Fish 192 (Season 33,264) Returns 58 (7,638) Rod average 3.31 (4.42)
The harbour wall has been the star of the show this week with a number of bank anglers taking advantage of the bonanza. Quality rainbows up 5lb have been recorded with numerous big browns up to 9lb safely returned.
Sport has revolved around fry patterns such as a deer hair fry, hummungus and snake patterns. Other areas from the bank have been Whitwell Creek round to Stocky Bay Point and also Old Hall Bay. As always at this time of year it is best to keep on the move to locate the fish and also make a point of only throwing a short line to start with to methodically search the margins.
With the level of the reservoir so high the fry are taking shelter amongst the rocks with the trout hunting them out. On those calmer days we are seeing small black buzzers hatching with plenty of trout seen ‘sipping’ them at Old Hall, Yellowstone and along the Normanton bank. Small black nymphs fished high washing line style would be a good starting point.
The last rudder match of the season was held in far from ideal conditions for ruddering on Saturday. Head Ranger Andy Ainscough and Ranger Matt Tabram took the spoils on the day with a hard fought brace of rainbows for 7lb 4oz falling to Matt’s rod. Orange snake was the winning pattern fished tight to the bank. Fish were seen by a lot of the anglers taking part, sipping small chironomids as mentioned earlier, in hindsight tubes and snakes were probably not the best to target these fish!
Day boat prices are now reduced for the winter – the Winter boat is available from 9am to sunset £21, single man £15.
Tackle shop opening hours are 8am to 2pm from 1 November.
Don’t miss Rutland’s Fur and Feather bank match on Sunday 1 December. Call 01780 686441 for details.
Forthcoming events
Anglian Water Fur & Feather (bank) 1 December
Beginners courses: 8 December; 4 January 2020.