Hi everyone,

I'm new to fly fishing and new to this forum. I am going to be fishing Rutland Water this year and I could do with as many tips as I can get about which flies to use. Do the quality of flies vary from one shop to another or one make to another? If so how do you tell a good one from a bad one? And what are the best patterns to go for? I don't know whether to use sinking flies or floating flies, so basically if anyone can shed a little or a lot of light on the subject it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks very much

Skev

Skev,

You won't go wrong just chatting to the guys in the tackle shop at the lodge. It's in their interest to get you catching fish. As for flies, the selection in there is generally from Fulling Mill and Donegal Fly (both good brands) or some locally tied specials - they don't sell rubbish.
The size of it means that there are no 'hard and fast rules' other than those you'd apply to any trout fishing situation. Assuming you're thinking of bank fishing my early season 'if I had to pick one method' advice would be to fish small lures, slowly, on an intermediate line and concentrate your efforts from the fishing lodge to the dam or on the opposite bank over at Sykes Lane. Either can be good depending on which wind helps your casting most.

Given how local you are to the place, it would also be worth your while just visiting, watching and talking to anglers already fishing there. As long as you approach them as quietly as possible (and are mindful of their casting) any of them will talk to you, offer advice and generally make you feel welcome.

Don't be daunted by the size. Rutland is just lots of little bits of water joined together.

i heard a rumour they were putting a wall across Manton?

Pop into the Orvis shop in your town and have a chat with my wife Martha, she will put you right.

The Pirate.

__________________
Sonik Sports Team Pitsford Pirates - No pressure, just pleasure! Pip pip!

http://www.flyforums.co.uk/trade-cla...e-bonanza.html

http://www.soniksports.com/

http://www.flyforums.co.uk/fly-lines...unkistbob.html

Another option would be to use one of the local guides on Rutland, I can recommend Craig Barr from personal experience, but there are plenty of other guides.

And if you asked really nicely one of the Rutland regulars on here might take you out for day.

As you are a fairly new poster Skev, another wee bit of advice if I may, especially as last reply from James was this morning and you have since been on the forum this evening yet still not replied, it's always courteous to respond to any advice given.

Tightlines!

The Pirate.

__________________
Sonik Sports Team Pitsford Pirates - No pressure, just pleasure! Pip pip!

http://www.flyforums.co.uk/trade-cla...e-bonanza.html

http://www.soniksports.com/

http://www.flyforums.co.uk/fly-lines...unkistbob.html

Not a rumour I'm afraid, I believe this was planned some while back, and unfortunately, IMO, will cut off a top area of Rutland


GC

I would like to thank everyone for all the advice that has been given to me. I'm sorry I didn't reply sooner but I work away from home and the only way I can get the Internet is through my mobile phone. I'm very grateful to you all.

Cheers

Skev

Hi skev, welcome to the Forum.

Not much help as i cant remember the author but their is two very good books on Rutland by the same bloke one about boat fishing the other about bank fishing.

If you dont get the the name of books and author off of anyone here i can find out, just let me know.

Mick

__________________
Please look at and sign this e-petition. http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/13978

Cheers Mick, I'll have a look.

Skev