Opening Day March 15th
After an incredibly calm, sunny week,
Rutland Water opened 2 weeks earlier this season, Saturday March 15th.
March has a habit of ‘biting back’ and what a difference a day makes, from a
settled week of Summer-like weather a howling Westerly wind on the Saturday
made conditions tricky and also meant that bank anglers were concentrated into
a few sheltered area, but as we all know a wind from the west makes life
difficult for Rutland bank anglers as it curls into every shore.
With English Nature restricting some
bank areas until April, Barnhill, Old Hall Point, Sailing Club were out of
bounds as was the bottom of Whitwell Creek, all areas which could give respite
in the strong wind.
However, plenty of fish were caught
from Sykes Lane around into Whitwell, Normanton Bank round into Church Bay and
the track side bank of Old Hall Bay. Some clean fish were taken but the fresh
stockies seemed to be on a suicide mission and a rod average of over 9,
including catch and release figures indicated no shortage of stock fish
concentrated in pods all over the lake.
Successful methods included slow
deeply fished buzzers and the ubiquitous black and green tadpole on floating
lines, down to a Di5 and boobies fished on a Di7. Tony Tibbet’s grandson Toff
decided to experiment and caught every one of his fish on different flies. Brian Moore caught his ‘limit’ on a Dawson’s
olive, a Rutland early season favourite which bears little resemblance to the
traditional pattern.
On the bank there was a confusion about which restrictions were in place, which gave the wardens a bit if a headache, as many anglers weren’t aware where they could and could not fish. RWFF will aim to be involved earlier in the future to help with communicating any restrictions.
Boat anglers were also hampered by the gale force conditions all weekend but they did find some really good overwintered fish out in the open water along both arms using rudder techniques, alternatively anglers who found some shelter drifting onto or out from the banks which were out of bounds to the bank anglers and had frantic sport on Di3 and Di7 lines. It seemed that the general pattern was that predominantly, though not by any means all stock fish were found close to the bank, around 2 or 3 rod lengths out, whereas further out, resident fish were found.
I've taken a few beginners out on boats so far, Mick and his 10 year old son Archie had some brilliant sport, Archie catching his first ever trout, well done, he wants to come back for more, maybe when it's warmer!!!
2 friends Martin and Mick had loads of fun fishing from a boat with me, lots a joking and banter. Well done to Martin who cast, retrieved and caught his first trout on fly, and to Mick who was quick to remind his friend of the score!
Here are Martin's words. I had a brilliant day, your instruction
proved more fruitful than my last trip to the Lake District. We had the fish for tea last night and they were very tasty! We'll definitely be back. Hope to see you soon. And from Mick..
Many thanks for yesterday Rob. We both had a great day, really enjoyed the fishing and of course your company :-)
Also, we appreciate very much the fact that you squeezed us in an extra hour at the end of the day. I have no doubt at all that you will be hearing from us again over the
summer months, so be prepared for another day of friendly banter :-)
Looking forward very much to seeing you again some time in the not too distant future.
Regards
Mick P.S. Mick 5.....Martin 3 :-)
From Mick and Archie. Thanks to you also, we really enjoyed it. Fish all dressed and prepared. Two to a neighbour, two going in the Tandor this afternoon.The rest frozen. Nothing wasted!!
Hi Rob, Thanks so much for making Georges fishing day such a success, he has been telling everyone who will listen about how big the waves were on the lake as well as how big the fish were too! Thanks also for the super photos they provide a marvellous record for us of a really lovely day. All the best for the rest of the season, and may all your fish be huge ones. Jane and Georges.
Currently as I write this the bank fishing is smoking!! There are guys out there catch and releasing huge numbers of fish. Buzzer fishing is now more prolific than lures. I hope these fish move away and become the silver grown-on beauties of which Rutland Water is famous.
Now is the time to book an introduction to fly fishing. It's 10am-2pm and covers all the skills and knowledge you'll need to take up fly fishing with some time fly fishing from the bank, and those fish are close to the bank now! Email me on rob@rutlandwaterflyfishing.co.uk for details. 
