Witton Castle Lakes

Report to 9th October

The extreme weather, ranging from very bright and hot to very wet and windy has kept the angling exciting down at Witton Castle Lakes, and although challenging at times, rods have been having exceptional sport on lures with anglers having a good week of braces.
First up was Darlington rod Mr A.J Binn whose nice brace of rainbows totalled 23lb(best 14lb) on diawlbach while Durham angler Jason Sharp took 2 very nice fish of 12lb and 8lb on olive zonker. Penrith's Davie Cowan managed yet another fine brace this time 11lb and 8lb in a bag of 14 on cats whisker while Newton Aycliffes Tony Jessop managed a nice tiger trout of 2 1/2lb on CDC. Another fine fish of note was an 8lb blue trout that fell to Mr Ian Watson of Hexham on a black hopper.
Unluckiest angler this week was a Mr Challis who hooked a HUGE fish that run all the way across the West lake, unfortunately Mr Challis did not have enough line on his reel to hold the monster and they parted company.

 

Report to 4th September

Cooler water has really brought Witton Castle Lakes right back to top form. Dry flies fishing well have included Black and olive CDC, daddy-long-legs and hoppers while all manner of lures have also taken good fish. Top sub surface patterns have been hare's ear, black mosaic buzzer and pheasant tails. Northumberlands Mr M Walker had a day to remember returning 18 nice rainbows including one at 12 1/2lb. Darlingtons James Roberts wasn't too far behind returning 16 with one to 11lb. Well done to Weardale rod Mathew Birney who broke his duck by releasing 4 good rainbows best to 4lb on his own invention, the bidet buzzer! Witton Castle Lakes welcomed the recent crop of young North East angling talent to the lakes with a 4 hour session for the Talent Pathway. The practice session went well with Bishop Aucklands Brad Maddison returning 6, with a fish to 7lb, this was equalled by Witton Park rod Adam Nelson while big fish hunter Thomas McKimm stole the show with a fish of 10 1/2lb. I'm sure you'll all wish the youngsters well as they gear up for a challenge match against the North West region later this month, and on this form they will take some stopping.

 

Report to 28th August

With the cooling water temperatures the fishing has gone up a gear at Witton Castle Lakes with top of the water sport accounting for the better catches. CDC olive and black, daddy longlegs and suspended nymphs all catching well, if pulling lures is more your fishing style then a black cats whisker has been hard to beat. Top of the lot was James Cutting with 15 rainbow to 6lb on CDC while Northumberland rod Neil Urwin landed 13 again with CDC, Darlington angler Brian Layfield had a memorable 1st visit to the fishery returning 13 which included a nice rainbow of 10lb on a red tag while Crook's Brian Conway also got stuck on 13 on his homemade "bit of green wool" fly.Ferryhill's Duncan Shanks gave in to pressure from his brother-in-law, who has been badgering him for years to visit Witton Castle Lakes, and left the fishery a happy man after taking a cracking rainbow of 14lb on"a battered up" orange zonker.I'm sure we'll see Duncan again soon. Westgate's Jenny Ward now leads the Great North Air Ambulance big fish competition with last weeks rainbow of 18lb and is in line to win a holiday. There are bigger fish in the lakes and to enter please see Tom or John at the anglers lodge.

 

Report to 21st August

It's been a week of top of the water sport down at Witton Castle Lakes with free rising fish taking even during the hot bright parts of the day. CDC shuttlecock buzzers and shipmans producing the better bags. Top of the tree was Killingworth rod John Sharp returning 31 with CDC and buzzer, not far behind was Rob Frame who released 29 on shipmans buzzer while Weardale husband and wife team Tony and Jenny Ward had 2 very rewarding visits returning 35 and 32 which included a cracker of an 18lb rainbow that fell to Jenny's charms.Well done Jen. Delves Lane angler Jeoff Gaines managed a beauty of a rainbow at 12lb on lures and visiting rod Mr A Marr of Galashiels returned a topper of 11 1/2lb. Crook's Brian Conway's brace of big fish (12lb and 8lb) looked good in a bag of 12, while fish of note (7-9lb) were landed by Mr A Leitch, G Swain and Tom Jackson. A special mention now for Stanhope youngster Chris Coates (pictured) who only took up fly fishing a couple of weeks ago. Chris started off catching fish of around a pound before moving on to the 2lbers, now his personal best has been smashed with this lovely rainbow of 5lb. Congratulations Chris, we hope it's the 1st of many.

