Winter Break

When I started this post it was sunny, and now it’s snowing again. That’s winter in Colorado for you. It was surely a memorable break with plenty of fish caught (and lost) on my home river and the Roaring Fork.

I’ve talked to friends with even more stressful jobs than my own and they’ve said it takes them days to decompress from work before they can even begin to enjoy their deserved time off. Unfortunately, that can only leave a few days of relaxation before work starts right back up again, which is why I’m grateful for fly fishing.

Just being on the water for a few hours this time of year helps me reset and realize that yeah, January and February are never easy months for anyone so I spent some time with family before fishing throughout the week. The conditions were different each day, which made the fishing a welcome challenge. When it’s easy, it’s fun, but when it’s difficult, I learn more.

I was a different kind of tired all week. Just being out in the elements (it was windy most of the week) takes a different type of toll on you. I surely welcomed that too because over Christmas I didn’t spend enough time outside and I regretted that after returning to school at the turn of the year.

I didn’t see many rising fish over break because of the wind and because I didn’t make it up to the Fryingpan River, so I mainly had to nymph using an assortment of small stonefly, mayfly and midge patterns. The water temperature and color determined where the fish were feeding and I was even able to sight fish in some gin clear water, which is always enjoyable on any freestone river.

I saw this fish on a shelf before it took my micro stonefly imitation:

As the rainbows prepare to spawn the brown trout get more active. I was able to find some shallowish, shady areas that ended up holding some really pretty browns. I always give them credit because they’re typically not in the fastest water competing with the rainbows this time of year. They’re in nooks and crannies with ample cover, waiting for a welcome meal.

This fish was in shallow, slow moving water:

If you’re interested in fly tying, check out my Flies I’ve Been Tying Page as that is the place I like to expand on that type of content.

As for the rest of Winter Break, I fished in frigid wind and snow on Tuesday, but never saw another angler. I do love battling the elements sometimes just to prove I can still do it. I went into a fly shop later that day to kill some time and said I had been out fishing and they looked at me like I was from Mars, which made me feel even better about myself. If I’m crazier than fly shop guides, then I’m just the right amount of crazy.

Winter time can be tough for many reasons, but even if watching your favorite show, reading a book, or cooking a hearty meal is your way of decompressing then keep it up. Spring is only three weeks away and I heard the birds really chirping up a storm last Saturday morning, which was music to my ears.

Here’s my fattest rainbow of the week that ate a Frenchie in slightly off color water:

She has not been skipping any meals!

Until next time, take heart in the little things and if your next break is coming up then take advantage. I’ll be back to work tomorrow just like everybody else. Stay safe and enjoy nature!