I believe I have mentioned in the past that I typically don't have much luck
catching fish in the Winter. I am not sure if it is a lack of technique, approach, knowledge or something else or everything combined. I guess that this lack of success also affects my confidence which doesn't help. After all, if you are not confident in what you do why would you have success with it, right? I think this sounds really familiar what folks say about the one/any fly approach.
Last Sunday I was out fishing on the South Platte with my buddies Phil and Graham (the guy behind
this blog); it was a very cold and slightly overcast morning with freezing temperatures that gave slowly way to some sun and warmer temperatures that should have made trout more active.
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| Graham (left) and Phil goofing around while still trying to keep up appearance... |
While Phil and Graham both got into fish, although not in huge numbers, I have to admit that I was completely skunked. I couldn't even entice a trout to a nibble. I understand I fished mostly the same flies as Phil and Graham but here is where the part about the self-fulfilling prophecy comes into play - if you think you might not catch fish because it's Winter you probably won't because you believe so. Don't get me wrong, I always enjoy fishing and I have HOPE to catch a fish, even in Winter. It's just that my expectations are set very low.
That being said, it was still a great day out. The sun, once out, was warm. Good, no excellent, company. Big fish that were spotted but couldn't get enticed. And some annoying wind that made casting and presentation a challenge at times.
I will be out again this Winter I am sure, maybe after hitting the slopes first though. I hope we'll get some snow soon.
Stay warm & tight lines,
-K
Days on the Water: 31
I have never been very successful at winter fishing either but I agree with you....being outdoors with good friends is a very nice consolation prize.
ReplyDeleteindeed it is!
DeleteWinter fishing rules!
ReplyDeletemaybe you have to teach me some winter fishing, Brian....
DeleteI'd be up for that!
DeleteBrian
Karel, this is one of those situations where I think the fly actually does matter. The S. Platte is tough enough. But if you're trying to fish traditional tenkara on the S. Platte in the winter, you're bringing a sakasa kebari to a midge fight. You know my record there and that I probably have less confidence than you but even I would have ditched the trad techniques and put on a #22 midge with a 7X tippet or something. In those conditions, that's just what I know works. Oh well, I give you an A+ for sticking to your convictions though!
ReplyDeleteJason, I agree with you. Kebaris seem to work better during the warmer time of the year. On Sunday, I actually tried to fish an egg pattern (!!!) thanks to Phil as well as different sizes of Killer Bugs, both with droppers of my trusted size 20 RS2. That being said, I think might use a "bobber" next time, lol.
DeleteMy winters usual suck as well. Occationaly I'll get into fish on the right day but typical its 1 or 2 all day at best. It's still better than work!
ReplyDeleteJoel, I would be happy with just one for sure. And yes, still beats any day at work.
DeleteThe best winter flies for me , ls a ,,black sakasa kebari,, #16. Before couple days , im catch 20 fish on that fly, on the river near my city.
ReplyDeleteKarel, take solace in the words of Rabindranath Tagore: God's silence ripens man's thoughts into speech.
ReplyDeleteAnd then fish in slower, deeper water with small flies