John Bailey – The Kingfisher Diaries
April 9th 2010
The Signs Are Good
Walking around the lakes today, it's still the first few days of April and it's as though winter has miraculously receded. Air temperatures which for months have hovered only just above freezing are now ‘rocketing' into the low teens. It's suddenly like nature has exploded. There are buds everywhere on the trees and the willows are beginning to look enchanting. Waterfowl are beginning to build nests. The alders are coming out and the toads have already been busy in the dykes and ditches.
And best of all, angling wise, I've seen a lot of fish activity. There are plenty of pike shoaled up in the bays which you'd expect around their spawning time but the carp have been moving in the margins and I've even seen tench rolling and bubbling.
In fact, I introduced half a pint or so of bait into the Lobster Pot and within half an hour, the tench were fizzing. Just a month ago there was snow in the air and even a skin of ice! How quickly nature repairs itself.
At this early stage in the year, though, I'd hesitate to overfeed. Whilst the fish might be a lot more active, they're still not overwhelmingly hungry, so bear that in mind. Remember you can always put bait in but you can't take it out. My tip is to feed sparingly and then if bites begin to dry up, introduce more on a little and often basis.
It's probably a good idea, too, not to use baits that are too filling. I'd be wary of bread certainly and even pellets and boilies. Perhaps this is the perfect time for maggots and casters, especially for the roach, bream and tench.
With more warm weather forecast, I think we can all, syndicate members and guests look forward to some great days.