Time to start thinking of BN's jollydays. Mrs BN, me and the bowwow are off to Embleton in Northumberland in a couple of months. I've spotted Fontburn reservoir on Google earth and from what I can make out about it it's an any method water. Any body fished it? Any good? Anything other than brownies and rainbows in there? Any other waters local to the Alnwick area? As always all tips gratefully received........................birdsnest

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Fear not if I steal from your side, as of yore, from paradise streams to fish Teifi once more.
BN based in Wolverhampton

I've not fished Fontburn in years, it used to be a good water but not sure what its like now. Its an NWL water and it is any method.

Chatton is close to where your staying and well worth a look.

Welcome to Chatton Trout Fishery

Coldingham and whinney loch are about 45minutes drive from you.

http://www.coldinghamloch.co.uk/

Sweethope is not too far away either, great water.

http://www.sweethope.co.uk/

And Keilder is just over an hour away.

I used to fish fontburn allot before it came any method. I feel they have ruined a great water. Things may have changed since I last fished it so I may be proven wrong.

I have seen some huge fish taken from there, well over the 20lb mark. Before my grandfather passed away he had 4 or 5 rainbows ranging from 18 to 23lb. There used to be a good mix of brown, rainbow and brook trout (That was many years ago).

My brother lives down that neck of the woods and fishes it from time to time in the summer. He says it is nothing like it used to be.

I would recommend Kielder. It can be hard at times but a great water to explore on a boat or even the bank.

Sweethope is also a good water.

I'd second Kielder. Its my favourite NWL water. Great surroundings and loads of space. As 2604 says, it can be hard work though, I think it has the lowest rod average of all the NWL waters. Try Beeches Walk at Leaplish, Bull Crag (mainly in the summer) or down from Tower Knowle towards the Dam Wall. I think Hawkhope also fishes well, but I've not spent much fishing time on the north shore.

Get some more info here:

Northumbrian Water -

Just one other point, it can turn into the North Sea given the correct weather conditions. Not a water to visit on a windy day!

Try Caistron Lake. About 4 miles past Rothbury, near Thropton.

Beautiful spot and only about 45 mins from Embleton (one of my favourite haunts on the coast incidentally - stunning!).

See: Caistron Trout Fishery - Welcome to Caistron Trout Fishery - fishing lake northumberland

I agree with 2604 - Fontburn is not what it used to be. In fact I'm not a great fan of any of NWL's waters really but that's a personal choice thing.

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Cheers
Don

Another vote for chatton from me, and its under 20 miles from embleton, nice fishery, decent shop and bacon sarnies and cups of tea to boot

fontburn is where NWL grow their fish on and so is well stocked, but this and derwent are spoiled by the any method fishing..its just littered with empty worm and powerbait cartons..its never looks nice


sweethope feels slightly wilder than it is..its a lovely setting.

kielder is massive and not for the faint hearted, but there are cheap tickets for fishing kielder burn further up the valley, I think you can stuill get day tickets from the visitors centre in kielder village

Dont forget theres plenty of rivers available too.

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“Where the footprints end the fishing begins”

I know of the Coquet................what others?

Many thanks to all for the replies so far. They have certainly given me some ideas. Can't wait to put a fly over them.............birdsnest

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Fear not if I steal from your side, as of yore, from paradise streams to fish Teifi once more.
BN based in Wolverhampton

Used to go to School there many moons ago - Embleton's kind of my "family" village (aside from Chatton where the rest of my ancestors fill the churchyard!). Left there as a kid so can't help on the fishing but it's a nice walk along the beach to Dunstanburgh Castle and back before sundowners, or up to Bamburgh Castle is also good. Don't forget to check out the Hardy's factory shop in Alnwick and pick up some Craster Kippers to take home!.

You're not far from the Tyne or Tweed either......

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