Rod average 6.94 (5.04)
Unbelievable winter sport has been on offer for anglers this week, particularly on the boat. Normanton Church to East Creek has been the mainstay for the last few weeks but continues to provide fantastic sport as more fish seem to be coming into the area! 20 fish to the boat has not been uncommon with a fair few anglers exceeding that, taking quality rainbows up to 4lb and browns in excess of 6lb coming to the net. The mouth of Whitwell Creek has also been popular for boat anglers providing good sport. In addition, Carrot Creek, Belgrano and Blue Pipes have featured. In terms of tactics, a range of fly lines have been used from boobie bashers to floaters! Fry patterns have been the choice for the majority, from popper minkies on the floater to tube flies on fast sinking lines. As a starting point a fast glass has been a popular choice to explore the upper layers. It isn’t all about pulling lures though as some anglers have used midge tip lines with cormorants and nymph patterns such as black crunchers being effective. The areas have not changed significantly for the last few weeks and if anything have got stronger with greater numbers of fish coming into these areas, with this in mind it stands to reason these areas will remain consistent in the coming weeks. The levels of the reservoir have increased significantly during the last 2 weeks with water being pumped in huge quantities. Unfortunately this seems to have been detrimental for the bank angler as the range fish were holding is now further out. At the time of writing it remains to be seen whether the fish will move closer to the bank as the level rises. Earnies Point, East Creek to the Harbour Wall, and Blue Pipes have been the most consistent areas for the bank angler. Popper minkies and floating fry have been the most consistent flies off the bank, mostly fished static.
This will be the last fishing report until the new year, please call the fishing lodge for the most up to date information. Our next report will be in 2023 where we will recap what has been happening, we look forward to seeing anglers over the Christmas and New Year period. Tight lines!
Rutland fur and feather
Well done to all the anglers who took part in the annual fur and feather, always a good day fished in the right spirit with everyone leaving with a prize. Congratulations to Frank Daley taking 1st place with 5 rainbows, Mark Macleod in 2nd (and biggest fish at 4lb10oz) and Andrew Flitcroft in 3rd taking the festive hampers. Not an easy day with probably more browns than rainbows coming to the net!
TOTAL FISH STOCKED: 71,000