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Powder Days
For skiers Powder Days bring thoughts of a fine, deep, snow covered ski run with not a single
track to mar its surface. For fly fishermen Powder Days are those brisk, cloud covered, days
when the snow is drifting down like small feathers to cover the rocks and brush in a blanket
of white.
These winter conditions can often result the most memorable fishing days of the entire year.
Cloud cover means the fish may not be as wary of predators as they would during a bright sunny
day, and cloud cover often results in slightly warmer air temperatures due to the insulation
the clouds provide. Relatively warmer temperatures often trigger a midge hatch, even during
the coldest winter months.
The Midge
The Midge (aquatic Diptera, which means two wing) hatches year round, and this makes it one of
the main sources of food for Rocky Mountain trout. The Midges found in the cold mountain streams
and tailwaters are often tiny in size, ranging from #20-26.
Although colors vary from stream to stream they are usually red, cream, black, gray, or brown.
So you'll want to use a seine net to catch a few from the section of river you're fishing in to
confirm what color is predominate at the time you there. Then you can "match the hatch" with a
fly of the right color and size, comparable to what you've observed. Often you can put several
colored midge flies on at the same time, fishing them about 12-18 inches apart.
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The life cycle of the Midge is divided into four stages, the first being the Egg Stage which is
basically not duplicable with an artificial fly. The second phase is the Larva Stage and at that
time the Midge is on the bottom of the stream or very low in the water column. The third phase
is the Pupa Stage, when the Midge rises to the water surface and emerges from its shuck or protective
shell.
This stage is when the Midge is most vulnerable to the feeding trout, when it is suspended just
below the surface and attempting to shed itself of its Larva shell. The last phase is the Adult
Stage, and occurs on warmer days when the sun is out, or cloud layer insulation causes the
temperatures to rise. When the Adult Midge is on the water's surface trout will delicately sip
them, and this can offer fun but very technical fly fishing opportunities.
If you are going to fish during colder weather conditions you'll need to study Midge life cycles,
and make the observations that will let you determine what cycle is present while you are fishing.
Remember, the Midge stages can change within a couple hours, so be ready to change your fly and
fishing strategies along with the hatch.
Cold Water Challenges
Obviously the winter months are when water temperatures reach the lowest point of the entire year.
During these times the fish become more lethargic, and slow down all activities to conserve energy.
Since the fish are less active you'll need to make your fly presentation even more accurate, because
the fish are not going to chase after food as readily as they might in warmer water conditions.
Winter water is often clearer, due to the reduced vegetation caused by the colder water, and
the absence of silt from runoff because water levels are consistently low. The clarity of the
water means you'll be fishing with light (6X-7X) fluorocarbon leader and tippet for delicate
presentation and reduced visibility to the fish.
The clearer water can also be an aid to anglers that are stalking fish, because it can make
them easier to see. Even though the fish may be driven into deeper runs or holes to hide from
overhead predators, you can often spot them, sometimes stacked in a hole that provides adequate
protection and a good food supply. Once they are spotted, you'll fish to them with Midges in
sizes #20-#28, with leader and tippet in 6X-7X, and the smallest strike indicator that will work
with the weights needed to get to the proper depth.
Position yourself slightly downstream from the fish's holding area, and make a delicate presentation
so the fish doesn't detect you, or see your rod or fly line. While Midging, a drag free presentation
is imperative, so practice your mending tactics until you are presenting the fly in a manner that
appears natural to the fish.
Where are the crowds?
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Winter fishing the Yampa River in early Spring,
and you can find plenty of fish, but not crowds.
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Sometimes the weather can cooperate, with warm, sunny
fishing conditions that are picture perfect.
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Winter fishing will often let you fish a section of river by yourself that might be crowded
during summer months. This will allow you to get to know the waters, and observe where the fish
are holding, in a manner that would be impossible during the rest of the year.
Remember, be considerate of the fish and get it into the net and then released as soon as possible.
You might need to hold the fish head first into swifter running water, to make sure it's getting
plenty of flow through its gills, prior to letting it go. That way you'll be sure it's fully revived
and ready to make its way back to a safe holding spot.
So, don't let the winter and spring months go by without fishing some of those favorite summer
time spots, and remember the Midge is your key to success. Perhaps even the key to catching bigger
fish then you would all summer.
About The Author:
Landon Mayer, Co-Owner of Extreme Fly Fishing, is spending the winter months writing a new book
"Extreme Fly Fishing for Colorado Trout", and sneaking away on Powder Days for some quality Midge
fishing.
Your Guide's Corner Hosts, Landon Mayer and Dennis Kreutz
Watch for upcoming Extreme Fly Fishing videos so you can
See It, Learn It, Do It, to the Extreme.
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Materials and Photography on this Website are Copyright protected.
No reproduction or use of information herein is authorized except
with Extreme Fly Fishing, Inc. prior written permission.
Webmaster: dennis@extremeflyfishing.com
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