Fishing by Bob Smith: River anglers may get some migratory fish

With the warmer temperatures there has been a fly hatch nearly every day. Consequently the wild brown trout have been feeding on or near the surface I tried several different types of flies and they all caught trout.

A small beetle worked its magic, a wet March Brown and Silver March Brown caught too. Spider patterns, Waterhen Bloa and simple black spider provided sport. A pink Grayling pattern with a tiny bead caught a few, as did the reliable Pheasant Tail.

The Northumbrian Fereration stretches in the Rothbury area fished well and provided continuous views of spectacular wildlife.

On the still waters there have been some impressive rises at evening time. Small black dry patterns have worked, but also larger dries such as Sedgehog and Daddy Longlegs have brought trout to the net.

Emerger patterns have had their moments too. I used a black buzzer Top Hat to net some of my trout. During the day, with the sun being very bright and strong, the fish have been deeper with nymphs and lures catching, especially Damsel Nymphs fished about five feet down.

Both Thrunton Long Crag fishery and Chatton fishery were stocked mid week. There has been a good breeze later in the week. Windy conditions tend to keep still water anglers at home sometimes. However the breeze can actually help anglers. Casting across the breeze and letting the wind drift flies in towards the bank the trout are often swimming along that bank and anglers are often very successful.

More rain is expected in the next few days so perhaps the river anglers may get some migratory fish to their nets, fingers crossed!