 

Report to 14th August

Witton's big East lake continues to make all the headlines with some incredable bags and big fish finding the net regularly. The buzzer fishing has been tremendous lately with black and olive skinny buzzers accounting for most fish. Darlington's Mr A J Binn managed to get back on the leaderboard with 23 fish banked mostly to CDC and jazzid (all from East lake), while Durham rod Peter Anderson wasn't far behind with a very respectable haul of 21 to diawl bach. Damsel nymph was the way forward for the big fish hunters. Crook's Brian Conway managed 2 very nice rainbows of 8lb and 11lb in a bag of 12, while Andy Stevenson landed a cracker of a blue trout estimated at 12lb.

 

Report to 9th August

Another week of heavy showers has further improved Witton's big East lake, this lake has gone from strength to strength since it was deepened and improved. Top of the lot was Mr Scott Reekie who returned 27 (all in the big lake) with orange blob and orange top hat, not too far behind was 16 year old C Metcalfe who was top rod on the last night fishing session of the year with 18 on suspended buzzer, Weardale's Tony Ward came next returning 16 fine rainbow's on CDC while Mrs Jenny Ward fought a Witton monster only to get snapped. Next time Jenny. On to the big fish this week and Meadowfields Bernie McKewon took some stopping with a cracking rainbow of 11lb on zonker, Spennymoor's Dan Sefton wasn't too far away with a very nice fish of 9lb while Mr R Hall was delighted with his 8lb rainbow. Other fish of note this week was a good brown trout of 6lb for Crook rod Brian Conway and a 6lb gold trout for Mr A Conroy.

 

Report to 31st July

The recent heavy rain(fortnight ago) has really freshened up Witton Castle Lakes with fish taking a wide variety of fly and lure all through the day. Wittons big East lake is now fully open and fully stocked for the first time this year and the results have been spectacular. Bishop Auckland first time angler Mr T Thompson captured a top quality rainbow of 12 1/2lb on black fritz while Durham rod Jim Howe managed a good rainbow of 12lb on a small diawl bach.Mr and Mrs team Tony and Jenny Ward of Weardale returned 7 fish that included 2 cracking rainbows of 13lb and 8lb while Mr S Ryan's blue trout of 8 1/2lb on Montana nymph was a stunner.Steven Grey managed a nice goldie of 8 1/2lb on CDC. Best bag of the last fortnight went to Witton regular John Sharp of Killingworth with 38 fish to the net mostly on CDC and buzzer combo.

 

Report to 17th July

Big blue and big brown trout have been the order of the week down at Witton Castle Lakes with small nymph patterns fishing best during the day and daddy's coming out tops on an evening. Once again Darlington's Mr A J Binn managed the best fish of the week with a blue trout of 18lb on an atomic daddy twitched across the surface.Mr Binn now leads the Witton Big Fish competition, but bigger fish are cruising the lakes and i'm sure that this fish will be beaten before the end of the season.If you'd like to enter then include $10 with your ticket money(all proceeds to Great North Air Ambulance) for your chance to win a weeks holiday courtesy of our sponsors Shorewood Leisure. Newcastle's Andy Lanigan hooked a monster brownie estimated at 16lb on a size 20 pheasant tail nymph while Spennymoors John Phillips took a beautiful rainbow of 12lb on diawl bach. Best bag of the week went to Simon Bailey of Leeds returning 29 fish mostly on hares ear and pheasant tails.

 

Report to 10th July

It's been a little testing this week down at Witton Castle Lakes with fish lying deep during the hot bright parts of the day. The anglers who are having the best results are those who fish very small flies, very slowly. All the usual nymph patterns fishing well but the undoubted star of the show has been the red halo diawl bach wich features more and more on the Witton Catch returns. Best bag this week goes to Witton regular Mr J Walker of Bishop Auckland who returned 12 in a 4 hour visit. Mr T Templeton released 23 on an all day ticket while Darlingtons George Symmons wasn't far behind with 18 that included a nice rainbow estimated at 15lb. On to the big fish now and regular big fish hunter Stan Miller hit a cracker of a big blue trout. After a 20 minute battle and his reel going right through to the backing line 3 times managed to land the monster, estimated at "somewhere near 18lb". Durham angler Joe Stevens wasn't far away from his personal best with a beauty of a brown trout in the 12lb class.

