Fish 2018 (Season 32,244) Returns 87 (7,215) Rod average 2.5 (4.46)
There is no better time to visit Rutland and target a specimen Brown and this has been evident from many anglers returning to the pontoon reporting numbers of Browns in the 5 – 7lb class. We have also had two Browns over the magical 10lb mark reported this week, one off the bank at Sykes Lane and one from the boats at Yellowstone, both safely returned. Fry patterns are certainly the way to target these with New Zealand Point to the Sailing Club a consistent area. Popper minkies, humungus and snakes have all been a popular choice fished on floating lines to DI3.
Rudder anglers are picking up Rainbows in the open water off the South Arm with fish spread from 18 buoy (off the Sailing Club) to 14 buoy (Church Bay). These fish are not deep but successful lines need to be tailored to the prevailing wind conditions on the day, this could be an intermediate to a di5! Other areas producing last week have been, Ernies Point/mouth of Whitwell Creek, T buoy to the Monument at Sykes Lane and Barnsdale Creek working towards the tree lined bank.
Good sport is being had on the bank also with Normanton bank and Stocky Bay producing quality Rainbows around the 3lb mark and a range of different year classes of Browns. Along with the harbour wall we are seeing increasing amounts of fry enter the harbour and some hefty fish crashing into them, certainly an area not to be ignored in the next couple of weeks. There are also shoals of fry in the open water with anglers reporting sport a long way from the bank when you can see the trout herding these fish up and the gulls taking advantage of the food source.
Wherever you are on the bank it is important to locate the weedbeds which are submerged with the high water levels and keep on the move, 10 yards up or down the bank can make all the difference at this time of year. In general fish are feeding on fry but interestingly the Rainbows in and around the weed beds are containing large amounts of snails too, a well presented suggestive dry fly could well be worth a go to tempt these.
Forthcoming events
George Moore Memorial Trophy (rudder) 26 October
Anglian Water Rudder Match 16 November
Anglian Water Fur & Feather (bank) 1 December
Beginners courses: 26 October;2 & 10 November; 8 December; 4 January 2020.
Boat handling courses: 30 October; 4 November.