Al Owen with the 10lbs plus Rainbow 800x600 Week ending 12th May
Fish week 2,147 (season 11,967) Returns 451(2,132) Rod average 4.76 (5.61) Anglers have enjoyed another great week at Rutland Water with a rod average of 4.76, despite the high winds and heavy showers that occasionally hampered sport. Overwintered fish have shown again with the best weighing in at 6lb 8oz taken by W Fletcher of Co Durham off the bank. Doug Skins from Kent caught fish whilst boat fishing in Church Bay at the weekend.  Best tactics have been floating and midge tip lines coupled with teams of buzzers, and or crunchers (pheasant tail) and diawl bachs, dry fly has worked in calmer water etc and light winds. Mini lures on various sinking lines are still an option with blobs, boobies, cormorants also taking fish. Buzzer hatches have again been amazing – the best for a considerable time. In addition to buzzers fish are also feeding on corixa, which should prove interesting if there is to be sufficient weed beds in the margins this year. With tremendous hatches every day and fish feeding hard, there should be plenty of fish coming to the net.
The popular Tuesday Night Boat League has started and runs for 15 weeks (see Competition News).
Competition news
Police Championships
With Scotland and England both recording 29 fish each and Wales close behind on 28 fish it was a very close result. The final outcome for the top three, including time bonus, was as follows
1st Scotland 29 fish for 139lb 9oz 2nd England 29 fish for 126lb 14oz 3rd Wales 28 fish for 97lb 2oz 4th Northern Ireland 27 fish for 93lb 5oz
5th Eire 23 fish for 77lb 5oz Tuesday Night Boat League The first match in this popular series was fished last Tuesday. It was a brilliant start to the league with 15 anglers recording 75 fish in less than three hours. The winner for the first night was Wittering’s Keith Jones with seven Rainbows and a Brown for a superb bag weighing 20lb 4oz. Amongst the fish caught on the night were a number of overwintered fish, none better than 14 year old Graham Hayward of Empingham who netted a mint condition 5lb 7oz Rainbow which is Graham’s fourth fish over 5lb already this season. If you would like to take part in the boat league simply arrive at the lodge around 5.15pm. One of the wardens will be on hand to assist and the draw for boat partners will take place around 5.55pm. There is an optional fish and chip supper available at a small additional cost with a drink supplied free of charge after the weigh in. 1st Keith Jones (Wittering) 8 fish for 20lb 4½oz
2nd Graham Hayward 8 fish for 18lb 4½oz 3RD Keith Jones (Peterborough) 8 fish for 18lb 3¾oz Best Rainbow 6lb 8oz taken by W Fletcher of Co Durham. Best Brown 3lb 14oz taken by Vic Craggs. Rutland Water continued
Best methods Floating and midge tip lines, sinking lines with mini lures. Buzzers, diawl bach, pheasant tail, bloodworm. Blobs, boobies, cormorants. Best boat areas Normanton, Sailing Club , Church Bay, bottom of both arms. Best bank areas Sailing Club, Normanton, Armley Wood to Barnhill Creek, New Zealand Point. Fish stocked 2,000 Mid week boat winner Richard Aldred of Greetham. Forthcoming events
Beginners courses 25 May; 22 and 29 June and throughout the season. Tuesday Night Boat League
Bob Church Classic (by invitation)17 May (limited boats available, 17, 18 & 19 May) Vision Pairs 19 May Rudder March (leg 2 of 5) 25 May Anglian Water Floating Line 8 June  Last night was one of the best buzzer hatches seen on Rutland Water for at least four years, with plumes of smoke lifting from every tree for miles around. boy what a site. Picture taken on my iphone. Fish week 2,207(season 9,820) Returns 379(1,681) Rod average 5.82 (5.84) Rutland Water is in excellent form this season with fish being caught in many areas. In the last seven days fly life has been amazing with huge hatches of buzzers coming off. Along with the quality stock fish there have been some tremendous overwintered fish with a number in the 4-5lb bracket and some up to 6lb caught from as far as the North Arm. The fantastic conditions are reflected in the rod average of 5.82. The popular Tuesday Night Boat League has started and runs for 15 weeks. Meet at the Lodge and book in from 5pm for a 6pm start. Open to all with a valid day/evening permit and season ticket holders. Relax with a drink afterwards and the option to purchase food delivered from Sid’s Fish and Chips, Stamford. Bank anglers please beware of work to improve bank erosion on the south shore of the Peninsula. This is due to start in early May with equipment being used between Half Moon Spinney and Yellowstone.
