Mark Hewitt
Senior Member
Another point which is often stated, on here and in books by so called experts which I don't agree with.
The general statement goes along the lines of " During the winter months river fish will be easier to catch and stillwater ones because they have to constantly fight the current"
I disagree with this statement for a number of reasons...
I've foundit more difficult to get bites during the winter months on both rivers and still waters during the winter.......
I don't agree that river fish are always fighhting the current. The rivers I fish vary in width, depth and don't flow in a straight line. For that reason there is always some slack water. Creases due to bends or side streams entering, obstructions such as rocks ect, or depressions in the river bed. I think the fishcan 'hold station' with less effort than people realise.
Also, I've given thought to the fact that if still water fish need to feed, then they have to move to search out food, where as a fish holding up in a river bed depression uses little energy waiting for food to pass by. This would sugggest still water fish would be more hungry and there for easier to catch..........
Is there an answer?
Locally, rivers do seem a better bet of a days sport during the winter. I think though, this is down tothe fact that most lakes near me are stocked with carp, tench, rudd ect....whilst the rivers are more natural with stocks of roach, chub, pike, perch, dace,trout ect. Which still feed well in colder conditions.
Discuss.............
The general statement goes along the lines of " During the winter months river fish will be easier to catch and stillwater ones because they have to constantly fight the current"
I disagree with this statement for a number of reasons...
I've foundit more difficult to get bites during the winter months on both rivers and still waters during the winter.......
I don't agree that river fish are always fighhting the current. The rivers I fish vary in width, depth and don't flow in a straight line. For that reason there is always some slack water. Creases due to bends or side streams entering, obstructions such as rocks ect, or depressions in the river bed. I think the fishcan 'hold station' with less effort than people realise.
Also, I've given thought to the fact that if still water fish need to feed, then they have to move to search out food, where as a fish holding up in a river bed depression uses little energy waiting for food to pass by. This would sugggest still water fish would be more hungry and there for easier to catch..........
Is there an answer?
Locally, rivers do seem a better bet of a days sport during the winter. I think though, this is down tothe fact that most lakes near me are stocked with carp, tench, rudd ect....whilst the rivers are more natural with stocks of roach, chub, pike, perch, dace,trout ect. Which still feed well in colder conditions.
Discuss.............