The Ghurkha Match

The Ghurkha started off in the 1970's on the Tyne but, following Keilder's impact when the coarse fish population of the river was almost wiped out and the annual match won with only ounces of minnows, the venue switched first to the Wear and then the QE2.
Now, thanks to action from the E.A. and lobbying from the TAA the Tyne coarse fish population is now recovered enough to see the match return to it's source.

2005 Result

TAA organiser Steve Hoggins at Bywell about to pounce on another dace during the match.

Almost Forty anglers contested Sunday's Ghurkha Open which returned to the Tyne for the first time in over ten years. The Charity Match organised by the member clubs that make up The Tyne Anglers Alliance, raised £735 for The Ghurkha Welfare Trust, thanks largely to a £500 donation from local bait company Strikemore Baits of Matfen.

Conditions on the day were fair but a blustery wind made angling difficult as local anglers filled most of the placings. Winner was Dave Souders from Big Waters A.C, with 9 lb 5 oz followed by Newcastle angler Jeff Webster with 7 lb 2 oz, and Trev Walker of Blyth with 6 lb 4 oz was third. Another Big Waters A.C. angler Steve Lackenby was 4th with 5 lb 12 oz ahead of 5th placed Graeme Skirrey from Turners Tackle on 4 lb 5 oz, whilst sixth place went to the E.A. Tyne Open match winner Graeme Jones, with 3 lb 10 oz.

Yet again no eels were caught and only a handful of roach turned up with dace, gudgeon and chublets making up the weights. The TAA would like to thank Steve Hoggins for his invaluable time and energy in putting the match together and the Northumbrian Anglers Federation and Wylam A.C. for giving up their water for the day, as well as the sponsors and participants who's actions ensured that the Tyne will remain as the venue for this oldest of local Coarse Fishing Opens next year.