Ed Garner, a long time client of Davy’s makes his final trip for 2012 and has already booked for 2013…is there any wonder why…taken on a size 18 Red Prism Tail Midge. Davy Wotton Photo
After well over 200 trips in a guide season, Davy still never tires of watching his clients bring this to hand.
I guess we have seen that last of the fall, few green leaves remain on the trees, water temperatures are dropping into the low 50s at this time, many Browns have begun to spawn and many as yet have not done so, and we see way less anglers out there on the water. Winter fishing for some is not appealing, and l can understand to some extent why, surface feeding activity is often reduced as cold water temperatures and cold winds blush the surface, neither of which are conducive to surface feeding activity unless you seek the slower shallow zones and fish are interested to feed on chironomids (midge).
Bill still has another trip on the books for this year- better bring his “A” game with him. Davy Wotton Photo
On the other hand cold nights often see warmer temperatures mid day to early afternoon, even small temperature increases will often induce fish to feed more actively, be it close to the river bed or near surface, either way periods between 10am and 3pm are often the best times to be out there.
Certainly this past month being on the water on a regular basis my clients have indeed hooked up with some great fish, aside from boats loads of average size bows, we have seen many Browns in the 18 to 24 ins range and a number of class bows, topped by a 5 pounder.
Water generations have generally been lower, many days zero others 1 to 5000 cfs flow rates all be it days may very from low flows to increased and then back down to lower flows which means your chosen zone to fish may see good water for a while and then change as flows increase, ideally look for water levels that are consistent as here you will find fish more settled into a feeding mode.
Fishing options will include.
Low slow shallow water and fish taking midges. Choices here will include midge pupa sizes 16 to 22, black, red, gray, midge emergers and small dries sowbugs and scuds. Long leaders should be mandatory coupled with micro indicators, avoid your known presence to the fish, either by wade activity of disturbing the surface from fly line splash or drag.
Slower deeper water runs, opt for again midges in sizes 14 to 18, once again color can be very important, typically l fish a two fly rig. I would also include flies in the order of GRHE, PTNs, Eggs, Micro SJWs.
Shoal and riffle water zones, slow fished wet fly, soft hackles and spider fished dead drift will generally work here as will small streamers, woolly buggers in olive, black and white.
The cold mornings did not keep this California boy home- Brad Coleman has more than one good reason to smile…
…this would be the other reason. Have a feeling Brad will be back for another birthday on the White.
If we see high water flows then it may be time to chance some big streamers into the banks, all be it browns after spawn tend to be sluggish and need time to recover before they get back into feeding mode.
Other choices here for high water will include regular nymph rigs with combinations of eggs and SJWs in various colors, midge patterns in sizes 12 to 16, GRHE, Prince, Sowbugs. Simply the deal is to make sure your flies are close to the river bed, but not with such a weight added that you are hanging up.
Possibly is surface temps are warmer you might event induce a good fish to take a large surface dry fly, Hoppers, Bi-visibles, Ants, you never know what might promote some interest.
John Herholt held his own with trophy trout on his trip.
Flies in my box will include White and Red Tail Midges, White Tail Prism Midge, Prism Worms, SJ Worms, GRHE, PTNs various, variations of Zebra style midges, BWO, Sowbugs and Scuds, soft hackles and streamers. Most of the above will cover 90% of needs at this time.
Tight lines all.
Davy. (posted December 12th, 2012-TBird)
Davy and TBirds' Fly Fishing Journal 
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[…] hooked up with some great fish, aside from boats loads of average size bows, we have seen many Browns in the 18 to 24 ins range and a number of class bows, topped by a 5 pounder. Davy Wotton’s December 2012 River Report […]