• Gary’s number one at Pitsford Water on Opening Day
Gary Holloway of Deanshanger buys first day ticket of new season and nets bumper 29lb bag.
• Pitsford Water sets the pace with fantastic rod   average of 5.7 
• Grafham Water is next Anglian Water reservoir to re-open on Friday 14 March 
• club members pitch in for charity at Rutland Water litter pick with Rutland Water re-opening for trout fishing on Good Friday 21 March members of Rutland Water Fly Fishers bagged rubbish and raised funds for Oakham’s Rutland Memorial Hospital.

Pitsford Water

John Caldwell the bow and Graden Smith landing the sprat. Anchored in Bog Bay and had 21 fish to the boat, mostly on minkies fished deep and slow.


Pitsford Water opened on Friday 7 March with a fantastic rod average of 5.7! Fish were caught from all banks and bays, notable spots were the Pines and North Farm Bay. Gary Holloway purchased the first day permit of the morning (and season!) and went on to record a total bag of 29lb.  Gary from Deanshanger, Milton Keynes, had three 5lb fish, one at 4lb, another at 3lb and three at 2llb, recording his best ever bag at Pitsford.

Tim Leach of Cambridge recorded a fish of 5lb 10oz which was part of an 8 fish limit totalling over 22lb.  John Armstrong of Northampton recorded an 8 fish limit on Friday of 21lb 12oz and he returned one other fish.  Former England youth star Tom Davies boat fished with pal Joel and the pair took their limit easily on Sunday.  Season permit holder Jiim Hoey banked a nice 5lb fish to start his season.
Will Linell from Holcot took a quick limit off the Pines.  Will used green and white lures on fast sink lines.  Will said “It was cold with the wind in your face but well worth it!”
best boat areas as for bank.  The Pines also showing over wintered fish and fishing well from the boats when the wind is blowing on to the bank best bank areas North Farm Bay, Pines, Bog Bay, Stone Barn.
Forthcoming events beginners courses 12,20 & 27 April & other dates throughout the season.
Ravensthorpe Reservoir
fish week 293(season 345) returns 69 (85) rod average 4.2 (4.05)

The best catch of the week was by Mr A Lane from London who recorded 15 Rainbows to 3½lb (all safely returned) on a catch and release ticket.  Other notable catches were reported by Mr E Watson and Mr A Osborne with 12 and 11 respectively.  They each retained a fish and returned the rest safely.
Bank anglers have found the sport to be a bit patchy but as the water warms up sport will hot up, especially to buzzers etc. Boat anglers have had the pick of the sport with the area around the Island and the far bank being the most productive.
Intermediate and sink lines with small black and green lures are favourite at the moment for bank and boat anglers alike, but floating line and long leaders 18-20 feet with buzzers and diawls would be a good bet from the bank.
Best methods see report

Best boat areas island and Far bank

Best bank areas Mongers

Demand for boats often outstrips supply – pre-booking is essential. 
For boat bookings and enquiries please call 01604 770875. 

Grafham Water
Grafham Water is getting revved up for the start of the new season this Friday 14 March.  The angler catching the best fish on Opening Day wins a prize and the New Lodge Trophy. The Bob Church Open for the Frank Cutler Memorial Trophy will be fished on 6 April.  Anglers wishing to enter this match should call 01604 661133.  Anglian Water’s popular Beginners courses will be held on 16, 19 & 30 March, 13,23 & 26 April and lots of dates throughout the year.

Rutland Water
Rutland Water Fly Fishers had a fantastic turnout for their annual litter pick.  Twenty five members and their families supported this annual event last Sunday on a lovely sunny morning. It was great to see youngsters and other family members pitching in to help out – collecting around 31 bags of rubbish.

John Maitland, chairman of RWFF, thanked members for their attendance, the staff at the Water’s Edge restaurant for cooking excellent, generously filled bacon butties and John Seaton of Anglian Water.  John, senior warden at Rutland Water, took time out of his busy schedule to organise the food and give directions on the health and safety aspects of litter collection.  He was also busy taking group photos in front of the club’s new notice board.

The litter pick gives a tremendous ‘spring clean’ to the banks and every year raises funds for charity.  The event is sponsored by Anglian Water Services and this year’s proceeds are directed to the Rutland Memorial Hospital in Oakham where many club members have been the recipients of superb nursing care.

The annual litter pick always heralds the final countdown to the opening of the new season at Rutland Water.  Easter this year is the earliest since 1913 and anglers can look forward to an early start to the season on Good Friday 21 March.  The Independence Day Trophy will be awarded to the angler catching the best fish on Opening Day.

Forthcoming events
Beginners courses 22 & 26 March, 6,13,20 & 27 April & other dates throughout the season
4 April The Alan West Memorial match.
12 April Anglian Water Spring Rudder Match