I miss warm evening sunsets, hot sultry afternoons and early morning sunshine, but I don't let it affect my general attitude to angling. If you have confidence and a little judgement, the winter can be a very rewarding time to fish.

During the winter, most fish are in their best condition and are at their best weight. So fishing for them is a must, as far as I am concerned.

Big roach are a quarry of mine at this time of year, as I feel it is the best time to catch the cream of any species.

Now I am not saying that I catch a lot during the colder spells, but I find getting the bigger roach during the summer impossible, with any regularity, because of the smaller fishes intervention. In winter, however, the smaller fish are less likely to attack any bait too big for their mouths.

The best approach for catching big roach is stealth, bait, location and presentation. All of which are necessary to land a 2lb-plus winter roach.

Now, I am not a great river fisherman, but on lakes the big roach are to be found in the margins during the winter, so stealth is imperative.

Bait for me at this time of year is good, old white bread, in fairly generous flakes. Location, usually through local knowledge, but overhanging trees and any other form of shelter is a good starting point.

Ideally, you are looking for four to five and a half-foot of water, as close to the bank as possible. Presentation, is always important, but at this time of the year it can make the difference between bagging up on quality fish and blanking.

I find a large flake of bread, suspended an inch from the bottom is the ultimate remedy to shy feeding big winter roach.

If there are any big fish down there, this method will produce interest and also make it more difficult for any smaller fish to attack the bait.

Now, I know you think that any bite is worthwhile, but in this case it is not. The reason is, after a few fish have been caught, the shoal will become agitated and probably move on. So, taking a few small fish, is not as good as taking a few big, fish.

I have had some great morning and afternoon sessions for roach in winter and recommend that when the usual spots for action dry up, as they do during the colder months, you try looking for a sheltered little spot in the shallow. Remember, it pays to use your loaf!