Winters last throw of the dice?

This topic has 35 replies, 12 voices, and was last updated 13 years ago by TF_Team Rattler.

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- 13/02/2013 at 2:55 pm #54299
  TF_JohnH
  As I type this yet more of the white stuff covers the ground and frankly I am fed up of it.
  I am itching to get on the bank but its just been too cold for too long now.
  The forecast is slightly more promising but lets all hope, after yet another bleak winter, that spring will see things on the up, hopefully temperatures.
- 13/02/2013 at 5:59 pm #165097
  TF_geepster
  Participant
  Longest, bleakest winter for angling I can remember to be honest.
  Usually in winter you can get bites on the rivers but the water is so cold it’s ridiculous.
- 14/02/2013 at 8:44 am #165107
  TF_JohnH
  Normally we get a break in the cold weather when we can get out in some milder temperatures. Not this year. I have not been out since October, a first for me for years.
- 14/02/2013 at 3:26 pm #165117
  TF_Anthonywaters
  Participant
  In contrast I dont think West Yorkshire has been as bad as the last few years Ive fished quite a bit.
- 14/02/2013 at 3:51 pm #165119
  Anonymous
  Dont think its been a particularly bad winter. Quite a bit more rain than normal but we have needed it in many places around the country. Not sure winters in its final throws just yet. Feb is usually a horrible month and we always get a bit of snow in March. So, think we still have another 4-6 weeks before we can feel confident that we are heading in to spring and consistant warmer weather. Think a few have got use to the mild winters we have had for the last few years and forgot what it was like in the past.
- 14/02/2013 at 6:47 pm #165125
  TF_badger
  Participant
  Got to agree with the last two posts, I,ve only missed one weekend since well before Xmas, and that was my choice. We’ve managed to keep lakes ice free, and by keeping an eye on the weather forecast and choosing to fish on the best day I’ve had a few fish and had some decent results.
- 14/02/2013 at 7:23 pm #165128
  TF_GLEBE1
  JohnH and Geeps must be feeling a bit nesh!
  Not too bad this year, a couple of years ago I bought an Airity, nearly went round the bend as it was a full month before I could use it as all the lakes had a lid on,if you remember fisheries lost fish because they were frozen for so long.
  It’s mid Feb and only been iced off once this winter so far.
- 14/02/2013 at 10:54 pm #165137
  TF_caster rob
  Participant
  @TrueBlue wrote:
  
  Dont think its been a particularly bad winter. Quite a bit more rain than normal but we have needed it in many places around the country. Not sure winters in its final throws just yet. Feb is usually a horrible month and we always get a bit of snow in March. So, think we still have another 4-6 weeks before we can feel confident that we are heading in to spring and consistant warmer weather. Think a few have got use to the mild winters we have had for the last few years and forgot what it was like in the past.
  
  Care to list those places that needed greater than normal winter rainfall, after the wettest summer and autumn in over a century?
  
  Winter will be on its way back this time next week anyhow.
- 14/02/2013 at 11:29 pm #165140
  Anonymous
  Caster Rob, have a look at the stats for the underground water table and you will find that much the Midlands underground water table is still significantly below average or at notably low levels and thats after several record months of rain fall in the last year. Most areas now have average underground levels now. Shows how much the water levels needed topping up to just get the underground water table back to where it should be!.
- 14/02/2013 at 11:38 pm #165141
  TF_caster rob
  Participant
  If the rainfall is so intense and of such duration that it floods vast areas of the country instead of impacting upon the water table then it is not needed in that given area.
  
  A farmer in the Welsh Borders (where GWLs have been low) isn’t going to want further rainfall when he’s already had so much that he can’t access drowning and starving livestock due to flooded roads and pastures.
  
