Craig Teasdale and Ryan Matthews win Sweethope Pairs Competition

Earlier this month, the Sweethope Pairs Competition was won by Craig Teasdale and partner Ryan Matthews, who caught seven trout for 16 pounds.

As a first prize, the duo won £300. Second place went to Stewart Barclay and Shaun Kelly, who received £200, while third place was taken by Gareth Tilley and his boat partner, Alan McPhail. The pair won £100.

The Great Lough at Sweethope is now closed for the winter, but the little lough remains open. Remember, Sweethope is closed every Monday, and anglers need to pay with cash only. All details are on the website. With the clocks changing very soon it always pays to check websites for closing times and changes for the winter season.

With regular stockings of the still waters and cooler temperatures, more trout and heavier specimens are being caught. Using dry flies, Tommy from Brampton, caught a 10-pound Brown and then a 12-pound Rainbow on consecutive days at Thrunton Long Crag fishery.

I fished at Langley Dam this week, and it was a bit of a challenge. However, once I found the depth I caught on a small nymph and Cruncher patterns.

Back at Thrunton I saw anglers catching on various types of patterns on different days. Rods were netting trout using a wide variety of lures, and different nymph patterns worked too. Another rod had six fish using emerger flies, and various dry flies, including F Flies, Griffith Gnats, Daddy Longlegs, and Klinkhammers, all brought trout to the net.

There is just over a week before the salmon season on the English rivers end. From what I hear, there have been good numbers caught, especially on the Tyne with the Bywell beat doing really well. A friend of mine tells me he had a lovely fresh four-pound sea trout in the Warkworth area.

And finally, Thomas Turner are at Rod and Tackle in Cramlington from 10am to 3pm on October 26th. Anyone who wants to sell tackle, no matter it’s age or condition, go along and consider their offer. Cash is paid directly into your bank account immediately.