Competition news
Troutmasters fish off Although only four anglers took part in this all caught their 8 fish limit. Mick Connor fished an olive and black buzzer combination to win with 8 fish for 27lb. Four of these were cracking over wintered fish and two over 4lb, the best weighing 4lb 13oz. Mick will go on to represent Rutland Water at the Troutmasters final at Grafham in September. Best Rainbow 5lb 10oz taken by Mick Connor. Best Brown 3lb 14oz taken by V Craggs of Market Deeping. Best methods See report. Best boat areas The main basin, bottom of both arms, Old Hall to Inmans Spinney. Best bank areas Normanton, Sykes Lane, the Dam. Fish stocked 4,000. Mid week boat winner Martin Matthews of Norwich. Forthcoming events
Beginners courses 11 and 25 May; 22 and 29 June and throughout the season. Tuesday Night Boat League
Bob church Classic (by invitation)17 May Vision Pairs 19 May Rudder March (leg 2 of 5) 25 May Anglian Water Floating Line 8 June Week ending 6th May Fish week 2,304(season 7,613) Returns 417 (1,302) Rod average 5.52 (5.84) Rutland Water is fishing very well for both bank and boat anglers. The best methods are nymphs, buzzers or floating or midge tip lines or blobs and boobies fished on fast sink lines, mainly Di7. The popular Tuesday Night Boat League commences on 7 May and runs for 15 weeks. Meet at the Lodge and book in from 5pm for a 6pm start. Open to all with a valid day/evening permit and season ticket holders. Relax with a drink afterwards and the option to purchase food delivered from Sid’s Fish and Chips, Stamford. Bank anglers please beware of work to improve bank erosion on the south shore of the Peninsula. This is due to start in early May with equipment being used between Half Moon Spinney and Yellowstone.
Competition news
On Thursday 25 April Rutland Water hosted the EPFFA (English Police Flyfishing Association). 62 anglers fished this match 179 fish were netted and 231 returned. The heaviest rainbow was 4lb 7oz taken by Jason Ruff of Greater Manchester Police. The best brown was caught by Dave Allen of Cheshire and it weighed 2lb 7oz. Best Rainbow 7lb 8¼oz taken by Andy Bone of RAF Wittering. Best methods Bank – Nymphs/buzzers, small lures Boat – blobs and boobies on fast sinking lines. Best areas Most areas are producing fish. Fish stocked 4,000 Mid week boat winner John Wotherspoon of Stamford. Forthcoming events
Beginners courses 4,11 and 25 May; 22 and 29 June and throughout the season. Tuesday Night Boat League starts 7 May and runs for 15 weeks. Dave Hodgson Memorial 5 May. Bob church Classic (by invitation)17 May Vision Pairs 19 May Rudder March (leg 2 of 5) 25 May Anglian Water Floating Line 8 June Fish week 1,847 (season 5,309) Returns 342 (885) Rod average 5.4 (5.99) Rutland Water is in outstanding form this season with another excellent week for both boat and bank anglers. Gordon Anthony from Peterborough recorded the best Rainbow of the week at 7lb 7¼oz. The fish fell to a black pheasant tail fished off the bank. Fish are being caught in many areas and on many methods with an overall rod average of 5.4 for the week. Numerous limits have been recorded. Season ticket holder Mike Barratt from Sheffield netted the best Rainbow off the boats with a buzzer caught 6lb 10oz fish. On the same day Peter Gover, of Empingham, recorded his personal best Rainbow at 6lb 2½oz whilst fishing in the Spring Rudder match last Saturday. The best Brown weighed 3lb 10oz and was recorded by Steve Crowson of Leicester who was fishing in the Army Angling Association’s Spring Boat competition last Saturday. A number of overwintered fish have been coming out with fish in the 3lb to 7lb category.
The popular Tuesday Night Boat League commences on 7 May and runs for 15 weeks. Meet at the Lodge and book in from 5pm for a 6pm start. Open to all with a valid day/evening permit and season ticket holders. Relax with a drink afterwards and the option to purchase food delivered from Sid’s Fish and Chips, Stamford. Competition News
Anglian Water Spring Rudder Match 20 April (leg one of five).
This was a good match despite very little wind for this method. First back to the pontoon were match winners Al Owen and Graham Pearson who weighed in 16 fish for 40lb 1oz. Jim Watts and Martin Hearth took second place with 16 fish for 37lb 7¼oz. Alan Taylor and Wayne Windsor took third place with 16 fish for 36lb 5¼oz.
