HAVING seen recent adverts by Northumbrian Water Authority urging people to use its reservoirs, I decided to go to Grassholme Reservoir, in Teesdale.

I was accompanied by a friend, who is new to fishing, and my intention was to teach him how to catch some fish.

We purchased two permits costing more than £20, and preceded to have a peaceful day’s fishing, myself as the tutor and my friend as the pupil.

Having caught my quota of eight fish, I decided to concentrate on my friend’s education, because he had only caught six.

After his next bite, I showed him how to reel in properly, and how to use a priest, before placing the fish into his bag.

At this point a nice day turned sour when I was ordered off the water, and had all my fish confiscated, plus the one we had just caught.

There was no chance of an explanation. I was reported and banned from all reservoirs run by Northumbrian Water.

How do Northumbrian Water expect people to learn to fish, if friends can’t show them?

I hope they take notice of my ruined day out and stop treating their customers like criminals.

G Walker, Spennymoor.