Whilst the Tyne is famous for its salmon and sea trout fishing the quality trout fishing that is available is often overlooked.

Brown trout fishing is enjoyed by many anglers who seek both wild and stocked fish.

The wild brownie is numerous throughout the system with well conditioned fully finned fish giving excellent sport.

All age groups are represented with plenty of trout of a takeable size, although many rods return their catches.

Large trout are to be had, for example, 5lb trout from the River Derwent in 2006. More recently, on the Corbridge Try Fishing Day in July this year, 8-year-old Miss Dunlop landed a nice 1.5lb fish.

Good trout fishing is available on the North and South Tynes, the River Tyne, the Derwent and the Rede. The majority of fishing is for wild trout with some stocked brownies in the Derwent and the River Tyne. The stocked trout are of excellent quality. A selection of association waters with visitor permits offering a wide choice of fishing is readily available.

The Tyne Angling Passport Scheme offers a good selection of beats which can be fished on a day ticket from as little as £5.00.

The trout season on the Tyne commences on 22nd of March and ends on the 30th of September.

West Allen waterfall pool

2008 Report for the River Derwent

Last season was one of the wettest on record, with heavy rains leading to higher than normal river levels and discolouring the water.

Despite this, the Lower Derwent fished very well. Some prolific hatches were noted, particularly of large dark olives early in the season and some spectacular mayfly hatches in June as well as good hatches of blue winged olive and sedge during the summer.

Experienced anglers fishing smaller flies such as size 18 poly wing spinners and poly winged duns during the summer months, and Czech nymphs during the autumn, met with success.

One angler had tremendous sport during nine visits to the river. Fishing from June 18th until the 12th of October, Mr Dick reported 164 brown trout and 45 grayling. His returns included 32 very sporting brown trout over 12", the best trout was a fin-perfect fish of around 3½lbs, with other good trout to 2lbs.

The grayling were in excellent form with 11 fish well over 10"; the best was a fine fish of 15".

The Derwent offers some very absorbing fishing both dry fly and nymph and with greatly improving natural recruitment allied to good fly hatches is well worth a visit either as a visitor via the Tyne Angling Passport or as an association member.

For more information please contact Allan Dodd, 63 Sherburn Park Drive, Rowlands Gill, Tyne and Wear NE39 1QY. Email: allandodd@apdvaa.co.uk