The best Rainbow of the match, 6lb 2½oz, was taken by Peter Gover. Another Rainbow worthy of mention was the 5lb ½oz specimen taken by Dan Perks. The best Brown weighed in at 1lb 15oz for Mick Atkinson. 24 Anglers caught 123 fish for a rod average of 5.1. Army Angling Federation Spring match
The Army Angling Federation Spring match took place over two days last weekend. 46 anglers battled for the prizes with Paul Kitchen coming out on top overall with a cracking weight of 48lb 9oz over the two days, well done Paul. The anglers caught well at various areas around the reservoir with Barnsdale, Fantasy Island and the mouth of Whitwell Creek featuring heavily. Sinking lines with lures did the most damage with nymphs and buzzers also taking fish.
Rutland Water is the place to be with some anglers claiming the fishing is too easy. Settled conditions should see a few fish on top with fish feeding on many items from Buzzers, corixa, shrimp, hog louse, fry and Zebra Mussels. Best Rainbow 7lb 7¼oz taken by Gordon Anthony of Whittlesey. Best Brown 3lb 10oz taken by Steve Crowson of Leicester. Best methods Bank – Nymphs/buzzers, small lures.
Boat – As for bank with various sinking lines with mini lures. Best boat areas Normanton, Sykes Lane, Barnsdale, Old Hall, Church Bay, Sailing Club. Best bank areas Normanton Church to Fantasy Island, Sailing Club, Barnsdale, New Zealand Point, Barn Hill Creek. Fish stocked 3,500. Mid week boat winner P McKie of Chadderton, Lancs. Forthcoming events
Beginners courses 27 April; 4,11 and 25 May; 22 and 29 June and throughout the season. Airflo North of England Heat 28 April (25 boats booked). Tuesday Night Boat League starts 7 May and runs for 15 weeks. Dave Hodgson Memorial 5 May. Bob church Classic (by invitation)17 May Vision Pairs 19 May Rudder March (le 2 of 5) 25 May Anglian Water Floating Line 8 June Week ending April 7th
Fish week 1166 Returns 157 Rod average 7.42 The first full week of the season was very impressive with a rod average of 7.42! The weather remained consistently cold but finally warmed up last weekend and the sun came out. During the week Cameron Neil caught a Brown off the bank and returned it safely to the water, having weighed it first on fellow angler Rob Edmunds’ scales for 10lb 5oz. Other notable catches included the best fish of the week - a 6lb 8oz Rainbow for Phil Webb from Derbyshire. Phil was one of a group of 7 boat anglers, members of Derbyshire Fly Fishers, who recorded 51 fish on the day with a good number in the 2½lb – 3lb bracket. Season ticket holder Roger Marshall netted a 6lb specimen which went 6lb 2oz taken off the bank on the Peninsula. Regular Grafham angler Andy Linwood, made a trip to Rutland and came up trumps with a very solid looking 5lb 11oz Rainbow which fell to a black buzzer from Whitwell Creek. With the wind finally turning from East North East, bank anglers were taking fish in Church Bay and the Normanton area. Prior to this the Dam, Sykes Lane, Whitwell Front, Whitwell Creek, Yellowstones and Old Hall had all been producing fish. Boat anglers fared best off Normanton, Sykes Lane, Barnsdale, Old Hall and Hambleton Wood. A number of areas, like the bottom of both arms, haven’t yet been fished so expectations are high. Another 2,000 Rainbows were stocked during the week bringing the total so far this season to 21,200. Prospects are very good with fish being caught in many areas of the reservoir, insect hatches have been steady, but not prolific - settled weather should help. Competition News Alan West Memorial 5 April This match is always well supported and this year 60 anglers caught 303 fish for a rod average of 5. Yvonne Webb had a fantastic day and won with eight fish for 23lb 2oz. 
Mike Barratt was second with 8 fish for 22lb 15oz and Matt Oldroyd third with 8 fish for 22lb 11oz. The best fish of the match was a 4lb 10oz Rainbow taken by Simon Lehane. Best Rainbow 6lb 8oz taken by Phil Webb of Derbyshire. Best Brown 10lb 5oz caught and returned to the water by Cameron Neil. Best methods Mainly lures, various lines, but good numbers of fish falling to nymphs as well. Best boat areas The main basin, Barnsdale, Whitwell Front, Old Hall, Church Bay. Best bank areas Whitwell Creek (front), Sykes Lane, the Dam, Old Hall, Yellowstone, Church Bay, Gibbets. Rutland Water continued Fish stocked 2,000 Mid week boat winner Andrew Tinkler, Sedgefield. Forthcoming events
Beginners courses 21 & 27 April; 4,11 and 25 May and other dates throughout the season. Anglian Water Spring Rudder Match 20 April (leg one of five) Dave Hodgson Memorial 5 May. There was an excellent start to the new season at Rutland Water with lots of limits taken and a catch return rate of 6.84 on Opening Day. This was a huge achievement considering the freezing conditions. The best Rainbow recorded on Opening Day fell to Lincolnshire angler Rob Holloway who netted a superb conditioned 6lb 12oz specimen from Whitwell Creek. This fish rewarded Rob with the Independence Day Trophy and £70 of Anglian Water Tackle vouchers. Ice was found in some areas with one angler losing fish with ice cutting through his leader! Anglers had to wear numerous layers of clothing to keep warm. Both bank and boat anglers found fish with the usual early season lures accounting for most fish. However, good numbers of fish were recorded on nymphs and even more surprisingly some were taken on dries off the banks. Amongst the stock fish were numbers of well conditioned over wintered Rainbows in the 3-5lb class. On the second day of the season Rob Layton of Holcot, Northamptonshire, netted a quality Rainbow of 7lb 8oz. The fish fell to a black tadpole fished on a floating line from Sykes Lane frontage. Fish were also caught from the snow capped dam right down to Barnsdale in the North Arm and to Old Hall Bay in the South Arm. 
