Catch Returns

The catch returns process relies on every angler completing a form after each fishing visit. This data helps underpin the club’s stocking strategy so members, guests and visitors please make every effort to submit your catch returns within 24 hours of fishing. 

Please include whether the fish are wild or stocked. For 2021 and 2022 fish the Catch Return Instructions below show the type of adipose fin clipping used to identify the year the fish was stocked. Since then none of the stock fish had adipose fins clipped but stock fish are usually obviously different from wild fish. Your best estimate for length and weight is fine, much better to release the fish in good condition.

Several members have suggested it would be helpful to have a length to weight conversion table. If you click on this link it will take you to a useful PDF produced by Durham Fly Fishing for this purpose. There is a simple conversion table on the reverse of the membership card for normal condition fish.

I plan to upload monthly Blogs of the catch return data for the 2026 season.

Catch Return Instructions

The catch returns will be totalled up by beat and will help determine stocking volumes. It therefore goes without saying that if catches are not reported then it is unlikely that the beat will be re-stocked appropriately.

Our on-line catch return form works on mobiles and tablets as well. Simply fill in the required fields and click 'Submit'. I would appreciate having the start and end times entered in 24hr format as it makes analysis much easier. Please also complete a new line for each fish. I appreciate this may seem tedious if you have caught a lot of fish but it is the only way I can be sure that all fish caught are recorded in the ultimate analysis for the Blog and the AGM.