Sugar Sands and Howdiman Sands
There are two distinctly different bays within 200 yards of each other. They have different properties and produce fish under varied conditions. There is always somewhere to fish at any state of the tide, a big advantage for actual fishing time. It is also a very beautiful unspoilt locaton with very few visitors considering it is easy to get to. It is the jewel in the crown of Northumberlad fishing venues.
Sugar Sands
There are three distinct areas to fish. The north skear which has an excellent write up in the Top marks section. The steeply shelving beach is well worth a shot over high water especially after dark when the sea is bouncing in, churning up the worm beds. Then there is the southern skear the more favoured spot with the roving anglers, you only need go half way up the boulder strewn skear and fish along the fine fingers of rock that slope gently into the bay. Cast straight across the bay on to mixed ground and expect fish up to 10lb
Howdiman Sands
Known to the locals as Crowlea Beach - ( Named after the road )
The sea-bed here is much less forgiving and more end tackle will be lost but on a dying or coloured sea more fish are likely to be caught than in Sugar Sands bay. There are offshore skears that protect this bay making it possible to fish here on a very big sea. The size of the tide does not seem to alter the quality of the fishing.
Where to park:
Driving south through Longhoughton village , take the first left after the Spar ( Crowlea Rd. ). Carry on this minor road passed the farm buildings and down to the gate. You can either park just the other side of the gate, less than 100 yards in front of you is howdimans bay. Alternatively, through the gate take the left-handside track for 100 yards and park above Sugar Sands bay
[Edited on 17/9/2005 by alan.f]
