Question from France : Are you fishing in Winter ?

[pescator]

Hi guys, I am just new to the forum since Id like to share expérience with uk anglers in salt.

I am member of the only saltwater fly fishing club in France created this year.

As we are crazy about fly fishing in salt we would like to go fishing all year long We thing this is also the best way to make more people discover this technique.

So I would like to know what kind of fish you are fishing in winter and how (kind of flies)?

We were thinking about flat fish, pollacks, mullet maybe or needlefish,

So let's talk

[Gonzo]

Hi Pescator

You are not alone in your quest. There are a fair few of us, in the UK, who are continually pushing the 'old' Bass season boundries. Every year we see who can catch the latest Bass and I seem to remember last year a fish was caught on the 30th December.
Personally, my latest fish is the 11th December, but it was just a small 1½lb schoolie.

Recent findings have come up with warm-water outlets - such as power stations. These areas seem to hold fish year round, if the flow is constant, from the station in question. It would be a good starting point to.

The flies used vary from region to region and what works in some areas doesn't always seem to in others. Trial & error, I feel.
I think as a general rule though, the Bass will be deeper during the Winter months, so maybe sinking lines and/or heavy fly combinations. Again it's trial & error. We would be very interested in any findings you make this Winter.
Keep us posted and good luck.

["Squatter"]

Hi Pescator,

Nice to see you guys are just as keen as us over here.

As Gonzo says It's Bass until they all head South apart from the few warm water outlets.

What are your target fish for winter?, and where will you be based, by that I mean will you be fishing the Channel / Atlantic Ocean area or are you going to be down on the Med side near Marseille - Perpignan?

Reasons for me asking - it would be interesting to see how things varey between the regions.

Lastly do you chaps have a web site yet?

Regards
Mike

[pescator]

We are preparing the website, it should start next year.

About catching bass, there's no problem about catching some until the end of the year in France, in the begining of the year, you can too but you have to go on spawning grounds and I don't want to disturb bass at this time, they already have to watch for trawlers

I was born near Bordeaux and overhere, people fishing from the beach with baits are catching bass all year long. We can also find some imature guys not spawning staying on nurseries.

We were thinking about maybe other species than bass that can be caught on the fly but we have no idea about what to target. Maybe mullet is the easiest to find but really tough fish to catch.

In Med, winter is a good season but fly casting with 60 to 90 mph of wind (that's the time when big fish are on shore) is pretty hard

Thanks for your answers, I will keep you inform.

[MJB]

Pescator,

Pollock and Coalfish off the rocks are a real possibility. Sinking lines and baitfish patterns seem to be the technique. Flounder will take a fly. Estuaries seem to be the easiest place to target them and I've heard worm patterns and flies like wooly buggers do the business. I've been trying for them in the natural harbour at Poole with no success yet. Whiting will take a fly, although they are of limited sporting value and Cod will take a fly, but you will struggle to find them close enough to target.

[jose]

Hi Pescator,

I´m Jose from Spain, and every year I visit south east France because I have family near Biarritz. Do you know that coast zones? Sany Jean de Luz, & Gethary are the places where I stay. Thank you in advance.

Jose