Rutland Water week ending 22 September

With another week of unfavourable conditions: flat calm, bright sunshine and warm water temperatures, the fishing was inevitably going to be challenging.  However, the change in weather on Sunday saw a big improvement.

For those who were patient enough to target fry feeders around the weed beds, there were some fantastic over-wintered rainbows starting to feed heavily on the abundance of this year’s fry.

WaterAid competition 19 September
On Wednesday we hosted the annual Wateraid charity match, with first time anglers (accompanied by Ghillies from Rutland Water Fly Fishers) and experienced anglers meeting up for a relaxed and social event.
For most it was tough on the day fishing on a glass-like reservoir, but there were several memorable catches, especially for Ed Heath who brought two cracking rainbows back to the lodge, tipping the scales to 9lb 4oz! One of Ed’s fish was the biggest fish of the day - a stunning 4lb 14oz lump.
 

First time anglers Michael Cleaver and Alex Pollard took top spot with the assistance of their Ghilly for the day, Graham Pearson. They managed a superb mixed bag of over-wintered and early season stocked fish which weighed in at 25lb 9oz. Michael was top novice on the day with an individual bag of 16lb 10oz.

In second place with 19lb 8oz, were Adam Moxon and Darren Smith. Adam took the prize for best individual in the “experienced” class, also with a total of 16lb 10oz.
Ed Heath’s brace was enough for him and boat partner Russ Gallagher to claim third spot.

There were also good catches in the open water for those that ventured deep. Fishing Lodge retail assistant Paul Baker bagged six good quality fish on small fry patterns fished deep and slow on a Di5, while season ticket holder Ken Salmon had good results fishing nymphs on a sink tip line and long leaders.

Mark Bowler had a special treat this week with a huge rainbow, estimated at around 8lb, landed whilst his boat partner that day was playing a five pounder!!

Then came the weekend, and with it the change in conditions we have all been waiting for!
Many anglers came in with good catches of 3lb plus rainbows, and more notably, the big browns put in an appearance!

Local angler Tom Cooper went out for an evening session on Sunday and landed a superb 7lb 12oz brown trout from the bank, while many of the boat anglers over the weekend were reporting captures of Browns between 4-6lb. Most of which were safely released to fight another day.
One of which was another local angler, Toff Crowther, who claims to have released several brownies to 5lb, whilst backing it up with a limit of rainbows to around the 4lb mark.

Things are looking good with the final of the Anglian Water Airflo International just around the corner, long may the cooler climate continue!!

Please book boats in advance as demand is high throughout September.

Lure fishing for pike, zander and perch only at Rutland commenced on 1 September (continues to 30 September).

Anglian Water Airflo International Final 7-9 October

Anglian Water Autumn Pairs Rudder & non rudder 12 October

Fry Feeders Match 20 October.

George Moore Memorial Trophy (rudder) 26 October

Anglian Water Rudder Match 16 November

Anglian Water Fur & Feather (bank) 1 December
 

Beginners courses: 4,13,18 & 26 October;2 & 10 November; 8 December; 4 January 2020.
Boat handling courses: 16,21 & 30 October; 4 November.