• Spectacular spring fishing at Grafham Water with a 13.40 rod average
• Head down to Rutland Water on 1 April for the Independence Day Trophy
Top prize for heaviest Rainbow or Brown on the day
www.anglianwater.co.uk/leisure
Rutland Water 01780 686441; Grafham Water 01480 810531;
Pitsford, Ravensthorpe & Hollowell 01604 781350,
Taverham Mills Fishery 01603 861014; Alton Water 01473 589105
Recreation Dept Anglian Water 01572 653021

Rutland Water
Fish 497 (season 1,381) Returns 85 (215)Rod average 5.84(6.42)

It’s been an excellent week at Rutland Water with an overall rod average of 5.84. The strong East winds saw bank anglers fishing the North shore of the reservoir and the south side of the peninsula for the first few days with great success. Many fish have been falling to buzzer patterns, however by the end of the week a good number of fish had moved off shore following the food.

Boat anglers are reporting ‘fish everywhere’. Among those fishing were Kristian Sveda and Jozeff Galdos on holiday in Rutland all the way from Slovakia. The pair fished Rutland on Thursday, Pitsford and Ravensthorpe on Friday and Saturday respectively, returning to fish Rutland on their final day. Kristian described the fishing as ‘crazy’ with a multiple catch between them of over 60 fish with the majority falling to buzzer patterns. They hope to return to Rutland in October.

Boat anglers are reporting plenty of fish with steady numbers of overwintered fish showing. Buzzers and nymphs are proving effective, but all manner of flies are working from lures large and small to fry patterns.

Out of season Browns are showing with two reported of good size.

Oakham’s Toff Crowther fished with his granddad, long time season ticket holder, Tony Tibbert. Toff hooked into a 6½lb specimen and reported lots of other big fish showing/following as well. The pair had a great day with over 40 fish caught).

Ranger Nigel Savage witnessed a very solid looking Brown caught by Chris Evans of Stamford. Chris caught this fine specimen, estimated around 6½ – 7lb, whilst buzzer fishing off the Whitwell frontage. Chris also had a few more overwintered specimens and Rainbows.

The Independence Day Trophy will be fished this coming Saturday, 1 April. The trophy and prize will be awarded for the biggest trout (Rainbow or Brown) weighed in no later than 5pm.

1 April marks the start of the Brown season and the date when winter restrictions will be lifted around the shoreline, giving full access to boats down to the bottom of both arms.

On 3 April Rutland will host the Northern heat of the Anglian Water Airflo International. Another date for the diary is Tuesday 9 May when our popular Tuesday Evening Boat League starts.

At this time of year the reservoir is very popular so please check in advance for boat availability, particularly at the weekends.
Best Brown Estimated 6½ – 7lb.

Best boat areas The main basin, Sykes Lane, Normanton. Yellowstones, Old Hall, Berrybutt Spinney.

Best bank areas Normanton, Sykes Lane, Inmans Spinney to Yellowstones.

Best methods Bank – Floating lines, buzzers working well.
Boat – As for bank plus various lines from floating through to fast sinking. Lures, large and small, buzzers and fry patterns.

Mid week boat winner Bill Rolph of Easton on the Hill.

Fish stocked 2,000.

Forthcoming events
Beginners courses 30 March; 5,15,22 & 27 April; 7,13, 19 & 26 May and other dates throughout the season.
Independence Day Trophy (best fish) 1 April
Anglian Water Airflo International Northern heat 3 April
Anglers World Individual 8 April
Sport Fish Team Heat 9 April
Tuesday Night boat league commences 9 May
Dave Hodgson Memorial 7 May
Bob Church Classic 14 May
Anglian Water Rudder Match 20 May

Grafham Water
Fish 1153 (season 2062) Returns 86 (222)Rod average 13.40(9.29)
It’s been spectacular at Grafham water this week, wonderful weather and a buzzer bonanza has produced a rod average of 13.4! The majority of sport is just out of reach of the bank anglers, though boat anglers are producing high numbers.

A number of massive hauls this week surprised even some of our most experienced anglers seeing them finish the session early for a well deserved cup of tea! Here are a few of the many fantastic sessions and captures amongst the highlights this week. Our apologies to anyone that we have accidently missed mentioning.

