See each day's largest fish and individual beat catches on our Latest catches page which is updated each time a ghillie uses our automatic telephone reporting system.

Last week

(Last updated: Friday 17th May)

There have been a number of fresh salmon catches reported from the North and South Tynes with some decent numbers of fish near Hexham. On the Tyne W. Kluge caught a fresh 15 pounder on fly and Danny Holmes landed a 20lb fish both fish coming of NERAC water. Upriver at Chesters Dr Walder caught a 9lb salmon and a 5lb sea trout both from Upper Island. Two salmon are reported from beats near Wark. Water temperature on the 17 May was 9.6C. The upstream count for May currently stands at 438 bringing the seasons total to 688.

Trout rods fishing on the River Derwent are enjoying some good dry fly fishing, the trout are in very good condition and the size range is very encouraging as this shows good levels of natural recruitment.
The Mayor of Gateshead's Charity Competition was great success with 48 participating anglers raising £700.00 pounds for the Tyne Rivers Trust. The event was won by Phil Green from Consett with 8 trout for 21lb 2ozs. Andy Kirsopp landed the largest fish a rainbow trout of 6lb 6ozs.

The Environment Agency is asking for scale samples from ANY migratory fish that are caught. The EA are also asking for scale samples from brown trout over 6 inches/15mm.If you would like details of the scheme or some scale packets, call 0191203 4140 or email Morton.heddill-cowie@environmentagency.gov.uk

Beat catches reported
(week ending 12th May)
SALMON & GRILSE: Bywell 2.
Total: 2 Largest: Bywell 16lbs
SEA TROUT: Eltringham 1.
Total: 1 Largest: Eltringham 6lbs
TROUT: None reported

Season review

The Tyne season has suffered from the lowest spring river temperatures for many years, this is reflected in the very few upstream counts recorded at Riding Mill.The great majority of catches have come from below the fish pass. Only 5 counts were recorded for April prior to the 15th, this changed on the 15th when 71 upstream counts were recorded, this is a record day count for April.For many rods this is the beginning of their season.

The count for May to date is 438, this brings the count for the season to 688, which is close to the long term average.

The Mayor of Gateshead's Charity Competition was great success with 48 participating anglers raising £700.00 pounds for the Tyne Rivers Trust. The event was won by Phil Green from Consett with 8 trout for 21lb 2ozs. Andy Kirsopp landed the largest fish a rainbow trout of 6lb 6ozs.

A cock salmon, estimated to weigh 37lb, from the Croy pool on the Duke of Northumberland's water at Countess Park on the North Tyne. It was caught on Sunday 13th September 2009 by Ashton Clanfield on a Blue Madonna fly and was returned to the water.

Angler Scale Sampling

The angler scale sampling 1n 2012 managed to collect 537 scale samples, 431 from salmon and 106 from sea trout, these were sent by 171 different anglers from 48 different beats. The Environment Agency would like to receive 600 samples from salmon and 200 samples from sea trout. Additionally brown trout scale samples are much needed, samples from all sizes above 6 inches/15 cms will give essential information on age groups and distribution. What we are looking for is a representative sample of the fish that are caught, so we want samples from big fish, small fish, fresh fish, kelts and your normal, everyday fish!

Information sheets (pdfs)
• Procedure for Collecting Scales
• Scale Sampling Report 2008

If you would like further details about the scheme or some scale packets please call 0191 203 4140 or email morton.heddell-cowie@environment-agency.gov.uk