fishery news

week ending 23 March 2008

• Richard takes trophy at Rutland Water
Richard Cooper of Empingham wins Independence Day trophy for biggest fish on Opening Day
• 11lb Rainbow is season’s best to date at Ravensthorpe Reservoir
 Peter Dixon of Kingsthorpe weighs in best rainbow 
• Rutland pike for father and son on opening day
 estimated 20 pounder for Darren Dodd and son Luke 
• anglers beat the wintry weather and bag the rainbows with loads of limits at all four Anglian Water trout fisheries

Rutland Water
Empingham’s Richard Cooper won the Independence Day Trophy with a 4lb 2oz Rainbow – the biggest fish caught on opening day.

Darren Dodd and his son Luke (15) from Ibstock enjoyed an exciting Opening Day.  They caught a pike estimated near the 20lb mark on the east side of Whitwell Creek.  The pike was caught on a goldhead damsel and safely returned to the water. Apart from the pike the pair, fishing catch and release, returned 15 rainbows.  Darren says “This was only Luke’s second day flyfishing and first visit to Rutland. Despite difficult conditions we have another convert from the carping brigade.  He was amazed how well 2-3lb trout fought.  Thanks for another great opening day.”

Richard Cooper with Rutland Water's Senior Warden John Seaton and the Independence Day shield

The  weather was a major factor for the first three days of the new season with limited bank fishing the majority of fish caught were from around Whitwell Creek, Half Moon Spinney and the Old Hall areas, with a good number of limits being taken.  Rutland anglers adapted well and rose to the challenges of the cold northerly winds. Anglers reporting eight fish limits include Mr A Williamson from Heighinglow, Lincs, Chris Hubbard from Kibworth, Leics and Rob and Michael Holloway from Grantham.  Rob Holloway reported another 8 fish limit in Whitwell Creek on Tuesday morning.

Rob Holloway on the left and his son Michael

 Boat fishing did not take place at all for the first three days with gale force northerly winds on opening day and Saturday followed by a heavy snowfall on Sunday morning causing disruption.

The first boats went out on Easter Sunday with several limits recorded.  Stock fish this year are of excellent quality and size with fish ranging from 1¾lb up to 3lb being taken.

Fish are feeding on daphnia and small buzzers at the moment.

Mick Brooksby with a 3lb 13¼oz Rainbow.  Mick is a seasonal warden at Rutland

forthcoming events 6 April  Alan West Memorial match
 12 April Anglian Water Spring Rudder Match
 20 April Lexus European Individual Qualifier 01761 490367
 21 April Lexus European Team Qualifier
   01761 490367
 beginners courses 26 March, 6,13,20 & 27 April, 3,9,11,17 & 24 May and other dates throughout the season
 boat fishing for beginners 11 April, 13 June
For all courses and boat hire at Rutland Water booking is essential.  Please call 01780 686441.

Grafham Water
fish week 113 (season281) returns 26 (63) rod average 4.34(4.46)

After a good opening day the weather was very testing at times with fish being caught along Plummers Bank up to the Dam.  The following day anglers were forced on to the north shore because of the high winds. With the winds at times gusting up to 40 mph boat fishing has been limited. Grafham anglers are a hardy bunch and made the most of any opportunity. Tim Leech braved the cold and took a boat out and bagged 8 fish for 28lb, with one at 6lb and two around 4lb 8oz the best of a cracking bag.  Steve Ellabeck had five fish for 21lb 14oz and a 5lb 1oz being the best, he caught these using a Dawsons Olive bank fishing at Plummers towards the Dam.
 Some really nice over wintered fish have been caught with nine over 4lb.
 
The weather forecast is for milder conditions so anglers can put the Easter snow and high winds behind them and look forward to some good boat and bank fishing.

best rainbow 6lb taken by Tim Leech of Little Shefford

best boat areas Stumps, Hedge End, G Buoy

best bank areas North end of Dam, Hill Farm, G buoy

fish stocked 2000

forthcoming events  6 April Bob Church Open  (Frank Cutler Memorial Trophy) telephone 01604 661133
 27 April EDFF & GWFFA
beginners courses 30 March, 13,23 & 26 April and other dates throughout the year

Pitsford Water
fish week 580(season 1071) returns 149 (259) rod average 3.8 (4.1)

Despite arctic conditions the bank has fished very well this week with a rod average of 3.8.  Season permit holder Ray Buckland paid four visits to Pitsford and bagged 19 fish for the week.  Ray mainly fished from the sailing club bank and the north shore. Ed Smith from Kettering caught his 8 fish whilst on a day ticket weighing over 18lb and returned a further 6 fish.

Daniel Jackman of Peterborough took a 4lb 12oz rainbow and returned a further 12 on his catch and release permit.  John Cox of London also took advantage of a catch and release permit, he returned 11 and took a 2lb rainbow home.  Steve Lawrence of Desborough took 8 fish and returned one, he fished a black and green lure on an intermediate line.

Dave Jarvis enjoyed the best day this week on a boat; Dave took his 8 fish weighing over 20lb and returned a further4 fish. He also took a limit on the bank on Good Friday off Stilton Point.

Top spots are Stilton Point, Bog Bay, the Gorse, and the North shore.
Top method is either floating line with a team of Buzzers or an intermediate line and a black and green lure.

Senior warden Nathan Clayton said “When we get some warmer weather this reservoir will explode with fish, and there will be more buzzer activity” so watch the forecast and get on the bank.”

best rainbow 5lb 12oz

best boat areas Bog Bay, North Farm Bay, Pines

best bank areas Stilton Point, cliffs, no fish point, Sailing Club bank

fish stocked 750

mid week boat winner J Fletcher of Thurmaston, Leics.

forthcoming events beginners courses 26 April, 10,14,25 May then alternate Saturdays until the first week of November.

Ravensthorpe Reservoir
fish week 211(season 1117) returns 48 (185) rod average 4.39 (6.03)

The biggest fish of the season so far - a superb 11lb Rainbow was taken this week by Peter Dixon of Kingsthorpe.  Peter used a black and green lure on a floating line and fished from the bank.  The few boat anglers who ventured out in difficult weather conditions were rewarded with some nice catches from around the Island and the sheltered Guilsborough shore.  Fish are coming to black and green gold heads and montanas.

Bank anglers fared better with Platforms 11,12,13 & 14 the most productive methods were floating lines and small black lures taking the most fish.  The water has cleared through and is at maximum level.

Ravensthorpe is the oldest English trout fishery, with around 100 acres of ecological diversity and is renowned for its excellent fishing.  Algal blooms in recent years have sometimes led to reduced catch rates during the peak periods.  Anglian Water’s Innovation Team working with the Recreation and Water Services Teams has set up a two year field trial starting in April 2008 to evaluate the use of barley straw to control the growth and inhibit blooms of algae at Ravensthorpe.  The barley straw application is an environmentally sustainable algal control method, which will benefit both the water treatment process and recreation activity on the reservoir.  The algal control activity of barley straw is described as preventing new growth of algae rather than killing already existing algae through a complex mechanism involving chemical, fungal and microbial factors.  This mechanism involves a series of very slow processes during which the straw is degraded and releases natural breakdown products that will act on the algal growth. The trial will start around 7 April and we will update you on its progress.

best rainbow 11lb taken by Peter Dixon of Kingsthorpe

best boat areas Island and Guilsborough bank

best bank areas Platforms 4,5,11,12,13 & 14

fish stocked 315 

forthcoming events Troutmasters fish off Wednesday 26 March

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