So far we have had a mild and mellow winter. We are due for some crappy and windy weather. I am back in Georgia right now, but as of Dec. 15th, this is what’s happening!
My biggest brown this year came on a swing.
The Reef has been either really good or kind of crappy. Afternoons seem to be noticeably better. Pressure is down so I would be running the heat most of the day. Fish are back into their winter zones so concentrate in the meat and potatoes of the runs. The deep stuff! Worms, annelids, midges and egg sucking leeches. Probably around 0.8 grams or a AAA shot to about 5 maybe 6 feet. Remember it’s winter now so fish the winter water. Banks and skinny water aren’t holding that many fish right now, so unless your streamer fishing, I would stay in the deeper water. Moss has really cleared out on the upper sections and it is ALOT easier to get drifts in the fishy zones without constantly hooking moss. Don’t get out too early, enjoy the afternoons and remember the fish aren’t feeding heavily all day.
Streamer fishing can be good some days. I’ve been doing better with two small streamers, like a thin mint to a complex twist. I just don’t usually do to well on big stuff this time of year. M
Billy a guide from Jackson checking out the Mile for the first time.
The Mile has been its moody self lately. Some days all the fish seem to be on beds and then the next they are happy feeding in the runs. The browns are still spawning and this time of year hordes of Coloradoan’s make their way to the Mile to fish on redds. It’s sad but there’s no point in saying anything to them, you can’t argue with stupidity. There is a lot of bad etiquette and bad attitudes this time of year, I don’t want to hear any arguing on the situation it’s a cheesedick convention plain and simple. Alright that’s enough of me whining. The fishing can be fun. Eggs, annelids, midge larva like Juan’s pale ale and buckskins can be good. There’s definitely some big rainbows to chase too.
Billy with a banger!
My version of the North Platte Special.
The swing bite can be really fun. More and more Spey anglers have been enjoying the mile and some awesome fish have been taken on the swing! I usually fish a Hoh Bo Spey tied in trombone or Goldie colors. I also love putting a size 16 cdc pheasant tail behind these, that can work really well some days. Don’t dredge your swing, fish to fish that will move for your fly. If you want to scrape bottom just fish a single handed, it works better for that. Also remember that a lot of people don’t realize how much water your working if your swinging. Don’t be surprised if some bobber bros blow up your spot.
Apparently these guys are still hanging out…weird.
Hands down my favorite fishing lately has been Fremont. The meadow and canyon have been fishing great. Big hot fish. And all the days I was there I didn’t see another person, it was great. Eggs, all day mays, and annelids. Biggest thing I can recommend is not standing on top of what your fishing. Don’t be an idiot and think you have to fish 6X but then think standing a rod length away from your target doesn’t spook them. The fish are all shiny and angry. It’s such a cool place to fish when you’re the only one there. Again, afternoons are probably the best but sometimes there can be a good morning bite too.