Rutland Water week ending 9 September

Big fish are starting to show and anglers are venturing away from the main basin with the south arm providing some tremendous action. Paul Hill from Somerset headed down to the arms for a big fish on the recommendation of tackle assistant Dave Summers. Paul came up trumps with a superb 8lb 1oz Brown from the bottom of the South Arm. This superb fish fell to a large Pitsford Pea. Paul lost an even bigger Brown later in the week.

Paul Friend (former Rutland ranger) and his good friend Ken Merriman fished last Thursday taking 8 fish and returning a Brown estimated at around 8lb. Toff Crowther, renowned for landing big fish, opted to fish the North arm and was rewarded with a fish just under 7lb.

Season ticket holder Malcolm Janik came across a Brown of 5lb that had been feeding on Perch fry. Malcolm says that this has been the most consistent season for a very long time. Alistair Haggarty and John Davidson, visiting Rutland from their home in Scotland, managed 14 fish and thanked fishery staff for a great day’s fishing.

Gareth Jones and Tony Cartwright (Nymph-a-Maniacs team members) fished on Saturday and had a brilliant day with most of their fish coming from the south. Fish were moving in the wind lanes and the best tactic was midge tip with various nymphs, mini lures and even some wet flies. The pair had well over 30 plus fish. Gareth also fished the previous Thursday, (this time in heavy rain) and he was joined by Iain Barr in the afternoon.

Overall it’s been another good week at Rutland Water but changeable weather has made it difficult at times. Last Monday was a struggle with virtually flat calm and bright sun. The main methods have been lures, nymphs, wet fly tactics on floating line/midge tip on the cloudy days (dry fly has also produced fish). Sunny days have seen various sinking lines used by loch style/drifting boats.

Rudder boats have had extreme results with some anglers struggling to get fish. Whereas other anglers including Paul Friend, Malcolm Janik and ‘Big Dave’ Porter and Phil Welbourne have caught a number of fish on the rudder.

Bank anglers have been few and far between, although fish have been seen moving close in a few areas. With temperatures cooling this should happen soon. Fly hatches have been heavy, albeit with tiny buzzers in great numbers, with some larger green buzzer and sedge activity in the evenings.

Best methods: Bank – Fry and nymph patterns.

                        Boat – As for Mixture of mini lures/nymphs, dries, wet flies also tube fly and fry patterns.

Best Brown: 8lb 1oz taken by Paul Hill.

Best boat areas: Main basin and south arm.

Midweek boat winner:  Brian Bonner.

Fish stocked: 2,000.

Predator lure fishing 1-30 September

Fly fishing for Pike 16 May to 31 January 2019

WaterAid 13 September

Anglian Water Rudder Match 15 September 01780 686441.

Anglian Water Airflo International Final 1-3 October by qualification

World Lure Fishing Championships 11-14 October

Beginners courses:  See our page for full details.