 

Report to 3rd July

Yet another bumper week of angling action down at Witton Castle Lakes with the fly of the moment "the jassid" doing extremely well even through the bright parts of the day.Small diawl bach's,hare's ear and pheasant tail nymphs still accounting for good bags. Early mornings and evenings have seen some prolific hatches and CDC shuttlecocks and "f" flies doing the job. Top rod this week went to Darlington rod Mr A J Binn who returned 28 fish wich included a beautiful rainbow of 18lb. Best of the rest was Newcastle's John Sharp returning over 60 in 2 visits mostly on CDC and buzzer, Crook angler Andy Reeves returned 15 on GRHE, PTN and damsel nymph and was snapped "too many times to count". Biggest fish this week was the before mentioned Mr Binn with his 18lber but not far behind was Middlesboro angler Joe Cook with a nice 15lb blue.

 

Report to 26th June

Mild cloudy days and warm, sticky evenings have made Witton Castle Lakes come alive this week. Huge hatches of olives on the evening has seen some terrific sport with quality trout only too eager to take the dry fly. Biggest fish this week fell to local rod Jim Muirhead who returned a lovely rainbow estimated at 20lb which gulped down his daddy longlegs from the top of the water. Sunderland rod Barry Pounder had a good rainbow of 11 1/2lb to show for his efforts while Ryan Mathews(9lb), Mr G W Jack(8 1/2lb) and John Grey(8lb) all took fish of note. Of the best bags this week, Bishop Aucklands John Walker who is becoming a regular on our leaderboard returned 32 and 26 in two visits, fishing mostly nymph patterns. The second of the Witton Castle Lakes all night sessions took place, with Mr H Woods having a good session returning 15 while retaining fish of 7lb and 3lb.

 

Report to 19th June

Yet another week of big fish and cash prizes down at Witton Castle Lakes. The fishing at times has been testing but those brave enough to fish small and natural have been having great results with little black dries and small jassids(down to size 22). Mr Andy Davidson managed the biggest fish this week a magnificent 17lb rainbow on diawl bach while Peterlee rod Gavin Patterson took a beautiful blue trout of 15lb on a daddy longlegs. Mr G W Jack (91/2lb), Mr M Raine (8lb) and Mr K Howe(7 1/2lb) all took fish of a good size. Best bag of the week was shared with Mr D Hodgeson and Mr S Thompson who each bagged 23 with Newton Aycliffes Ron Hutton who landed 19 not far behind. Yet another "tagged" fish has been captured, this time by Hunwick rod Raymond Anderson who wins a cash prize of £200.

 

Report to 13th June

It's been a week of cash prizes won and lost, big fish and tremendous sport down at Witton Castle Lakes. Small dry flies and buzzers continue to give the best results with the hare's ear (in either cdc or shipman form) getting the bigger bags. Fish of the week belonged to Neville Walton of Bishop Auckland who did superbly well to get his 19lb rainbow to the top of the water to gulp down a small olive dry fly. Darlington's Mr A J Binn wasn't far behind with a cracker of a blue trout tipping the scales at 15 1/2lb on a black buzzer while Durham rod Ray Watson was delighted returning a brown trout estimated at 14lb on a skinny olive buzzer. Crook's Brian Conway and Hunwick rod Ray Anderson both had great fish of 9lb fishing lures while Gordon Grear's 7lb rainbow was taken on a shipmans. At last someone has managed to catch one of Wittons tagged fish! Meadowfields John "tagged fish" Bean (formerly known as John "no fish" Bean) banked a 5lb rainbow with £200 attached to its fin.Congratulations John. Mr Gordon Grear banked another tagged fish and was left kicking himself as he had not put an extra £1 in his ticket to enter the tagged fish competition. The first of this years all night sessions produced the goods and all anglers enjoyed a good nights fishing, decent bags were recorded and the best fish taken was a 5lb rainbow that fell to Mr B Hockaday.The next all nighter will be Saturday 25th June.