Anglers came from far and wide to fish the opening weekend including father and son duo John and Paul Sturge from Margate, Kent, who are regular visitors to Rutland Water. John and Paul recorded 6 consecutive limits between them during their three day holiday package. A good number of these fish were in the 2-3½lb category and taken on buzzers. The pair left happy with the fish they encountered if not a little cold! 19,200 fish were stocked pre season with another delivery planned this week. Although cold weather is again forecast the fishing has been excellent. Forthcoming events
Beginners courses 10,21 & 27 April; 4,11 and 25 May and other dates throughout the season. Alan West Memorial 5 April Lexus European Individual qualifier 7 April Lexus European Team Qualifier 8 April Anglian Water Spring Rudder Match 20 April (leg one of five) Dave Hodgson Memorial 5 May. 1st 04 2013 Now thats what I call a start to a season two cracking fish, 1. 4lbs 2ozs brown and 1. 4lbs 4ozs rainbow. both caught from the dam area in todays outing. The brown took a very large hears ear and the rainbow a black and green. both fish caught on a mig tip line.lots of fish showing and most anglers taking fish on all methods. I fished from about 11oclock to around 2.30 then it got that cold that I had enough, just could not feel my hands. Ziggy. 
Rutland Water opens on Good Friday 29 March – the Independence Day Trophy will be awarded for the best fish.
Forthcoming events
The Alan West Memorial 5 April
Anglian Water Spring Rudder match 13 April.
Beginners courses: 16 & 20 March; 4,10,21 & 27 April and throughout the year.
Rutland Water will open on Friday 29th March
With the new season just around the corner we are looking forward to welcoming anglers back to our waters. Come and meet the Anglian Water fisheries team at Grafham Water this Saturday. Open House at Grafham Water this Saturday 23 February from 10am to 3pm - Talk to the representatives from Hardy Greys, Snowbee, Wychwood/Leeda and Guide about their new ranges and try out rods if conditions allow. Buff Headwear and Vass Rainwear will also be there to talk about their products.
- It’s a great opportunity to talk to talk to the fisheries team about the coming season.
- Peter Hartley will be demonstrating fly tying and on hand to offer advice on casting techniques if something is bugging you.
- Draw for a Gold Season ticket from last season’s catch returns.
- Season permits on sale (don’t forget to bring a passport size photo with you).
- New for 2013 is our four stage electronic payment option with card payments.
Super savings continue with season permits - Existing season permit holders are entitled to loyalty discounts when renewing or upgrading.
- Plus other benefits including guest tickets, reductions on mid week boat hire in July and August, Gate keys and 10% discount on tackle at our tackle shops.
