Boat Fishing  

(Still Water Trout Fishing)

If you can, it always pays to get a boat, even in the early part of the season when fish are catchable from the bank. The great thing about a boat is that you are mobile and you can see very well what's going on, and where people are particularly catching fish.

The great thing about a boat in my view is That you can moor it about fifty to seventy yards from the bank with the wind behind you, and then cast easily into the water that bank fishers can't reach. You're casting virtually always to the bank, and it will almost certainly be empty bank because there are very few anglers who really like to fish into the teeth of a gale. You are all right though, because you've anchored your boat up and are simply using it as a fishing platform. Obviously you wouldn't anchor up opposite bank anglers because that's really bad manners, but you'll find lots of good water that you can fish this way. Do be careful though: if the wind has travelled over half a mile of water it will be picking up some speed, and you must be very careful of big gusts in April if you don't want to go over the side. Also keep a wary eye open that your boat isn't drifting because you could find yourself in trouble on rocks. Never, ever go out without adequate safety clothing - don't even think of it.

Later on you can use a boat on the reservoirs loch-style, and then they are lovely to drift in, moving around, searching for the fish; but in April it's three-overcoat weather, and you use the boat as a platform and very little else. I will often take a boat, especially if I can share it because the way I look at fishing is very realistic. If you've taken a day off work and driven a hundred miles these are two major expenses to start with. You've probably had the day booked for a week or two, so you can't afford to pick and choose and then the day might turn out to be desperately bad. Therefore you need every option you can, and to be able to make the best use of your time on the water. Some days you're there and you know all the locals are still in bed and wouldn't dream of venturing out; but you made the decision to go and you've just got to do the best with it.

I suppose that's why I like the early season fishing on the reservoirs because I don't live close, and I know that the locals don't have any massive advantage over me. After all, this is the time when the trout will feed pretty well all day, and if you keep your eyes open you'll certainly find a few groups of fish willing to have a bash. Also, most people sling out a big lure, whip it back and get a few takes during the course of the day. It's exciting, but not too demanding stuff providing you can stick the weather.

John Bailey

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