 

Report to 5th June

What a memorable week down at Witton Castle Lakes. Fishery records seem to be like buses, you wait years for one and then 2 come along at once. Last week John Walker of Bishop Auckland landed 64 fish for a new record only to see this achievement smashed to pieces 3 days later when Newcastle's John Sharp managed 74 (best 12lb) on a CDC and buzzer combo. John commented that he's "never had a better day on the water in a lifetime of angling". Congratulations! Westgate's Tony Ward had an incredible bag limit of 3 fish that weighed 10lb, 8lb and 8lb while returning a further 17 on damsel nymph. John Bean of Meadowfield was delighted, returning a stunning golden trout of 9lb while Spennymoor rod D Tweedie was happy with his 7 1/2lber (pheasant tail nymph). Best of the rest was last weeks top rod John Walker with 25 and 17 for his two visits(pond olive nymph) and Mr Rob Frame with 20 on shipmans buzzer. Last but not least a special mention for Mr T Adamson who had to get wet retrieving his rod after it was snatched out of his hand by a 5 1/2lber which was eventually landed. Still a few spots available for the night fishing special. Call (01388) 488691 to book your place or visit the lakes (10pm or after) on Friday June 10th, normal ticket prices apply.

 

Report to 29th May

The lakes are showing their best returns in years with small dry fly and emerger patterns providing the best results for big bags while lures and buzzers continue to take the bigger fish. The long standing Witton record for amount of fish caught in a day has been smashed by Bishop Auckland rod John Walker who recorded 64 fish in a hectic days sport, best was a good rainbow estimated at 16lb on a small pond olive imitation. Well done John. Another Bishop rod Alan Ross returned 24 that included good brown trout to 8lb while Cockfields Ryan Mathews wasn't far behind with 3 visits for 17, 12 and 11 which included good fish of 12lb. Newton Aycliffes Ron Hutton managed a good bag of 16 mostly on hare's ear and buzzer while Northumbria rod Howard Croyston produced a fine bag of 12 which included a fine specimen rainbow of 14 1/2lb. There are still spaces available for the Witton Castle Lakes night fishing session on 10th June,Phone Tom or John on 01388 488691 for details.

 

Report to 22nd May

Despite a very blustery week, Witton Castle Lakes continues to fish well with small natural fly patterns producing the best results.Diawl bach,CDC emergers and black foam beetles have given best results.Bishop Auckland's John walker filled good returns for his 2 visits with 14 and 25 that included a beautiful 14lb rainbow mostly to his own pond olive nymph pattern.Durhams Dan Sefton's bag of 19 wasn't far behind and also included a good brown trout of 9lb.Newcastle rod John Sharp managed a nice 8lb gold trout and a 9lb blue trout was landed by Spennymoor's John Siddle. 37 anglers took double figure bags this week despite the howling gales,thee include 14 each for Ryan Mathews(buzzer),John Maguire(Diawl Bach) and Neil Hodgson(CDC and Nymph) with a nice 10lb rainbow as a bonus. We are delighted to announce that there will be an "All Night Session"at the lakes on Friday June 10th(10pm-8am) with all ticket types available and prices as normal.Due to the extraordinary feedback and reaction to last years night sessions it is advisable that you book in advance although tickets will still be available on the night.The lakes really do come alive after dark with big double figure fish hunting minnow in the margins of the lake. For bookings and information please call (01388)488691

 

Report to 8th May

The sport has been red hot down at Witton Castle Lakes again this week,as we bake in the warm spring sunshine. Top flies this week have been CDC shuttlecocks and "F"fly with hare's ear emergers also featuring heavily as the top of the water sport really gets going. 2 visits for Mr A Mcphail produced bags of 18 and 30 to CDC's while Durhams Gareth Tilley's bag of 26 included a nice rainbow of 7 1/2lb and a topper of a gold trout at 5lb. Scott Fenton returned 17 while Mr N Horner and Mr T Adamson released 15 each including tiger and blue trout. Westgate rod Tony Ward enjoyed his day with 14 rainbows to buzzer and Mr D Nixon and Stanhope's Neil Urwin had identical bags releasing 12 that included nice fish of 12lb.

