Sharpley Springs 1st Report for 2013

How's it Fishing
The mild spell has made the Trout respond to its quarry. Midge hatching have seen fish rise freely.
John Walker from Bishop Auckland returned 18 Trout mainly using Zonkers. Paul Henry from Jarrow took a 14 pounder and Dan Sefton from Burnopfield returned to at 10 pounds and 11 lb 5 oz , using a Rubberlee Bibio . Rob Frame from West Denton also had a big catch of 15 fish.
The Rod average
4.1

Tactics
A very welcome unseasonal mild spell has seen temperatures well in excess of the norm and both trout and its quarry has responded.Midge hatches have seen fish rising freely at times,with late morning and early afternoon the best times-but with another flurry of activity pre-dusk.Black pupae on floaters fished very well,though the dry fly angler had his share of the sport with hare's ear emergers,small brown f flies and shuttlecocks all having their moments.
Between hatches white lures fished well-the usual fritzy, whisker and zonker patterns all took fish.Bloodworms too were reliable and will continue to be so in the inevitable cold snap to follow!
Fly box;
black buzzer
bloodworm
hare's ear emerger
brown f
black shuttlecock
white fritz/zonker
cats whisker