Fraser on fishing: Belated catch brings warm glow on a bitterly cold day

Phoning Swanswater Fishery beforehand, I was surprised to hear that not only was it open but the whole of the main pond was virtually ice free.

Despite temperatures plummeting, only the margins were iced up. However, a northerly wind made it cold on the hands. Fishing a new Predator line - basically a floater with a long clear sinking tip and a single lure - looked like my best option.

Only a couple of hardy souls ventured out but some sport was in the offing. Starting at the dam wall, I punched my line out along the edge of the ice margins. Hopefully some fish were lying beneath waiting for any morsels that may come their way. Fishing slow and deep as the fish were going to be very lethargic with such cold conditions, it was a case of keeping on the move to try and get something to take.

After an hour or so, I moved over on to the island where I saw one being landed.

The Yellow Dancer has always worked here and I changed the Hothead Damsel which till now was not getting any interest.

Within minutes I received a solid take, only to lose it with the rings in my rod icing up. Still, it was a positive. It took a further hour or so before my next offer came, only this time it stayed on.

Fighting the cold in my fingers and the wet line, I could only watch as fish made for under the ice flow. Keeping the rod tip below the water with side strain eventually saw the 4lb fish tire and come out tamely.

It was a lovely blue trout and was in near perfect condition and just as well because my hands were numb cradling it whilst it recovered. That was it as far as I was concerned.

The cold eventually got to me and I had to retire for a heat.