Grafham Water

Grafham Water was opened in 1966 for water supply.

Image courtesy of Anglian Water

It covers an area of approx. 1600 acres. Because of the availability of relatively cheap trout fishing and the influence of writers such as the late Richard Walker, the popularity increased and it quickly became the premier trout lake in the country. Other reservoirs have opened since 1966 when Grafham first opened to trout fishing including Anglian Waters own Rutland Water and also a myriad of smaller waters have come in on the coat tails of Grafham, but in our opinion, Grafham is still the number one fishery in England.

The Lodge

Cormorants became a countrywide problem and because Grafham is a Site of Special Scientific Interest legal restrictions were applied.. As a result in recent years Anglian Water have been stocking with a large percentage of fish around the one kilo mark. As the season progresses some cracking specimens are available to be caught.

The Harbour

The largest rainbow of 13lb 13oz was caught in 1994 by GWFFA member Dave Barker, shown right. He caught it on a minkie, a fly originated by him.

The largest brown trout caught on a fly was a trout of 17lb 2oz caught also in 1994 by Stephen Jaques, below right, on a viva.
Several fish in double figures have been caught since then but these are the records.

Although Grafham is a trout water, pike and zander have come into Grafham with the water that is pumped in from the River Great Ouse. They can be fished for with fly under strict rules, (information from the Lodge).
The fine pike of 27lb 8oz, illustrated below left, was caught by Charles Bettell.
Specimen Perch similar to the one below also feature in catches as do huge Bream that seem to be making a comeback.

Click on the map for larger image

A photographic history of Grafham

1966 and all that

"Grafham Water voted the best managed Stillwater trout fishery"