It seems like only yesterday we were fishing in board shorts and sandals. The smallies were rowdy and the pike were killers. Then the subtle change to Fall happened. Predator fish trolled the waters for victims, picking them off as they wished. Anadromous fish came to get their freak on providing lots of opportunities for amazing eats on swung flies and nymphs. Now Winter has come in vengeance.
Those who have been living in this area for years- say the weather is truly colder than normal for this time of the year. AWESOME!! As a Midwestern who transplanted to the West to ski full time and then returned to the Midwest, it is totally cool to have such good skiing already. The snow is light, dry and covers the world in a grand blank canvas; begging for new tracks to be laid down. Rivers are gurgling with ice they are still giving up some fish. Its great to be fishing deep and cold then look up to see people grinning as they ski down pristine white snow.
Throwing on pack and skinning to some of my favorite fishing places is so much fun. I am always amazed at returning to my favorite fishing holes in different seasons. It is like seeing it in a whole new light. The Winter shows you the places on the river that flow almost year round thereby providing the best fishing opportunities year round. So I am throwing on my pack and skinning to my favorite rivers; the best ones out West provide a nice descent to back to the car. Maybe I will throw my fishing stuff in the pack, maybe just some strong Irish coffee either way the crowds will be light and the scenery great.
On the approach to the Falls. It was brilliant crisp winter day. The crusty upper layer of snow made for a quick, easy skin but made for a horrible descent.
Through these trees is great swinging water. This was as close as I could get without waders- the numerous little streams around it where not frozen over yet. There is one that I am standing on to get this shoot praying that my skis spread my weight enough to keep my dry.
I skied down to my car through a different valley and never knew this was around- I will have to go back in the Summer. Many of the tribs in this area hold lots of brookies.
