Rod Average - 6.0
Rutland continues to provide excellent sport from both bank and boat. Shrimp and buzzers are certainly on the menu for fish around the reservoir. It is worth noting that temperatures have been somewhat mixed, on some days localised buzzer hatches are occurring in more sheltered areas with anglers taking advantage. When buzzers are actively hatching off the fish are responding by moving up in the water column with some anglers even taking fish on dries!
Bank anglers are reporting fish moving very close in, feeding on shrimp. GRHE, shrimp patterns and dries have all been used to good effect to tempt these fish. A good piece of advice is to not wade, these fish can be found feeding literally feet from the bank! On days with more breeze a washing line set up incorporating a FAB on the point and shrimp patterns on the cast fished across the breeze will score well. Best areas on the bank have been - Church Bay, Church to Blue Pipes, East Creek, Old Hall.
Boat anglers have experienced great sport in the same areas as bank anglers with the addition of Sailing Club Bay, Barnsdale Creek and Yellowstone/Hambleton Wood. Line choice has ranged from floaters and midge tips with Buzzers and nymphs to Di8s and fry patterns. Impressive browns up to 8lbs have also featured in returns to anglers presenting fry patterns on fast sink lines in deeper water but also showing closer in to more immatitive presentations.
Monday the 1st of April sees all restrictions for bank and boat anglers lifted, boats can venture down the arms past the limit of sailing and bank anglers can access sailing club bay to Gibbets Gorse and the full perimeter of the peninsula.
Prospects look good for sport to only get better, 5000 rainbows have been stocked in both the South and North Arm this week. Saturday the 6th of April sees the first rudder match of the year, there are limited places available for this friendly competition. Please call the lodge to book your place.