Hello - I'm new to fly fishing, I had a half day session with an instructor who was fantastic and I am sure he improved my skills dramatically. I then had a few sessions on local lakes prior to the cold snap. I am desperate to get out again but have no real understanding of suitable techniques / flies / locations for this type of weather. Can anyone offer some advice on how to fish and where to fish in the Richmond (North Yorks) area during this terrible weather.
Thanks in advance

Don't you do it !

Go and practise your casting ( yes you can do it on snowy fields ! ) - go and learn flydressing .

Curb your enthusiasm - get ready for when its fit to fish !

If you go playing in this weather - when you are my age and rheumatic or arthritic in the joints and it hurts to cast you may wish you'd remembered this advice ( and I wish I had ! )

Best wishes

Steve Creaking P

Dont put him off steve, im in the same club as you "arthritus to name a few ailments" alittle bit of cold wont hurtits the urge hes got and when you get that its got to be purged, if you do go fishing jacko1967 thenwrap up warm, look for areas that are ice free these can be hotspots in freezing weather, try different flies , lures , nymphs, and even dries, but dont get disheartened if you dont catch even trout will find this weather abit off putting but do follow steves advice, theres nothing like catching on you own made fly especially when youve made a perfect cast to it, but never hold on to that urge to go, its bad for yer
Steve remember "pain is a sensation and sensations should be enjoyed"gaz
PS got athritus , diabetes, ibs, had hips replaced, asthma, acid reflux and now bloody lung cancer , you wont stop me going fishing in this weatheronly the wife can do that take care Gaz

__________________
If in doubt, get the montys out

Intelligence is relative to your environment

stillwaters try flies such as buzzers, gold ribbed hares ear, damsel nymphs, pheasant tail maybe. i use sizes 12 and 14 and am catching. Get the fly well down on a 12 to 15 ft leader (most small ponds are ok with a floating line) and retrieve very slowly.... fishies become inactive in such cold weather and will be down there where it's warmer and not expending much energy. Should get you a result imho....but if not you could resort to lure stripping which may provoke a trout into taking, i avoid them myself

I'll be out there tommorrow too - tight lines!
grey

As an alternative view from Steve's, I've had some great fun on small stillwaters at this time of the year. One of the things to watch out for and check before setting off is that the venue is actually fishable, as opposed to frozen solid and unfishable. Other practicalities are to wrap up well - nothing worse than being cold!

Generally I've found that between 10am and 3pm is the most productive part of the day. Usually the fish will be lying quite far down in the water so a fly with a gold or other beaded head to get down to the required depth is advisable, as may be a slightly longer leader. This depends on the depth of the water you are fishing, of course.

Lure patterns like Viva, Cats Whisker, Montana, Damsels, Dawson's Olives, and different coloured Dancers have worked better for me than imitative patterns at this time of year. Temptation with lures is to strip them back quickly, but I have found a slower and steadier retrieve more effective. Best idea is to ask advice on effective flies from fishery staff or other anglers. Sizes 10 or 12, generally.

It is also important to understand that you may get takes "on the drop" rather than whilst you are retrieving the fly back. I found this a very challenging aspect of winter small stillwater fishing - and still do!

I don't know your area - maybe someone more local to you can give some more specific advice. I'm presuming that you've fished stillwaters rather than rivers thus far - of course, I could be wrong!

I love fishing this time of year. It can be very productive, and you usually get a good solid dogged fight from the fish.

Any tips are bound to be broken, but usually the fish will be deep, and slow. as such so should your fly. fish anything with a good marabou tail in green, white and black, and twitch your fly back to impart some action in the tail. takes are usually felt by everything becoming heavier rather than the smash takes you can get in the summer months. Fish areas with deeper water, and don't be afraid of the wind in your face. one thing though, and i thoroughly believe in this, is don't venture out in a winter Easterly wind. it halves your chances.

Cheers
Alex

Hi Jacko1967

Get yourself along to this:

Who fishes the Yorkshire Dales - show of hands

There are a few forum mmebers going and I am sure between us we can steer you in the right direction.

If not then I can go for a day with you up on your local waters and point you in the right direction if you want.

Best wishes,

Ian.