 

Report to 1st May

Another week of big bags and big fish down at Witton Castle Lakes with hare's ear and buzzer patterns doing best during the cold easterly winds,cdc and hopper providing the sport in the warmer days. Alnwick angler Howard Croston had 3 visits over the week returning 21,21 and 13 that included good fish of 10lb and 12lb.Bishop Auckland rods John Walker and Son enjoyed 2 visits releasing 53 fish between them that included a good mix of tiger and blue trout and a fish of 12lb. Mr C Appleby managed a good rainbow of 11 3/4lb while a nice gold trout of 6lb found its way to Bernie Mckewon's net in a bag of 10.Ryan Mathews had 2 trips to the lakes returning 11 and 20 on buzzer while Aycliffes Dean Appleby, Mr A Lee and C S Readman all put back 12. As temperatures improve more top of the water sport is predicted as hatches of alder fly reach their height. Big clouds of hawthorn fly have also been spotted around the lakes recently and it wont be long before the trout switch on to this abundant food source.

 

Report To 24th April

Witton Castle Lakes continues to fish extremely well with some huge bags reported this week. Top flies have been black CDC, hoppers and various emerger patterns for the top of the water while buzzers and nymphs have also been taking fish. Bag of the week went to Collerton angler Mr N Crain who's haul of 33 included a fine rainbow estimated at 14lb, not far behind was Cockfield's Ryan Mathews who managed 30(2 short of his personal best)on a wide variety of methods. Newton Aycliffes Ron Hutton was up next with 22 on CDC and buzzer. Witton continues to produce some big fish and the best of this weeks bunch(apart from the before mentioned 14lber) was Mr M Roddy who's bag of 9 included a 10 3/4lb rainbow and a 9lb brown,Darlington's Mr J Binn took a nice fish of 10lb on bloodworm while both Leon Curry and Geoff Challis took rainbows of 9lb. The lakes were stocked with a large number of tiger trout this week(brown/brook trout hybrid) and at the time of writing plenty of these fine fish are being caught on emergers and buzzers.

 

Report to 17th April

Another extraordinary spring week down at Witton Castle Lakes.First up was the final of the trout masters fish off,won by Hunwick rod Raymond Anderson with 9 1/2lb,the junior winner went to Tow Law rod Leon Robinson with 7 1/2lb.Well done. Bag of the week went to Newton Aycliffe angler Ron Hutton who had a day to remember with 18 rainbows,8 blues,1 tiger and 1 gold trout making 28 in all.West Aucklands Fred Walton came next, along with Cockfield's Ryan Mathews with a good bag of 18 each(mainly on buzzer and nymph)with Bishop Aucklands John Walker a close 3rd with 17 good rainbows on pheasant tail nymphs. Best of the big fish was Mr Davy Clasper with a nice 10lb specimen returned and Meadowfields Bernie Mckewon with a nice 9 1/2lb rainbow. One angler in particular has had the place buzzing this week when a large female osprey decided to drop into the lakes for a bit of lunch.A lovely sight. We are now running a "big fish"competition,where anglers are invited to join by way of a £10 donation to the Great North Air Ambulance and the biggest fish caught through the year will win a holiday courtesy of our sponsors Shorewood Lesuire(Witton Castle Country Park) at one of thier luxury caravan parks.Please see in fishing lodge for details.

 

Report for April 4th-9th

Fishing continues to be mostly on the top of the water or just subsurface with black or olive buzzer. The warmer weather has brought the fish nearer the top, with the lakes "boiling"all over as the trout feed. Best bag of the week was Cockfields Ryan Mathews who has found some form again recently taking 22 on black buzzers, Darlington's Mr P Fletcher was next up with 18, followed by Mr C Appleby and Crook's John Henderson with 14 each.A nice "mixed"bag of 7 rainbows,2 brown and 1 gold trout(4lb) went to Durham rod Mr J Tweedy. Biggest fish of the week went to visiting angler John Whitaker who returned a beauty of a rainbow estimated at 18lb,while a nice blue of trout of 14lb was returned by Prudoe's Mick Sharpe.

 

Report to 26th March - 3rd April

Spring continues its stuttering start down at Witton Castle Lakes with beautiful spring sunshine and house martins zooming overhead. Suddenly this tranquil scene will give way to gale force winds and lashing rain.The fish too are in this "between seasons" mood, switching between small naturals at the top of the water when conditions suit and deep sunk lures during the colder parts of the day. Best bag of the week went to Bishop Aucklands Paul King also known as "single figures King" with a mixed bag of 15 blues and rainbows, Weardale Fly Fishers Carl Malpass, Jonny Crocker, Ryan Mathews and West Aucklands Antony Brough all on 12 while Cockfields Liam Hardy returned 11 which included a cracker of a brown trout estimated at around the 7lb mark. The biggest fish of the week was a tie between Hunwick rod Raymond Anderson and Mr T Middland who each took good rainbows of 9lb while Barnard Castle angler Andy Brown took another nice rainbow of 7 1/2lb.

