Angling - Big weights on vandalised waters (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Angling - Big weights on vandalised waters

4:30pm Thursday 14th July 2011 in Sport

FOURTEEN seniors and six juniors fished the third round of the KDAC/WADAA summer laeague at Ratherheath on Sunday July 10th.

Conditions were excellent although the tarn was low following the recent sluice gate vandalism.

The match was won by Barry McLeod (on peg eleven) with 24lb 13oz. Dave Jackson was a very close second with 24lb and Nick Butterfierld third with 16lb 13oz.

Winning tactics were pole fished pellet over pellet acocunting for a mixed bag of carp and bream.

The junior section was won by Jake Hurst with 8lb 6oz. Michael Hutchinson was second with 3lb 10oz.

Next match is at Atkinsons Tarn on August 14 (ring Nick Butterfield to book on).

The best action at High Newton has come in the late evening recently but a change to unsettled conditions are expected to see a big improvement, with trout becoming active on the surface as the water temperature dips.

There should still be good evening hatches but accurate casting will still be essential.

The warm weather has also hindered angling on the River Eden with the waters dropping to low levels. The hear has made trout fishing particularly difficult and anglers are hoping for some better water to move the grilse along.

Plenty of tench are being caught at Ratherheath with a handful making the 4-5lb bracket and catches of silver fish are holding up well.

Carp can be found all over the surface with some larger catches available and the same is true at Atkinson Tarn where all species are fishing well with matches recording some good weights.

Daytime angling is expected to pick up at Cleabarrow Tarn with more unsettled weather due but the carp should be settling down after spawning last week.

Tip of the week: In High Newton there have been plenty of swirls, plucks and nudges but not many positive takes of late.

You can improve the odds by fishing small and fine, staying on the move and avoiding bright days, while also using good caenis and buzzer hatches on calmer evenings.