|
THE
SPRING
The
Winter breaks usually around early to mid march in the Dijon area,
although there's no guarantee! we have seen snow as late as May
here!..and on the other hand, Spring like conditions as early as February some years.
The
water levels in the lakes are at there highest after all the rain
and snow of Winter, but will start to slowly drop as the weather
warms up through April, May and into June.
The
water levels can fluctuate considerably during the year, with
differences of over 1 meter, depending on the condition of the regional
water table.
Winter into Spring the level is at it's highest, and the back end
of the Summer at it's lowest, then slowly filling up again going
into Winter.
The
signs of Spring appear all around the lake, and in many ways...
The
early willow buds, and first Spring flowers are amongst the first
visual signs that the Winter is history, and a brand new season
is beginning. The hibernators, and migrators re appear and join the already abundant
Winter birds, and appear to cerebrate the arrival of Spring, as
loud as they possibly can.
Tadpoles
and frogs, and all sorts of various insect hatches immerge from the newly
forming weed beds and contribute to the annual natural food harvests for
the fish and other residents of the lakes as the Spring period develops.
Small
fish rippling on the waters surface on a calm evening, and increasing
signs of the carp as the first "show biz" fish take to
the air! All are signs that life and activity is kicking back in under the surface
as the water temperatures slowly rise.
THE
ANGLING
If
your fishing the lake in early Spring, there is always the water
temperature factor to think about. Some of the carp will switch
on very early, when the water is still quite cold, and start their
feeding before the other fish have evan realized it's Spring. (It
may pay to rest with the Winter type baits during this time, if
the water is still cold).
They will then be joined gradually, by the rest of the carp as the
days pass, and temperatures rise, and will all be feeding very well
once the water has entered into the ideal temperature band, for
their efficient digestion, which will contribute to their energy
and condition, and activity.
Your choice of baits increases also, the carp will be running at
full rev's by mid April, and will be efficiently eating and passing
substantial quantities of food, although I would still strongly
recommend a decent freezer bait over anything else.
After
that it's going to come down to you finding them while your here,
and keeping them interested! They should be fairly easy to
catch, if they find your bait and you have enough of it to keep
them interested.
I usually advise people to allow for a minimum of 1kg per rod, per
day, as a rough guide through out the year but, if
your here when they are all feeding, you could easily use up to
and over 3 times that quantity, no problem!
You
must remember also, it's not just carp that eat bait! the other
fish of the lake are just as hungry, something to consider, ....Hmmm.
The
Spring months are always very popular with the anglers, and are
always the first to be booked.
FACT:
The bigger, so the female carp are all at very high weights at this
time, mainly down to the egg mass they are carrying, that they have
been busy working on all Winter. They will be preparing for spawning,
and as huge as they are, and as hard as they fight, they remain
extremely delicate at this time!...
Extreme
care is taken at all times when any of the carp are caught and handled
of course, but prior to spawning anglers are expected to be extra
aware of the fishes condition, and handle them accordingly, and
obviously only removing them from the water for shortest possible
time.
The
exact time of spawning in any one year is impossible to predict.
Besides from one or two other factors, it's mainly all down to the
water temperature as you all know.
The
truth is, if I knew exactly when they were going to spawn, I would
close for a few weeks until they were done! just to be on the safe
side.
- |
