Thrunton Long Crag hosts Big One UK Fly Fishing Open Championship heat amid adverse weather conditions

Sunday had Thrunton Long Crag hosting a heat of the Big One UK Fly Fishing Open Championship. With a first prize in the final of £3,000, the heats have attracted anglers from far and wide.

One enthusiastic angler set off at midnight from Aberdeen and travelled through the worst of Storm Dave. At one point he thought his car was going to get blown off the road. However, he made it, and arrived with a strong wind still blowing. Over twenty anglers had to not only deal with the wind, but heavy hail and snow showers too in between bright sunny periods.

The fishing was a real challenge, with the top rods recording five fish. The newly qualified anglers for the final were David Nelson, Andrew Campbell, Ryan Matthews, Michael Leck, Alan McPhail, and Andy Taylor. Congratulations to all the competitors for enduring the six hours in those conditions.

During the week, leisure anglers have enjoyed good sport at all the local stillwaters. Trout have been high in the water with lots of rods enjoying catching trout with small dry flies, emerger patterns, and buzzers. However, bigger lures such as Dancers and Blue Flash Damsels have also accounted for a number of fish.

Salmon fishing on our local rivers remains slow. The occasional salmon and sea trout has been caught on the Tyne system, but the first spring fish from the Coquet has yet to be caught. A number of kelts have come to the net. Anglers still have a chance to catch the first spring fish and claim the Northumbrian Federation trophy.