If you are coming to Rutland Water and you need some where to stay visit the Noel at Whitwell on the edge of Rutland Water, situated on the A606 between Oakham and Stamford. The Noel is under New management and Claire and Mark will be pleased to see you. so give them a call on. 01780 460347. Please mention Ziggy from Rutland gillies when calling
Week ending 20th July 2008
Fish week 616 (season 21,828) returns 248 (6,356) rod average 2.48(3.43)
Boat anglers fared best last week as bank angling steadied due to the south west winds. The best boat areas were the main basin with Manton Bay showing good numbers of stock fish along with good quantities of grown on fish in that area. The mouth of Hideaway Bay is also producing fish.
A lot of fish are feeding on daphnia so mini lures in various colours are working, black/green, orange etc. Nymphs are still producing with pheasant tails (crunchers), diawl bach and hares ear continuing to catch well. There have been hatches of buzzers, some of them microscopic whilst hatches of sedge and caenis are showing along many shorelines in the evening.
Dominic McAvoy and Kevin Conway from Hurlford in East Ayrshire had a good week boat fishing at Rutland Water. The two youngsters caught 32 fish in three days, including seven fish over 3lb. Kevin had the best Rainbow at 4lb 6oz whilst Dominic caught the best brown at 3lb 1oz, all but one fish amongst the rest caught were over 2lb.
Competition News
Tuesday Night Boat League
Tom turns up the heat!
Tom Cooper put pressure on the rest of the chasing pack last week. Winning a close match by just over a ten ounce margin ahead of second placed Si Gaines. In third, and still in the hunt for the overall title, was Tom’s brother Richard.
Results for week 10
1st Tom Cooper 4 fish for 9lb 4¼oz
2nd Si Gaines 4 fish for 8lb 10oz
3rd Richard Cooper 3 fish for 6lb 15oz
Best fish 3lb 4oz was taken by Roger McCarthy.
League Placings
1st Tom Cooper 49 points
2nd Richard Cooper 42 points
3rd = Keith Jones 35 points
Chris Evans 35 points
5th Gary Cooper 31 points
6th Leon Smith 17 points
There are still four weeks of the boat league to go with plenty of scope for league positions to change.
2,000 more Rainbows were stocked last week with plenty of fish to go at.
Looking forward to August, Anglian Water is hosting a four man team event on Wednesday 20 August, fished under traditional Loch Style rules. This is open to everyone so why not enter your own team? Call the fishing lodge on 01780 686441 for details.
Best methods Bank anglers - floating line and midge tips with nymphs and lures. Boat anglers – as for bank but include slow sink lines.
Best rainbow 4lb 12oz taken by M Blane of Towcester
Best boat areas Main basin, Manton Bay
Best bank areas Normanton Church to the dam (late evening is best).
Mid week boat winner S Fraser of Dalkeith, Midlothian
Fish stocked 2,000
Forthcoming events Tuesday evening boat league - book in from 5.15pm
Anglian Water Loch Style 4 man team 20 August
Beginners courses - 30 July; 16, 20, 23 & 30 August; 13, 17, 20 & 28 September; 5 & 18 October
For more information on the above events please
telephone the fishing lodge on 10780 686441
Week ending 14th July 2008
Fish week 988 (season 21,212) returns 335 (6108) rod average 2.9 (3.5)
Boat anglers are catching well during the day, with bank anglers taking fish in the late evening with lots of fish showing along the Normanton bank close in, when conditions are right.
Limit bags were taken throughout the week and showed good numbers of rainbows around the 3 to 4lb being taken. Fish are mainly feeding on daphnia and small buzzers with one or two on snails.
The best area recently has been the main basin, however Warden, Paul Friend fished Manton bay and caught 8 nice rainbows, fishing on the rudder.
One or two anglers tried their luck there at the weekend and caught some cracking fish on nymphs, including the winning boat fishing the over 50’s match on Saturday.
Water clarity is very good at the moment with the unusually cool weather for July and the weed beds starting to appear around the reservoir should hold plenty of food to keep good numbers of fish close to the bank.
The weekend of 19/20 July is a busy one with practice for the Northern Final of the Anglian Water Fulling Mill International competition being held on Monday 21 July. Boats are limited so please book before travelling.
Competition News
Tuesday Night Boat League
Chris Evans of Stamford rejoined the title race in the boat league taking seven fish on a difficult night fishing the main basin, Chris shared a boat with Roger Mc McCarthy of Melton Mowbray who came third.
Gary Cooper of Empingham, who is also in contention, took second spot, Keith Jones of Northborough took fourth place earning three points, whilst Gary’s son Richard gained another valuable two points with a fifth place on the night.
Results for week 9
1 Chris Evans 7 fish 18lb 5oz
2 Gary Cooper 5 fish 8lb 11oz
3 Roger McCarthy 3 fish 7lb 6oz
League Placings
1 Tom Cooper 39 points
2 Richard Cooper 37
3 Chris Evans 35
4 Keith Jones 35
5 Gary Cooper 31
6 Leon Smith 17
Over 50’s Match
Your never to old in this game. Being the wrong side of fifty didn’t stop 28 young at hearts from catching 134 fish for a rod average of 4.7 on what turned out to be quite a blustery day for most that fished. The majority choose to fish the main basin and had to contend with a big wave for most of the day. However it was Ken Moore and Dai Gingell from Chorley who won the match, fishing in the calmer conditions of Manton bay. Fishing nypmphs under the bung the pair weighed in 16 fish for an impressive 38lb 12oz. Not far behind were the winners from the previous tow years, Jim Watts of Ryhall and Stuart Hume of Co. Durham, followed by Jon Marshall of Oakham and John Emerson of Northampton in third spot.
1 Dai Gingell & Ken Moore with 16 fish for 38lb 12oz
2 Jim Watts & Stuart Hume with 16 fish for 36lb 9oz
3 Jon Marshall & John Emerson with 16 fish for 34lb 8oz.
Best methods: Bank: floating line with nymphs or dries
Boat: As above but include various sinking lines with mini-lures, orange, black, gold/silver.
Best rainbow 5lb 2oz taken by Terry Oliver
Best boat areas Main basin, aerators, Manton Bay
Best bank areas Normanton Church to the Dam
Mid week boat winner Season ticket holder, Peter Harradine of Orton Wistow
Fish stocked 3875
Forthcoming events Tuesday evening boat league - book in from 5.15pm
Anglian Water Fulling Mill Northern Final 21 July 50 boats booked
Anglian Water Loch Style 4 man team 20 August
Beginners courses - 20 & 30 July; 16, 20, 23 & 30 August; 13, 17, 20 & 28 September; 5 & 18 October
For more information on the above events please
telephone the fishing lodge on 10780 686441
Week ending 6th July 2008
Fish week 1007 (season 20,224) returns 333 (5,773) rod average 3.02 (3.5)
Boat anglers are finding fish out in the open water in the main basin. Whilst bank anglers have had good sport in the late evening on the Normanton bank. Good numbers of limits came out last week with boat anglers taking fish well in the Main Basin. All methods are working from floating lines down to medium sink lines fished with mini lures, boobies, wet flies and nymphs. Anglers are taking good numbers of fish in the 3 to 4lb bracket. The best fish of the week weighed in at 6lb 2oz during the Scierra Pairs Competition last Saturday.
Bank anglers caught well in the evenings last week with fish moving in close after sunset. Small nymphs and dries proved to be the best method.
Competition News
Tuesday Night Boat League week 6
Exciting times at the top of the league. Empingham’s Tom Cooper tops the table with an eight fish limit including the best fish of the night weighing 4lb ¼oz. Keith Jones was second with Tom’s brother Richard taking third place. The 18 anglers who fished the league this week saw plenty of action with 64 fish caught in approximately three hours of fishing.
1st Tom Cooper 8 fish for 21lb 9oz
2nd Keith Jones 8 fish for 19lb 15oz
3rd Richard Cooper 8 fish for 18lb 10oz
League table following week 6
1st Tom Cooper 39 points
2nd Richard Cooper 35 points
3rd Keith Jones 32 points
4th equal Gary Cooper 24 points
Chris Evans 24 points
6th Leon Smith 17 points
With six matches still to go there is plenty of opportunity to join in this popular league. Just turn up at the lodge from 5 o’clock onward, the draw takes place at 5.50pm.
RAF Interleague versus the Greylags
131 Fish were caught by 27 anglers with an excellent rod average of 4.9 and an average fish size of 2lb 8oz. Central League’s Mal Bruce, was the top individual with a time bonus - 8 fish for 25lb 7oz. Peter Gover, from Empingham, had a good day fishing for the Greylags, notching up seven fish for 17lb 1oz.