 

Report to March 26th

Spring has sprung down at Witton Castle Lakes and the warm afternoon temperatures has brought the fish on to the top of the water.Buzzers and nymphs continued to take fish during the mornings this week but the mild afternoons have belonged to cdc "F" flies and shuttlecock buzzers accounting for the better bags. Last weeks top rod, Consetts Aaron Copeland kept his good form going taking a cracking rainbow of 11lb While Mr K Reay wasn't far being with another rainbow of 9 1/2lb.The best bags of the week went to Mr M Darroch with 18(including 8 blue trout),John Henderson with 17, Mr A Churm and Witton regular Ryan Mathews with 15 each. Weardale Fly Fishers enjoyed their competition this week which was won by Stanhope rod Eddie Forster. The bait lake continues to throw some big surprises when the aptly named Mr W Strike caught this monster rainbow of 14 1/2lb that was safely returned to one of the fly lakes.

 

Report for 13th-20th March

The angling has been explosive at times this week down at Witton Castle Lakes. While some found it tricky at times,those with the right tactics were having a field day.Small black and olive buzzers was the order of the week(down to size 22)and the anglers who fished them slowly just under the surface had the best results. Burnopfield rod Dan Sefton returned 15 on a 4 hour ticket, while Ryan Mathews of Cockfield returned 11 mostly on zonker. Meadowfield Pair Bernie McKewon and John Bean had a good day returning 13 between them including a 10 1/2lb rainbow for John and a lovely Gold trout of 4 1/2 lb for Bernie. Bishop Aucklands Antony Brough released a beautiful rainbow estimated at 13lb and Mr M Gill returned another at 9 1/2lb. Without doubt the top fish this week must belong to Mr A Copeland of Delves Lane who returned 11 nice rainbows and one almighty brown trout of 15 1/2lb that fell to his mini cats whisker.

 

Report for 7th-13th March

We are proud to announce that we have now introduced Tiger trout ( a cross between brown trout and brook trout)to the lakes along with a healthy number of Blue trout down at Witton Castle. The angling continues to impress at the lakes with big bags and big fish all round.Again,black and green lures fished on sunk or intermediate lines are the order of the day but in the warmer parts of the day a small hare's ear twitched along just sub surface has been getting good results. Willington's Terry Ross took the best bag this week with a nice haul of 19 fish that included 7 blue trout,While Ashington's Mr D Parker wasn't far behind with 17. Bags of 16 a piece for Dalington's Andy Weir and Durham rod David Roberts were recorded with David returning a cracker of a tiger trout estimated at 4 1/2 lb. Rod averages remain into double figures and anglers have found the changes at the lakes very rewarding. Top of the big fish Mr K Howard who returned 11 and included two nice rainbows of 10lb and 6 1/2lb while Newcastle's Mr G Oliver managed another big rainbow estimated at around the 12lb mark. And finally 8 year old Bradley Martin on his first ever fishing trip managed 3 nice rainbows and a blue trout. Well done Bradley.

 

Report for 4th-6th March

The new season started with a bang down at Witton Castle Lakes with an excellent turn out and excellent angling to match. Anglers were met with perfect overcast conditions with a nice ripple on the lakes and they certainly made the most of it with each rod averaging just over 10 fish each for the day. Black lures twitched along on a slow figure of eight pattern proved to be the best tactic with Black zonker,Black damsel,Black fritz,Bloodworm and Cats whisker all featuring heavily in the catch returns.Best bag of the day went to Cockfields Ryan Mathews who returned 22,while Bishop Auckland pals Paul King and Michael Turner returned 17 and 15 respectively with Witton regular Alan Ross totalling 15 which included a fine fish of 10lb. A lot of big fish were banked throughout the day but one fish really stood out,a beautiful brown trout weighed in the net of Crook's Brian Conway tipped the scales at 12lb,Bishop Aucklands Gary"baloo"Brabban took a cracker of 11lb and two 10lb rainbows fell to Westgates Paul Tennick and the before mentioned Alan Ross. The bait lake also fished well with Barnard Castle youngster Nick Hamilton landing 7 nice rainbows in 3 hours. Witton Castle Lakes is now fully open all through the week and at the time of writing big fish and big bags are still being recorded(more about that next week) Tight lines for the season

