cold snap could help in the long run

[fishypaul]

in the last few years many of my local waters have been rather unfishable during the summer due to excessive weed growth,
one opinion is that the mild winters we have had recently havn't killed the weed back sufficently therefore it grows thicker and stronger the next summer,
this cold might kill it all off,
if that is the case then we might be in for some less weedy swims next summer,
every cloud has a silver lining

[mithrandir]

good point Paul. There is also some belief that it will kill off bacteria and weaker fish, meaning the next breeding cycle will be from strong healthy fish, giving you a better quality of stock.

the die off will also allow the survivors to feed up more through less competition for food and be bigger next autumn.

So good comes of a true "hard" winter.

[fullcreel]

Good point, every one I've talked too in the Horticultural trade has expressed enthusiasm for this cold, as it will kill of eggs and larve of unwelcome insects, it is costing us more in greenhouse costs, plus burst pipes etc.
I understand that all of our native fish have evolved to tolerate extreme cold, think of the mini ice age in the 1700(?) may be a bit out, but there have been other very cold spells in the last few millenium.
Some of the european imports should beOK too I guess, but if the weed is suppressed, by the cold, it could be good for the forth comming summer sessions, but I and I hate to be the one to be awkward, weed growth is bound to be affected by environmental conditions once it start growing, such as water temp and nitrogen levels, if there are some kills be it fish or weed, that will act as a fertiliser, once it has broken down, also there may be run off from farming and mis use of agro chemistry.
Many of us growers are hoping for a hot summer which shoul follow a cold winter. My limit quantity of brain cells are failing me, but does anyone remeber the winter temps of 2002, 'cause 2003 was a fantastic growing year, good river fishing for me too.
I understand its going to warm up this weekned, HIP HIP Horay

[whitford.d@sky.com]

reading historical fishing books such as doomsday and broadland pike most big pike were caught in hard winters im of to horning on friday bring on the frost

whitty

[pingu]

i guess its also giving the fish a rest from angling pressure as the waters frozen

even padstow harbour was iceing over yeaterday

[monkey nuts]

2003 was a very good year for sea fishing too, but cant remember what the winter was like,,,,to many stellas since
fingers crossed for a good summer

[fullcreel]

I've lost some of my carp (inc a goldhead), from the tank at work, its a water tank, 4foot wide, 8 long and 5 deep had 4inches of ice, what I'm getting at is the lack of oxygen, as there is no plant growth, only decomp producing bad gasses, hope all the nice small lakes I like are OK.