Yorkshire Water will today (Tuesday 16 March, 2010) begin its annual fishery restocking programme which will it add 12,000lb of trout – equivalent to the weight of a male killer whale – to its already burgeoning fisheries in the Washburn Valley.
In what is sure to have anglers everywhere ‘trouting for joy’, and with the fishing season kicking off in earnest on Thursday 25 March, the company will add a huge number of rainbow and blue trout to its waters on a regular basis between now and the end of the fishing season in November.
Colin Winterburn, warden for Yorkshire Water’s Washburn Valley sites, comments: “Our fisheries have never looked better and with the promise of plenty more trout to be added to our water over the next eight months, anglers and fishing enthusiasts alike can look forward with baited breathe to a great season ahead.”
So far the largest recorded rainbow trout catch came in 2006 when a 14lb specimen was landed – though with rumours aplenty that monster trout are to be found at all three sites, this record looks unlikely to stand the test of time.
From Thursday 25 March both Swinsty and Fewston reservoirs will be open seven days a week between 7.30am and one hour before sunset.
And bird enthusiasts also have something to look forward to this Spring, with the expected return of a number of migratory bird species to the Washburn Valley in March. Fish eating Osprey’s may be seen taking advantage of the valley’s plentiful supply of food, whilst willow warbler’s and chiff chaff’s should be visible in the woodlands that surround the reservoirs as they set up their summer homes.
Colin adds: “After a slow start owing to the cold weather, the Washburn Valley is now buzzing with animal activity, with lots of species flitting around as they begin their preparations for the start of the breeding season in April.”
For more information on Yorkshire Water’s Washburn Valley fisheries, details of on-site tuition, equipment sales and hire and competitions, contact the Swinsty fishing office on 01943 880658 or visit yorkshirewater.com/recreation