RAF versus EFFA
32 Anglers caught 163 fish with a terrific rod average of 5.1. The RAF won. It was extremely close at the top with only 1oz dividing the top individuals. Roy Dixon of EFFA had 8 fish for 19lb 12oz with Ian Baker of the RAF weighing in 8 fish for 19lb 11oz. Ian Baker, did however, have the best fish – a 3lb 15oz Rainbow.
Scierra Pairs
The blustery winds on Saturday 5 July caused challenging conditions. The top six pairs qualified for a place in the final on 30 August at Rutland Water.
1st Dave Sommers & Mick Harby 11 fish for 23lb 11oz
2nd Ron Gent & Paul Shaw 9 fish for 22lb 10oz
3rd David Lang & Mike Gunnell 9 fish for 21lb 13oz
4th Ashley Davis & Thomas Davis 10 fish for 21lb 5oz
5th Steve Cullen & Steve Carew 9 fish for 20lb 11oz
6th Laurence Foster & Paul Kirkham 8 fish for 17lb 15oz
Best methods Bank anglers – floating line with nymphs and dries
Boat anglers – floating line to medium sink lines. Nymphs, blobs, boobies and sparklers
Best rainbow 6lb 2oz
Best boat areas The main basin
Best bank areas Normanton church to the dam. Fish are moving in late evening.
Mid week boat winner Gordon English of Chingford, London
Fish stocked 5,875
Forthcoming events Tuesday evening boat league Book in from 5.15pm
Anglian Water Over 50’s match 12 July
Anglian Water Fulling Mill Northern Final 21 July 50 boats booked
Anglian Water Loch Style 4 man team 20 August
beginners courses 13,20,27 & 30 July and other dates throughout the season
Week ending 29th June 2008
Fish week 736 (season 19,217) returns 322 (5,440) rod average 2.28(3.53)
Variable weather conditions have influenced sport with light winds on Monday and fish rising in most areas in the evening giving way to strong south west/ westerlies throughout the rest of the week.
Boat anglers fared best out in front of the fishing lodge right down towards the dam. Rudder anglers enjoyed the best sport on Wednesday and Thursday while Saturday saw loch styling with broadside drifting boats having some great sport with traditional wet flies and mini lures. Season ticket holders John Batter from Hemingford Grey and Gordon Alleyne of Wansford had 19 fish on catch and release using these tactics, with lots of action in the main basin.
The best fishing for bank anglers was along the Normanton bank with some quality rainbows up to 4½lb being taken on dry fly and the washing line method (dry fly boobies, and nymph combinations). Fish are feeding well on pin fry, sedge and caenis with some of this year’s fry already 1¼ inches long.
Rather than fishing the bottom of both arms boat anglers are having the best sport in the main basin with plenty of fish coming to varied methods.
Competition News
Tuesday Night Boat League week 7
58 fish were caught in less than four hours! The boat league had an eventful evening with 15 anglers netting 58 fish. Top rod was Empingham’s Richard Cooper who now leads the league following this week’s match. The Cooper family is doing very well with Richard’s brother Tom taking second place this week. The pair are now first and second in the overall league. Hilary Tomlinson took third place in this week’s match. Hilary had just come from fishing for England Ladies at the Lake of Mentieth in Scotland where she won both team silver and second individual overall with 18 fish.
1st Richard Cooper 8 fish for 19lb 6oz
2nd Tom Cooper 8 fish for 18lb ¼oz
3rd Hilary Tomlinson 6 fish for 14lb 3oz
League table following week 7
1st Richard Cooper 30 points
2nd Tom Cooper 28 points
3rd Keith Jones 25 points
4th Chris Evans 24 points
5th Gary Cooper 21 points
6th Paul Wild & Leon Smith 15 points
AMFC 3 Sunday 29 June
1st Invicta A 76lb ½oz
2nd RM/Navy 67lb 2½oz
3rd Army 39lb 4oz
4th Crawley 30lb 8oz
5th Invicta B 26lb 7oz
Baz Reece had the best bag with 8 fish for 21lb 3¾oz. John Mees, Anglian Water’s senior warden at Grafham Water, took the best rainbow at 4lb 3¼oz.
Best methods bank – floating line with nymphs, hares ear, diawl bach, pheasant tail and dries, c.d.c, Bob’s bits (various)
boats – as for bank but include boobies, blobs, gold/silver sparklers.
Best rainbow 4lb 8oz taken by Jamie Weston
Best boat areas The main basin, fishing lodge frontage to Normanton Church
Best bank areas Normanton church to the dam, the dam, Finches, sailing club, New Zealand point
Mid week boat winner John Gibson of Harby, Melton Mowbray
Fish stocked 5,500
Forthcoming events Anglers are reminded that catch and release is not permitted at Rutland during July to 22 August
Please check for boat availability
Tuesday evening boat league Book in from 5.15pm
Scierra Pairs 5 July
EDFF fishery Rule competition 9 July
Anglian Water Over 50’s match 12 July
Anglian Water Fulling Mill Northern Final 21 July 50 boats booked
Anglian Water Loch Style 4 man team 20 August
Anglian Water Fulling Mill International Northern final 21 July
beginners courses 5,13,20 & 30 July and other dates throughout the season
Week ending 22nd June 2008
Fish week 878 (season 18,481) returns 436 (5,118) rod average 2.1(2.1)
Fishing last week was heavily influenced by the weather with strong winds gusting to gale force on Sunday preventing boats going out on the water. Sport was mixed and on the better days there were some good bags of fish, especially in the evenings with fish showing on top in many areas. Best fish of the week fell to Dave Sibson from Birstall in Leicestershire. Dave netted a cracking 6lb 4oz Rainbow. Season ticket holder Al Owen, of Sleaford, also had good sport with his best Rainbow weighing in at 5lb 14oz falling to a black buzzer on a floating line whilst boat fishing in Manton Bay.
The good news is that many fish are now showing on the surface on calm days, feeding on anything from pin fry, buzzers during the day, and sedge in the evenings.
Competition News
Tuesday Night Boat League week 6
Tom makes it two in a row!
Empingham’s Tom Cooper recorded two straight wins with 6 fish weighing 12lb 15¼oz. Taking second place was Tom’s brother, Richard, with 5 fish. Paul Wild took third place with 5 fish.
1st Tom Cooper 6 fish for 12lb 15¼oz
2nd Richard Cooper 5 fish for 12lb 5¼oz
3rd Paul Wild 5 fish for 11lb 4oz
4th Si Gaines 4 fish for 11lb 4oz
League table following week 6
1st Keith Jones 25 points
2nd Chris Evans 24 points
3rd Tom Cooper 20 points
4th Richard Cooper 20 points
5th Gary Cooper 18 points
6th Paul Wild 15 points
The unseasonable gale force winds on Sunday caused the abandonment of the England Eliminator. The results from the first leg fished at Grafham Water will determine who represents the Anglian Water region this year.
Best methods Floating line with nymphs and dries. Black buzzer, diawl bach, pheasant tail. Dries, claret, hares ear, red. Lures, orange, black, cats whisker in blob, boobie, cormorant form.
Best rainbow 6lb 4oz taken by Dave Sibson of Birstall, Leics.
Best boat areas The main basin, bottom of both arms, Manton Bay, Lax Hill, Tim Appletons, Dickensons Bay
Best bank areas Normanton, Finches, New Zealand Point, Sykes Lane
Mid week boat winner Mr C Gamble of Zouch, Leics
Fish stocked 2,000
Forthcoming events Tuesday evening boat league Book in from 5.15pm
Scierra Pairs 5 July
EDFF fishery Rule competition 9 July
Anglian Water Over 50’s match 12 July
Anglian Water Fulling Mill Northern Final 21 July 50 boats booked
Anglian Water Loch Style 4 man team 20 August
beginners courses 28 June; 5,13,20,27 & 30 July and other dates throughout the season
Week ending 15th June 2008
Fish week 1070 (season 17603) returns 416 (4682) rod average 2.57 (3.75)
Amongst limits taken last week were Mr Rowson and Mr Angell from Brigg who boat fished last Saturday. Both caught their limits with all the fish over 2lb including four over 3lb, the best just over 4lb.
Fish continue to feed on buzzers but there has been an increase in hatches of sedge and caenis. Good numbers of fish are now showing in the surface to this year’s pin fry, in areas like Normanton to Fantasy Island and the Sailing Club. The hotter weather at the beginning of last week affected sport on Monday and Tuesday with temperatures reaching nearly eighty degrees.
