After several weeks of atrocious weather when the rivers down in Devon were unfishable, and I had focussed on improving the Angling Heritage website, I just had to get out for a days fishing, even if it was just still-water angling at our local reservoir.
I decided to try for roach so took up the float tackle. One thing that always suprises me here in Devon is how the flora changes in a few yards. After the recent snow it is fascinating walking down the lane to the reservoir to see snowdrops which you would expect, plus wild cyclamen and also early primroses.
The area around us is rolling hills and faces towards the sea so each little valley has a different micro-climate, and differing types of foliage in differing states.
Anyway, the day was breezy and cold and kept threatening showers, but I took up my float gear and centre pin. I fished the deeper water nearer to the dam which I thought would be warmer and nestled out of the wind which I thought would chill the water further.
I started fishing about 10’ deep with worms, but after nearly an hour, I hadn’t had a bite despite feeding with a few grains of corn and a few pellets. Switching to the smaller pellets, I then started to get bites and ended the day with a dozen roach to just over half a pound and a solitary skimmer.
I find that the feed rate is critical in winter, with a steady supply still being introduced but in small amounts, only four or five as against a couple of dozen in Summer. As the light fell I headed home to warm up satisfied that I’d fished fairly well in conditions that weren’t easy, but roll on the warmer weather. I think I must begetting old now preferring the warm weather.