Don’t ignore January fish

Trout are a little slower to feed in cold, winter water, but they’ll often warm up enough to hit nymphs, streamers or dries.

Cold weather doesn’t shut trout down totally

In terms of weather, January and February are the roughest months of the year, a time when we get the coldest weather, along with snow and ice. Just because the weather is frightful doesn’t mean you can’t do something delightful — like go fishing. Like all living creatures, fish have to eat, regardless of the weather. The key to successful winter trout fishing is adapting to the weather and to the fish.

After a rainy summer and fall, streams are in the best shape they’ve been in years — full and crystal clear.

Trout aren’t as active in the winter as they are in warmer months. Their metabolism slows; they don’t move as much; and they don’t feed as often. Even in the dead of winter, though, there are those rare days when the sun shines warmly, the temperature rises and hatches come off. One thing for certain, if there is a hatch, trout will feed.

All through the winter, you’ll find Blue-Winged Olives, small Black Stone flies and midges. The amount of time fishing one spot should be doubled, tripled if necessary. Fish an area thoroughly, move a few feet, and continue casting, using a roll cast to get best results.

When and where to fish? The time of day is more important than the pattern you use. Watch for temperature peaks, which usually occur around mid-day. Best times are from noon to about 3 or 4 p.m. Trout tend to congregate in deep pools, usually toward the middle, where they wait for food to come to them. Fish larger valley streams and tailwaters where water tends to be warmer. Small streams don’t warm up as quickly. Carry a thermometer to check water temperatures. Trout are more active when the water temperature is 40 degrees or above.

Technique. Persistence is the key to catching winter trout. You may have to cast six or eight times in the same spot before you get a strike. Sometimes a trout won’t move more than a foot out of its regular feeding path. For nymph fishing, put enough split shot or lead on the line to get the fly down to the bottom of a pool. For small patterns, a couple of split shot (B or BB) on the line is adequate. For larger patterns such as Woolly Boogers or large stoneflies, you may have to use five or six, especially if the stream has a heavy current. Flies can be either dead-drifted or stripped. For dead-drifting, cast a weighted nymph to the top of a pool and let the current carry it, letting out line as necessary. For stripping, pull in line in short spurts, alternating between a slow and fast retrieve. Presentation is not as crucial in the winter as it is in the spring and summer. Trout aren’t nearly as spooky. You don’t have to use long leaders, and it’s much easier to keep out of a trout’s line of vision. Also, trout usually are more concentrated, so you don’t have to cover as much water.

Tandem rigs work well in summer and winter. Use a No. 18 Blue-Winged olive on top and a No. 22 or 24 dark midge as a dropper. The length of the dropped depends on the depth of the water.

Flies. Flies should simulate the color of the landscape. Dark colors such as brown, gray and black are far more effective than bright colors. For topwater, suggested patterns are No. 16 Dark Caddis, No. 14 Black Stone, No. 16 Blue-Winged Olive, Nos. 20-18 gray, black or olive midge, Nos. 16-14 male Adams, Nos. 14-12 Quill Gordon, Nos. 18-16 olive or tan Elk Hair Caddis. Nos. 20-18 Griffith’s Gnat and a Nos. 18-16 parachute Adams. For nymph fishing, Nos. 20-18 Pheasant Tail. No. 20-16 Hare’s Ear, Nos. 18-16 Prince, Nos. 20-14 Copper John. Nos. 12-10 brown San Juan Work, and a Nos. 8-6 brown, black or olive Woolly Booger. For big water, try streamers such as Muddler Minnow, Mickey Finn or Spruce Fly. Twitch the streamer across the surface of a pool to simulate a struggling insect or minnow or add weight to get the streamer close to the bottom, retrieving in short jerks.

The only big disadvantage of winter fishing is the short amount of time available, especially with daylight saving time a distant memory. But even a short amount of pleasure is better than no pleasure, and fishing is always a fine pleasure. Dress warmly and carry a good supply of nymphs. More than likely, you’ll have a stream all to yourself.