The new season is underway for Rutland Water Fly Fishers

There has been a spectacular start to the season for several members of Rutland Water Fly Fishers.

Eight-year-old Percy Annett caught a 2lb well mended stock rainbow on a fly with bright orange head on a floating line.

He was fishing from the grassy bank in front of the hall and handled the fish very competently with a great deal of 'advice' from all those who were beholding this achievement.

A distinct sigh of relief was heard when the fish finally arrived in the net for the highlight of the bank meeting at Old Hall Bay.

Recently joined member Trevor McDougall started his fishing career at Rutland with a 4lb overwintered rainbow.

The fish was in mint condition and it was caught on Old Hall point on one of Mick Connor's shrimp patterns.

It took hold just a few metres out and gave Trevor a tremendous scrap on his nine-foot five-weight rod before the fish finally arrived safely in the net.

Trevor quipped: "It was a good day. It's my best trout for 25 years or so and I'm also casting so much better.

"I don’t expect one like this every time I go but I would not mind another."

The new campaign is now well underway with impressive overwintered fish being caught around the banks using imitative shrimp patterns.

However, it seems the stockfish are a little more difficult to tempt, holding off the banks during the day at least 40 to 100 yards or more.

There has been a scattering of brownies with Toff Crowther collecting a 5lb fish from the bank on a shrimp pattern and another local angler capturing a 5lb brown from the Old Hall point on a booby.

Mick Connor captured a 5lb 10oz brownie on a shrimp pattern while another angler reported capturing three good brownies in one hour at dusk.

Tim Lawson also had some success from Whitwell Creek.

The best lure has proved to be a snake, although numerous fish were caught on a variety of patterns.

Well-known photographer and cameraman, Jack Perks, was the club's speaker for the last evening of the winter season.

Jack showed members a huge range of Britain's freshwater fish which he photographs as part of his varied role as one of the leading fish photography experts.

At the interval, a presentation of the club awards was made by Jack Perks and John Wadham.

John was himself presented with a fly box filled with flies made by club members in recognition of his outstanding achievement to the club over many years.

Award winners: Wadham Shield - Mick Coonor; Cutting Trophy - Chris Evans; Club Championships Trophy - Chris Evans; best rainbow - Simon Pepper; best brown - Mick Connor; Hanby Cup - Tim Lawson and Roy Taylor; Rutland Horseshoe - Peter Gover.