Welcome from the Editor...

WELCOME to the first IYCF of 2018. I hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year. Last summer we produced a rig special which proved really popular with you guys. So we’ve decided to put together a winter rigs special. Inside you’ll find more than 30 presentations for all manner of coldweather species including, perch, roach, chub, carp and pike. All the rigs are really easy to make, so get tying and get out on the bank and catch a few. January and February are probably two of the toughest month’s on the angling calender. It’s as cold as it’s going to get and the first signs of spring are still several weeks away. But as long as you adjust your expectations accordingly you can still enjoy your time on the bank. Triple-figure weights of carp and bumper hauls of fish are, usually, out of the question. But species such as perch and chub will still feed in all but the worst conditions. Head down to your local river with a tub of worms and a few maggots, and travel light fishing several different swims and there’s every chance of slipping the net under a fish or two. If you’ve never tried it, drop shotting is another great way of targeting perch in the winter. You need hardly any gear, and even if you’ve only got an hour or two spare to go fishing, the method gives you a great chance of catching. If you fancy giving it a go, we’ve rounded up some of the best drop shot rods and reels on the market in this month’s tackle section with something for every budget. James Furness Editor