  There’s more to life than data and statistics, most of it goes on outside offices.
- 15/02/2013 at 12:02 am #165142
  Anonymous
  Thats just the wrong type of rain, Rob. Not sure we have had vast areas of flood in the past 12 months in this country. We have had some floods in places that have historcally been flooded but thats about it. Dont build houses next to rivers or on historical flood plains if you dont want to get your feet wet, lol
- 15/02/2013 at 12:07 am #165143
  TF_caster rob
  Participant
  Maybe you missed this:
  
  http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-year-britain-flooded/4od
  
  make sure you’re sitting down, it could be a bit of a shock!
- 15/02/2013 at 12:55 am #165144
  Anonymous
  I will say it again just for you, Rob. “We have had some floods in places that have historcally been flooded but thats about it. Dont build houses next to rivers or on historical flood plains if you dont want to get your feet wet”, lol
  
  The plus side of the higher underground water levels is that the rivers might have some water in them this spring and summer instead of being very low or in some cases almost dry. Could be a great year on the rivers and a better chance of a bumper year for the stocks of some species.
- 15/02/2013 at 8:27 am #165147
  TF_wightangler
  talking bollards again TB – certainly local farmers often with main fields on hill slopes still flooded out – might certainly beg to differ with you.
- 15/02/2013 at 8:54 am #165148
  TF_JohnH
  Maybe its my age but I have found in past years I could sit out in winter conditions no problem. However this year it seems every weekend has seen cold air just about every where. The lads I work with have all said the same.
  In terms of snow we have had more this year in South Yorkshire than I can remember for a long time. I know 2011 was bad but it all came at once, stuck for 2 weeks then went, this year we have had white outs at least 4 times.
  There is light at the end of the tunnel the suns out and this weekend looks ok.
- 20/02/2013 at 3:48 pm #165245
  TF_howsmicha
  Im not sure if its me thats getting older or the winters are getting colder and longer ( Im 73) but im sure there must be something in it as I feel it more now than I ever used to.I still get out as often as I can because it seems to me the older you get the faster the clock ticks so you golden oldies get your woolies on and give it your best shots. You never know how long you are going to keep going . Tight Lines.
- 21/02/2013 at 9:26 am #165259
  TF_badger
  Participant
  It’s very easy to get into the habit of not going fishing, and the thought of sitting out for up to six hours in bad conditions is one of the main reasons not to go. I would suggest entering a winter league, then your committed to go, our league matches are every two weeks with opens in between. The league is very competitive, but at the same time friendly and fished by a good bunch of blokes (and one female) . You need to keep going to be able to compete, the venue has fished great this winter with some fantastic weights, although it can be peggy, the thought that its my turn next week to draw one of the fliers keeps me going, also doing your best from an average peg and gaining good points from it can keep you in contention. I personally have what I consider only one poor day this winter ( and that was fished in probably the best conditions). Choose venues that are not long pole dominated and fish methods that suit the conditions and there are some fish to be caught.
  
  Enjoy.
- 21/02/2013 at 4:19 pm #165265
  TF_JohnH
  Was hoping to get this weekend but having seen forecast I dont think so!!
- 21/02/2013 at 6:58 pm #165208
  TF_caster rob
  Participant
  As predicted, winter is back with a vengeance thanks to the penetrating easterly we are presently experiencing.
  Current indications are that the change of month will coincide with a change in wind direction – to a northerly, with a long arctic draw.
  This would lead to continued cold and predominantly dry conditions.
  I can only hope those areas with diminishing GWLs that needed all that rain last year can withstand it.
- 22/02/2013 at 8:55 am #165271
  TF_JohnH
  Shall I blank next week out as well??
  It does not sound good.
  Heat wave mid March like last year then cold wet summer?
  Must dig out the holiday brochures.
- 22/02/2013 at 9:12 am #165272
  TF_Fred Davis
  I have kept warm and fit playing table tennis this winter so when the weather does turn I’ll be really up for it lol
- 22/02/2013 at 9:57 am #165273
  Anonymous
  I fished a local knock up on wednesday – still water bream feeder fishing. I was drawn facing into the wind and the chill cut like a knife. At the end of the 5 hours I was the only one left on that bank, but I will be back again on Sunday.
  Is not part of the challenge of catching fish, especialy in match conditions, having to cope with the prevailing weather conditions?
- 22/02/2013 at 4:37 pm #165276
  TF_Fred Davis
  yes of course it is but it is also about enjoying your sport sitting on the bank freezing my cods off for a bite or two just doesn’t do it for me anymore, having fished winter leagues done my ice breaking bit having turned 60 I think you feel the cold more, cold weather conditions are definately for the younger or really dedicated angler, at one time it would have been an enjoyable challenge however priorities change.
- 22/02/2013 at 8:22 pm #165279
  TF_Dodge
  Im an old ****** but will be out saturday and sunday winter league ing it on a couple of canals for an odd bite. Working outdoors in all weathers for 30 odd years must make me imune to a bit of cold ? 😀
- 22/02/2013 at 11:41 pm #165284
  TF_badger
  Participant
  Dodge, I like yourself worked out doors for thirty odd years, I’ve got a nice cushy inside job now with loads of paid holidays. I’m looking forward to sitting out in the freezing cold for six hours tomorrow and I’m confident of a few fish, I can’t wait 🙂
- 24/02/2013 at 8:48 pm #165311
  TF_caster rob
  Participant
  Someone ought to tell these “midland farmers” how low the water table is and how much they needed that rain:
  
