A look back on the fishing highlights of 2011 with Anglian Water

The 2011 season started with a terrific 12lb 6oz Rainbow at Ravensthorpe on opening day – from then on the fish just got bigger and bigger ……

At Ravensthorpe Mick Elliot took a super 13lb 8oz Rainbow early in the season and by the end of March the rod average had hit 9.

1 April – opening day at Rutland Water with a superb rod average of 6.08. Later in the month is was a buzzer bonanza with bumper rod averages of 6.8 at Grafham Water and 5.5 at Rutland Water. Also in April Gary Turner of Blakesley landed a massive 14lb 8oz Rainbow at Ravensthorpe which held on as best fish of the season. Pitsford Water’s best Rainbow of the season weighed 11lb 12oz and was recorded by Keith Burton

In early May Dave Davis landed a 9lb 12oz Rainbow at Pitsford Water. Ron Oldroyd had his hands full with Grafham Water’s best fish of the season – a 9lb 4½oz Rainbow.

May saw the start of the Tuesday evening boat leagues at both Rutland and Grafham. At the end of the match series in August Keith Jones of Peterborough headed the league table at Rutland Water.

Gareth Jones took the Anglian Water Airflo Individual title home to Wales following the final fished at Grafham Water in May. Towards the end of the month Alan Worley landed a terrific brace of Rainbows at Pitsford Water – a 10lb 4oz Rainbow teamed with a 9lb 13oz Rainbow.

In June Devon anglers proved they are the cream of the bank anglers at Rutland Water – enjoying their 34th annual visit! The trio, from Exeter, triumphed in trying conditions with 140 fish in just three days.
A number of big fish were caught at Rutland during the Summer months
The most notable were Rainbows of 6lb 4 ¾oz for David Moore; John Harper 6lb 9oz; James Daymond 6lb 8oz and a 6lb 7oz Brown for Mick Harby.

David Brady took a lovely 10lb 6oz Rainbow at Pitsford Water during July.

Andy Kress had a fantastic season at Ravensthorpe with an 11lb 2oz Rainbow towards the end of July, followed by a whopping Rainbow of 14lb 2oz in September.

A new wheelyboat was launched at Grafham Water in memory of John Hawkings a former Grafham angler. The new boat will be a great asset for less mobile anglers.

Anglers contributed a huge amount to charity during the year. In August Rutland Water anglers donated the cash from their catch to the local air ambulance. At Rutland Water the Anglian Water WaterAid Fly Fishing Challenge raised more than£16,000, bringing the total amount donated by this event to £148,000 in ten years.

Autumn match action included the English National fished at Grafham Water – the top rod Kim Green weighed in his fish in super quick time – 8 fish by 12.12 pm! At Rutland Water the Welsh Hawks swooped to victory in the Anglian Water Airflo International – plans are already underway for the 30th anniversary of this iconic match in 2012.

We had some terrific Autumn sport. At Grafham Water James Woodroff took a whopping 33lb Pike along with two others at 22lb.

In October Rutland Water’s best Rainbow of the season weighed in at 7lb 13 3/8 oz for Gordon Anthony to pip Adrian Cook’s fish of 6lb 10¾oz taken a week earlier.

Pitsford hosted a fantastic Fur and Feather match won by father and son Garry and Rob Edmunds. In November we bid a fond farewell to Kay Mains. For the last 19 years Kay has been a familiar and friendly face behind the counter at Pitsford Fishing Lodge and will be greatly missed.

This season’s Fur and Feather matches were amongst the best we have hosted. At Rutland Water Geoff Allsop netted five fish for 18lb 9¼oz, with Rainbows up to 4lb 11oz and won the match. Grafham’s match fished to a 2.9 rod average. Richard Cooper, of Empingham, won with six fish for 21lb 7oz (including a Rainbow of 5lb 1oz).

Bank fishing at Rutland Water, Grafham Water, Pitsford Water and Ravensthorpe continues until 31 December 2011

Tickets to fish can be purchased from the vendor huts situated in the car parks.

Tackle shop opening hours
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 December and 1,2, and 3 January 2012.
Pitsford fishing lodge and tackle shop
Closed – re-opens 18 February.