one which was stocked nearly three years ago at a weight of 13lb 9oz, thus proving the encouraging weights growth on the complex. In contrast, the youngest angler being coached on how to fish on Basetts pond this week was only four – and he caught 19 fish in a three-hour session. Top rod this week on Whittle Dene was Ron Robson with 18lb, while Peter Jones and Paul Hoult both had nets of more than 12lb. On Hury, Phil Upton took the heaviest recorded net of the week weighing in at 14lb, but anglers are being remiss at both NW day ticket fisheries in not completing catch returns, and are reminded that they are expected to do so. On the region’s running waters, the Tees has been in great form this week with encouraging chub catches reported from the areas near Croft, while a magnificent 1lb 10oz roach has been taken from the Wear near Chester Moor by 16-year-old Marc Young. The Tyne is still yielding plenty of small dace, gudgeon and chub in the middle reaches and, on the Federation’s tidal stretch at Clara Vale, roach to 12oz taken on a falling tide have been boosting catches. Dave Gillies and Chris Scott set a club record when the duo made it three wins in a row when they won the CAD CAC pairs match on Crofton. It was a close thing, however, as the pair were found to be tying on points with Ian Nevitt and Dave White, but having a heavier combined weight decided the victory in their favour. Patiently waiting out the match offering big baits for quality fish was the tactic used by Barry Whear, and it paid off handsomely as his one bite of the evening presented Barry with both a fine 16lb 11oz carp and victory in the latest evening match on Whins Pond. Liam Shilling, 15, won Sunday’s Open on Lookout Lake with 30lb 10oz from peg three, short heading Andrew Brown by a mere 3oz, while Roger Pedleham was third with 29lb 12oz. Dave Hodgson won Saturday’s match on Bowes with 28lb 5oz, while on Monday Dave Foster was top rod with 56lb 11oz, and Andy Simpson with 27lb 12oz won the Wednesday match. TAA affiliated anglers who use their cars to fish the Lakeside fishery at Fellgate are being asked to be reasonable if they use the Lakeside Pub’s car park. Anglers have no legal right to leave their cars there and parking is only available via the kindliness and goodwill of the landlady. Consideration to the pub customers is needed and anglers are now being asked to park in front of the wooden fence in lots which are numbered 1 to 12. Lakeside AC members are starting a welcome trend by displaying club ID cards, and if the members of other affiliated clubs can do the same then the landlady would be grateful. | 
