Might just be too cold to fish

Gees it just might be a bit too cold to fish, the roads we travel might be ice covered and just walking to the stream may involve two wading sticks to help balance us. Yes fishing in the winter can be a great joy but it's getting there that's the tough part not to mention shelf ice. I remember a few years ago on Fishing Creek in Lamar Paul and I had to get down on our butts and slide over the shelf ice just to get in the stream where we started, yes we did catch fish but at what cost if either one of us had fallen in the water. If you choose to go please remember to have plenty of dry cloths along. Finding trout at this time is not a big issue, target the deeper pools just below the riffles as the water slows a bit and the deeper part of the pool, a slow steady approach is the best action to take, a very slow steady strip in the deeper spots may reward you in the end as will a "dead" drift small nymph. In the limestones it's also the time for a good midge hatch to occure at any time, I carry down winged patterns in size 22 thru 26 in Black, Grey and Cream ( you never know what they will want) but Black is best. Also be on the lookout for BWO's at any time not a blizzard emergence but a slow and steady one. Years ago we used small midge pupa just under the surface with a greased leader and just watched for the leader to move and had great success doing it but it requires just the right set up on one of those dark cloudy days that allow you to see the waters surface very well- give it a try. A good pattern is a few strands of pheasant tail ribbed with tying thread and a bit of poly wing for the breather tubes and a dark fur head, keep it simple. Another great patterns if you can get some really small copper wire is a "Brassie", they sink well and the greased leader will keep it just below the surface. When your doing this kind of fishing try and use a slow action rod to keep the casting simple and slow plus the gentle presentaion will help to not put the trout down. I just love to fish below "Stan's Bridge" below Coburn but the road never gets any sun and can be a real nail bitter to drive on another great one is on Fishing Creek in the narrows- the very long pool just below the rock slide parking area BUT it requires you to get in the water and it's really cold. Just go!

Check it out

CHeck out the new USGS water board, the map of the US it comes up and all you have to do is zoom in on the state your looking for and click on the dot and BAM! This is just so nice to be able to zoom in and get a fast reading of just the location that your looking for. While your in the mood for a good uplifting story Google or Youtube the video "Mend" by Orvis, it's about a 16 year old that was in an accident and had a very long road to recovery, then he found fly fishing and fly tying! It is truly a tear inducing moment, just might make you think about why you fish- it's not the catching at all.