Tune into Channel(s)...

      In honor of #ThrowBackThursday, here’s a story about winter fishing at Deckers, Colorado.   It faired to be my favorite river to frequent in the cold, and I often found myself among snow and ice.  Actually… from November to February, through nearly 10 trips (all successful in landing trout), I was always standing in snow or on ice.  In a state full of fly-fishermen like Colorado, it’s nice to find yourself alone on a few trips.  Sub-zero temperatures will certainly lead to smaller crowds.

      These temperatures certainly add challenges not experienced in the green spring.  Frozen eyelits, difficulty reaching the holes, and complete numbness of the hands are a few of these challenges.  But hey, the trout don’t care how cold you are.

      Perhaps the most important practice in winter-fishing in Colorado is bringing warming agents such as hand-heating pads and whiskey.  Second to that, exploring the entire river.  Likely, the fish are near motionless in the deepest channels where food still reaches their hungry mouths.  But it may take some time and experimentation to find these channels.

      Due to a fisherman’s pact, I’m not at liberty to disclose the exact location of this “money-hole”.  But I will say this:  I’ve never seen this area fished by anyone but myself - This hole offers a glorious overhead vantage from its access point, and on clear days you can see these channels carved by moss and rock. Lastly, they really seemed to love small Black Beauties and Black RS2s.  These flies pulled fish in the double digits – none were a shameful size - throughout my winter excursions.

      This winter, prepare wisely (flask of Canada’s finest distilled, perhaps), dress warm, and get out there.  In the very least, you’ll have an adventure that few will share.  And when you find those channels, you’ll find yourself lucky.