ANGLERS have been taking the chance to hook shoals of super trout in Northern reservoirs and rivers.

As the fishing season gets under way, experts have predicted that anglers will have a bumper year after months of being starved of their sport because of foot-and-mouth disease.

The reason is that thousands of rainbow and brown trout were undisturbed for most of last year, as the region was faced with restrictions.

This has made them slimmer, fitter and more difficult to catch.

In the Derwent Reservoir, near Consett, County Durham, there are an extra 8,000 trout waiting to be hooked - and another 35,000 will be introduced during the season, which ends on November 30.

Northumbrian Water has published a free 18-page pocket-sized guide, with information for the trout and coarse angler planning visits to its ten leading North-East fisheries this season.

For copies, contact (01434) 250312.

The guides can also be found at fishing tackle shops and angling clubs.