Fish week 392 (season total 28660), Returns 75 (5663) Rod average 5.22 (5.04)
Rutland has been fishing well in recent weeks but is now showing quality winter form. Fish have been feeding on fry for some time but with settled colder weather we have now seen trout chasing the fry in big numbers. Great sport has been had and over the past week anglers have reported fish to be all over the reservoir. Rutland’s large Rainbows and Browns have been making regular appearances and catches of 20 plus to the boat are not uncommon. Everyone who’s visited us seem to have enjoyed a days fishing whether it be the anticipation of landing a fish of a lifetime, the enjoyment and at times frustration of the trout nipping and tugging at your fly or seeing the bow wave chasing your popper minkie across the water. Prospects look good into December with the fish seemingly very settled in the areas below, more than likely due to the vast amounts of fry present. Fish have also been feeding hard on snails, with fish visibly moving on the surface sipping snails on calm days.
Boat
Main areas that have been concentrated on are Sailing Club to the Church, Church to blue pipes, the mouth of Whitwell, Barnhill Creek and Barnhill Point. Tactics – These have varied and all dependent on how deep the fish have been, not only has it changed day by day but also on the day its self. Various lines from floating to Di8’s have been used. To name a few the some successfully flies have included snakes, humungous, minkies, and other fry imitation patterns.
Bank
The hot spot seems to be Ernies Point if you can get on, that said like the boat fishing we have had reports of fishing being caught from various areas that include, Normanton Bank Three Trees Blue Pipes, the Dam, Stockie Bay, Barnhill Point and the Mound. Tactics – mainly floating lines have done well, but also a slow intermediate line is worth trying. Popper Minkies and Floating Fry patterns along with Minkies, small snakes and Zonkers have all been successful.
One angler reported getting light pulls when retrieving slowly, with no fish grabbing he decided to try the fly he was using, a zonker under a bung and with in no time he had a fish on and 8 for the session. Water levels have increased significantly in the last 2 weeks with an increase of circa 2 feet of depth. With this in mind bank areas are more accessible as the areas of very soft mud are slowly covered. Caution still needs to be taken as those areas of soft mud may now be submerged by the increase in water level. Rutland Water Fur and Feather Sunday 4th (Bank) A great opportunity to meet up for a day’s fishing before Christmas. Fished from the bank, friendly competition with a prize for all competitors. Hampers for top 3 competitors and biggest fish prize. Call the lodge to book and pay for your place, £10 entry. (6 fish limit, open to all season ticket holders, non ST holders 6 fish limit ticket (£27) Registration from 8am at the lodge, please bring a table prize for the raffle. Fishing 9am – 2.45pm weigh in at the lodge from 2.45pm and no later than 3.15pm.
TOTAL FISH STOCKED: 71,000