COLD TEMPERATURES and short days have kept visiting numbers low at Witton Castle Lakes through the month of January. Although a number of hardy souls have braved the fresh conditions to enjoy their sport - and in the main those anglers have not been local regulars but have travelled from further afield to try their hand on new waters.

One of the regular visitors, R.Adams has been successful on a number of visits and has had bags of 11, 10 and 6 fish. D.Tompes has also been consistent with bags of 11 and 8. Other notable anglers for January have been D.Jones and D.Smith both with creditable bags of 6 fish each.

Some of the more impressive catches have been 2 fine 2lb specimens caught by R.Grimshaw.

A number of flies have proved successful in the colder weather including CDC, buzzer, blobs and hares ear although a standout performer has to be blood worm - which has had more success than the other regular flies put together.

On more than one occasion the volunteer/manager on duty has had to make the decision to close up for the day, either due to poor weather condition or just no anglers using the lakes.

On one of theses occasions it had been a night of such extreme cold the lakes had actually frozen over, so the decision was made not to open for that day. Upon a second look he noticed two swans on one of the lakes and not moving - they were stuck fast in the ice, how long for, we don’t know. Our intrepid boatsman took to the water in the Lakes Launch to free the helpless, and no doubt grateful, birds.

Because of the adverse seasonal weather we would advise those anglers wishing to fish the lakes to please call the lodge beforehand to check on conditions and possible changes in our Friday to Sunday opening times.

Submitted by Witton Castle Lakes