Angling: Rain dance pays off on the Tyne; HOOKED.

Byline: FRESHWATER ANGLING By DAVID CARRICK

HEAVY rain has kick-started sport on our rivers, with fish caught on the South Tyne as far upriver as Haltwhistle.

The North Tyne has also had good sport on several of the private beats, which has included salmon and sea trout.

Some good runs have taken the fish pat Riding Mill, with around 3,500 counted through last month.

Meanwhile, west coast rivers Eden and Border Esk also had excellent water levels, which resulted in good runs of fish.

On the Esk, two salmon of 13lb 8oz and 11lb were caught, as well as an 8lb sea trout on the Fauld and Burnfoot beat.

Tim Bacon from Cheshire landed a 13lb 8oz salmon fishing TAS Waters at Longtown, while the Buccleuch Estates fishing has produced fine fish, including a superb 18lb 8oz salmon caught by Neil Bird from Gretna on the Lower Liddle.

Chris Elliott had two fresh sea trout and then [e-mail] changed to spinning tactics and caught a 20lb salmon while fishing the Willow Pool.

Good runs of sea trout and salmon have entered the Border Esk, making it worth a visit - especially for night sea trout fishing. Contact (013873) 81951.

NORTHUMBERLAND Estates, in conjunction with Chatton Trout Fishery, will be holding a fly fishing competition in aid of the Help the Heroes charity.

The charity was formed in 2007 to raise money for servicemen and women wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Money is being raised to improve facilities at Headley Court Rehabilitation Centre.

The competition will be held at Chatton Trout Fishery for a period of eight calendar weeks from Saturday.

Cost of entry will be pounds 2 per head above the normal entry fee. Anglers can enter as many times as they like, but only one fish per session can qualify for the competition. Each catch must be photographed and entered in the record book. Great prizes are up for grab. Contact the fishery for details.

THREE North East anglers have been selected to fish for England in next year's World Fly Fishing Championships in Scotland.

They are Howard Croston from Alnwick, Simon Robinson from Whickham and Wallsend rod Dave Parker.

The competition takes place next June on the River Tay, Loch Leven, Lake of Menteith, Carron Valley and Loch Awe.

In addition, Simon Robinson and John Horsey have been selected to represent England in the European Championship to be held in Killarney, Ireland, next September.

NORTHUMBRIAN Water's wild trout fisheries performed well this week with A McRindle returning around 30 wild brown trout to 2lb 4oz at Balderhead Reservoir. Selset Reservoir has also fished really well, with small traditional patterns the best bet.

CAPTION(S):

CAP THIS: Richard Smith used a Brown Diawl Bach to tempt this 141b 10oz rainbow caught at Stonebridge Lakes; POWER FISHING: 10-year-old Aaron Tiffin with the lovely 8lb 8oz rainbow he caught on worm and Powerbait from the South Bank at Derwent Reservoir