Bessy Beck Open Days 16th and 17th June 2007
Rain didn’t stop play at the Bessy Beck Fishing weekend!
The first Bessy Beck Open fishing weekend at Newbiggin on Lune still attracted families and keen fishermen – despite the weather. All weekend there were casting demonstrations from some of the country’s best instructors and on Saturday the children’s bait fishing competition attracted entries from as far away as Ulverston.
Ian and Shelley Riddell decided to hold the Open weekend to mark the completion of refurbishment works at their Bessy Beck Trout Fishery. “We have just finished the kitchen and prep area and have just launched freshly frozen sea fish as an additional range. We thought the Open Weekend would be a good way to mark the occasion.” They added “we are very keen to introduce new fishermen to the sport and decided to include a children’s competition to encourage youngsters to take up the hobby at an early age”
Rain did not dampen the enthusiasm of the young fishermen who braved heavy showers all afternoon. Father and son Andrew and Mark Robinson travelled from Ulverston to take part in the event “It is a great way to spend Fathers Day weekend” said Andrew “Mark’s Mum has gone shopping to Leeds and we are having a real father and son day out!”
Tebay Anglers were on hand to provide instruction for the children, and for most participants, this was the first time they had ever fished; nearly all had the pure joy of catching at least one! Youngest fisherman of the day was 4 year old Carl Potter who came with his Dad, Mike - a keen member of Tebay Anglers. “Carl often comes with me when I fish and he has pestered me all week to bring him to Bessy Beck, it was a real thrill to watch him catch his first fish” said a proud Dad.
Another youngster on his first ever fishing trip was 10 year old Sam Morriss who came for the day with his parents Alison and Stephen from Ravenstonedale. “You can get fishing games on the new Nintendo Wee game, but it is much better for kids and much more exciting for them to get out in the open air and really experience it from themselves” said Alison. “The fact that they have stayed quiet and concentrated for so long, shows just how much they have got out of the day”
On both Saturday and Sunday experienced anglers were taking notes from some of England’s best instructors. Jeremy Lucas, the three times captain of the English Fly fishing team demonstrated trout casting along side Stuart Minnikan and Stuart Broadhurst, all three also gave valuable tuition to local fishermen from Tebay and Kirkby Stephen Anglers.
Neil Barcock, an AAPGAI qualified instructor from Cockermouth demonstrated salmon casting on Saturday afternoon and commented “It is great to be involved with a small Cumbrian Fishery that is really promoting the sport and it is especially good to see so many young fishermen having a go – it is quite rare to get so many youngsters together like this and I hope the Bessy Beck event is something that will continue.”
During the weekend there were three competitive events. The Children’s competition was won by Cameron Scott; second prize went to Mark Pattinson and third prize was awarded to Daniel Potter. The Bessy Beck Open Fly fishing competition was won by Chris Little from Penrith.
On Sunday the first fish of the day was caught by Daniel Clements aged 10 and it landed him the third prize in the Bessy Beck Open Dry Fly competition which was eventually won by Cliff Charlton.
Kirkby Stephen Anglers were on hand to help with the Target Casting competition and it was an appropriate Father’s Day win for Sarki and his son Arun Tamang, winning both the adult and children’s events. Both are keen fishermen who travelled from Windermere Father’s Day outing.
In addition to the competitions there were demonstrations on smoking fish from Jo Hampson as well as displays from The Lune Habitat Group, Newton Rigg Gamekeepers and the Eden Rivers Trust.
Bessy Beck is open every day except Monday from 8am until dusk and can provide rods and flies for anglers of all abilities to have a go.
Anyone interested in fishing at Bessy Beck can contact Ian and Shelley Riddell on 015396 23303, email enquiries@bessybecktrout.co.uk or visit the website at www.bessybecktrout.co.uk
