Angling: Sharpley beauties falling to black; GAME Angling.

Byline: GEORGE MACINTYRE

THERE were plenty of decent bags at Sharpley Springs/Waters this week and any colour of fly would do - as long as it was black.

Buzzers, Snatchers, Zonkers and Woolly Buggers all took fish with a slow figure-of-eight retrieve or wind-blown swing.

Mid-water offerings proved the most effective, though trout invariably fell to the bung and deep nymph approach. Bloodworms and Blobs can usually be relied upon, too, when presented like this.

Fish rising to drifting brown midge on the Doxford and Hangman's lakes were tempted to take even the buoyant flies used to support Buzzers.

Ryan Barrow, from Coxhoe, was one of several anglers to report big bags again this week, bringing 31 to the net. Joe Forster, from Birtley, was also among the fish, netting 21 on Black Buzzers.

Martin Ruddick, from Gateshead, used a Zonker to net a fine 10-pounder while Malcolm Proudfoot also found himself among the big fish, landing rainbows of 13lb and 10lb.

FLY BOX

Black Buzzer, Black Fritz, Black Snatcher, Black Zonker, Black Woolly Bugger, Bloodworm, Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear, Blobs.

GEORGE MACINTYRE

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