A long winter
This winter has been a long one. We're in the beginning of March, and still the ice is covering much of the coastal water, many lakes and even streams. But Martin usually don't long for spring. Don't worry: It comes no matter what!
I usually don't long particularly for spring.
First of all I like winter.
I like cold weather.
I like snow and ice.
Secondly spring always comes! I've been around for more than 50 years, and it hasn't failed yet, even though some years feel like winter never ends.
It's not like I don't like spring. I love it! Sun coming out, water warming up, trees turning green and flowers blooming. Who wouldn't like that?
But I'm just not the type that spends January and February longing for the sound of bird song and splashing fish.
The winters 2009/10 and 2010/11 have been particularly cold here in Denmark with lots of snow and ice covered oceans, which is not rare, but on the other hand not something that takes place every winter.
I don't mind the snow and ice, and being a Dane I have long ago gotten used to dressing for the weather and simply coping. I actually prefer a cold and crispy winter to those gray, damp and dark winters we sometimes have, where everything is muddy, clouds are heavy and it never gets really cold, but just these miserably inbetween uncomfortable temperatures.
No matter how mild the winter, I don't remember a winter with good fishing. I've caught seatrout in December, January and February, although very, very few. Some people fish intensively through the winter, and some people catch really beautiful fish in that period.
My experience is that it pays to wait for warmer water temperatures—for your sake and for the fish's. You will simply see more fish, catch more fish and be much more comfortable while doing it.
We're in the beginning of March here, and usually March means fishing. These last couple of days have been sunny and slightly warmer, but there is still ice on the canals in my neighborhood and when I walk the dog on the local beaches, fishing is not the first that comes to mind.
But within two or three weeks that will change.
All the ice will be gone, the water will be 5-6 degrees C and will be in the range where my favored quarry, the seatrout thrives the best. Then I will want to get out!
But as it is right now, I'm fine with indoors activities such as catching up on that huge backlog of DVD and book reviews that has piled up...
Read more about why you should register.
Related content
More content from the front page
Since you got this far …
The GFF money box
… I have a small favor to ask.
Long story short
Support the Global FlyFisher through several different channels, including PayPal.
Long story longer
The Global FlyFisher has been online since the mid-90's and has been free to access for everybody since day one – and will stay free for as long as I run it.
But that doesn't mean that it's free to run.
It costs money to drive a large site like this.
See more details about what you can do to help in this blog post.
Comments
Sarunas, I will b
Sarunas,
I will be at the Danish Fly Festival! I'm writing a blog entry about it as your comment drops in. I expect to be there Saturday only. I may set up a GFF rendezvous sometime Saturday.
Martin
Hey Martin, Are you
Hey Martin,
Are you going to come to Danish Fly festival 2011?
Nice pics and story
Nice pics and story Martin. We still have 20-25 inches of ice on the lakes around here, and since my heart attack I hate the cold, can't handle it any more. :) Hope your spring comes soon my friend.