Prospects remain good with fish starting to show on the surface to this year’s pin fry which can be challenging to difficult! A pattern that has worked in the past for bank anglers is a single fly on a short (twelve foot leader) with the following – pearl/silver pheasant tails, invictors, wide gold ribbed hares ear (ie something with a bit of flash) plus c.d.c. dries/emergers. All hook sizes 12/14. Boat anglers can try similar methods but include small boobies as well, in all cases cover the fish in the best possible way with a medium figure of eight often the best retrieve.
Competition News
Tuesday Night Boat League week 5
Tom shows the way in week 5. Empingham’s Tom Cooper showed the rest how it’s done taking an eight fish limit in just over three hours. Seventeen anglers fished on an unseasonably cold evening. The cooler conditions influenced the catch rate. Leon Smith took second spot with four fish and Keith Jones took third place.
1st Tom Cooper 8 fish for 16lb 12oz
2nd Leon Smith 4 fish for 9lb 11oz
3rd Keith Jones 3 fish for 7lb 13½oz
Keith Jones has now taken the overall lead, with a single point separating him from Chris Evans
League table following week 5
1st Keith Jones 25 points
2nd Chris Evans 24 points
3rd Gary Cooper 17 points
4th Leon Smith 15 points
5th Mick Brooksby 12 points
6th Richard Cooper 10 points
Best methods Floating line with diawl bach, black/green buzzers, pheasant tail. Lures with sinking lines, orange black, gold/silver
Best rainbow 7lb taken by G Thrall of Melton Mowbray
Best brown 4lb 8oz taken by Andy Flitcroft of Oakham
Best boat areas Normanton, Barnsdale, Gibbets, Old Hall, Sykes Lane, Yellowstone, Manton Bay, New Zealand Point
Best bank areas Normanton to Fantasy Island, Old Hall, Yellowstone, Dickensons Bay, Sailing club, New Zealand Poitn
Mid week boat winner Philip James of Northampton
Fish stocked 6,200
Forthcoming events Tuesday evening boat league Book in from 5.15pm
England Eliminator ‘Odds & Sods’ 22 June
Scierra Pairs 5 July
EDFF fishery Rule competition 9 July
Anglian Water Over 50’s match 12 July
Anglian Water Loch Style 4 man team 20 August
beginners courses 21 & 28 June; 5,13,20,27 & 30 July and other dates throughout the season
8th June 2008
Fish week 2545 (season 16,533) returns 616(4,266) rod average 4.13(3.87)
Bank fishing along the Normanton bank has been excellent this week with fish in easy casting distance from the bank. Other areas include Old Hall Bay and Old Hall Point with several limits recorded. Boat anglers have also taken fish from Fantasy, Yellowstone, New Zealand Point and the Sailing Club Bay.
Competition News
The Anglian Water Floating Line match was held on Saturday 7 June with Tony Dinatale winning with four fish for 7lb 9oz.
The Army Championship match was fished over two days in hard conditions of near flat calm and bright sunshine on Sunday. The winner was Jim Douglas with 14 fish over the two days for 32lb 14oz including his time bonus.
Rutland Water Fly Fishers – Cutting Trophy 6 June
Thirteen anglers turned out for this four hour evening bank match. Despite the appalling weather – torrential rain and icy wind, anglers recorded the best ever result for this annual event with an amazing 4.54 rod average with no nil returns. The average fish weight was 2lb 6oz. Congratulations to Phil Brown who ran out an easy winner with a superb eight fish catch for a total weight of 23lb 4oz taken by the washing line method with various nymphs propped up by a booby. His catch was taken from Stockie Bay and Fantasy Island and included four over wintered Rainbows between 3lb and 4lb and was the heaviest catch taken in the history of the event. Phil also took the prize for the best fish – a Rainbow of 3lb 14oz. The best brown weighed 3lb 3oz and was caught by Andy Wells from Spalding. Fish, which were all caught on floating lines, were taken in various places with Normanton Church to the Dam being the hot stretch. In many places the fish were feeding very close to the bank. Most of the fish were caught on red holographic diawl bach with one or two on crunchers. Paul Wild caught some on emerger patterns. Ziggy Lesiakowski lost his eighth fish when his dropper knot caught in the top ring of his rod and the fish bolted and broke him! At the end of the evening club chairman John Maitland thanked John Wadham for organising the match. “This result clearly reflects this season’s very high quality fishing,” said John Wadham in his match report.
1st Phil Brown 8 fish for 23lb 4oz
2nd Paul Wild 8 fish for 16lb 3oz
3rd Leon Smith 8 fish for 15lb 11oz
4th Ziggy Lesiakowski 7 fish for 15lb 8oz
Tuesday Night Boat League week 4
Anglian Water’s Chris Evans, organiser of the WaterAid Flyfishing Challenge, won this week and leads the league. On a rainy Tuesday evening the boat league anglers weighed in some impressive fish with an excellent number weighing over 3lb. Gary Cooper of Empingham weighed in the best fish, a 4lb 3½oz Rainbow. Hilary Tomlinson weighed in two Rainbows for 6lb 11oz.
1st Chris Evans 7 fish for 17lb 3¼oz
2nd Gary Cooper 5 fish for 14lb _½oz
3rd Richard Cooper 5 fish for 13lb 3½oz
4th Leon Smith 6 fish for 12lb 8½oz
5th Keith Jones 4 fish for 9lb 11oz
6th Hilary Tomlinson 2 fish for 6lb 11oz
League table following week 4
1st Chris Evans 23 points
2nd Keith Jones 20 points
3rd Gary Cooper 17 points
4th Mick Brooksby 12 points
5th Richard Cooper 12 points
6th Paul Wild 10 points
Best methods bank anglers – Floating line, cruncher, diawl bachs.
boat anglers - Floating lines with nymphs, cruncher or Diawl Bachs. Sinking lines with orange or pink blobs
Best rainbow 5lb 2oz taken by J Croot of Bedminster
Best brown 6lb 14oz taken by L Thompson of Boston
Best boat areas Normanton to Fantasy Island – New Zealand Point. Sailing Club Bay, Yellowstone, Dickensons Bay.
Best bank areas Normanton Bank, blue pipes, East Creek, Sailing Club Bay, Dickensons, Old Hall Point.
Mid week boat winner K Raynor of Chapel St Leonards, Lincs
Fish stocked 1,000
Forthcoming events Tuesday evening boat league Book in from 5.15pm
England Eliminator ‘Odds & Sods’ 22 June
Scierra Pairs 5 July
EDFF fishery Rule competition 9 July
Anglian Water Over 50’s match 12 July
Anglian Water Loch Style 4 man team 20 August
beginners courses 14,18,21 & 28 June; 5,13,20,27 & 30 July and other dates throughout the season
1st June 2008
Fish week 1,432 (season 13,988) returns 368 (3,650) rod average 3.89 (3.83)
Anglers are enjoying outstanding sport at Rutland Water with numerous limits and quality fish taken, giving a tremendous rod average of 3.89 for the week.
The best fish of the week was an 8lb 5oz Brown caught by Thomas Third from Polebrook near Peterborough. Thomas fished with his father Ray, who turned ghillie, netting the fish for Thomas off the Old Hall whilst boat fishing. Tactics were floating line and a diawl bach fished very slow in flat calm conditions, with the fish giving a good account of itself taking 15 minutes to land.
Lots of areas are producing fish, bottom of both arms, Manton Bay, Hideaway Bay in the south, the Transformer and Dickensons Bay in the north and the main basin. Nymphs have caught plenty of fish with black, claret and green buzzers, diawl bach, pheasant tail, bloodworm and hares ear the best patterns. Lures caught well on Saturday in the main basin with various colours, orange, black etc in a blob or boobie format.
Boats have fared best during the day, however anglers fishing in the evening in the Tuesday night boat league enjoyed good sport with 13 anglers netting 48 fish in less than three hours with the main basin the place to be.
Nic Mather, aged 13, fished with John Wadham and netted a 3lb 10 oz perfect Rainbow. The pair fished from the bank near Normanton Church on black buzzer fishing straight into the wind. It gave him quite a fight and was Nic’s personal best rainbow. He also had four other fish and had numerous pulls.
Prospects look very good with plenty of fish spread around the reservoir, and more fish will be stocked this week. There is an ample amount of food with buzzers, olives, daphnia and snails in the trout diet this will be supplemented even more with this year’s pin fry starting to show in the margins.
Competition News
England Fly Fishing Association versus Reservoir Warden’s team (otherwise known as Seaton’s Snatchers!)
