THE rainbow trout record at Toft Newton has been smashed with a 17lb fish caught and released by Sheffield rod Danny Peet (pictured).

The previous record was caught back in the Anglian Water-controlled days at Toft, a fish of 15lb 8oz taken by Skegness angler Tim Miller in May, 1981.

Peet was fishing with Ricky Varley from the wheelyboat anchored off the north bank. The fish took a cat's whisker fished on an intermediate line .

The pair managed 38 fish on the day, despite the cold. Overall, 69 rods caught 332 fish for a rod average of 4.8.

The shift in the wind and an icy-cold snowy blast took its toll on the fishing at Thornton with 75 rods catching 207 trout returning 113 for a rod average 2.8.

The shallows of the Thornton arm, wood bank and down towards the lonesome pine continue to be the best, with the bank anglers enjoying the best of the sport with the trout running tight in the shallows.

A number of over-wintered trout have been taken to 4lb. Call 01530 230807 for prospects.

Ravensthorpe has been stocked with 2,000 fish ahead of opening day on Saturday.