Opening dates - Ravensthorpe Friday 1 March
- Pitsford Water Friday 8 March
- Grafham Water Friday 15 March
- Rutland Water Good Friday 29 March
Keep up to date with the latest Fishery News www.anglianwater.co.uk/leisure
If you would like to receive our Weekly Fishery News by email during the coming season then please email
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We look forward to seeing you soon. Jon Marshall
Fishery Manager Anglian Water Below some of the best fish to come out of Rutland in the past year. will it be better this year?  Dave,Murray of Chislehurst, Kent, caught a superb 9lb 10½ Brown  Roy Bartram Rutlands biggest rainbow at 9lbs 12ozs All of our fisheries are fishing well. The latest news from Rutland Water is of several bag limits and good sized fish. There are many fish between 3 and 5lb. Most anglers at Rutland are using lures on various weight sinking lines. However, there are still anglers catching on floating lines with lure/nymph combinations. Fish are feeding hard on shrimp/daphnia with one or two feeding on fry. The best areas at Rutland Water have been the fishing lodge harbour wall, Normanton, Old Disabled Bay, Whitwell, Yellowstone, Barn Hill, Carrot Creek, the Finches to Armley Wood. The last day of the trout fishing season at all of our fisheries is 31 December. To check our lodge opening times please click on this linkhttp://www.anglianwater.co.uk/leisure/opening-times/ This will be the final ‘report’ of 2012 – but we will be in touch with any notable fish landed between now and 31 December. The photo shows the top four prize winners. Starting on the far right working left 1st Andy Clark 2nd Rob Edmunds 3rd Richard Copper 4th Tom Davies 
I suppose an easier way of tagging the image would be to say from left to right in ascending order etc. Here’s a brief account of the match Rutland Water’s final match of the season – the popular Fur and Feather bank match was held on Sunday 2 December. 53 Anglers from far and wide took part. Bright and crisp conditions did not stop 7 anglers from catching their six fish limit with several others recording between one and four fish. There were a lot of fish recorded between 3-5lb. The largest fish fell to Mark Bradbury – a cracking 5lb 11¼oz Rainbow. First place went to Andy Clark of Pickering, North Yorkshire. Andy took 6 fish for 20lb including a 5lb 4oz Rainbow, all of his fish were taken from the Harbour Wall. The best areas were the Harbour Wall, Old Hall Point, Hinmans and Barnhill. The best methods were sinking lines and minkies.
1st Andy Clark 6 fish for 20lb
2nd Rob Edmunds 6 fish for 19lb 10oz
3rd Richard Cooper 6 fish for 16lb 13¼oz
4th Tom Davies 6 fish for 16lb 2oz
5th Iain Barr 6 fish for 15lb 11½oz
6th Ashley Davies 6 fish for 15lb 11oz
Bank anglers are enjoying some good fishing. Season ticket holder Hilary Tomlinson of Whissendine took a cracking conditioned 4lb 12½oz Rainbow to the Fishing Lodge. The fish fell to a silver Invicta. 
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Best Brown 7lb 14½oz taken by Keith Jones of Peterborough. 
 Julian Hubbard of Leicester had an excellent limit of 8 Rainbows, with the best two at 6lb 3¾oz and 4lb 14oz, whilst boat fishing the North Arm. Season ticket holder Ian Moody of Oakham bank fished from the Peninsula and took a superb Brown of 7lb 4 1/8oz last Tuesday. The fish fell to a subsurface fry pattern.
On behalf of Anglian Water and all the wardens John Seaton would like to thank all those who supported the boat league, not forgetting Sid’s Fish and Chip of Stamford for supplying the after match suppers.
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Created in memory of the Wheelyboat Trust’s Founder President, Alan Faulkner, the award is presented annually to the game fishery that provides disabled anglers with the most outstanding service, facilities, opportunities and access. Grafham Water is a previous recipient of this award which is in its tenth year.
A statement on behalf of the Wheelyboat Trust reads “The award’s judges were very impressed with Rutland Water’s commitment to disabled anglers: the facilities there are first class, all are wheelchair accessible and the staff are helpful and courteous – essential requirements for a hassle free day’s fishing in their wheelyboat.”
This week anglers have reported large fish moving when the conditions are right, although so far these fish are proving elusive. Head Warden at Rutland, John Seaton, landed his best fish of the season in Manton bay. This cracking 5lb 12oz fish was the best Rainbow of the week and took an orange booby on a Di 3 line. John commented that he and his boat partner Paul Friend saw a lot of fish moving in Manton Bay and towards Browns Island.
Week ending 22th July 2012 } “Rutland Water Fly Fishers organised a terrific day at Rutland Water for 84 children last Sunday. The majority of the youngsters were aged 10-13 years. A huge amount of planning had gone into the day with the support of some fantastic volunteers. Members of the Guild of Fly Dressers were on hand to tie flies, the Game Angling Instructors Association taught them how to cast, a pair of seasoned Rutlandprofessionals took them through how to tackle the Big Water and Ladies Fishing took on the important task of boat safety. Fired with enthusiasm and a good grounding in the basics the youngsters took to the water, ably guided by volunteer boatmen. It was quite a sight to see 42 boats heading out onto the water with an average age of the fishermen being 12. Three and a half hours later 50 Rutland Rainbows were taken to the scales. There were broad smiles all round – even from those who hadn’t caught. It was a terrific day both for the youngsters and for the host of volunteers and sponsors who made it possible.” 
 5lb 9oz Rainbow for Roger Gill
Paul Shaw 
Paul with 2 of his winning fish.
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