It’s a pleasure to mention and congratulate the Blazey’s for one of, if not, the best haul over the last year. John Blazey managed a staggering 53 plus fish to the boat in a fantastic session backed up by Mike Blazey who also managed 32 plus fish. That’s a whopping 85 or more fish for the pair on their latest outing, well done gentlemen! Two other notable bags were recorded by Mr N Norton and Mr William Kingston who both managed 23 fish each. Don Bowyer managed a couple of cracking rainbows one at 3lb 8oz and the other at 3lb 2oz, which was a great result for the session, followed by Dave Dyson with his lovely 3lb 5oz Rainbow and finally Anthony Bevan who landed not only a 3lb 4oz fish but also the midweek boat winner prize.

Boat angling is currently the top method for producing vast quantities of fish with many anglers struggling to decipher whether lures or buzzers are fishing better. The north shore is the place to be and much more comfortable considering the easterly winds we have been experiencing. Floating lines, fished near static, with buzzer in areas such as the Stumps, the Willows, G Buoy, Deep Water Point, Hill Farm and Pylon Point will produce you fish particularly using black, black and green, or black and white patterns. Intermediate lines, Di5 and Di7’s, fished with lures in the same areas are also producing fish with successful flies being cats whisker, humongous, damsels, boobies and blobs.

Bank angling has toughened up this week though good bags are still achievable. Many are finding better sport earlier or later in the day with a lull around midday. Lures are fishing best from the bank particularly in white, white and green, black and black and green colouring with fish following right up to the draw so keep those sunglasses handy. Good areas to try include the Willows, the Dam, Plummers, the Seat, Marlow Arm, Deep Water Point and the Stumps.

Best boat areas Stumps, the Willows, G Buoy, Deep Water Point, Hill Farm and Pylon Point.

Best bank areas Willows, the Dam, Plummers, the Seat, Marlow Arm, Deep Water Point and the Stumps.
Grafham Water continued

Mid week boat winner Anthony Bevan of Sudbrooke.

Forthcoming events
Beginners courses 1,8,13, 23 & 30 April; 21 & 25 May and other dates throughout the season.
Anglian Water Rudder Match 8 April
England Eliminator 28 April
Anglers World Individual 13 May
Pitsford Water
Fish 157 (season 1034) Returns 42 (167)Rod average 3.7 (7.0)
Mr M Seaman reported catching a Brown of 8lb. Rob Layton had a good couple of sessions from the bank, catching 19 fish.

David Brady and his boat partner John Archer had a cracking day on Tuesday, boating 78 fish on buzzer tactics in the Stone Barn area. David was back again the following day to fish solo and had more sport on buzzers.

Changing conditions this week saw mixed results for bank anglers. There were some good catches earlier in the week, while others struggled towards the end. One un-named day permit angler had 28 fish.

Buzzers, blobs and washing line methods are still reaping results. North Farm Bay, Stone Barn and the Cliffs are producing good results.

Forthcoming events
Anglian Water rudder match 6 May.
Beginners courses 2,9 & 21 April; 11,14 & 20 May and other dates throughout the season.

Ravensthorpe Reservoir
Fish 411 (season 2,684) Returns 67 (297)Rod average 6.1(9.0)
It’s been another productive week at Ravensthorpe, with a rod average of 6.1.

The colder winds have steadied the buzzer hatches, but fish continue to be caught on buzzers fished deeper. Heavy quill or black buzzers are working well. The best boat areas have been Coton End and most marginal areas of the reservoir (40-50 metres off shore).

Bank anglers are finding that the dam seems to work well as the fish are just out of range from the platforms, especially if the weather is bright. Buzzers, red diawl bachs and floating line are working well.

The best fish recorded this week were two nice Rainbows of 5lb caught by Mick Griffin. On Sunday 19 March Fraser Duffy junior caught and released a 10lb Rainbow.

Best Rainbow Two at 5lb.

Best boat areas Coton End, margins, Catwalk Corner.

Best bank areas Dam.

Mid week boat winner Ray Harnwell.
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