Jimmy Redhead has brought the first salmon of the season on Chester-le-Street and District Angling Club waters to the net - and what a fish it was. Before being safely returned, the fish was measured and weighed by spring balance, tipping the scales at more than 20lb. The salmon was a nice reward for Jimmy, who has been a member of the club for many years and has regularly fished this season from February onwards. He now hopes to repeat his success after June 16 when any salmon caught can be kept. Wear trout fishing has not been as good as that on the stillwaters, although Derek Miller, of Great Lumley, caught and safely returned a truly wild 2lb brownie. Sea-trout are moving into the river in greater numbers and, as the water warms up, more and more brown trout are showing. The club's coarse fishing season opens on June 16. It has been a mixed week at Hazon Burn with fish taking all manner of flies, giving great top-of-the-water fishing on the Put and Take lake. The Specimen Lake did not see a great number of doubles this week, although Hazon regular Keith Bowes, of Blakelaw, had a 12lb 4oz golden trout and another 15 fish in the 5lb-8lb range. Ten-year-old Oliver Winn, from Gilsland, Northumberland, had a good day at Hadrian Fisheries, catching two lovely rainbow trout for 5lb 8oz. Jimmy Donnelly had two rainbows for 6lb 3oz, George Gradon had a 2lb 10oz rainbow and David Sidney had a 3lb brown and a 2lb 2oz rainbow. There was fantastic top-of-the-water action at Sharpley again this week for the dry fly enthusiasts. Peter Appleby showed the way with his two sons, Gary and Dean. Peter safely returned 31 trout. Gary and Dean each released a fine double - one of 14lb 6oz and a 12-pounder. John Swales, from Seaham, was on top form, safely returning 24 with the biggest at 13lb 3oz. Dry flies and buzzers produced the most catches at Higham this week. Roger Carr, from Kenton, had the heaviest bag with four for 23lb 3oz. On June 25, the fishery is holding a "one fly" competition sponsored by Ian Woods game fishing supplies, of Morpeth. Contact Ian Woods on (01670) 510996. The fishery will be closed on June 5. Good sized browns are still featuring regularly in bags at Grassholme with the pick of this week being a superbly conditioned fish of 4lb 12oz taken by K Hickman. Davey Bibby, from Stakeford, had one of his best days at Kielder with two fish of 3lb and one of 4lb 12oz. V Fontirelly caught the heaviest fish of the season so far at Kielder - a rainbow of 7lb 2oz. Langley Dam has continued to fish well with R Bainbridge, of Haydon Bridge recording the week's biggest fish at 10lb and W Carr recording the heaviest bag, with five for 15lb 12oz. The Ladies Competition will be held on June 27 from 10am to 2pm. There is an evening booking at the fishery on May 31 - normal fishing until then. The Derwent continues to fish well with some very big fish being landed - the biggest, caught by J Davison, tipping the scales at 9lb 4oz with several more in the 8lb range recorded. D Cottrell had three for 18lb. Fly fishing has shown considerable improvement at Fontburn with regular angler G S Wind recording the heaviest bag at 21lb 8oz, including a fine rainbow of 4lb 8oz. | 
