Sweethope Lough

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Sweethope Lough is a renowned Northumbrian stillwater located between Knowesgate, Kirkwhelpington and Ridsdale in the Northumberland hills. When you mention Sweethope Lough fly fisherman will tend to think of large, hard fighting rainbow trout. The fishery is well regarded in the angling press and has a loyal customer base from across the North East, Cumbria and Southern Scotland.

I first visited Sweethope Loch in 1990. I hoped to catch a 15lb Rainbow Trout. Since then I have visited the fishery in Northumberland on more occasions than I could remember. I am still to land a monster trout but have amassed more blanks than I would wish. I have fished both boat and bank, tried dries and wets, fast sinkers and floaters, retrieved quickly and slowly but am yet to figure out how to catch fish regularly at Sweethope Loch.

Has anyone any tips to help me get the best from a trip to the Wannies?

4 thoughts on “Sweethope Lough”

  1. Pingback: Probably, The Worst Fly Fisherman In The World - Fly Fishing

  3. SUNDERLAND ANGLING SHOW
    The first Sunderland Angling Show, which is being sponsored by Sunderland City Council, is planned for Friday, Saturday and Sunday 15th, 16th and 17th April, 2011. The show will be open to the public and will feature Game, Coarse, Carp and Sea Angling. Also on display will be boats and kayaks.

    As we have a meeting with Sunderland City Council on 7th December, I would very much appreciate if you could let us know if this will be of interest to your Company.

    Prices to exhibitors have been kept to a minimum as, although a good attendance is expected from the North East, Midlands and Scotland, the numbers of visitors to the show are an unknown quantity – this being the first show of it’s kind in the North East of England.

    The venue for the show is the Seaburn Centre, which is situated on the sea front at Seaburn and permission has been granted by the Sunderland City Council for casting demonstrations to be held on the beach just across the road. An area of the beach will be closed off for this purpose.

    There are hundreds of free car park spaces and the area is well serviced by public transport. There are also numerous cafes and restaurants close to the Centre, as well as several hotels and B & B’s.

    There is very good access for companies wishing to bring boats into the Centre, the entrance from the rear of the building being 13 ft x 13 ft.

    Prices for exhibition spaces are for the three days (not per day). For spaces around the perimeter of the Centre, which are 10 ft deep x 12 ft wide the cost is £180. Areas 12 ft deep x 12 ft wide and also 10 ft deep x 14 ft wide will be £200. There are also a limited number of spaces 30 ft x 30 ft in the centre of the hall, which will be £400 for the three days. Prices include electricity and also tables and chairs.

    Exhibitors will be able to set up on Thursday 14th and take down on Monday 18th.

    The venue is about one mile from the Sunderland Marina and companies wishing to put boats into the marina will be able to make their own arrangements. About the same distance away is Roker beach, which is inside the harbour and Companies wishing to demonstrate kayaks will be able to do so there.

    I hope that this is of interest to your Company and look forward to hearing from you.

    Sam Harris
    Angling Journalist and Broadcaster
    BBC Radio Newcastle
    Newcastle Evening Chronicle

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