Is it ever too cold to catch?

[chav professor]

I have been very surprised how well the river is fishing at the moment. Despite it hiting minus 7 degrees last night and the river solid ice in places still managed to get chub competing for bread missing two bites and landing two of 4lb1oz and 4lb12oz at light was failing.

I have had three good sessions this week with similar results. The strange thing is, there are swims that usually 'banker' swims - not a touch. it seems if you can find a swim with a few fish in them, their competitive instincts take over!

To be fair, I went out this afternoon for a few hours just to experience the cold weather......... I still find it hard to imagine why this week has been so productive in context of the big freeze weather....

Has anyone else found this weather productive?

[chub_on_the_block]

Lots of carp activity down the pit at the moment. They're taking floating baits through the ice after breaking through it by swimming in formation to create cracks. I think they've been watching Frozen Planet DVDs since Xmas.

[barbelboi]

Before the snow melt yes, Christian, I've had a few of OK short sessions on bread and caster. TBH I've not been out since the 150mm of snow a few days ago but I'm itching to go next week with rising temperatures forecast.
Jerry
PS I believe some will be on half term

[Bluenose]

I'd agree about the competition aspect. The last few sessions have seen me catch half a dozen chub missing lots of bites in the process, not today mind, I fished a different stretch, never had a sniff and blanked.

I' think we'd all struggle to catch when it's like in the pic below. This was the Upper Weaver Dec 2010!

[sam vimes]

Definitely too cold if everywhere has a lid on. However, it doesn't stop folks cutting/smashing holes in ice and still catch.

[peter crabtree]

Just riddled off my maggots and pinkies which have sat in the fridge for 2 weeks. With a balmy 4degrees forecast tomorrow I hope to venture out late afternoon and catch a nice chub or 2 from the Colne.
I don't think it is worth starting till after 3pm as the sun on the river is the kiss of death. Other species I may catch are grayling (newly stocked and small) or roach but chub are the banker species.
And I won't be wearing shorts Chav!

[shaunfox]

Bloody freezing today, caughtva chub and decided to pack up - I hate blanking, so at least I caught. Probably would have had another couple of fish if I had stayed.

[barbelboi]

Originally Posted by peter crabtree

Just riddled off my maggots and pinkies which have sat in the fridge for 2 weeks. With a balmy 4degrees forecast tomorrow I hope to venture out late afternoon and catch a nice chub or 2 from the Colne.
I don't think it is worth starting till after 3pm as the sun on the river is the kiss of death. Other species I may catch are grayling (newly stocked and small) or roach but chub are the banker species.
And I won't be wearing shorts Chav!

Thanks for that Simon - had no idea that grayling have been stocked, might be little now but they grow quick
Jerry
Edit I assume that's at the other end from me (Ricky)?

[peter crabtree]

Originally Posted by barbelboi

Thanks for that Simon - had no idea that grayling have been stocked, might be little now but they grow quick
Jerry
Edit I assume that's at the other end from me (Ricky)?

TBH Jerry the grayling are a rumour, someone claimed to have caught a small one then another suggested they had been stocked further downstream ?
Hard to disbelieve an angler who used to live on the Itchen...

[S-Kippy]

Couldn't be an offspring from previous stockings could it ? Many years ago they were stocked in the Rovers stretch at Denham...showed for a year or two then they vanished. I assumed they died off but I suppose the odd few might have bred.

I wouldn't mind a go tomorrow but I'm not allowed out. Daughter's birthday lunch and then I've got to drive her back to Uni. I've got a day off Tuesday though.