Rutland Water Fly Fishers hold their presentation night

Treasurer Paul Wild was rewarded for his services to the club at the Rutland Water Fly Fishers' presentation night.

Wild was presented with the Rutland Horseshoe accolade by president John Wadham after more than 30 years with the club.

John said: "We had no doubt in our minds who should be the recipient after 30 years of faithful service to the club which we all know is now prospering in all aspects.

"It's due to Paul, our treasurer, that the club is doing so well at the moment.

"He first took over as secretary in 1994 before becoming treasurer two years later and, despite the ups and downs in the club's affairs, has always managed to maintain us in a healthy financial position.

"Not only that but he has been elected as club captain and has always been involved in all aspects of club work.

"He will now be working with Chris McLeod in producing an updated version of the late John Maitland and Henry Lowe's original version of the Rutland Water Boat Anglers Guide."

The awards evening was attended by Gareth Jones, from Airflo, who handed out the accolades to the prize winners.

Chris McLeod won the Wadham Shield while Mick Connor claimed the T&S Shield after landing the best rainbow trout of 5lb 11oz.

Tim Lawson landed the Cutting Trophy while Dave Walker was the winner of the TF Shield for the best brown trout of 6lb 14oz and Neil Squires secured the honours in the Club Championship boat match.

The new season is now underway and, due to one of the highest opening day water temperature in the history of the Rutland fishery, an enormous number of fish have been caught.

Club member Mick Connor reported the largest authenticated brown so far, weighing 8lb, taken on a shrimp in a few inches of water between the Blue Pipes and the Dam.

In the same session, he also had three 4lb browns and Mick also recorded a 5lb 1oz rainbow from East Creek. Again, this was on a shrimp pattern. He also has caught four other fish of more than 5lb from the bank.

Between them, Mick Connor and Dave Walker have already caught an amazing 10 fish of more than 5lb this season.

John Lee reported the capture of another monster brown weighing in the region of 9lb. This was also on a shrimp pattern from the bank.

Dave Walker also recorded a 5lb 9oz rainbow from the East Creek and three other browns of more than 5lb from other spots.