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
