I am currently in dialogue with Paul Gaskell at the Trout in the Town initiative about the possibility of introducing Trout into the Ouseburn which runs through Jesmond, Heaton and Byker to the east of Newcastle upon Tyne.

I am looking for any interested bodies who would like to become involved in this project at the start.....

I hope to eventually secure the fishing rights to the Jesmond dene stretch through the founding of an angling association.

I have tentatively arranged a meeting with Paul Gaskell during the week of the next school half term (WC 24th October) as I am a teacher.

here is his latest email...

"Hi Lyle, just to try and work out availability; I wondered whether there is a school half term coming up? With the day lengths getting shorter it will be more difficult to get things done during daylight if we meet outside of school hours. Also, do you have a group of interested folks who would be willing to take forward any recommendations of a report? (as it would be good for some of them to come along as well if possible - as well as there being a means of turning any appropriate advice into action). All the best

Paul"

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"It is not how abundant nor how considerable our catch be, but rather to the sport, and manner in which our quarry, the noble trout is angled."
http://geordietrout.blogspot.com/

Hi Paul,

this is a very ambitious but interesting idea- I know the stream. My concerns would be if the water quality is good enough to sustain trout and if the invertebrate population could do the same. I can make some measurements of water quality with probes- of particular interest Dissolved oxygen which would reflect any issues with inputs which could be the major hurdle to the idea.

Some streams in the North East have naturally recovered and now hold quite sizable populations of trout- The Cong burn for example in Chester-le-street which runs through Waldridge Fell. 20 years ago this was pretty much dead but now has a thriving population of wild and unfished for brownies- (myself excepted).

Regards Jon.

Lylas,

I have vague recollections of the Ouseburn having been stocked with roach by the EA (or possibly even the NRA) in the nineties. This species would, I guess, be more tolerant of low dissolved oxygen content than the trout, but would be equally dependent on a viable invertebrate population in the stream. Unfortunately, as I again only vaguely remember, this project came to an untimely end due to a pollution incident before the fish had become established. I expect the industry and population in the catchment -which now includes the Great Park- is a constant threat to the Ouseburn.

Have you considered contacting the EA (not in a regulatory capacity, as I’m sure that’s a bridge that has to be crossed anyway), as there are [at least] three fisheries scientists, based at Tyneside House on Skinnerburn Road in Newcastle, that might be a good sounding board for your proposal. They might also have info on what stockings, etc., the Ouseburn has received in the past and its current water quality status.

The other organisation that I’m sure would be interested would be the Tyne Rivers Trust.

W_n_d

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Cheers W&D good advice.

ill get in touch with environment agency once we have the results of the water tests. Very interesting to hear it was stocked with roach a while back. Hope the pollutants have been eliminated. I cant see the local population or industry being a particular problem, certainly after seeing some of the successes the Trout in the Town initiatives have had.

You're right the tyne rivers trust should be contacted, in fact I think we will need all the help we can muster.

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"It is not how abundant nor how considerable our catch be, but rather to the sport, and manner in which our quarry, the noble trout is angled."
http://geordietrout.blogspot.com/

Lylas you can put my name down for any help that you need, since its just up the road from me it would be rude not to. I could probably find a few others that would be willing to help if need be.
Earlier in the year when i was walking the dogs through the Dene i turned over a few stones in the river and was quite surprised by the amount of shrimp clinging to them. I didnt have my seine net with me otherwise i would have done a more thorough kick sample.
Daryn

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“Where the footprints end the fishing begins”

Excellent Daryn the more the merrier.

I took some samples myself during the summer, that was what got me thinking. My only concern would be the amount of wears/waterfalls that there are. Still nothing ventured etc.

I have received some encouraging emails from the Trout in the Town initiative outlining the best way forward. I think it all swings on the water analysis we hope to have done soon.

In fact the best way for me to keep everyone up to speed with things would be if you could all Personal Message me with your Email address and I will put together a distribution list (Ouseburn Flyfishers ??).

Who knows, if the water is ok and the invertebrates are plentiful we could be fishing Geordie Trout in the heart of Newcastle.

__________________
"It is not how abundant nor how considerable our catch be, but rather to the sport, and manner in which our quarry, the noble trout is angled."
http://geordietrout.blogspot.com/

pm on the way soon.

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“Where the footprints end the fishing begins”

The Ea only stock with non spawning fish so they dont upset the eco system. unless this water is private and payed for i wouldnt get my hopes up!

It's 7 and I'm at the ouseburn walking the dog. There has been a large amount of what appears to be detergent released into the river. White foam completely covering everything from castle farm road bridge up stream. I was only just saying that I didn't believe pollution to be an issue! How ironic. I have reported this to the ea. If there were any fish in here there surely won't be for long. It's appalling. I'll upload some images when I get a decent signal.

__________________
"It is not how abundant nor how considerable our catch be, but rather to the sport, and manner in which our quarry, the noble trout is angled."
http://geordietrout.blogspot.com/

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__________________
"It is not how abundant nor how considerable our catch be, but rather to the sport, and manner in which our quarry, the noble trout is angled."
http://geordietrout.blogspot.com/