Grafham Water to December 12th 2010

Grafham Fur and Feather

16 Anglers enjoyed the annual Fur and Feather match at Grafham Water on Sunday. Despite the chilly weather it turned out to be a great day with a rod average of almost 2.7.

The north shore looked favourite with a northerly breeze off the anglers’ backs.
The majority of the anglers headed towards the G Buoy area, the Willows and the North end of the dam as well as Deep Water and Pylon Point. All of these areas had been fishing well until the cold snap came.

As the temperature rose the fish came on the feed and the main hotspot seemed to be the stone jetty at Marlow with 18 of the 43 fish caught coming off that area, mainly on small floating fry patterns as well as the odd fish falling to shrimp patterns. The 16 anglers took 43 fish giving a rod average of almost 2.7 and the average weight was in excess of 2lb. The best fish of the day fell to a shrimp pattern fished at Deep Water point to John Vincent of Great Barford – a magnificent fish of 4lb 14oz. At the end of the match there were some great hamper prizes donated by Anglian Water.

1st Steve Ellerbeck (Perry) 6 fish for 15lb 11oz
2nd John Vincent (Great Barford) 5 fish for 11lb 14oz
3rd Chris Bobby (Great Staughton) 5 fish for 10lb 12oz
4th Kevin Appleton (Perry) 3 fish for 8lb 7oz

Best Rainbow 4lb taken by Michael Jones

Best bank areas The Seat, Willows, G Buoy, Deep Water Point, Pylon Point, Perry Point.

Bank fishing at Rutland Water, Grafham Water, Pitsford Water and Ravensthorpe continues until 31 December 2010
Tickets to fish can be purchased from the vendor huts situated in the car parks.

Tackle shop opening hours
These times could be subject to change at short notice so if you are setting out on a long journey please ring the fishing lodge before travelling

Rutland Water and Grafham Water tackle shops

Open 10am to 3pm daily except Mondays and Tuesdays (closed for lunch12.30 -13.00).
Closed 25, 26, 27 & 28 December and 3 and 4 January 2011.

A look back on the fishing highlights of 2010 with Anglian Water

April – the 2010 season gets underway with some terrific big fish
13lb 8oz Brown taken at Rutland on opening day by Allan Wood of Owston, Oakham.
At Pitsford Water Ashley Cooper of Great Bowden takes a superb 12lb 2oz Rainbow, this is the best of the week and still isn’t beaten as the season draws to a close.

A week later Ray Bunting takes a superb 13lb 4oz Rainbow at Ravensthorpe – this holds on to be the best Rainbow at Ravo this season. By the end of the month anglers at Grafham Water are enjoying a fantastic rod average of 6.1.

May
Grafham Water hosts the first ever title match for the Airflo Individual – despite an overseas challenge this is won by Leicestershire angler Gary Owen.
Long summer evenings and the popular Tuesday evening boat leagues start at Rutland and Grafham.

Towards the end of the month Nigel Woodroffe lands the biggest Rainbow at Rutland Water since 2002 it weighs in at 13lb 6¾oz and hasn’t been beaten yet (Dec 2010).

June
At Ravensthorpe 11 year old Robbie Turner takes 8 fish and the best weighs 7lb 6oz.

July
A 40lb 12oz Carp is landed at Ardleigh Reservoir.

August
The England Youth Team grabs international glory at Grafham Water to win the Youth International by a massive margin.

Rutland Water hosts its first match in aid of Help for Heroes. Former England footballer David Seaman lends a hand at this fantastic fund raiser. A cheque for £12,070.69 is presented to Help for Heroes at RAF Wittering in the Autumn.

It’s a flying finish for Phil Longstaff of Market Harborough as he wins the Tuesday evening boat league at Rutland Water by 20 points.

September
Rutland Water hosts both the Lexus European Team title and the charity WaterAid Fly Fishing Challenge. Anglers raise more than £12,700 for WaterAid.

An 11lb 5oz Brown is landed at Grafham Water. It’s the best of the season and is safely returned to the water. Grafham hosts the Lexus Individual title match.

October
Chan