30 anglers caught 160 fish with the main basin providing most of the action with mini lures on various sinking lines the best method. Top rod was Seaton’s Paul Haskey with 8 fish weighing 20lb 2oz. The best fish, a cracking Rainbow weighing 4lb 15oz, was taken by Grafham warden Ray Jenkins fishing for the EFFA. The Warden’s Team weighed in at 196lb 9oz with the EFFA captained by Peter Hartley weighing in 153lb 12¾oz.
Tuesday Night Boat League week 3
There was a terrific fish bonanza in the Main Basin with plenty of fish caught, and anglers achieving a rod average of 3.69. Each of the top three anglers caught 8 fish limits with Keith Jones winning the match with 8 fish for 18lb 10 ¼oz
Week 3 1st Keith Jones 8 fish for 18lb 10 ¼oz
2nd Richard Cooper 8 fish for 17lb 2oz
3rd Leon Smith 8 fish for 14lb 3oz
Leader board to date
1st Keith Jones 18 points
2nd Chris Evans 13 points
3rd Mick Brooksby 12 points
4th Paul Wild 10 points
5th Gary Cooper 9 points
6th Richard Cooper 7 points
Best methods nymphs – black, claret, green. Diawl bach, pheasant tail (cruncher), bloodworm, hares ear. Lures – Black/green cats whisker, orange black and boobies
Best rainbow 6lb taken by Rob Edmunds of South Luffenham
Best brown 8lb 5oz taken by T Third of Polebrook near Peterborough
Best boat areas Main basin, bottom of either arms
Best bank areas Normanton, Sykes Lane, the Dam, Yellowstone, Dickensons Bay and Old Hall
Mid week boat winner J Ball of Stamford
Forthcoming events Tuesday evening boat league Book in from 5.15pm, draw at 5.50, boats leave at 6pm. Light supper available
Anglian Water Floating Line 7 June
England Eliminator ‘Odds & Sods’ 22 June
Scierra Pairs 5 July
EDFF fishery Rule competition 9 July
Anglian Water Over 50’s match 12 July
Anglian Water Loch Style 4 man team 20 August
beginners courses 8,14,18,21 & 28 June; 5,13,20,27 & 30 July and other dates throughout the season
boat fishing for beginners 13 June
29th May 2008.
I visited Rutland water last night for a spot of pleasure fishing from the bank and what a night, with fish rising all over the lake and feeding on buzzers BLK, Diawl bach green or red, very small pheasant tails size 14, GRHE again size 14, sedges, olives and CDC. My floating line was in overdrive with a pull nearly every cast. After two hours my arm was so stiff that I had to pack it in, 27 fish to the net upto 5lbs and very healthy, good quailty sample. best regards peter
Week ending 25th May 2008
1938 (season 12,556) returns 561 (3,282) rod average 3.45 (3.82)
Rutland Water is providing outstanding sport, attracting comments like “The best buzzer fishing for many years”. Nearly 2,000 fish were recorded by 561 rods, giving an excellent average of 3.45. Rutland really has been in form with quality fish showing, many of which are over wintered, with 3lb and 4lb fish featuring in most bag weights. Scottish anglers Phillip Bryant and Alex Chisholm from Falkirk had a memorable five days’ fishing. Phillip had the best fish of the week, an 8lb 2oz Brown followed by Alex’s 7lb 7oz Brown taken the same day. Alex recorded the best fish of last season, also in May, a 13lb 8oz Brownie. The pair also caught six other fish over 5lb and many more between 3lb and 4lb. Martin Campbell, a visitor from Wales and Al Owen, a local season ticket holder, caught 16 fish, 1 brown and 15 rainbows weighing 56lb 1oz. They were using a floating line with 15 foot leaders with black buzzers and caught their fish at the top of the south arm.
56 fish were recorded over 4lb last week. Floating lines with nymphs are by far the best methods with buzzers, diawl bach, pheasant tail and bloodworm taking quality fish. Boat anglers scored best down the South Arm with Manton Bay, Browns Island and Hideaway Bay being the hot spots. Bank anglers fared best at Stockie Bay, the Dam, Whitwell front, the Mound and Dickensons Bay. The weather later in the week slowed things down with very strong North Easterlies colouring up the bottom of the arms with boat anglers taking fish off Whitwell Front, Yellowstones and Dickensons.
Prospects look excellent with superb fish coming out with fish feeding on buzzers, olives, daphnia and green bloodworm. Settled weather will improve things. 6,000 more fish were stocked last week including some Browns, bringing this season’s overall total to 45,800 fish.
Competition News
Tuesday Night Boat League week 2
Ketton’s Paul Wild won the second week of this popular league with three fish weighing 7lb 10oz. With fish feeding mainly during the day the league has got off to a steady start. 14 Anglers fished with only three blanks on a very cold evening.
Week 2
1st Paul Wild 3 fish for 7lb 10oz
2nd Mick Brooksby 3 fish for 7lb 4oz
3rd Keith Jones 3 fish for 5lb 15½oz
League leaders after week two
It’s very close at the top with Chris Evans, Paul Wild and Mick Brooksby each on 10 points. Gary Cooper is close behind with 9 and Keith Jones has 8 points.
Best methods floating line with nymphs, black, claret, olive buzzers, diawl bachs
Best rainbow 6lb 5oz taken by D Crons of Egham, Surrey
Best brown 8lb 2oz taken by P Bryant of Falkirk
Best boat areas Manton Bay, the main basin, the Mound, Dickensons Bay, Old Hall, Dam
Best bank areas Normanton, Sykes Lane, Green bank, Whitwell front, Yellowstones, Dickensons Bay, Old Hall, dam
Mid week boat winner Daniel Allsop
Fish stocked 6,000
Forthcoming events Tuesday evening boat league Book in from 5.15pm, draw at 5.50, boat leave at 6pm. Light supper available
England FFA 31 May
Anglian Water Floating Line 7 June
beginners courses 1,8,14,18,21 & 28 June and other dates throughout the season
boat fishing for beginners 13 June
Week ending 18th May 2008
Fish week 1147 (season 10,618) returns 369 (2721) rod average 3.1(3.9)
The best fish of the week was a superb Rainbow taken by Finlay Binnie of Newtonmore, Inverness. Finlay caught this lovely Rainbow from the Poplars area of the North Arm on a cruncher using Cortland blue line. He was boat fishing with fishing buddy Alan Smith. Both anglers enjoyed catching further big fish on the day – all over 4lb. They fished on a catch and release permit and returned the fish safely to the water. The pair were part of a group from Scotland making their annual May visit to Rutland. Alan and Dick Sneddon also had some large fish in their bags, the largest five fish weighed over 20lb. The group of six recorded 177 fish over their six days’ fishing, most were taken on crunchers or diawl bachs on a Cortland blue line off Hideaway Bay.
Other notable catches during the week included Al Owen and his boat partner who caught several over wintered fish in their bag up to 5lb.
Competition news
Wadham Trophy Bank Match 16 May
The match was fished on a dull, cold overcast evening in a light North Easterly wind. This wind opened up plenty of bank space. Fish were caught at various locations including Dickensons, Old Hall, Blue Pipes and Church Bay. First and second weights came from Old Hall Point. Most rods had plenty of pulls and numerous fish were lost.
Best patterns were buzzers and diawl bachs on floating lines. Many fish were seen rising especially between the Normanton church and the blue pipes. The evening finished with weigh in and cakes and ale under the canopy in the dark! The results were declared by John Wadham by torchlight! John also thanked senior warden John Seaton for Paul Wild won with 7 fish for 14lb 7oz. With Hilary Tomlinson in second place with 6 fish for 12lb 2oz. Ziggy Lesiakowski was third and had the best average weight per fish of 2lb 13oz and the best fish of the match at 3lb 4oz. The match fished to a rod average of 3.1 and an average weight of 2.7lb reflecting the continuing high quality of the sport.
The Phillips match took place on Monday 12 May with several limits coming to the scales.
