I do not mind snow or cold weather, and it is the ideal time to get on the Trent and try and get to grips with some pike and zander. I was going to take the boat out, but a dodgy bit of dentistry meant that a cold wind made the affected tooth hurt like hell. So I opted to fish out of the truck sheltered from the wind.
To my amazement I had a dropped run on lamprey. The next time whatever it was came back I was on the rod like a shot and wound down. I thought it was a chub, but instead it turned into a 4lb zander. I was quite pleased to catch anything considering how grim the weather had been. I persisted and had a small pike, but that was it. It is interesting how you can pick up zander in the snow; I’ve had a few over the years. Pity it hadn’t been bigger.
Further trips on the river were unproductive and it wasn’t until the thaw came that I got my act together. I had been keeping a swim baited on Daiwa Manton’s New lake and the ice had just melted. Two baits fished close in and I’d only just done that when the small mackerel went. A quick strike and I was soon looking down at a decent pike. It looked like a 19 but proved to be a bit bigger at 20-02. The first twenty of the year and 15 twenties for the season so far. I had a couple of small fish and then off too work… things went to plan this time.
