Hi,

My local river is the kennet and being mainly a course river (with the odd trout) I am after something to do during these next few months. In the summer I often fish for chub and dace etc on dries but I am at a loss as what I can do in the winter when I cannot spot rising fish. I am not really interested in the pike and perch as I fish for them all the time with lures etc. I guess my question is, what is the best way to catch chub and other silver fish in the winter when they can not be seen rising? obviously nymphing would work, any particular favourites? or any good fly patterns?

I would be grateful for any general advice for targeting other species in the winter.
Thanks
Joe

Grayling in the Kennet there is Joe.

Fish which part do you.

Sean

Tiny brook- Chub & Perch fun.

Ty the attached link or just simply hop on the 11th page of the coarse species section ( the first ten is literally pike only :P). Make sure you read all four pages of the thread. There are some useful info there. I have once lived in Marlborough and the Kenneth there had some nice grayling in it as the gentleman before me mentioned in his post. Have you tried for perch with your flyrod? That can be good fun but definitely try to use a light rod. In winter try to fish downstream and use two or three nymphs. Dangling is the correct word to describe the action the best. Also, takes are gentle, if you can use a super long rod (10-11 footer) and just catapult/sling cast and make sure to be extra careful when approaching the swim you are about to fish. Chub prefers a mouthful even in the winter so use meaty flies (16 or bigger) and 18-16 should do for dace. Do not waste too much effort tying fancy stuff, hare's ear bug/spider, pink shrimp, pheasant tail nymph all work well. IF you need more info there is another thread I can recommend:
Winter chub - any tactics?

I am sure you will manage to get a grip of the winter fishing sooner or later.

Best of luck!

Pete

Hi,

Thanks for the advice I will have a read through those treads.

I am based in Newbury and have fished for grayling on the kennet before. However the stretch of Kennet that I fish the most is a 5min walk from my back door and it is devoid of grayling, I don't know why.