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GAME FISHING IN TEESDALE AT BLACKTON

By Paul Kane

In last months issue of Fish and Fly, I did a profile on Hury Reservoir in the Baldersdale area of Teesdale, now that the season is well under way, I had a day out at one of the other Baldersdale waters, Blackton.

Living in Teesdale I find that I am spoilt for choice when it comes to still water fishing, but at times my choices are influenced by Northumbria Water, as they allow both fly and worm fishing at some of their waters, but Blackton is not one of them. This water offers some superb sport, with a good stock of both browns and rainbows, already this season a brown of 5lb has been caught.

When I arrived it was an overcast morning, with a little mist still lying over the water and a slight breeze, there were half a dozen other anglers fishing by the time I got to the water, but no fish had been caught. Having read the last weeks reports on the water, the local bailiff was advocating black flies on a floating line, ever the one to take good advice, as were the other anglers there, I set up with a team of black spiders, a floating line, fishing about a quarter of the way down the north shore. A good three quarters of an hour passed, and not a touch, it was time for a change, still black though, but this time size 14 tadpoles, three or four casts and I was into the first of the day, a fit rainbow around 2lbs.

In the next hour another two rainbows around the same weight, and the morning was turning into a good one, but alas I was counting my chickens a bit to quickly, the breeze stiffened and the sun popped its head out and things just ground to a halt, not another thing before lunch.

After a sandwich or two it was time for another crack, I moved further down the north shore, almost to the nature reserve boundary, in fact near to Birk Hat farm, one time home of that famous Baldersdale resident Hannah Hauxwell. Still sticking to the black flies, I tried my luck with a Pennell, and managed a couple of touches but nothing banked, it was beginning to turn into one of those afternoons, and stick at it as I did, working my way through the fly box, and some line variations, I caught not another thing.

By the time it reached around four o'clock I'd had about enough and admitted my day was done, walking back along the shore, some of the other lads had the odd fish but nothing in great numbers, even those who had moved away from the black flies and tried other patterns, had little success.

I have fished Blackton many times and had a good number of bag limits, and although the day petered out don't let this stop you trying Blackton, as with all fisheries, weather conditions as the day develops will effect your sport, sometimes for the better, unfortunately this was not one of them.

For the first time visitor, getting to fish at Blackton my seem a little complicated, tickets for the water must be purchased at Hury Reservoirs ticket machine, at the north shore car park, anglers then drive around to Blackton, via the south shore of Hury, following the single track road and through the steel gate, signing in at the Blackton fishing lodge before they start their days sport, but don't let this put you off, it sounds more complex than it is, there will always be an angler around to keep you on the right track.

As I said fishing at Blackton is fly only from the bank, it's £15.00 for six fish, and fishing is from 6am until 1 hour after dusk, there is also an evening ticket from 4.30. I used mainly black flies on this trip, such as Pennells, Spiders and Tadpoles, but other popular patterns used at Blackton include, Silver Butcher and Kate McClaren, Hoppers also prove themselves a popular pattern and on still das dry flies can be effective.

All in all it wasn't a bad day, and I will be back at Blackton before the season is over, as will many others, both locals and visitors, who appear to find this the best of the Teesdale waters.

The local anglers are a friendly bunch, who will try their best to give you sound advice and help. If you would like more information on fishing at Blackton you can contact me at the email address below, or Northumbria Waters warden for the area Jeff Sage on (0191) 383 2222.

Paul Kane is a game angler & writer based in Teesdale, County Durham, you can email Paul at revelin.c@virgin.net for more information on fishing in the Teesdale area.