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.

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.