Beautiful chrome fish

The fishing remains very good, with a nice mix of fresh and holdover fish. The fish that have been in the systems a while have taken up winter lies, so dredging the deeper slower runs is often what it takes. Fresh fish can surprise you from a fast water pocket or choppy run, even though the water temps are in the 30's. The fish above was taken in 35 degree water from the choppy head of a riffle where we often find fresh fall run steelhead. So don't overlook every faster water pockets, as fish do have to move through the entire system. Cold water colors of blacks, blues, and purples seem to be producing the best, with the whiskey hangover taking the most fish. 

Looking ahead, the next two weeks are calling for dropping temps. Daytime highs in the low to mid thirties and nighttime lows in the mid teens. This will likely cause a moderate amount of ice up. So if you haven't been out yet, get it while you can. This time of year you just never know. We've been fortunate in that we have not seen any real ice-up so far this season. Perhaps it will stay that way, but the weather is nothing if not unpredicatable. 

Check out some from the last few weeks, and tight lines!

 - D

Browns on the swing are always fun- Steve Vaccariello Photo

CJ with a nice swing fish- his first on the spey rod!

A fat hen from the fast water (they still gotta move through it)

Matt with a steamer! Steve Vaccariello Photo

There's chrome in them there hills (and rivers)! Steve Vaccariello Photo

Cool shot of me trying to tail a fish! Steve Vaccariello Photo

The result! Steve Vaccariello Photo