 

Report for weekend 25th-27th February

The fishing proved difficult this weekend down at Witton Castle Lakes. The fish were well down on the bottom and those rods that did have some success were all on sinking/intermediate lines and lures pulled very slowly.The top fish went to Bishop Auckland's Mr G W Jones who showed his son and first time angler how to do it with a nice rainbow of around 7lb.There was also a fair sprinkling of 2lb and 3lb fish and once again the brown trout featured heavily. This week will see the introduction of over 1600 quality rainbow trout to the lakes in preparation for opening day on Saturday(5th March). They will range in size from 2lb-20lb+ and some great rod returns are predicted in the coming weeks.A further stocking of top quality Blue trout in the next fortnight followed by the introduction of hybrid Tiger trout(a 1st for Witton Castle Lakes)will ensure that exciting times lay ahead. Good luck for the new season

 

Report for weekend 18th-20th February

The lakes continued to fish well through the weekend despite Saturday and Sunday being bitterly cold. Again the usual suspects of lures, cats whisker, dawsons olive and zonkers fished on an intermediate or slow sinking line accounting for the better bags. Barnard Castle rod Jim Mcdade took the best bag of the weekend returning 9 with the best fish a brownie of around 8lb,not far behind was visiting angler Vladimir Szymanski who returned 8 on a variety of methods with a weighted nymph accounting for most of his fish. There are a few signs of spring around the fishery now so hopefully warmer days are not far off. There are still limited spaces available for opening day (Saturday 5th March) please phone and book to avoid disappointment. As from Monday 7th March the fishery will be open 7 days a week again. Tight lines

 

Report for weekend 11th-13th February

It has been a weekend of big fish down at Witton Castle Lakes with good sized specimens coming out regularly.Witton Park rod and junior member Tom Russel and friends returned a cracker of a rainbow from the behind the gorse bush on the west lake.The fish was estimated at 12lb+ and fell to a black buzzer. Cockfields Ryan Mathews had a slow day by his high standards only returning 4,but changed his tactics to fish a spider pattern to land a belter of a rainbow around the 8lb mark.Vaughan Hemy and Ian Richardson of Whitley Bay enjoyed their first ever trip to Witton with Vaughan taking a very nice rainbow of 8lb on a Dawson's olive and Ian returning a fine brown trout of 6lb on a black zonker.Darlington angler Ray Barrett rounded the weekend off nicely returning a brown trout that looked easily 10lb+. Opening day is getting closer now and there are still some rods available.Please call (01388)488691 to book your place.

 

Report for weekend 4th-6th Feb

It's been a tough weekend down at Witton Castle Lakes due to the driving rain and damaging gales,however those brave enough to venture on to the water have fared pretty well and seen their courage well rewarded. Those fishing into the wind and timing their casting in between gusts have done best,with the fish taking only a few yards out. Durham rod Martin Smith bagged the biggest fish of the weekend,casting into the teeth of the gale with a sinking line and black and green Montana nymph.This superb rainbow was estimated at 14lb plus before being returned to the West Lake. Evenwood angler and Witton regular Liam Hardy managed a very nice brown trout of around the 6lb by fishing along the bankside with a zonker. A huge fish has been spotted in the South lake in the bay closest to the angling lodge. This fish looks around 8 inches across its back as it kites around the shallows taking minnows. Most have had a cast at it and have moved on frustrated after a while. There is a fish of a lifetime there for either a lucky rod or a really good stalker.

