Anglers at Chatton and Thrunton record good bags despite the high rainfall

After the previous week’s constant rain, the rivers were not in an ideal condition for fishing. However, the head bailiff, Keith Mather, reports that over two dozen anglers met at the white post in Warkworth.

Around half those there cast a line, but meeting up with friends and having a good catch-up was the important thing after the close season.

Once the rivers drop and clear somewhat, the first spring salmon could be caught fairly early on the Federation beat.

The still waters also caught the rain and although Chatton reports it slowed the fishing, one rod had a bag of 21. Another angler had 10 fish to their net fishing the bung.

Successful flies included Cheesy minnows, Apps Worms, Cormorants, Snakes, Eggs, and Zonkers.

I fished Thrunton Long Crag and the trout were still high in the water, with some feeding on the surface.

I was still using my floating line on my four weight rod and a single fly. The fish were close in and feeding in the margins.

My most successful pattern was a size 14 plain black buzzer which caught several trout, including a lovely brown.

A similar size black Pheasant Tail caught well too. A black Shipman’s Buzzer with a silver rib tempted some rising trout.

Let us hope there is less rain this coming week and the temperatures rise a little too.