  http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/feb/23/weather-battered-farmers-hope-food-security-will-help
  
  They’re only farmers so obviously know nothing about the state of the ground and such things.
- 24/02/2013 at 9:07 pm #165312
  TF_Anthonywaters
  Participant
  Rob he could diversify and grow rice !
- 18/03/2013 at 2:14 pm #165769
  TF_JohnH
  Over one month has passed since my original post and its still grim. Snow last week and the local canal frozen over. This weeks forecast has yet more snow and ice.
  Its about 17 degrees colder now than this time last year.
  Was hoping to get to Mallory before the curtain falls at the end of the month but it still feels freezing to me, too cold to sit out for 6 hours.
  Next weekend still looks poor on the forecast so it looks like 30th or 31st only now.
- 18/03/2013 at 7:45 pm #165776
  Anonymous
  I said in my 1st post – Feb is usually a horrible month and we always get a bit of snow in March. So, think we still have another 4-6 weeks before we can feel confident that we are heading in to spring and consistant warmer weather.
  
  I remember us getting snow on the night of June 16th in about 1987ish on Merseyside.
  
  Last March was the second warmest March on record. So, dont expect 18 degrees for another month or 2.
  
  The frogs in my pond have just started spawning today. Spring is defo on its way!
- 19/03/2013 at 7:33 pm #165788
  TF_Fred Davis
  True blue your absolutely right on water aquifer levels below average in the midlands and parts of yorks, I couldn’t believe it!! however the west country, southern england and the north are above average levels, after sundays deluge were certainly to be a bit more in surplus lol
- 20/03/2013 at 4:08 am #165805
  Anonymous
  Mother nature has a funny way of re-addressing the balance, Fred. April showers soon. I will get my brolly, lol
- 22/03/2013 at 11:28 am #165869
  TF_JohnH
  Noticed Bolingey is featured on BBC flood warnings this morning.
  Also March it seems is going to be colder than December and January this winter.
  North Sea is 2 degrees colder due to the cold Easterlies we have endured.
  No end in sight with lots of snow here again today/tomorrow.
  I take my hat off to those who have fished this winter, its too cold for me.
- 22/03/2013 at 1:34 pm #165867
  Anonymous
  It has not been all bad JohnH. Even this month there have been nice days. I saw the river season out with good double figures of grayling on a stick float – lovely sunny day with virtually no wind, but I did shiver uncontrollably while packing up LOL. This wednesday I won a local knockup with 32lb of stillwater bream on the feeder – yes it was snowing but tucked under the brolly with the tip going round was better than being sat in the office. No I know I haven’t mentioned all the gruellers but I really believe if you stay at home because of the wintery weather you are seriously missing out on some good days.
- 22/03/2013 at 5:48 pm #165872
  TF_caster rob
  Participant
  Never mind:
  
  http://news.sky.com/story/1068530/weather-body-found-in-floods-rain-and-snow
  
  it’s good for the GWL.
- 23/03/2013 at 1:01 am #165880
  TF_Pedro
  River wise extra water has been a nightmare for the most of last season.
  Having suffered too much cabin feaver I decided to take my chances with the weather elements and booked last few days of the season off work.
  
  Heres the best of two barbel caught when the water temps was hovering around 4c.
  The other was around 5lb…but my hands were that cold i slipped her straight back 😉
- 23/03/2013 at 1:41 am #165881
  TF_Team Rattler
  That’s a topmouth gudgeon Pete!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
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