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Angling Report - January 2008

Mid January 2008

Despite atrocious weather over 90 anglers fished the Island Lake at Bessy Beck during January. Most days were wet and extremely windy, yet others were calm with the lake half frozen.

Most anglers who braved the conditions had good catches, the average catch per rod being almost 5. On one very wet and windy day, David Mordue and Martin Ruddick caught and returned 27 fish each. Martin's largest fish was 11lb 4oz.

The heaviest fish of the month was 12lb 8oz caught by Bishop Auckland angler Garry Dawson on a damsel nymph.

Tebay Angling Club's annual competition was called off due to very windy and cold conditions; however Arthur Lawton from Tebay insisted on fishing and was rewarded with a beautiful rainbow of 11lb 80z on a Cats Whisker.

The best flies this month have been Red and Black Bloodworm, Cats Whisker and Humongous.

The Mallard Lake which is a catch and kill only continues to be very consistent and reliable for inexperienced anglers. Fish in this lake are slightly larger than usually stocked and are between 2-3lb.

The Troutmasters fish-off at Bessy Beck this year will take place on Saturday 23rd Feb.

The CEFF/Airflow individual competition will take place on Fri 18th April and the team event on Friday 25th April.

Ian and Shelley