 

Report for weekend 28th-30th Jan

We're not quite through the cold winter weather just yet and at times the margins of the lakes have been icing over,the angling at times can be testing but those who have the correct tactics have been getting some good results.The usual winter method of slowly twitching a lure deep in the lake has only provided the odd fish,while small diawl bach nymphs, spider patterns and buzzers fished a little higher up have given the best sport. Chopwell rod Alan Thompson started his season on a high returning a fine rainbow of around the 12lb mark which he later described as "perfect",a further 3 fish found his net the best of those was weighed in at 5 1/2 lb.Alan usual method is the diawl bach fished under an indicator. West Aucklands Mr G Robson took the best bag of the weekend returning 7 best of which was a fine 5lber again on the nymph. There are still some space available for opening day(Sat 5th March) when a big stock of tiger and blue trout will be introduced to the lakes.Bookings only call (01388)488691 Tight lines

 

Report for weekend 21st-23rd Jan

Everyone was surprised to see the Lakes frozen again on Friday, with a covering of 2 inches across all the lakes. After much hard work we managed to get the lakes almost fully open by the Sunday but a biting North Easterly wind made sure that angling was hard. Weardale rod Adam Collingwood returned the best fish of the weekend with a nice rainbow of around 6 lb, while Durham rod Paul Embleton took the best bag with 7 fish. There is still some availability for opening day (5th March) please book on (01388)488691. I can confirm that a full compliment of quality stock will be introduced to the water ready for opening day and weather permitting everyone should have a cracking day. Full tickets only for opening day.

 

Pricing and rules

£24 full ticket 3 fish then catch and release

£15 sport ticket catch and release

£12 4 hours catch and release

Any catch and release angler wishing to keep fish can by paying per pound on the way off the fishery

Barbless hooks at all times and no wading

Fish stocked are rainbow,blue,brown and tiger trout 2lb-20lb+

 

Report for weekend 14th-16th Jan

Witton Castle Lakes reopened this weekend after an enforced 6 week closure due to the coldest December since 1911.The 1 foot thick ice sheet, that totally covered the lakes, finally broke on Sunday to the delight and relief of the Witton regulars. Catch returns were impressive mainly due to the trout not having seen an artificial fly for over a month.The fish were keen to chase almost anything that caught their eye with black and green zonker and cats whisker accounting for most of the fish. Cockfield rod Liam Hardy wet his net the most with a nice haul of 7 that included a nice brown trout(4lb) and a lovely fin perfect rainbow(5lb) while Bishop Auckland Club member John Marmsley taking the best fish of the day a nice rainbow of 6lb. The long range forecast doesn't look too bad and we hope to be open Friday,Saturday and Sunday from now until the beginning of March with the 2011 season starting proper on Saturday 5Th March. Tight Lines.

 

Report to 3rd January

Well the lakes are still under a foot of ice as they have been all through December. Moves will be made this week to help the thawing process along and we hope to be open by Sunday 9th January (or sooner if mother nature helps us out). Please be advised to phone the lakes prior to setting off and you'll be able to get the most up to date information.

 

An up and down sort of week down at Witton Castle Lakes with some great sport when the wind is blowing and fish are attacking lures although some anglers have found it tough when the lakes are flat calm and look like glass. Wittons big brown trout have been showing up lately and another cracker was netted this week when a fish (estimated at 10-12lb) was returned to the South Lake after munching on a lucky anglers black zonker. Plenty of brownies in the 3-6lb range being caught mostly on lures.
Best of the rainbows this week was Darlingtons Mr A J Binn with a fine fish of 8lb in a bag of 9.
Apologies to Brad Richardson who was mentioned a few weeks back (mistakenly named as Brad Maddison) whose splendid effort in the Talent Pathfinder event was followed up by bagging the "top rod" award over the 2 legs against the North West region at Bigland Hall fishery in Cumbria. Brad managed 7 fish over the home and away matches. The local lads found it tricky on there travels but gave a very good account of themselves as they secured a narrow win.Well Done

 

September can often be the month when still water trout fishing can come into its own and the beginning of the month has been no exception down at Witton Castle Lakes. Trout have the ability to know that the winter is coming, they also know that to "make it through" they must spend September and October fattening up for the months ahead, Fish fry is on the menu and as a result lure patterns start to feature in the catch returns. Alan McPhail's bag of 19 was the best this week which included a good fish of 7lb on CDC patterns, Middlesboro's Andy Grabham wasn't far behind with 18 on various flies. Weardales Tony Ward kept to his small nymph tactics and recorded a very respectable 11. West Auckland rod Fred Walton managed a good bag of 12 but with a very good rainbow of 16lb on dries and nymph while Meadowfield's Bernie McKewon was smiling with his bag of 5 which included a cracking brown trout of 15lb and good rainbow of 7 1/2lb on zonker and cats whisker lures.