The decision has been made, very reluctantly, to postponed the Dr Chesters Senior Competition ( Sponsored by Anglers Lodge at Jubilee Lakes).

With the heavy rainfall this week we have had a substantial rise in the river level with heavily coloured water. Experience tells us that the water my drop quickly but the colour takes longer to clear.

We want the competition to be fished in good Trout conditions and will therefore re-arrange in the near future.

Watch this space.

Well , it’s almost here. The Dr Chesters Senior Trophy (sponsored by Anglers Lodge at Jubilee Lakes).

Anglers have a reputation of telling tall tales. How big was the one that got away? A local angler once said “there’s nee fish in there like!” He couldn’t be more wrong, maybe the comment said more about anglers’ rivercraft.

Below we have more evidence of why you shouldn’t believe all the tales you hear on the river bank.

Here we see evidence of another angler’s excellent day recorded on camera, including a Grayling and Trout up to 15 inches.

It was suggested recently that otters are taking more fish than anglers so its not worth fishing, yet a wise old man once shared the thought that  “if you don’t have predators, you don’t have fish.”

The Kingfisher. A sure sign of plentiful food supplies.

Fishing at Willington you can expect to see Kingfishers and Dippers at one end of the scale and Otters at the other.

All three are an indication of healthy waters with plentiful food and the envy of others.

Otters, like Kingfishers and Dippers need clean water and plenty of food to thrive. So, if Kingfishers, Dippers and Otters are doing fine and anglers are enjoying some great sport, I guess that must mean the river is in pretty good condition with plenty to fish for.

So if you hear a phrase such as : “There’s nee fish in there like !” you see that flash of orange and neon blue with a dipper bobbing up and down nearby, remember this, don’t believe all the tales you hear on the riverbank.

Tight Lines

Stocking for the year has been completed.

Please remember the stock fish this year have their adipose fin removed where in the past they were marked with a black spot.

BLack Spot identifies our Triploid Trout

If you fancy a fish for the pot, please try to take only the stockies and return the wild fish unharmed.

The Dr Chesters Trophy is just 8 days away. Tie up some flies, clean your reel and lines, prepare your kit.

Take a look through these slides, some of the recent winners, their fish and the standard of fish coming out this season. Where would you rather be, have you really got anything better to do?

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Sponsored once again by Anglers Lodge at Jubilee Lakes it promises to be a good day.

The Dr Chesters Trophy Senior Competition (largest Brown Trout) Sponsored by Anglers Lodge at Jubilee Lakes will be fished on Sunday July 2nd 2017.

Senior members please meet at Jubilee Bridge car park for a 3:00pm start.

Here we see last years winner Trevor Conway picking up the trophy and a prize of £200 worth of vouchers kindly donated by our sponsor Anglers Lodge at Jubilee Lakes, and Trevor with his winning 1lb 140z Brown Trout.

So, with the river producing some excellent fish so far this season, will you be the angler to better Trevor’s efforts?

Sunday July 2nd, Jubilee Bridge: 3:00pm.

No, not the Tweed, not the Ure, Annan, Hodder, Esk or Eden. This wild brown trout was caught very recently at Willington on our own River Wear.

A beautiful wild fish taken on a dry fly.

A Superb Wild Brown

Here we see this fish about to be released and the fly which accounted for it.

What a fantastic River Wear Brown Trout.

What sort of season are you having ? Please let us have pictures of your catches if you can.

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We have a number of new members who are really enjoying our waters and longer term members are reporting some of the best fishing they have enjoyed for years.

We’re even finding out that we have a good stock of fish in the Seldom Seen ponds.

The JT Bell Memorial Cup is for the 1st Sea Trout declared by a junior or senior member.

This superb fish of 6lb 8oz was weighed in on Sunday. Taken on fly at Willington on Sunday morning.

Recent open day at Jubilee Lakes, now you can have one to one tuition.

There are some places still available for the casting sessions with Jim Fearn from Rio at Anglers Lodge at Jubilee Lakes. June16th , 23rd, July 7th and July 14th.

At £30 for an hours one to one instruction this is great value, so if you want to polish up your skills or take your 1st instruction just get in touch with Sandra and book your session.