1st G Chewter & B Ormiston 16 fish for 42lb 9oz
2nd J Gale & I Baldock 16 fish for 33lb 1oz
3rd A Sexton & M Searle 15 fish for 33lb
4th G Williams & C McLeod 16 fish for 31lb 3oz
best rainbow 7lb 11oz taken by Finlay Binnie of Newtonmore, Inverness, Scotland
best brown 3lb 8oz taken by Mr Boyland from Scotland
best boat areas Old Hall Bay, Yellowstone, Church Bay and the Normanton shoreline using floating or intermediate lines with Diawl Bachs, crunchers and buzzers.
best bank areas Old Hall point, Hinmans Bank, Normanton Bank, Church Bay, Dickenson Bay using floating lines. Best flies as for boat anglers but include Nymphs
mid week boat winner Bruce Gilliver of Oakham
fish stocked 2,000
forthcoming events Tuesday evening boat league Book in from 5.15pm, draw at 5.50, boat leave at 6pm. Light supper available
Fire Service 20 May
England FFA 31 May
Anglian Water Floating Line 7 June
beginners courses 24 May; 1,8,14,18,21 & 28 June and other dates throughout the season
boat fishing for beginners 13 June
Week ending 11th May 2008
Fish week 1902 (season 9361) returns 452 (2352) rod average 4.2 (3.98)
The highlight of the week at Rutland Water was the 21st Bob Church Classic, organised by angling personality, Bob Church. This popular invitation only match attracts top international anglers. 120 Anglers fished with many catching their six fish limit plus catch and release. The match rod average was 5.42. The best fish weighed 5lb and was taken by David Hoppe. Top lady rod was Martha Thompson with a total weight of 20lb 4oz. The match was won by Alex McEwan, from Scotland, who took 6 fish plus another 9 catch and release for a total of 33lb 8½oz. Dave Shipman from Whittlesey took second place.
1st Alex McEwan 33lb 8½oz
2nd Dave Shipman 28lb 8¼oz
3rd Fred Bainbridge 28lb 1oz
4th Peter Appleby 25lb 10oz
5th Leigh Pond 25lb 6oz
6th Andrew Green 24lb 6oz
7th David Hoppe 23lb 12oz
8th Chris Guthrie 23lb 7oz
9th Mark Andrews 23lb 3oz
10th Peter Kempton 23lb 2½oz
 Winner of the Bob Church classic Alex McEwan reciving the trophy from John Marshall.
John Marshall and Bob Church.
Many thanks to Cliff Waters for taking the photos.
At the 2008 Water Industry Game Fishing Championships at Stocks in Lancashire Anglian Water fielded a very competitive team coming a very close sixth out of 17 teams. Paul Shaw was the highest placed AW team member, in second place overall out of 84 anglers with 8 fish for 16lb 2oz.
best methods Buzzers fished deep are the best methods. Nymphs, black olives, claret buzzers, diawl bach (red and green holographic, pheasant tail, bloodworm. Lures – black green, cats whisker, two tone blobs, boobies.
best rainbow 5lb 4oz taken by Mr Restoueix of France
best brown 4lb taken by Neil Squires of Lincoln
best boat areas Main basin, Armley Wood to Carrot Creek. Yellowstone, Gibbets Gorse, East Creek
best bank areas Normanton, Whitwell, Stockie Bay, New Zealand Point
mid week boat winner W Fletcher of Barnard Castle
fish stocked 2,000
forthcoming events Tuesday evening boat league commences 13 May. Book in from 5.15pm, draw at 5.50, boat leave at 6pm. Light supper available
Hunt Service match 19 May
Fire Service 20 May
England FFA 31 May
Anglian Water Floating Line 7 June
beginners courses 17 & 24 May; 1,8,14,18,21 & 28 June and other dates throughout the season
boat fishing for beginners 13 June
Boats are heavily booked during May – please phone fishing lodge to check for availability
11th May 2008
Good Afternoon Ziggy,
May I thank you on behalf of
myself and my good friend Michael McCloskey for our day out on the
water yesterday. We were both thrilled to catch excellent quality trout
on small flies and floating lines, a method of which we have always
enjoyed. We had a total of eleven fish between the three of us for
around 32 pound in weight and lost another three so good sport on a
bright day.
Best Regards,
Stuart Harrison.
11 fish for 32lbs all caught on buzzers and Diawl bach.
Week ending 4th May 2008
Fish week 1996 (season 7459) returns 485 (1900) rod average 4.11(3.92)
“Outstanding fishing”, “Fantastic sport” – expressions used by anglers fishing Rutland Water to describe the quality of the fishing this season. The reservoir has been in tremendous form with quality stock fish and many overwintered fish amongst numerous daily limits. This season is one of the best ever.
The best fish of the week was a 6lb 5¾oz Rainbow taken by season ticket holder Jim Watts of Ryhall. Jim, a Rutland Water regular for a number of years, caught the fish whilst boat fishing off Barn Hill Creek. The fish was netted by his regular boat partner Ken Merriden of Uppingham. The pair had a good day with four other over wintered fish in their bag.
Joshua Clayton of Stamford may only be seven years old but he is proving to be a ‘chip off the old block’. Joshua is the son of Pitsford Senior Warden Nathan Clayton.
The pair were bank fishing on Friday at Stockie Bay and New Zealand Point. Joshua caught his first ever Rutland trout - a 3lb 5oz Rainbow from New Zealand Point on a red holographic diawl bach and a 2lb 3oz Rainbow from Stockie bay.
The best brown of the week was taken by Carlisle angler Michael McHugh, who netted a cracking 6lb 9oz fish that he took on a red buzzer fished on a midge tip line. Michael shared a boat with his good friend Pet Ivinson with the pair fishing on a three day boat package.
Fish are being taken in many areas with nymph tactics working well, as buzzer hatches have been incredible so far this season. Many fish have been caught with their stomachs full to the brim. Some Hawthorn flies and Olives are also showing. Daphnia has shown in some fish, which in general, are still feeding deep.
Prospects look very good with most areas fishing well with the bottom of both arms quiet. When they open up things will be even more interesting.
Competition news
Lexus European Team heat 21 April 2008
Ten teams fished this match with an excellent rod average of 5.02. Top rod was Dave Shipman with a total bag weight of 26lb 5oz including time bonus. The best fish was taken by Tim Leech and weighed in at 5lb 10oz.
The top six teams go on to fish the England final with the chance of qualifying for the Lexus European Team Grand Final at Rutland Water 8-10 September.
1st Team Lochstyle 42 fish for 115lb 12oz
2nd Foremark Falcons 43 fish for 114lb 1oz
3rd Cormorant Flyfishers 36 fish for 101lb 5oz
4th Iain Barr Flyfishing Team 132 fish for 81lb 9oz
5TH Guideline Rutland Raiders 31 fish for 72lb 9oz
6th Team Rio Draycote Flyers 27 fish for 66lb 7oz
7th Orvis Team Rutland 26 fish for 63lb 14oz
8th Team 1 Greenwell 23 fish for 59lb 9oz
9th Team 2 Greenwell 26 fish for 58lb 4oz
10th Iain Barr Flyfishing Team 2 15fish for 34lb 10oz
best methods Bank – floating line with nymphs.
Boats - as for bank anglers but various sinking lines with lures. Nymphs are black, green and claret, buzzers, Diawl bachs and crunchers. Lures – black/green, olive, orange boobies etc.
best rainbow 6lb 9oz taken by Michael McHugh of Carlisle
best boat areas Main basin, Barn Hill Creek, Yellowstone, Armley Wood, East Creek, Carrot Creek, Old Hall Bay
best bank areas Normanton, Sykes Lane, Carrot Creek, Stockie Bay, Old Hall Bay
mid week boat winner B Rice of Oakham
fish stocked 3,000
forthcoming events Bob Church Classic 7 May (by qualification)
Tuesday evening boat league commences 13 May. Book in from 5.15pm, draw at 5.50, boat leave at 6pm. Light supper available
National Farmers Union 15 May
Hunt Service match 19 May
Fire Service 20 May
England FFA 31 May
Anglian Water Floating Line 7 June
beginners courses 9,11,17 & 24 May; 1,8,14,18,21 & 28 June and other dates throughout the season
boat fishing for beginners 13 June
Boats are heavily booked during May – please phone fishing lodge to check for availability
Week ending 27th April 2008
Fish week 1732 (season 5463) returns 449 (1415) rod average 3.85 (3.86)
There were some stunning bags of fish this week at Rutland Water. Fly life is amazing with large hatches coming off almost all around the lake and fish are feeding hard on them in most areas. Both banks and boats are fishing very well with lots of top quality over wintered fish coming to the scales.
Highlight of the week was the Northern Heat of the Anglian Water Fulling Mill International, held at the reservoir on Saturday 26 April. The match produced some tremendous bags and a rod average of 5.06. The top 8 teams go forward to the Northern final at Rutland Water on 21 July with the chance to qualify for the International final 1-2 October. The best fish of the match weighed 6lb 2oz and was taken by Kerry Richardson of Fish Hawks B. Francie Jarrett fishing for Leven Fly Casters had the best bag at 27lb 9 7/8oz.
