Just returned from a days fishing in the brackish water of Lake Oostvoorne near
the port of Rotterdam.


Early morning at the lake.

The fishing on the lake was closed for a couple of months (season) and had
just recently opened. Yesterday a group of our local club went fishing there
and blanked amidst miserable weather conditions.
When we went this morning roads where iced up, it was freezing outside and the
skies where clear. At the lake the temperature was just above freezing and a strong
Northerly wind was blowing on the water.
Early morning I hooked into a fish on a small black booby nymph.


Rainbow trout.

We where fishing at the Northern shore of the lake. Action was minimal so we decided to hit the Southern shore in the afternoon. When we arrived at the Southern shore we where exposed to the full force of the wind. Nobody got hits and no fish where to be seen.



Southern shore.

After an hour or so fruitless fishing we all came to the conclusion that our first location was better than the one we where currently at. Al gear including the belly-boats where put in the car for our trip to the other shore.

Niels and Tom launched their belly-boats and moved to the East while I fished the seawalls and structures along the shore. I received one more hit but missed the fish. Niels and Tom each managed to catch a Rainbow trout at the end of the day. Near sunset we called it quits and settled in the restaurant at the shore for a meal. We slowly thawed while enjoying a good
meal in good company.


Sunset.

At least this fishing day was not in vain. Everybody caught fish and had several takes even tough it was quite cold. I guess we have to repeat this exercise very soon.

Hi Marcel, i does look chilly as it going to be here. 40 tonite
you guys are hard core
mark

We describe ourselves as totally crazy but hardcore sound
more interesting. It sound very postive

BTW it was 19F last night ...


Having a drink at the lake / my antidote to the smells of the huge petrochemical plants behinds the dunes.

I didn't think it was even an option for you guys to fish there this time of year. Looks like it was worth the trip, that was a nice rainbow!!

The great thing about brackish or salt water is that it takes a very low temperature before you get hard water. The lake is the only place to catch Rainbows this time of year so we are eager to drive to the other side of the country freezing our butts off. We are ahum ... hardcore.

Next week we are off again. This also helps us getting used to the cold
when we head to Denmark in April. It could be ugly weather there so early in spring. Also tested my new Orvis Waders, they are breathable.
Nice for spring fishing but a bit chilly during the last session. Still have to get me some of that special fleece garments to last a little longer in the cold water.