Another dour day on Rutland

Two scraper 20s and a sprinkling of smaller pike were caught on the PAC's first event of the season - a day's lure fishing on Rutland Reservoir.

While the weather did not stage a repeat of last year's gale force conditions, many found the 2,500 acre man-made lake a daunting prospect.

Of note were the fact several boats targetted zander using vertical jigging tactics in some of the deeper areas, with some being rewarded with a number of schoolies to 6lbs, showing potential for a different approach.

Little is known about how the species adapts to tout reservoirs, but Rutland is believed to have contained zander for around a decade, with a best fish of 11lbs being recorded in this time.

Anglian Water has now published its predator dates for this season:

Autumn boat fishing for pike with lures & dead sea fish over 18cm (excludes lamprey)
motor boat hire from 08.30am until dusk.

Pitsford £50 for two anglers, 1 October to 23 November, tel 01604 781350

Rutland £55 for two anglers, 6 October to 16 November, tel 01780 686441

Grafham £53 for two anglers, 13 October to 30 November, tel 01480 810531

Ravensthorpe £49 for two anglers, 27October to 23 November, tel 01604 770875

Prices change to £44 for two anglers at all fisheries in November