Anglian Water Fulling Mill International Northern Heat
1st Iain Barr Fly Fishing Team 1 46 fish for 129lb 2 1/8oz
2nd Foremark Falcons 45 fish for 121lb 15 7/8oz
3rd Leven Flycasters 43 fish for 121lb 7/8oz
4th Fish Hawks B 35 fish for 105lb 1oz
5th Guideline Rutland Raiders 39 fish for 101lb 10½oz
6th Ashington Kingfishers 37 fish for 100lb 9 5/8oz
7th Masterline Stocks B 34 fish for 98lb 8 7/8oz
8th Peregrine Flyfishers 31 fish for 90lb 9½oz
9th Masterline Esthwaite 29 fish for 76lb 13oz
10th Wanny Wanderers Team 1 30 fish for 73lb 4¾oz
11th Soldier Palmers Team 1 30 fish for 73lb 4oz
12th Froggies Flyfishers 27 fish for 69lb 12½oz
13th Wearddale Flyfishers 25 fish for 64lb 10¼oz
14th Pickering Fishery Association 15 fish for 39lb 6½oz
15th Wanny Wanderers Team 2 14 fish for 38lb 14¼oz
16th Wanny Wanderers Team 3 6 fish for 12lb 9_¼oz
Iain Barr Fly Fishing Team
Also the Lexus team heat on 21st April at Rutland Water , winners were Tean lochstyle
Team was back L-R Mick Dun, Richard Slater, Graham Herbert, F L-R Charlie Watts ( S Cuttings boat partner ) Tim Leech (Biggest Fish) and Ian Donaldson. 
Best methods Boat anglers; floating line buzzers black/green with sinking lines and blobs and sparklers
Bank anglers; floating line, buzzers, black green/red. Black or orange lures.
Best rainbow 6lb 2oz taken by taken by Kerry Richardson
Best brown 4lb
Best boat areas Dickinsons Bay, Barnsdale steep bank, Sykes Lane, Normanton to Fantasy, Yellowstone to Hickmans
Best bank areas Finches to north Arm, three Trees, Dickensons Bay, Normanton to Fantasy, Whitwell Creek
Mid week boat winner Geoff Day of Rotherham
Fish stocked 4000
Forthcoming events 7 May Bob Church Classic (by qualification)
13 May Tuesday evening boat league commences. Book in from 5.15pm, draw at 5.50, boat leave at 6pm. Light supper available
17 May Sportsman 4 man Team competition, Rutland Water Heat - to enter a team please contact Ron Ayers on 07976 668659
beginners courses 3,9,11,17 & 24 May and other dates throughout the season
boat fishing for beginners 13 June
Boats are heavily booked during May – phone fishing lodge for availability
Week ending 20th April 2008
Fish week 1575 (season 3731) returns 368 (966) rod average 4.27 (3.86)
Rutland Water is in excellent form with a stunning rod average of 4.27 in spite of the recent cold weather.
North to North East winds meant different areas were fished. Bank anglers caught well off Old Hall, Green bank, Dickensons Bay, the dam and Whitwell to the Mound. Boat anglers continued to catch fish in the main basin but Yellowstones, Old Hall, Gibbets and Dickensons Bay also produced fish. Limits were common with yet again top quality stock fish and good numbers of overwintered fish showing. April tactics have been typical across the board with lures, black and green, cats whisker, green/orange and various boobies scoring well. Anglers opting for nymphs with black, green and brown buzzer and bloodworm are taking plenty of fish. Prospects at Rutland Water look very good with lots of buzzers hatching, topped up by masses of daphnia. Fish are in excellent condition and feeding hard.
Competition news
Frank Sumnall from Stoke on Trent won the Trout Masters fish off with 8 fish for 18lb 7½oz fishing in the Church Bay using a nymph and lure combination. Frank, a season ticket holder, goes on to fish the final at Grafham Water. Graham Pearson was second with 8 fish for 15lb 9½oz. John Allen was third with two fish for 4lb 10oz.
John Allen was in fine form again on Sunday and won the Lexus Individual Qualifier. John had travelled all the way from Gateshead and his winning bag included the best fish of the week – a 6lb Rainbow.
1st John Allen 8 fish for 25lb 8oz
2nd David Lang 8 fish for 23lb 10oz
3rd Malc Randle 8 fish for 23lb 5oz
best methods most methods working, especially lures and nymphs
best rainbow 6lb taken by John Allen of Gateshead, whilst fishing in the Lexus individual competition
best boat areas main basin, Church Bay, Yellowstone, Old Hall Dickensons Bay
best bank areas Old Hall, Dickensons Bay, the Dam, Whitwell to the Mound, Church Bay, Yellowstone, Green Bank
mid week boat winner Philip Cole of Oakham
fish stocked 2,500
Week enging 13th April 2008
Fish week 1128 (season 2156) returns 318 (598) rod average 3.54 (3.6)
Rutland Water is the first venue in the country to take delivery of The Coulam 16 Wheelyboat. This innovative wheelyboat is specifically designed to improve the enjoyment for disabled anglers and is based on the existing reservoir fishing boat, rather than having a drop down bow and wide body as seen on the current wheelyboat model, which is available at Rutland Water.
Members of the Wheelyboat Trust attended the launching ceremony along with boat builder Jim Coulam. Danny Peet, England team member and a regular Rutland angler, cut the ribbon to celebrate the boat's launch.
Anglian Water's Fisheries Manager Jon Marshall said "Whilst our existing fleet does give disabled anglers access, this new boat will at last mean all our visitors can enjoy angling on equal terms. The design answers concerns that disabled anglers may feel too conspicuous on our existing Wheelyboats. This is a significant breakthrough in accessible boat design."
design features of the Coulam 16 Wheelyboat
wheelchair users have step-free access on board via an external ramp from the pontoon and a hydraulic platform located in the boat.
The deck is open and level throughout.
The disabled angler can sit at the bow or the stern if desired.
The boat is being fitted with a 10 horsepower outboard with push button start to make it easy for disabled anglers to use.
The boat has a low centre of gravity and is very stable. Wheelchair brakes should be sufficient to hold the angler in place in normal conditions but D rings on the deck provide secure strapping points if required.
The modifications are incorporated into the hull as the boat is being built and are very discreet. The boat looks and performs in exactly the same manner as all the other boats in the fleet.
Disabled anglers can book the new Wheelyboat by calling Rutland Fishing Lodge on 01780 686441. The boat will also be in action at Grafham Water on 27 April for the EDFF match with GWFFA.
Rutland Water continues to fish well with both bank and boat anglers taking good numbers of fish, including many limits.
Junior member of Rutland Water Fly Fishers, Angus Smith from Careby, weighed in a Rainbow of 3lb 2oz last Thursday. This will be in contention for the Mike Ellis junior trophy for the best rainbow caught by a junior for the 2008 season.
Fish are feeding heavily on the massive hatches of buzzers that have been taking place, supplemented with huge amounts of daphnia that is in the reservoir again this season.
Methods are wide ranging with sinking lines and lures for boat anglers. Bank anglers using nymphs have had some fantastic sport - nymphs, black/green/brown buzzers, diawl bach, pheasant tail. Black/green dawson olive lures and sinking lines with boobies.
Prospects look good with the weather conditions determining where to find fish. In settled conditions they will be on the surface, whereas cold northerly winds will drive the fish deeper.
Competition news
The Anglian Water Spring Rudder match on Saturday 12 April provided a very close result with 7 boats recording 16 fish limits and a total of 20 anglers taking 152 fish for a fantastic rod average of 7.6
Cambridgeshire anglers Graham Davis and Chris Orders showed the locals how it’s done with 16 fish weighing in at 46lb 6oz. All six anglers in the top three places are season ticket holders. The best Rainbow was taken by Mike Barrett and weighed 4lb 7oz. Steve Cavoo weighed in the best Brown at 3lb 13oz. A good number of offish weighed over 3lb, including numbers of over-wintered fish.
