Reels were screaming with no fewer than eight double-figure rainbows caught this week at Sharpley Springs as the trout got into winter mode. England international angler Simon Robinson of Whickham was among the doubles, and on his first cast he caught a 12lb rainbow as well as another fish of 3lb on the dropper. He later landed a 15lb rainbow and returned a further seven fish for his visit. Trevor Wadds from Craster had a great day, landing a super 9lb blue trout and then a rainbow of 14lb, both on the Diawl Bach as part of a limit bag of four trout weighing over 40lb. Richard Lansbury of South Shields took a 10lb 8oz rainbow on a Bloodworm, while Dave Tweddle was delighted with his fish of 11lb 2oz. Meanwhile, Dave Greally bagged one at 10lb 8oz and Andy Grabham had the best catch with 17 fish for his visit. Neil Urwin caught the fish of the week at 16lb taken on a Hare's Ear. Regular Sharpley angler Paul Jones took a 12lb rainbow on the Albert Lake as part of his catch of nine trout. Anglers can expect consistent winter sport at both Sharpley Springs and Waters. The Tweed and its tributaries closed on Tuesday with salmon and sea-trout firmly preoccupied with spawning. Despite being so late in the season there were still clean fish being caught, not only on the main river but also on the tributaries. Paddy Hogg of Kelso fished Tyneside Anglers Syndicate waters and landed a beautiful 71b 8oz salmon that looked like a springer. The fish took a Garry Dog Tube fly. The Washburn Valley reservoirs have seen excellent sport in 2004. Fewston attracted 2,045 anglers and they caught 8,879 trout at an average of 4.4 fish per visit. Swinsty had 1,135 angler visits and they bagged 4,281 trout at an average of 3.8 fish per angler. Wild brown trout water Thruscross, averaged 3.5 trout per visit, with browns to 21b 12oz caught. Best fish for the season was a 10lb 2oz rainbow caught by Tim Russell of Keighley at Fewston Reservoir on an Appetiser. The reservoirs are still open on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the winter from 8am to 4pm. The fisheries are closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The new season starts on March 25.. Contact the fishing office for details on (01943) 880 658. NAPGAI and STANIC Instructor Ken Muter is holding fly-dressing classes at Park View School, Chester-le-Street. The trout fly-dressing class will start on Monday, January 10, at 7pm and the salmon fly-dressing class will begin on Thursday, January 13, at 7pm. Both these classes will cover a wide range of techniques and they are both of 10 weeks duration. For further details contact Park View School on (0191) 388 1043 or Ken Muter on (0191) 388 2883. | 
