My second winter expedition to the Welland. Unlike last time, when a cold day had followed a warmer wetter spell, today it was very cold and had been so for a couple of weeks. Arrived about 11.00 as I knew that I would not be able to endure too many hours in the cold conditions.

The river looked better than in December. It was flowing well and coloured, but not quite as forceful. But it was really cold. There was nobody else on the stretch when I arrived, so except for a fruitless cast into a slack below a tree as I was walking upstream, I went straight to the bay swim.

I had quite high expectations but these were soon tempered. Not a touch on either meat or bread. I tried various spots in the bay but to no avail.

I then had a go in the spot where the chap had caught fish in December. A really tricky swim that was made even more so by the frozen banks, making it also somewhat hazardous. My 2 swan-shot rig didn't hold the bottom and I just let it settle naturally, but again not a touch. I noticed that a chap had starting fishing downstream.

After a few changes between the bay and the 'tricky' swim I ended up losing my end rig in a tree at the latter spot. Retackling in the arctic conditions was difficult, and when I got snagged again three casts later (I did say it was a tricky swim) I decided to call it a day; at about 14.30 pm.

Walking back to the car I met the other angler, who had moved a bit further downstream. He said he had had a couple of touches on worm but suspected small fish.

So, my second blank at the Welland. Obviously my winter technique is lacking, although on this occasion I suspect that the persistent cold weather may have been a contributing factor. It did occur to me, however, that next time a float may be a better option in the bay swim as I could cover much more of the water with this technique.