Fish 312 (Season 449) Returns 51 (99) Rod average 6.11 (4.53)
Rutland has started to wake up this week with a rod average of 6.1 for the week. Large concentrations of fish have continued to be found from East Creek to Normanton Church for boat and bank anglers. Former fishery warden Martin Hearth had his first session on the bank and recorded his 8 fish limit by 2pm. He fished East Creek from the bank with his favourite black and gold humungus on a floating line and commented on the superb condition and size of this year’s stock fish. Not to be outdone, Ranger Mark Macleod recorded 14 fish in the same area, but turning to Di7 40+ to punch a line into a stiff headwind and get his flies close to the deck.
Rutland regular Malcolm Janik had a great day in Whitwell Creek last Monday taking 8 fish and returning a further 8, Malcolm fished the far bank of the creek towards Stockie Bay. Cameron Neil reported a great day’s sport on heavy buzzers on Saturday including an estimated 7lb brown in perfect condition, safely returned. Season ticket holder Roger Marshal enjoyed an afternoon session along the Normanton bank taking 6 fish to washing line tactics with nymphs. Stanislav Benko and Stefan Stempel visited Rutland for the first time all the way from Slovakia and recorded a staggering 80 fish between them for their two days! The most successful method for the pair was Di3 fished in conjunction with Blobs and Cormorants.
Ian Barr fished Rutland On Saturday and reported on his day afloat as follows - “Cracking day afloat with my dad for his birthday on Rutland yesterday in gorgeous weather once the sun broke through. Four of us landed 93 fish plus a few off the wall before we started afloat. Fish were well spread in all layers of the water from the top few feet to 20 feet down in places. We even managed a few on the buzzers!!!! We encountered some large stock rainbows so we are looking forward to getting them on the buzzers in a month or so!!!! There were a few decent browns mixed in, with one of the largest browns I've ever seen follow me up and turn away! Prospects for 2019 are looking awesome!”
As mentioned the most consistent areas have been East Creek to Harbour Wall off the bank and Whitwell Creek to Stockie Bay. The same applies from the boat but fish can be found circa 70 – 150 yards off the bank. Other areas that have featured in catch reports are Old Hall, Yellowstone, Fantasy and the Sailing Club Bay to New Zealand Point. A mixture of flies and lines have been employed with Di7 to floaters featuring! Blobs, Boobies, Cormorants and black diawl bach have been a favourite with some fish falling to buzzers. Although fish are feeding on buzzers we aren’t seeing huge hatches, as is often the case with Rutland being so large and taking longer to ‘warm up’, in comparison to smaller waters. Another theme has been late morning through the afternoon providing the best sport with fish coming higher in the water as temperatures rise.
Prospects for the week ahead look like continuing with more of the same and buzzers starting to feature more in catch reports. We are full steam ahead with a further 2,500 rainbows this week to take us up to 20,250! We would also like to remind all day and season ticket anglers that catch returns must be completed and submitted for the day/week respectively.
Fishing Stats
Best Rainbow: 6lb 11oz.
Midweek boat winner: I Scantlebury.
Fish stocked: 500.
Water temperature: 7 Celsius at 3-6 metres.
Forthcoming events
Independence Day Trophy (best fish) 1 April
Anglian Water Airflo International – Northern Heat 29 April
Davy Hodgson Memorial 5 May
Anglian Water Rudder Match 11 May
Airflo Invitation Match 15-19 May
Bob Church Classic 2 June
Beginners courses: 28 March; 7,14,20,25 & 27 April; 16,25 & 29 May; 7,16 & 29 June and throughout the season.
Boat handling courses: 29 April, 14 & 30 May; 5,10,17 & 24 June and throughout the season.