The chub, a fish that is always hungry
In December, when winter returns and temperatures drop, the morale of whitefish anglers is also at half-mast. Ponds and lakes that used to provide great summertime fishing are frozen over and only the rivers can withstand the cold and provide a fishing trip. Many species of fish are also adapting to a winter diet by reducing their feeding activity considerably. The absence of fishermen at the water's edge is therefore quite understandable.
But there is still one species of white fish that gives hope to the ambitions of die-hard fishermen, the chub. He is always hungry, even if it is cold and snowing.
Know the chub positions
The angler who wants to catch chub must first know their locations. In winter, chub retreat to the deeper, quieter areas of the river where they particularly enjoy the slower flows. The water here is less cold than in the shallower areas near the bank. Moreover, the current automatically brings them food. The objective of the fisherman is to locate and fish these places.
The deep runs are located more or less far from the bank. Anglers who think they have to fish with heavy rigs to get to the deeper areas are making a big mistake. Chub bite very carefully in cold water. A heavy rig for bottom fishing will automatically make the fish wary and therefore ineffective.
The best solution is a sensitive rig with a rod adapted for fine fishing. Then, logically, the question arises of how to present your rig so far from the bank with this equipment. You have to get into the water and approach the wading positions. This method seems at first sight frightening, considering the temperature of the water, but it is not so uncomfortable as that. Of course, you have to be well dressed and wear thick neoprene waders. You will be surprised to find that the water is not so cold when the air temperatures are.
On the big rivers, it is sometimes necessary to enter far in the water to reach the good chub positions with water at the height of the chest. Safety must be a priority in this case.
Bait and leaders
In winter, chub prefer nutritious bait such as poultry liver and canned meat. Canned meat is soft and can easily fall off the hook. The trick is to cut it into cubes and put them in the freezer. The freezing process dehydrates the meat and a small, dark, tough crust forms. Once thawed, it holds very well on the hook.
To hook these relatively large baits, I use n°10 hooks. This size allows me to get the tip of the cube out and guarantees me a good hooking.
The tip of the leader must be, on the other hand, very fine with a diameter between 8/100 and 12/100 maximum. A grouped sinker not exceeding 30 centimeters between the upper and lower sinker guarantees a fast descent of the bait. The use of a sensitive float with a lift of 2.5 grams completes this rig.
The angler must limit his equipment, as waders offer little space to store his accessories. However, a light landing net is an essential accessory to guarantee a good recovery of the fish.
When the first beautiful chub slips through the net, you will quickly forget that the first step into the cold water was rather difficult
