What methods are there to follow on still waters? Do the fish all head deep or are they still around from sub suface down? What sort of flies should I use and is it hard going or do the rainbows feed better in the ice cold?


Also
Fancy having a crack at the Grayling so whats the best methods and do they feed better early / late or through the day? Got plenty of nymphs so think I'm okay on flies but any help appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Ryan

Give us a clue where you're based and what type of stillwater/s you'll be aiming to fish, Ryan.

There will be somewhat different advice, depending on how far north in the UK you are based and whether you'll be on a medium sized gravel pit fishery anywhere, a quite small stalking water in the South of England, or one of the big English midlands reservoirs that stay open for some of the winter months. Or indeed somewhere else entirely .

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"In wine there is wisdom. In beer there is strength. In water there is bacteria." - German proverb
JH based near Southampton

I fished throughout the winter last year and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the fish and the fishing available.Normally i would have packed the gear away but,i decided to give it a go.I fished mainly small waters which i wouldnt have fished through the recognised season.I fished the whole winter through with mainly buzzers and nymphs on a floater.The water was weed free and the clarity was good.I look forward to another good winter.

We actually had some proper winter weather in the South in 2008-9.

As long as the air temperature actually gets warmer than the water at some time during the day, the prospects of sport are good. I fished Avon Springs on a February day last winter after a very frosty night indeed, whiteout on the fields, 70% of the lake was frozen over when the day started, but the fish were up for it in the unfrozen section as the day warmed and I caught some nice ones.

Down here, specifics varying water to water, at least some of; daphnia and phantom larvae, corixa, baby damsel nymphs, bloodworms and buzzers and cased caddis should be reasonably active in winter. Specially if the lake is spring or river-fed. A floating line and nymph/s is usually the way to go, with a slow glass intermediate plus some small lures in reserve. Boobies on a fast sinker can also work well if 1. allowed by the fishery rules and 2. the lake floor is not too weedy. But do not assume the fish are invariably hard on the bottom in winter.

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"In wine there is wisdom. In beer there is strength. In water there is bacteria." - German proverb
JH based near Southampton

Thanks guys. I'm based in Cardiff S. wales and will be mainly fishing small still waters rather than larger resevoirs etc.
I'm also going to try the river Taff for the Grayling... I've heard this acn be great sport through the winter months, here's hoping!
Ryan

pretty much guarantee they'll be in the shallow parts of the lake (3-4 foot), and probably somewhere near the bottom. shallows by shelves are a good starting point. Lures and buzzers, ptn will probably catch. most of it depends on the fishery.

Has anyone fished the Ouse in winter? I know there's some nice Dace in there by Barford Bridge, and Chub too I'd guess though I've not caught them there myself. I was wondering if it might suit some winter wet fly tactics?

Also
Fancy having a crack at the Grayling so whats the best methods and do they feed better early / late or through the day? Got plenty of nymphs so think I'm okay on flies but any help appreciated.
Thanks in advance.][/quote]

Hi Ryan
Dont just stick to nymphs the Grayling fishing up here in North Wales is also great on the Dry in Winter