I LOVE and hate this time of year with equal measure. I love the colours, the smells, the comfortable temperatures. I hate the unpredictability, the pressure changes, and the hit-and-miss fishing conditions.
The rain shouldn’t bother me really, but it’s not great for pictures, and the wind can sometimes work in your favour. It’s the air pressure that throws a spanner in the works.
It can mean the difference between one bite and 100. I know this because I keep very detailed records, I’m borderline obsessive about it.
Today was one of those days. We’d had low pressure for three days, but it also rained for three days, mind you.
And cometh the hour when I want to go fishing, the cloud breaks, the wind gets up and changes direction, and the pressure shoots through the roof.
I have ingrained in my brain the old-fashioned angler’s rhyme: “When the wind is in the north the skilful anglers goes not forth.
“When the wind is in the south, it blows the bait in the fish’s mouth.
“When the wind is in the east the fish will bite the least.
“But when the wind is in the west, the fishing will be at its best.”
It’s not the gospel, and it’s probably never been scientifically proven, but it holds a lot of water on some venues, and is poppycock on others.
Take Grafham Water, for instance, a vast venue that fishes its head of in an easterly and any pressure. And yet my carp syndicate is a waste of time in an easterly and the slightest lift in pressure.
Another water that I fish is absolutely useless in a westerly when it’s supposed to be ‘besterly.’
With all of this in mind, where do you go? Where do you plonk yourself down for a day’s fishing at this time of year?
Denne historien er fra October 15, 2019-utgaven av Angler's Mail.
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Denne historien er fra October 15, 2019-utgaven av Angler's Mail.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Making Short Work Of Specimen Chub
It takes angling guide Kenny Parsons a few hours to drive from his home, near Bath, to his favourite Wessex rivers, but it doesn’t seem to bother him, as he just loves to catch big chub on feeder and fl oat tactics, his personal best standing at 7 lb 12 oz. One of his favourite methods for this cunning species is a maggot feeder with a short hook link.
Venues on the menu
Dave regularly switches between different types of venue, as he is convinced that it helps him become a better and far more versatile angler. Here is his guide on what to expect and how to tackle them.
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail”
In our new mini series, the physiotherapist will put you in the right frame of mind to help you achieve your angling dreams.
Search for a super stripy
They’ve done it! Robbie Northman and John Bailey have been on a long mission to catch a 4 lb perch. Robbie got there first, landing this specimen recently.
Pole position carping
The thinking carp angler offers his opinion, insight and advice every week exclusively here in Angler’s Mail. Col will help you become a wiser angler.
My best catch!
This week: Billy puts his newborn daughter on the scales after a productive winter carp session.
Huge zed after run of disasters
19 lb 4 oz monster zanderRiver boat fishing sessionSeries of calamities
Christmas stocking
The future of fishery management is a bright one, these BTEC Fish Husbandry students keen to help stock an Essex lake with carp over the Christmas holiday, including this 21 lb mirror.
Alien aquatic plants
In this final part of my special look at alien species, I have highlighted some invasive aquatic plants that have had an impact on waters, with an evaluation on the degree of threat that they pose, on a scale of one to ten, one being the lowest.
A guide's guide to guides
Canadian Jeff is a great guide, helping anglers to catch the fish of their dreams.
