Weekend prospects

The water temperature has been steadily falling over the last couple of weeks. It is still unseasonably mild and a lot warmer then this time last year. Up to now the fish have been reachable, in the main, with a floater and long ish leader but as the temp drops more, as inevitably it will, you will need to use sinkers.
Another consequence of lower water temps is that the fish slow down. They don't feed as often or as long and basically mope about almost in hibernation. So don't expect them to chase about after your flies. As you go deep you also slow the receive down, a slow or very slow figure of eight retrieve can be the way to go.

This week the fishing has still been good with top rods getting 3,4 or 5 fish per session but you need to adjust your approach to match winter conditions. I am still seeing some fly fishers using the same tactics and methods that they have used over the last summer and autumn - it is highly likely that this just won't work! So if you want to catch fish then you must change to the fish catching methods!
Tightlines