PIKE fishing has improved with the colder weather.

On Windermere a 34lb 6oz specimen was caught on a deadbait by a boat angler fishing off Belle Isle, the heaviest for a while from the lake. Others to mid-doubles have been caught on trolled mackerel deadbaits.

At Coniston, pike to 18lb have been recorded on mackerel tails. Boat users at Grasmere have also caught pike with the best of 19lb falling to a smelt deadbait and Rydal has produced pike to 14lb on sea deadbaits.

Several up to 14lb have been landed at Loughrigg Tarn and Esthwaite continues to fish well. From a boat Alex Barton had a session to remember with four over 20lb, the heaviest at 22lb 4oz, He also had one of 19lb, another of 18lb and a couple of jacks. What a season he is having, with 15 pike over 20lb since October 1. Also from a boat Ali Yarwood recorded one of 20lb 9oz and another of 20lb 1oz.

From the bank Andrew Gaunt recorded one of 24lb 4oz, on a static deadbait and Louis Battersby one of 19lb 8oz and another of 18lb.

At Bigland Stephen Jones landed three single-figure pike on sea deadbaits.

Anglers at Ulverston Canal have caught small pike to 8lb on sea deadbaits and spinners.

Small pike have also been caught on sea deadbaits at Holme on the Lancaster Canal.

The third pike match of the Winter Series at Tewitfield was fished by 19 anglers and Steve MacCrae won the Tewitfield Trophy, £100 and a tackle bag with a 17lb specimen. Scott Halliwell was second with a 5lb catch, winning £50.

ROACH fishing has been hit by cold weather with some smaller waters frozen over and then affected by an influx of cold water.

It was a difficult day at Lonsdale Park, Carlisle, for the fifth round of the Kendal and District Anglers' Winter League as only six of the 11 competitors caught. Pete Burgess won with 14lb 8oz. Del Francis was second with 5lb1oz and Paul Dawson third with 4lb 13oz. Catches were of roach to pole and maggot.

Nearby, pleasure anglers were catching pike with the best of 19 lb.

Before the cold weather Loughrigg Tarn was producing good bags of quality roach to maggot feeder.

The larger lakes have fished well as the deep water areas are less affected by a sudden drop in temperature and there have been good catches of roach on Windermere from the public jetties at Miller Ground using long-range feeder and maggots.

The occasional carp to 9lb has been caught on boillies at Sandhall Ponds.

Before the cold weather Bigland was producing roach and even the occasional bream. Roach catches should improve at Gatebeck Tarn as soon as the weather warms.

g g g g RAINBOW trout catches were right down during the cold spell but some waters fished well before and after the sudden change in weather.

At Bigland Mike Jefferson landed six to 4lb 8oz on black nobblers and Mike Fearon took six on yellow fritz. With the wind now in the south-west and an increase in temperature there have been sporadic hatches of small buzzers.

At Esthwaite occasional rainbows have been landed by boat users on fast-sinking lines and fry patterns.

Sheltered Wych Elm continues to fish well with best recent catches of rainbows from Alan Plevey, (11), David Guest (11), Ian Nicholson (10), and Ian Caulfield - one of 8lb 8oz, together with three others, all on damsel nymphs.

At Farletonview Dave Mordue recorded 19 to 4lb 8oz on black blobs; Martin Ruddick 14, including a 4lb 2oz golden trout, and Dave Rump ten.

THE first Spring salmon, of approximately 18lb, was caught on the River Eden by George Portsmouth fishing Carlisle Angling Associations' water. The second of the season, approximately 8lb, was landed by Keith Triffit fishing the Yorkshire Fly Fishers' water at Wetheral. The river has been in excellent condition, but rose slightly after the recent rain and some snow melt brought a little grey tinge. At Lazonby there have been catches of grayling with the best just under 2lb.

FLOUNDERS have been caught at Arnside on lugworm, but it has been slower at Plumpton, Greenodd, Canal Foot and Priory Point.

Codling to 2lb. have been caught at the North End of Walney.

g g g g WINDERMERE Anglers are looking for volunteers to work on the boats prior to the new season and the next work party is on Sunday, February 25, at Matson Ground, Windermere. Contact Colin Bragg on 0774 7777 609 for more information.

Buzzer