Zander riddle solved, AW pike dates

A rumoured record zander had predator anglers flocking to Graffham Water this season. Hooked 2008 - Anglian Water's magazine for anglers fishing its reservoirs - shows the rumour mill wasn't far wide of the mark.

Ian Bradfield is pictured with an 18lbs 8oz zander believed to be the biggest ever caught on a fly.

There's also a picture of Robbie Marsh, who caught a 23lbs pike during a PAC event on Rutland back in September, literally minutes after telling his boat partner huis ambition for the season was a lure-caught 20.

Events organiser Mark Skinner is trying to arrange another day this autumn after 60 turned out for lasy year's charity fish-in despite the odd post-convention hangovers.

Pike dates for 2008 have also been announced. Anglers can lure fish Pisford on alternate weeks from Monday to Friday, from June 16 and Jun 30; July 14 and 28, August 11 and 25 and September 8 and 25.

Boat fishing with sea deads (excluding lamprey) and lures over 18cm is available as follows:

Pitsford: October 1 - November 23;

Ritland: October 6 - November 16;

Graffham: October 13 - November 30;

Ravensthorpe: October 27 - November 23;

Ardleigh: May 1 - February 28, 2009.

Anglers can now fly fish for predators on Graffham, Rutland and Pitsford from June 16 if they buy a special predator permit, which costs £14 on top of normal boat fees.

Bank fishing is also available on Pitsford from November 1 - December 31; all-year-round on Hollowell, with sea deads only from October to February; and all-year-round on Alton Water and Costessy Lakes.

Anglian Water announces 2007 pike dates

Anglian Water has announced pike fishing dates on its reservoirs for the coming season.

Fly anglers can target pike on Grafham, Pitsford and Rutland from the start of the traditional season on June 16 with a special predator permi costing £14, on top of normal boat fees.

Lures over 18cm can be used at Pitsford from Mondays to Fridays on alternate weeks commencing June 18; ie weeks commencing July 2, 16 and 30; August 13 and 27; and September 10 and 24.

Boat fishing dates with lures and deads - seabaits over 18cm, excluding lamprey - are as follows:

Pitsford: October 1 - November 25;

Rutland: October 8 - October 31;

Grafham: October 15 - November 25;

Ravensthorpe: October 29 - November 25;

Ardleigh: May 1 - February 28, 2008.

Pitsford can be fished from the bank with lures and deads from November 1 - December 31, while Hollowell, Alton and Costessey are open all year round.

More details are included in Anglian Water's fishing magazine Hooked 2007 - for more details, e-mail fishing@anglianwater.co.uk .

We're full, says Anglian Water

Recent heavy rain in the region means Anglian Water's reservoirs - Grafham, Rutland and Pitsofrd - are now 100 pc full, the Environment Agency said today.

Grafham 25lbs pike believed season's best

A 25lbs 9oz Grafham pike caught on a lure by Kev Taylor is believed to be the biggest of the season so far from Anglian Water's trout reservoirs. Story here.