Last updated 09:39, Friday, 04 July 2008

A THIRTY minute fight resulted in a Hexham man overcoming his hefty opponent.

Aaron Meyler (27) struggled for half an hour to reel in the 25lb salmon that he caught in the South Tyne near Fourstones last Wednesday.

Mr Meyler, who works in the fly fishing department at Orvis Company Store, and as a casting instructor, was overwhelmed by his catch of the day.

He has been fishing since the age of four, but has never encountered triumph like this before.

He said: “It is probably the biggest fish I have ever caught; a personal best.

“It is a very nice experience to catch such a large fish. They just don’t come along very often.”

The large salmon was caught coming off a flood on an Abu Toby spoon, on a spinning rod.

Although not in the 25lb class, 10-year-old Aaron Tiffin was delighted with the fish he caught while fishing with his grandad at Blanchland’s Derwent Reservoir.

Aaron landed the 8lb 8oz fish on the south bank using the deadly combination of worm and orange Powerbait.

Fly anglers have commented on a high density of fish in the Bay of Plenty where the sheltered conditions and bank foliage offer the fish an excellent feeding ground.

This has led to anglers catching well on small traditional patterns such as the Bibio, Black and Peacock and Black Pennel.

Bait anglers are finding worm and Powerbait cocktail the best method.

Since the water level has dropped the anglers can now fish in front of the trees at Pow Hill and this always proves a hotspot at this time of year.

There are currently four tiger trout in the reservoir, each worth £200.

There will be a further Tiger stocked this week along with almost 2000 other fish. The prospects are looking good.