1st Graham Davis & Chris Orders 16 fish for 46lb 6oz
2nd Graham Pearson & Mike Barratt 16 fish for 43lb 14oz
3rd Brian Flack & John Wotherspoon 16 fish for 43lb 10½oz
best methods see report
best rainbow 5lb 2oz taken by Dave Kennell of Nuneaton
best brown 10lb 1½oz taken by Steve Banks of Stamford.
best boat areas the main basin drifting into Normanton and Sykes Lane, Normanton Church area
best bank areas Normanton, Sykes Lane, New Zealand Point, Carrot Creek, the Finches and Whitwell front, the dam, Fantasy Island
mid week boat winner Robert Bradley of Caldecott, Corby
fish stocked 3500
forthcoming events 19 April Troutmaster ‘fish off’ on bank
20 April Lexus European Individual Qualifier 01761 490367
21 April Lexus European Team Qualifier
01761 490367
17 May Sportsman 4 man Team competition, Rutland Water Heat - to enter a team please contact Ron Ayers on 07976 668659
beginners courses 20 & 27 April, 3,9,11,17 & 24 May and other dates throughout the season
boat fishing for beginners 13 June
Boats are heavily booked during May – phone fishing lodge for availability
Week ending 6th April 2008
Fish week 683 (season1028) returns 194 (280) rod average 3.52(3.67)
Steve Banks of Baston near Peterborough caught a 10lb 1 3/8oz Brown
whilst boat fishing in the main basin with Luke Shevlin. He caught it on a tube fly on an 8lb leader. Steve has only fly fished twice so far and this is his second fish. He also wanted to catch a Zander and his wish cam true.
Rutland Water has been in excellent form with plenty of fish caught and of excellent quality and condition. Good numbers of limits were taken by both bank and boat anglers last week.
Methods have been as varied as ever from the start of the season with nymph anglers catching plenty of fish on buzzers and diawl bach, whilst lure anglers have used black and green, cats whiskers and boobies and gold silver tubes on the boats.
Fish are feeding heavily on daphnia, buzzers (mainly small), although one or two larger types have been hatching off there were also signs of corixa showing in fish down the south arm.
Best bank and boat areas have been in the main basin with Normanton to Fantasy Island for bank anglers earlier in the week and then Sykes Lane on Friday and over the weekend.
Boat anglers fared well in both areas as well. A few fish came out of Manton on Tuesday falling to gold/silver sparklers fished deep. The best bag of fish recorded fell to season ticket holders John Wotherspoon and Brian Flack with 16 fish weighing over 43lb. Best fish of the week fell to Sheffield angler Mike Barratt who netted a very silver 7lb 4 ½oz Brown whilst fishing off Sykes Lane in a boat last Saturday. Mike, a season ticket holder, fished a midge tip line with a size 10 black buzzer to tempt the specimen.
Rob Edmunds wins the Alan West memorial with eight fish weighing over 21lb. Rob took his eight fish limit by lunch time last Friday.
Ian Nixon landed a cracking over wintered 4lb 8oz Brown fishing off Whitwell Front last Tuesday. Ian, who has just moved to Stamford, caught the fish on a damsel nymph.
Speaking of over wintered fish, there are good numbers showing in tremendous condition averaging just over the 2lb mark so far. Stock fish being taken range in weight from 2lb to good numbers in the 3-4lb bracket. The weather has been variable with the middle of last week warm, then turning very cold with sleet and hail last weekend. Prospects look very good with plenty of food available as already mentioned so fish are in excellent condition. Mild weather should see one or two more showing on top.
best methods see report
best rainbow 4lb 4oz taken by Ken Merridan of Uppingham
best brown 10lb 1 3/8oz taken by Steve Banks of Baston, Peterborough
best boat areas main basin, Normanton bank, Stockie Bay
best bank areas Normanton, Sykes Lane, Stockie Bay, blue pipes
mid week boat winner Krys Szokalo of Billingborough
fish stocked 2,000
forthcoming events 12 April Anglian Water Spring Rudder Match
20 April Lexus European Individual Qualifier 01761 490367
21 April Lexus European Team Qualifier
01761 490367
beginners courses13,20 & 27 April, 3,9,11,17 & 24 May and other dates throughout the season
boat fishing for beginners 11 April, 13 June
Alan West Memorial Trophy
This years AWMT was fished by 54 anglers all trying to be 2008 champion.
For those who can not remember Alan, he was the fitter who died at the HSM
as a result of being trapped between the lineshafts under the transfer
bank.
On a bright morning the boats went out at 9.30am to fish the eight hour
match at the countries premier fishery, Rutland Water. The fishing turned
out to be a little more difficult than the previous day but at the end 134
trout were caught.
The biggest fish of 3lb 12oz was caught by John Hamilton from Fife in
Scotland . John received a trophy, £50 tackle voucher and a new rod.
The winner of the AWMT with a total of 8 fish for 21lb 10oz was ACA team
member and former troutmasters champion Rob Edmunds from South Luffenham.
Rob won the shield, £50 tackle voucher and new rod worth £300 donated by
Nick Bates at the Bloom & Billet Mill at Scunthorpe.
Second place was Billy Irons from the BBM
Third place was England ladies international fly fisher Martha Thompson
Yet again a great day was had by all
I would like to thank all the anglers who took part along with the staff at
Rutland water for making the day run smoothly, but most of all, all
the individuals and companies who donated prizes which totalled around
£1000.
See you all next year
Andy Clark
Last Friday Rutland Water became the first venue in the country to take delivery of a new boat specifically designed to improve the enjoyment for disabled anglers, enabling them to fish inconspicuously alongside able-bodied anglers.
The Coulam 16 Wheelyboat is based on the existing reservoir fishing boat, rather than having a drop down bow and wide body as seen on the current wheelyboat model, which is available at Rutland Water.
Members of the Wheelyboat Trust attended the launching ceremony along with boat builder Jim Coulam. Danny Peet, England team member and a regular Rutland angler, cut the ribbon to celebrate the boat's launch.
The attached photo shows (from left to right) Ray Price (Wheelyboat Trust), Jim Coulam of Coulam Boat Builders, Danny Peet cutting the ribbon, John Seaton (Anglian Water Senior Warden at Rutland Water), Jake Williams (Anglian Water Recreation & Access Manager), John Marshall (Anglian Water Fisheries Manager), and Andy Beadsley of the Wheelyboat Trust.
Anglers can now enjoy the many benefits to the new boat which will give all visitors to Rutland Water equal fishing opportunities;
* The design provides wheelchair users with step-free access on board via an external ramp from the pontoon and a hydraulic platform located in the boat.
* The deck is open and level throughout.
* The disabled angler can sit at the bow or the stern if desired.
* The boat is being fitted with a 10 horsepower outboard with push botton start to make it easy for disabled anglers to use.
* The boat has a low centre of gravity and is very stable. Wheelchair brakes should be sufficient to hold the angler in place in normal conditions but D rings on the deck provide secure strapping points if required.
* The modifications are incorporated into the hull as the boat is being built and are very discreet. The boat looks and performs in exactly the same manner as all the other boats in the fleet.
Hail,snow and rain did not stop these hardy anglers from there sport, Stocky bay Rutland Water Saturday at 16.30,5th April 2008. We must be mad!!.
Rutland gillies fishing report 1st April 2008
The morning started with my mate Chris who was late but that's Chris all over.
We always feel that April 1st is the start of the trout fishing season, and I know that this year it fell on tuesday, but to my surprise only 5 boats where booked out, as this picturs shows.
The dock at Rutland water at 9am.
We braved the weather and took a boat out on our opening day as we have done for the past 20 years.
The wind was blowing from the north west at a steady 14 with gusts of upto 50 from time to time.
We opted to fish the rudder as the wind was blowing that hard, and started our first drift straight out from the lodge and right down to the dam, Chris put on his intermediate line and I put on my fast sink line, boy were we moving and by the time we had reached the blue pipes I had caught three fish, two rainbows and one brown, Chris then put on his DI 7 line, and at the end of our first drift we tried to go back to the start of our drift but the wind was so strong we could not get back to where we started, our only option was to get over to Sykes Lane side and find some calmer water.
New Zealand point from a boat.
As we started our first drift we noticed that the fishery staff were stocking fish into the reservoir, we had a few drifts, on this side but to no success, With no other boats in sight we made the decision to try Manton bay, bad mistake it took us one and a half hours to get there, the wind was blowing much harder than when we first started out. Reaching Manton the other boats seemed to be catching fish, with one boat taking quite a few fish upto four and a half pounds.
We fished the Manton area for some time, the water was very brown as you can imagine, but the fish pulled, we ended up with 10 in the bag., six for myself and four for Chris.
Not a bad sample, with rainbows upto and over 3lbs and also one 3lb brownie.
As I get older I sometimes wonder if it's all worth it, the cold water hitting you in the face, the wind blowing that hard that it takes you all the time to get back to where you started, but I suppose it can only get better as we have the rest of the season to look forward to.
