Naturally, all meaningful stillwater action has ceased – unless you want to invest in the bountiful array of ice fishing impedimenta that appears to be available to the intrepid, mad people that like to freeze their nuts off.

But this cold snap, which according to the great and the good Boris, mayor of London, will be a feature and not an oddity in years to come, has highlighted a very serious problem. Many trout fisheries, especially in the south and middle of England – and Wales, too – actively need the throughput of anglers during the winter months for both profitability and sustainability.

These must be very troubling weeks for many fisheries. Having spoken with Tim Small at Lechlade and Bob West at Avington, the double whammy of escalating (trout) food prices, and the increase in VAT will have a very seriously damage effect on business. These two waters are often perceived as cornerstones to our sport; and they are very worried, indeed. And if they are, then others in the field must be utterly terrified. (Read more on Tim's monthly update on the Forum - Lechlade & Bushyleaze, w/e December 14.)

This hasn't been a jolly festive period for the smallwater sector. And I am not sure what we can do. Maybe we should expect a more realistic 'bang for buck' in trout size terms in the coming season. Frankly, I don’t know. What is certain, is that we will have to look to changing our ways a little: the excess that has spiralled since the early 1970s has peaked and tipping down the t'other side of the slope. We, the angler, must be stoic and work with these waters, as opposed against them; or at least, accept we are in changing times and support the small water and be more understanding of the situation beyond and behind the veneer of the lakes' side.

This is a watching and waiting brief.

On a lighter note, it was a joy to see the volume of insect hatches on our chalkstreams in the weeks leading up to Christmas. There have been days on the middle and upper Test, when the large dark olives would start hatching at 10.00 and be still going strong as it got dark and the temperatures plummeted. Literally, sails into the sunset. Lovely. There have even been some reports of good iron blue hatches on the upper Test at Wherewell. So perhaps we were all a little premature in writing the up-wing off totally.

There is undeniably a problem, but I'm hoping it is not as bad as we feared. All we can do is watch.

I am sorry this is not the vibrant, positive message, that I truly wanted to send out. One thing is certain though: I will relish my fishing in 2011. I intend to do far more saltwater fly fishing, and just generally … fish more!

Tight lines to you all in 2011