With the winter months being upon us now and the brown trout season finished its time for the small waters and the Rainbow trout to keep the keenest cold weather anglers occupied. Given that rainbow trout definitely thrive in fresh cold waters, the winter season can be as fruitful a time as any to go fishing.

When we think about Winter trout tactics, we invariably think of fishing with sinking lines and lures. Although this is without doubt the most consistent and effective method for the time of year, it is by no means the only way!

The ‘Little Devil’ is one of many effective all year round nymphs. Its translation to Welsh is the Daiwl Bach, familiar to all but a few fly fishermen and a fly that should be in everyone’s fly box. I have loads of them, various colours and sizes, and often throw out an attractive looking pattern of daiwl bach nymphs. My favourite is a red daiwl back, suitable I think for a little devil fly and it has a very aesthetically pleasing look about it in the water.

As the trout season draws to a close, the chances of hooking a strong, mature fighter lures anglers back to the water for one last stab at success. With the dark days looming over, the weather turning and the water cooling, fish at the peak of physical condition lie in wait for a wholesome feed. So, how do you go about cathing these monsters?

The downturn in fly life during the Winter Season shouldn’t put you off fishing in the coming months as we need to continue supporting our local fisheries and keep the sport alive during quiet spells. The Hare’s Ear is a popular fly for the winter and James investigates why.

The damsel nymph is a popular fly amongst anglers, but what makes it so special? An explanation into the life of the natural fly and the year-round use of it when fly fishing provides a good insight.