Week ending 30th March 2008
Fish week 345 returns 86 rod average 4.01
Rob Edmunds fished the bank last Friday and had Rainbows to 4lb. He also returned two overwintered browns around 4lb 8oz and 6lb 8oz. Boat anglers Ray Garrod and Mick Atkinson from Lincolnshire, recorded ten fish on Saturday despite the strong winds. Also recording good bags were Oakham’s Rick Broome and Derby’s Des Welch with eight fish limits last Sunday whilst boat fishing the Main Basin. They also returned approx six brownies. Di 7 lines with pulled lures continue to be the best method.
Despite the cold unsettled conditions fish are being taken on a variety of methods and flies. Stock fish are in excellent condition with many around the 2lb mark and up to 4lb. Steady numbers of over wintered fish are showing again in superb condition, they are very silver and fighting hard. Fish are feeding on a plentiful supply of daphnia and lots of early season small green, brown and black buzzer.
Best bank areas seem to be where the wind has been or is blowing on to the shore, with Normanton last Wednesday followed by Sykes Lane when the wind changed direction. Boat anglers fared best with drifting/anchored boats onto the windward shore. However, last Tuesday anglers caught well out in the main basin in very deep water despite the bitter cold.
Prospects look good with fish feeding well. Settled weather will see consistent sport with all areas being open for bank fishing and boats allowed past the sailing limits with winter restrictions being lifted on 1 April. Brown trout will also be in season.
best methods bank – floating lines with weighted lures. Black/green dawsons olive, orange, boobies on a sinking line, nymphs (black buzzer also working). Boats – various sinking lines with similar lines and gold and silver sparklers
best rainbow 5lb 2oz taken by T Millar of Burgh Le Marsh, Lincs
best boat areas main basin, fishing lodge frontage, Church Bay
best bank areas Sykes Lane, Normanton, Whitwell, The Finches, the Dam, Carrot Creek, Yellowstone and Old Hall Bay
mid week boat winner Kate Royce of Rotherham
fish stocked to date 20500
forthcoming events 6 April Alan West Memorial match
12 April Anglian Water Spring Rudder Match
20 April Lexus European Individual Qualifier 01761 490367
21 April Lexus European Team Qualifier
01761 490367
beginners courses 6,13,20 & 27 April, 3,9,11,17 & 24 May and other dates throughout the season
boat fishing for beginners 11 April, 13 June
Sunday 30th March 2008
six o clock in the evening Normanton bank a number of anglers fishing and all taking fish with different flies, but all fishing floating lines. flies Black and green tadpole, hares ear nymph, Black buzzers, Montana nymph and cats whisker.
Can you guess who this lady is from lapland? with two of her six trout caught at Rutland Water
It's Hillery of course.
Week ending 23rd March 2008
Rutland Water
Empingham’s Richard Cooper won the Independence Day Trophy with a 4lb 2oz Rainbow – the biggest fish caught on opening day.
Richard Cooper with Rutland Water's Senior Warden John Seaton and the Independence Day shield
Darren Dodd and his son Luke (15) from Ibstock enjoyed an exciting Opening Day. They caught a pike estimated near the 20lb mark on the east side of Whitwell Creek. The pike was caught on a goldhead damsel and safely returned to the water. Apart from the pike the pair, fishing catch and release, returned 15 rainbows. Darren says “This was only Luke’s second day flyfishing and first visit to Rutland. Despite difficult conditions we have another convert from the carping brigade. He was amazed how well 2-3lb trout fought. Thanks for another great opening day.”
Mick Brooksby with a 3lb 13¼oz Rainbow. Mick is a seasonal warden at Rutland
Rob Holloway on the left and his son Michael
The weather was a major factor for the first three days of the new season with limited bank fishing the majority of fish caught were from around Whitwell Creek, Half Moon Spinney and the Old Hall areas, with a good number of limits being taken. Rutland anglers adapted well and rose to the challenges of the cold northerly winds. Anglers reporting eight fish limits include Mr A Williamson from Heighinglow, Lincs, Chris Hubbard from Kibworth, Leics and Rob and Michael Holloway from Grantham. Rob Holloway reported another 8 fish limit in Whitwell Creek on Tuesday morning.
Boat fishing did not take place at all for the first three days with gale force northerly winds on opening day and Saturday followed by a heavy snowfall on Sunday morning causing disruption.
The first boats went out on Easter Sunday with several limits recorded. Stock fish this year are of excellent quality and size with fish ranging from 1¾lb up to 3lb being taken.
Fish are feeding on daphnia and small buzzers at the moment.
forthcoming events 6 April Alan West Memorial match
12 April Anglian Water Spring Rudder Match
20 April Lexus European Individual Qualifier 01761 490367
21 April Lexus European Team Qualifier
01761 490367
beginners courses 26 March, 6,13,20 & 27 April, 3,9,11,17 & 24 May and other dates throughout the season
boat fishing for beginners 11 April, 13 June
For all courses and boat hire at Rutland Water booking is essential. Please call 01780 686441.
Week ending 16th March 2008
Rutland Water opens this Friday 21 March
Independence Day Trophy for the best fish
History will be made at Rutland Water this Good Friday 21 March with the earliest ever start to the trout fishing season on Europe’s largest man-made reservoir. Anglers fishing on opening day compete for the Independence Day Trophy for the best fish. The rod average on Opening Day in 2007 was a stupendous 6.16 and prospects look good for 2008.
For anglers who are less abled who enjoy boat fishing at Rutland Water we have great news. JM Coulam Boat Builders have teamed up with the Wheelyboat Trust to design and produce a new style boat that will revolutionise fishing for the less abled fisherman. Jon Marshall, Anglian Water Fisheries Manager says “This boat is the first of seven that are on order and we are very pleased to be working in conjunction with Jim Coulam to produce the first new model. It is an exciting new design that will give wheelchair users the same excellent handling and drifting characteristics as our existing boats. Some of the features include an hydraulic lifting platform that enables the wheelchair user to board the boat from the pontoon, it also has an electric start outboard engine”. We will bring you news of the new boat when it is launched in the next few weeks.
In 2008 we are introducing a course specifically tailored for Beginners taking up boat fishing. Boat Fishing for Beginners, maximum of 2 anglers £80pp, Friday 11 April, Friday 13 June.
With safety in mind Anglian Water offers anglers the opportunity to gain a level 1 RYA boat handling certificate. This boat handling course is specifically aimed at anglers and is heavily discounted at £60. On qualifying you will be entitled to a £1 saving on boat hire for the next two years.
Anglian Water’s Beginners courses are very popular and we have nearly 40 dates for Beginners courses at Rutland Water this year.
forthcoming events 21 March Independence Day Trophy
6 April Alan West Memorial match
12 April Anglian Water Spring Rudder Match
20 April Lexus European Individual Qualifier 01761 490367
21 April Lexus European Team Qualifier
01761 490367
beginners courses 26 March, 6,13,20 & 27 April, 3,9,11,17 & 24 May and other dates throughout the season
boat fishing for beginners 11 April, 13 June
For all courses and boat hire at Rutland Water booking is essential. Please call 01780 686441.
Week ending 9th March
Rutland Water Fly Fishers had a fantastic turnout for their annual litter pick. Twenty five members and their families supported this annual event last Sunday on a lovely sunny morning. It was great to see youngsters and other family members pitching in to help out – collecting around 31 bags of rubbish.
John Maitland, chairman of RWFF, thanked members for their attendance, the staff at the Water’s Edge restaurant for cooking excellent, generously filled bacon butties and John Seaton of Anglian Water. John, senior warden at Rutland Water, took time out of his busy schedule to organise the food and give directions on the health and safety aspects of litter collection. He was also busy taking group photos in front of the club’s new notice board.
The litter pick gives a tremendous ‘spring clean’ to the banks and every year raises funds for charity. The event is sponsored by Anglian Water Services and this year’s proceeds are directed to the Rutland Memorial Hospital in Oakham where many club members have been the recipients of superb nursing care.
The annual litter pick always heralds the final countdown to the opening of the new season at Rutland Water. Easter this year is the earliest since 1913 and anglers can look forward to an early start to the season on Good Friday 21 March. The Independence Day Trophy will be awarded to the angler catching the best fish on Opening Day.
This year we plan to stock 20,000 fish at Rutland Water. The photo shows Alan Dalton, one of the wardens at Rutland, putting in some of this year's stock earlier this week.
forthcoming events
Beginners courses 22 & 26 March, 6,13,20 & 27 April & other dates throughout the season
4 April The Alan West Memorial match.
12 April Anglian Water Spring Rudder Match
Rutland water 7.45pm 11 April 2007
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