Curing The Winter Blues

February... The winter months are almost behind us and Spring will be here before you know it!  But, the air is still bitter cold and the fish are still bunkered down for the most part.  How many times has RD been fishing this year, you ask?  Well, no different than summer really.  I can count 7 times out already into the new year.  Ok... I'm a glutton for punishment challenges.  Really, when else can you find icy ponds to cross, a foot of new snow to track through, and frozen guides to stop your line from time to time?   It's all part of the journey. 

But, I won't lie.  I have had a few skunks along the way.  And I was getting a little frustrated recently until this past week.   Even thinking about hanging it up for while...

But, RD took hold of herself, shook it off, and got back out there.  But, with different flies, different water, and a different attitude.   Yes, you see... I got a nice little fly box from the Back Country Fish Nerd, David Goodrich.  We exchanged cookies for flies.   Now, this is really not something that I do all the time.  I'm really surprised that he was so excited about it!  Yes, he realllly liked them!!  (I did kind of put a lot of tape on the package.  Ha.)  And those flies, they are gorgeous!  I sure do love the blogger flies that people send to me.  Such talented tiers out there.

So, I got bundled up in my fleece.  Put on the 3 layers of clothing and headed out.  It was a beautiful day and the sun was peaking through the clouds.  To my amazement, this new water seemed to even have some of my favorite little riffles coming out of large runs.  Tied a few midges on and 15 min. later, had my first brown trout on the hook.  Now, that was more like it.  Ahhh... Time to sit down and meditate about what I did different!  Was it the flies, was it the water, or was it my attitude?  Or all of the above...

My first fish of the day... A nice brownie.

And my last fish of the day...

A gorgeous rainbow.  This one was especially sweet.  There aren't too many bows on this river.  So, I had a nice surprise!  Of course, I still love my brown trout...

A great ending to a turnaround kind of day.   And a fond farewell to the skunk that had crossed my path the week before.  = )

Next Up...

Fishing in New Mexico

Oh yeah... I'm ready.  Sunshine, 50 degrees, and rising fish.  

I can smell fish, not skunk!