2010 - Review of 2009 and looking forward to new season 2010

2009 saw a better season compared with 2007 – 2008 which were two of the wettest summer’s on record. In addition to the luck of the weather, with all around efforts, we are pleased to see more and more anglers and clubs come and enjoy their days at Sweethope. It is clear that Sweethope is a unique place much favoured by sporting anglers and boating anglers, as well as by the clubs. It is also a well recognised the place to hold competitions.

Some of the highlights were:-

• 24% increase than previous year in anglers overall
• 96% increase than previous year in sporting anglers
• 39% increase than previous year in boating anglers
• 31.5% increase than previous year in the number of fish caught
• 3 National competitions held at Sweethope in 2009
• We welcomed 9 Angling Clubs to Sweethope

Some of the tales were:

Rods were bending throughout 2009 with the best fish weighing in at 15lb the angler in question broke his personal best record of the past 35 years of fishing, together with friend he had over 30 fish off the bottom lake, with another two weighing in between 8lb and 10lb, all were taken on lures. They visited our Caravan Club CL Site and told me they couldn’t wait to come in 2010, we look forward to seeing them again.

Two anglers who had a day they will never forget were Ken Nott and Bill Ashcroft from Gateshead who had not far short of 100 fish to the net and could have had more if they could have kept hold of them. OK we had only stocked the day before but this was sport you only see once in a lifetime.

The England Fly Fishing Team had a couple of days at Sweethope before they headed off over the Border to fish for their country in the World Open., they carried on their rod bending from Sweethope to Scotland and came home victorious taking gold in team and singles. Congratulations to Howard and the lads, keep it up for 2010.

2009 was the 10th anniversary of the Viscount Devonport Disabled Anglers Challenge funded by the estate. Once again great sport was had by the participants, and a lovely supper was enjoyed by all.

Then coping with the artic weather: During the longest lasting cold-spell for over thirty years (according to our local farmer), 4ft snowdrifts east and west of Sweethope prevented anybody coming in and going out, Rob had to move the family out by quad during one spell of extreme temperatures. Hat’s off to friends from the local farm and to the snow plough drivers, everything ended up OK, and we survived the worst winter in years.

Rob also told us another moving tale:

"On waking one morning going outside to feed the gathering flocks of birds 7 Blackbirds sat waiting with 8 Robins. If I am late they peck on the window waiting for their feed. Chaffinchs, Woodpeckers, Tree Creepers the range of the Tit family and a group of Pheasants all joined in the free feed with up to 70 birds on the car park one morning, Alfred Hitchcock could have written this!! On Sunday 24th Pheasants had again gathered in numbers on the car park, and if I had only waited a while you could have been looking at an amazing photo, a fox had spotted the gathering of birds and was walking from the West straight down the middle of the Top Lough. Unfortunately foxy spotted me and headed for cover. Later that day a lonely Heron sat in hope on the edge of the ice looking for food, probably the most patient angler that every visited Sweethope.


Yes, it’s a beautiful spot, come and try your luck at Sweethope, we look forward to welcoming you in 2010."


For 2010

The Fishery reopens on 1st March, however as we wrote this, both lakes are still frozen. It has been a long hard winter. When you come, you will notice that:-

• New oars for all boats all the way from Finland.
• Two new season tickets introduced which give a great saving on the new session prices. They could also be the best present for Mother’s/Father’s Day, or for any one’s Birthday. Details below.
• Heavy new stocking for start of season and weekly thereafter.


As you know we have held our prices for the past three seasons but due to significant increases in costs from our suppliers, we have no choice but to add a small increase on the ticket price for 2010. The session price is now £17. Please see our website for full details. New season tickets have been introduced which will give a saving of £60 on the 20 session season ticket (£3 per visit) and £200 on the 40 session season ticket (£5 per visit).

If anyone would like further information on the Holiday Cottages on the small Lough, please telephone the fishery; similarly for the Caravan Club CL site, which is proving very popular in all seasons.

We hope all our anglers old and new will come and enjoy what we offer, excellent fishing in the beautiful surroundings at Sweethope.

We would like to thank all our anglers and many helpers for their loyalty in 2009 and look forward to welcoming you in the new season.



Tight Lines for 2010.
Sweethope Team.

Click here to view previous Annual Reports