THE future of the best salmon fishing river in England is in good hands.

For a new generation of anglers are starting to populate the banks of the River South Tyne.

Over the past year, pupils at Haltwhistle Community Campus have been taking part in weekly sessions with the Haltwhistle Satellite Hub Club.

The club is run in conjunction with Haltwhistle and District Angling Association, with coaching provided by family team Carole, David and Ian Sanderson.

There was double delight for the young fishing enthusiasts this week, after two special deliveries to the campus’ upper school.

The first saw 200 eggs arrive from Kielder Salmon Centre, with the school’s pupils given the task of placing them into a temperature-controlled tank.

Rothbury angler Kevin Dawson provided the equipment for the project and was on hand to give a presentation to pupils on Tuesday morning.

The hatching process will begin in about 10 days’ time and four weeks later, the youngsters will transfer the fish into the Tyne.

The school’s year 5 pupils will be studying the life cycle of a salmon as part of the project.

The second delivery was 10 spinning rods and reels for the school’s fishing club members, financed by the Northumbria Police Charities Fund.

David Stobbart, secretary of Haltwhistle and District Angling Association, said: “The annual broodstock is a big thing for the Tyne and it’s great to see the children getting involved.

“Over the past 10 months, they have been attending tuition on various waters, as well as learning how to tie flies within the school premises.

“The Sandersons have worked very hard voluntarily, and it has been well-received by the children, who have shown a lot of enthusiasm.”

The satellite hub club has received funding from Northumberland Sport, a regional roll-out of the Sports England programme.

Weekly sessions during the fishing season have been complemented by visits to New Mills Trout Fishery at Brampton and elsewhere.

Four young fishing club members received special honours for their achievements.

Nathon Ivison picked up an award for best fly caster; Archie Richardson was named best fly dresser; Josh Mitchinson was rewarded for being the ‘most improved’ while Johnnie Redden was ‘most consistent.’

Sandra Graham, acting head at the campus’ upper school, said: “There has been a lot of interest in learning about the salmon and the hatching process.

“It’s great for the pupils to play a hands-on role with the eggs being in school, and of course the fishing club has gone from strength to strength.”