Cold Water Fishing

Just think about all differing conditions we have to put up with when fishing, warm, wet, cold, windy, bright, dismal, flat calms. We have a list of stuff to use as excuses when the going gets tough and fish are hard to come by.
However we must also realise that there are a whole host of conditions that are continually effecting the fish, water temperature, oxygen level, barometric pressure, moon phases and some may say wind direction (hard fishing in an easterly wind?).
Put these 2 lists together and we end up with the real concept of the fishing challenges we face and the key to success is having the knowledge and skill on how we can overcome these adversities.

Cold water fishing is simple to understand. Rainbows generally like cold water and have no tolerance at all for warm water. However when the temperature gets down to around freezing then the fish take action and go down the depths to find water that is more comfortable. Once there they tend to bide their time basically going into a trance like state waiting patiently for things to improve.
Can they be caught when deep? Well yes, fortunately they can but we have to employ the right tactics. Sinking lines are almost compulsory as we need to reach the fish in the depths. We also need to allow the line to sink to the right depth and therefore need a degree of patience.

How long would it take for an "average" intermediate line that sinks let's say an 1" a second to reach 20ft?? Answer 4 minutes!!!
How long would it take an "average" medium sink line that sinks at a rate of 3" per second to reach the same depth, 20ft? Answer =1 min and 20 seconds

Now ask yourself how long do you leave your line to sink?? 10, 20. 30, 40 seconds?? Obviously sink rates will differ from brand to brand and will be subject to the size/weight and pattern of the fly you are using but you see my point - It's so easy to run out of patience in our eagerness to start fishing.
If you do get the fly to the right depth then you are in with a chance but you cannot expect the fish to really attack the fly and a slow retrieve is normally a better method but if you get it right you can be rewarded like these two beauties (the fish not the fly fishers!!!)

Difficult days fishing

Been hard going today for those anglers that fished curley's today. Plenty of Anglers on, although it only really came alive later on about half three. Early morning was fishing well also i believe. Slow retrieve / Static flies were the producers today, most fish came to orange egg flies fished static under a indicator.
Most trout were very deep down all day, sinking line is a must.
However some anglers were catching on floating lines, bright coloured buzzers and eggs teamed up.

It was bitterly cold, but next to no wind. Over-clouded so it was set to be the perfect conditions, but the trout just wernt playing ball. A sudden change in pattern and/or retrieve will be the way to go over the next few days, deep during midday hours and shallower during evening and early morning.

Tightlines,
Nathan

Cold but Appetising...

Fish being caught all over the lake! Mr Tony Baines has had a beatifully finned 4lb Bow to a Appetiser lure. Quick fact - The Appetiser was designed in 1972 for big fry feeding trout, by Bob Church and it was the first time marabou was used in the wing of a modern lure in britain.
Ted Brown has had 2 fish upto now on a white buzzer fished under an indicator.
To top it all off the weather is on our side for a change! Slight ripple, suns out but it is slightly cold but not as cold as it looks.
UPDATE: Mr Tony Baines finished on 3 fish, including a beautifully fully finned silver rainbow of 4lbs. Mr Ted & Mr Pat Brown finished on 5 fish between them. Still anglers out on the water so will do my best to bring you their catches.

Fish now coming out to a range of patterns, black & green fritz, red and black fritz and the appetiser is still catching.

Perfect conditions!

A slight ripple, no rain and its not too cold either!
Perfect day to wet a line.

If fish are playing by their usual standards they should be pretty shallow, within the first 5 foot of water, if its a little bit colder or the wind picks up the fish will go that little bit deeper. First off i would try a floating line, long leader and a single fritz or cats to find where the fish are sat. If this fails, ive had alot of success on curleys "popping" a booby across the waters surface, seriously aggressive takes can take place. If the fish are that little bit deeper, slow sinking line with a black comorant, cruncher nymph and a fritz and you cant go wrong!

Those looking to get a bit of fishing in today, head down to curleys and wet a line! The way its been fishing lately you cant go wrong.

Tightlines,
Nath

Tips and tricks..

Weather looks a little wet in areas, however overall its looking good for tommorrow! Sunny spells and the wind is dispelling a little at between 10-16mph (easterly).

Try something new and different at curleys, like a UV Blue blob and a sparkler booby, alot of anglers still using cats and the like, still catching, but i recommended something that little bit out of the ordinary to catch the trouts eye. I have also noticed a few "midges" flying about on warmer days, so a tiny size 32 hook midge pattern may well catch fish! Some more unusual pattern colours such as the UV blue blob and a black UV fritz and green booby. Worth a Dangle!

Been pretty tough conditions over the last week, strong wind and rain. But anglers still catching!
This Saturday is forecast extremely well, although a little cold, sunny with the odd cloud cover about. I will be at curleys early this saturday, so get to curleys early and catch alot more fish early doors.

Tightlines,
Nath

Fishing Report

It's a great fishing day today, at least in comparison to the last few days. Very little wind and fairly mild for January. However I think the forecast must have put most of you off. Couple of members wetting a line both catching on a regular basis, floating lines and lures with a steady retrieve seemingly working.

Report Tues Morning

Weather up and down - not much wind but the prospects of rain showers most of the day. Has forecast snow but seems too warm at present. If you have the clothing to keep you warm and dry then it will probably fish well.

fishing update

The wind has picked up a little but hasn't put the fish or those fishing off at all.
Some decent fish have come to the net up to now.
Top rod today (up till now) Jim McGinley with 7 mostly to lures.

Ian Kennedy with a good Blue (BTW all blues are not "Blue" some like this one are silver when compared with the true Rainbow below.

Jim McGinley with a good Bow

Prospects

Good News
After all the horrible rain and wind we finally have a rather nice day.  Prospects for fishing are good with a very gentle breeze breaking up the surface and mild temps,  the fish shouldn't be deep and a floating line should do the business.
Will give a further report later when all the guys fishing have had a chance to test their tactics.

Fishing report

Sunday - almost everyone put off by the forecast and actual weather. Very windy to say the least.
2 members braved the conditions and caught lots of fish.
Fish don't actually bother about the wind so much, it only causes us the problems when casting.  The good news is that you only need variations of the roll cast in order to get your fly out.
Roll casting is very under rated by the majority of still water fishers but is the most versatile and safest of  all casts to do when it is windy.

Let's hope for better conditions next week