Northumbrian Water is preparing to welcome anglers to its Waterside Parks and fisheries as the new fishing season starts next month, featuring activities for all ages and abilities, including some bigger fish at many sites.
The season opens from 7am on Saturday 9 March 2019 and is set to be a splash.
After listening to feedback from anglers over the last 18 months, Northumbrian Water has invested heavily in its fish farms at Fontburn and in Teesdale and can now provide anglers with larger average size stock fish.
This investment has the supply to Fontburn, Derwent, Grassholme, Hury and Scaling Dam coming exclusively from the company′s own farms. Anglers who fish at those fisheries can expect to see an increase in their catch weights, along with more fish in the 3 to 5lb range, with a good number of double figure trout set to be introduced as well.
Landal Kielder Waterside will continue to be stocked with the same average size quality rainbow trout as in previous years, therefore prices for the site remain unchanged for this season.
Other new elements introduced for the 2019 season include: new permits offering a wider choice of catch limits, from two to eight fish; greater north shore access and year-round opening at Derwent Waterside Park; year-round pike fishing at Scaling Dam; fantastic four season permits for wild brown trout fishing; ‘Bitesize′ lessons for young anglers at Derwent on Tuesdays and Sundays.
To find out all that is new for 2019, visit www.nwwatersideparks.co.uk/trout-fisheries
Don Coe, Waterside Parks Operations Manager, said: "We are gearing up to welcome anglers for the new season, with the prospect of larger catches at many of our sites. There is something for everyone, with special sessions for young anglers, a busy competition calendar and much more.
"Maintaining the prices at Kielder also reflects our appreciation that a trip to Kielder Waterside for many anglers is much longer than the average trip to our other fisheries in the region, therefore we hope this may provide our anglers with an incentive to visit the fishery for the first time."
Visitor centres and fishing lodges at Fontburn, Derwent, Grassholme and Scaling Dam will be open as usual from 8am Monday to Friday and 7am on weekends and Bank Holidays.
Bank permits are available from 6am at Kielder Waterside, seven days a week. Boat hire at Kielder Waterside will be available from Saturday 16 March and can be booked by calling 01434 251000 before your visit.
To request a copy of this year′s guide please call 0345 155 0236 or by emailing go.fishing@nwl.co.uk.
Price structure for 2019 season at Fontburn, Derwent, Grassholme, Hury and Scaling Dam:
• New £10 under-17s day permit (2 fish)
• New £19 day permit, fly only catch and release (optional 1 fish)
• £21 Credit cruncher available from 2pm (4 fish)*
• New £23 day permit (5 fish)*
• £27 day permit (8 fish) with concessions at £25*
• £41 Family and couples permit (12 fish)
Price structure for 2019 Kielder Waterside
• New £10 under 17s day permit (2 fish)
• New £17 day permit, fly only catch and release (optional 1 fish)
• £19 Credit cruncher available from 2pm (4 fish)*
• £25 day permit (8 fish) with concessions at £23*
• £39 Family and couples permit (12 fish)
• £15 full day midweek boat hire
• £12 half day midweek boat hire
• £19 full day weekend boat hire
Anglers can pay an extra £5 to fish with two rods on any of the starred permits above.