Winter Light

I like to hunt with my camera as much as a rod and winter is a great time of year to take advantage of all that great reflected light. At last the days are getting longer and brighter here at 8000 feet making it more appealing to be near all that cold water with a camera or a fly rod. Winter is also a great time to day dream while the fly boxes fill back up. I like to take pictures of that kind of crap too.

Here's some of the poop that's been falling from the jaws of life.

Still dig the jig, especially a size #18

Bead head Pheasant Tails in a variety of flavors

Not sure how many RS2's have fallen out of the jaws

Purps

During the summer months the golden hour of photography and the golden hour of fishing cooperate nicely. Winter Trout feed primarily mid day but luckily the low sun angle can provide good light even at lunch. 

I swear they only come that color on THE Eagle River

Mouth full of Pat

THE Eagle River and THE Rainbow Warrior

Not the best composition and the light is all wrong but I never get the fish in the air shots. 

I have been lashing white beads to bugs since I read about how trout see and what color they see the best. Trout see whites and pale yellows best in all lights and depths.
Hot spots are hot. Who says it cant be white.
Mayflies and Stoneflies go through a molting process where they basically out grow their shuck. When they need more room they wriggle out very pale white until they harden and darken up in their new clothes. I'm not sure if bugs do a lot of molting in the winter but white nymphs definitely produce when its cold.
White beads are not just for Snow cones and you can fish them other places than stillwater. Just saying.

Molting Mayfly?

Size #18 John Barr Bend from Umpqua

Pale Yellow Rabbit, dark wing case and black bead

The Roaring Fork has been better than bacon.

For those of you lucky enough to be heading my way in the next few weeks call or email soon. The prime months of March and April are starting to book up. This is especially useful for my front range friends as the weather can change quickly and turn things on or off. Despite the warm days our snow pack in the Colorado River Basin is above 150% so run off could be a doozie if it comes all at once.The weather as of late has included above average temperatures and they are supposed to continue which could give us a nice bump of water to float on earlier than usual. The short fishing report, wade or float is A+. Seriously, get here and get your fish on in between powder days these are every guides favorite days of the year for a reason. 

Carry On