All

Are there any hard and fast rules on which line to use when its cold and which to use when it warm ?

The reason I ask is that I used an intermediate line last week in the cold weather and did not get a fish having tried all manner of flies.

After blanking I was then told that the fish were holding in the upper layers. I thought they dropped down deep when it was cold ?

Any advise as always will be very very much appreciated

That's part of the whole fishing experience, trying to find out what depth the fish are at.If any fish can be seen rising or at least are near the surface.then you fish accordingly.No fish to be seen ,start using sinking lines till you contact fish.1Thing is certain,fish dont really want to chase food in the cold water.They want it up close and slow.

Jim

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The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.

My friends and I have been fishing with floating lines during the coldest periods of January. Occasionally I've resorted to a slow intermediate line . Leader length can be crucial and as Jim states finding the level fish are at as well as using a slow or near static retrieve. Don't assume you have to scrape the bottom with a Di7 line just because it's cold.

Just because air temp is cold, doesn't mean water temp is cold. Remember heat rises. Also you get warmer water on the windward bank which can eddy downwards, flow back on it's self before rising again a little further out. There has been discusions before, thermolatic layers, I think! Gets more confusing on deeper waters as you can get more layers of differing water temps.

Apologies but what is the windward bank is this the bank the wind is blowing to or from ?