Before Leaving Home
First have a good think about which fishery you are going to fish and why.
In no particular order
Do I want to travel far ?
Am I going to catch fish there ?
What is the temperature going to be ?
( You are not going to catch many Carp or Tench if it`s just above freezing )
What type and size of fish ( do you want to catch 4 oz roach all day ? )
What bait have I available ( have I got to go out and buy some ? )
How am I going to fish when I get there ( on the tip, maggot feeder, method, float, pole )
All may require different baits and amounts.
Will it be busy ( is there a match on ?)
The weather is a big subject keep on eye on the 5 day forecast
( I`m lucky, I`ve retired I can fish any day )
Can I find a quiet spot there, will I be able to see a float or hold my pole?
These are some of the questions I ask myself, usually the day before.
Don't get me wrong I'm not a fair weather angler
I fish right through the winter if the water is not frozen.
My local water (Lingmere) has which aerators the owner runs each night if there is a sign of frost,
so the water is nearly always open
I'm a pleasure angler and can see no pleasure in sitting facing the wind especially if it comes on to rain.
I know many anglers say that facing the wind is the best place to fish because that's where all the food
has been blown but I put the pleasure first
If it`s going to be really cold the secret is to put too many clothes on.
You can always take them of if you get too warm.
