Fish 503 (Season 6,206) Returns 125 (1,166) Rod average 4.02 (5.32)
Another consistent week here at Rutland with the North arm being the star of the show with some fantastic dry fly sport on offer for anglers from the bank or boat.
The weed beds at the transformer, Tim Appleton’s, Burley Reaches and Dickinson’s Bay have seen vast numbers of 3lb plus Rainbows picking off snails, shrimp and corixa. Dries have been the favoured approach with a suspender hare’s ear being the pick of the patterns. A single fly approach is advised due to the weed beds and how hard these fish are fighting; many anglers are reporting seeing plenty of backing through the rings. Bank anglers have been using the same tactics with fish moving very close in of an evening
The sport round the weed beds has not been limited to the North arm with anglers venturing up the South Arm reporting good sport to the same tactics. It is worth remembering these resident fish don’t take kindly to too much boat pressure and often the best approach is to keep altering the drift to cover the water effectively. Fish have been taken from Armley Wood to Barnhill Creek with long drifts and washing line tactics and also from Cardiac Hill to the Mound. The fish are well spread and can be in open water so it is advisable to thoroughly work those drifts moving out into open water.
As to be expected the boils continue to produce plenty of sport for anglers with a number of limits being taken. Various lines have been used with lures predominantly used such as snakes and humungus. For anglers fishing the ‘slicks’ in the main basin it has become apparent that dark nymphs have come into play now; that isn’t to say that bright FABS/Blobs haven’t accounted for fish, but those more subtle flies have definitely become essential to induce solid takes.
Other areas that have provided good sport are Sailing Club Bay to New Zealand Point, Blue Pipes and Whitwell frontage. In general fish have remained high in the water with floaters and tip lines being the favourite for loch style anglers this week. Rudder anglers have had plenty of sport from the open water with Di3 being popular, showing how high the fish are, wind strength dependant of course. As has been the case for the last few weeks, Snail, Shrimp, corixa and daphnia are most certainly still on the menu for the trout.
Don’t forget our sunset ticket option for an evening on the bank - £12 (1fish+c&r) from 6pm. Available from the ranger’s office (cash only).
Beginners Courses: 1,16,22 & 30 August; 4,6,12,20 & 23 September and other dates throughout the season. Please call lodge on 01780 686441.