Fish 1,629 (Season 9,429) Returns 388 (1,456) Rod average 4.19 (6.47)
This week started with the first heat of our very own Anglian Water Airflo International here at Rutland. 8 teams took to the water to battle for a place in the regional final in July with WCC Airflo Costa 1 and RAF Fish Hawks A recording the same combined weight of 135lb 14oz! Number of fish decided first place with Costa’s 65 fish edging the Fish Hawks into second with 61 fish. Joining the afore mentioned in the regional final will be Northern Drifters, The Renegades and Team Vision, congratulations from us all at the lodge! Rutland didn’t disappoint with a rod average of 7.54 on match day with the majority of boats concentrating efforts in the Hideaway Bay area, Old Hall, K Buoy, Sykes Lane and Whitwell Front. Bucking the trend in the areas mentioned was top rod for the day Fish Hawks Si Gaines with a combined weight of 33lb 5oz for his 14 fish bag. Finding the Sailing Club Bay empty Si proceeded to put a fine bag of fish together finishing at 13:35! Steve Cochrane recorded a fine specimen brown of 7lb ½ oz to take best fish on the day.
Specimen browns have once again featured this week, Gordon Bramwell returned an estimated 9lb fish during Monday’s match and Barry Vaughan returned a huge brown of 12lb plus taken on a size 14 cruncher!
Buzzer hatches were slowed somewhat by the drop in temperatures of last week but when temperatures rose they were soon active with Swallows working the water in many areas of the reservoir. Fish could be seen moving in huge numbers but were feeding on very small fly in most cases and reluctant to look at dries or nymphs fished high. The most successful option was to ignore the risers and fish beneath them with buzzers, and small crunchers/diawl bach. Another tactic was to fish boobies very fast along the surface to induce a reaction, often leading to multiple fish following the flies! Towards the latter part of the week good hatches of olives were noted which is encouraging, giving the trout another option.
There is a real spread of fish at the moment giving anglers plenty of options in where to target. Notable areas have been Hideaway Bay, New Zealand Point, Sailing Club Bay, Lodge frontage, including Church Bay and Normanton Church to the blue pipes. The Monument, Stocky Bay, Earnies Point, Barnsdale Creek, Dickensons and The transformer have all provided sport!
Tactics wise buzzers and black/brown diawl bach and crunchers have been a safe bet. In general the fish are not holding deep with midge tips and floaters being a popular choice when conditions have allowed. As would be expected a change to boobies and blobs on the cooler days with less fly has paid dividends with di3 or 5 lines. Fly choice is very similar for bank or boat currently, with New Zealand Point, Sailing Club, Sykes Lane and May Tree bank all providing bank anglers with sport.
A further 4,000 rainbows were introduced down both arms last week so expect the quality sport on offer to continue!
The Tuesday Night Boat League starts on 7 May.
An enjoyable evening, open to all from 5pm with boats away at 6pm. Boat partners will be drawn from a hat. The evening concludes with a fish and chip supper and the prize for the best fish on the night is a free mid week boat.
Fishing Stats
Best Rainbow: 4lb 11oz.
Best Brown: 12lb (safely returned).
Best boat areas: See report.
Best bank areas: See report.
Mid week boat winner: R Maryniak
Fish stocked: 2,500.
Forthcoming events
Anglian Water Rudder Match 11 May
Airflo Invitation Match 15-19 May
Bob Church Classic 2 June
Anglian Water Over 50’s Match 15 June
Beginners courses: 16,25 & 29 May; 7,16 & 29 June and throughout the season.
Boat handling courses: 14 & 30 May; 5,10,17 & 24 June and throughout the season.