Come Monday, the house sitter’s showing up, then the L&T, Wally the Wonderdog and I are loomin’ up the truck and heading for Ketchum, Idaho for Thanksgiving.
Given the natural curiosity of the Undergrounders, I already know the question you’re dying to ask: “Will those Big Wood River trout eat a #22 olive midge emerger this time of year, or are you doomed to nymph a #20 red brassie on light tippet?”
The answer is: “I’m not sure.”
Those who’ve been poking around the Underground for a while know I’ve fished Idaho’s Big Wood River several times, but always in January and February - the dead of winter.
The Big Wood River, 2005
While my time there produced some fun photographs, temperatures in the teens meant fishing was difficult, and also meant rising fish were rare.
This week’s trip should find me facing high temperatures in the mid 30s; cold enough to keep the pretenders away from the river, but warm enough that ice won’t be a problem until late afternoon.
Interestingly, the local fishing reports seem to have faded away for the year, the inference being that anyone with brains is skiing Sun Valley’s famous slopes, leaving the trout for next spring.
My last trip was in 2006, and I did surpisingly well fishing a single tiny midge nymph in the slower runs, plowing through several feet of bankside snow when I wanted out.
My last day of fishing found me walking the two miles home in a chillling post-sunset headwind. I was perfectly warm in my waders and wading jacket, but when I walked in the house, the L&T noticed the whole front of my jacket was frosted over, the lower two snaps iced closed.
That’s either a testament to the quality of today’s fly fishing cold weather gear, or an indicator of my general state of obliviousness.
This year, my poor ears should enjoy a bit of long-sought cold-weather relief; a Patagonia Synchilla Duckbill cap. The Underground already loves the combo of a visor (imporant when you’ve got eyeglasses), ear flaps and yes - enough breathability that it won’t cook my brain while hiking.
The Patagonia duckbill hat
More as it happens.
With 14 hours of driving ahead of us, I’ll be dark Monday and part of Tuesday, but back online afterwards.
See you in Idaho, Tom Chandler.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I was out on Idaho 20 for work last week and it was unseasonably warm (couldn’t stop- for the Wood or Silver Creek…working…) you might find that the fishing is more typical of October than you expect…Good Luck..
Brett: Thanks for the help. The going should be easier than it is in the dead of winter, and I’m holding out hope for a BWO hatch, though publishing that on the Internet would surely jinx it.
After living over 20 years in Susanville, up in the northeast corner of California, whose storied 11 months of winter weather was a lot closer to Ketchum than most of California, I found that some form of outdoor activity, whether fishing, hunting, cross country skiing, was necessary to avoid the potential for the inevitable cabin craziness.
My version of “an indicator of my general state of obliviousness” usually had something to do with the Rumplemintz in my flask. The 100 proof was necessary to prevent icing up.
Tc…when you get a chance check out the csating video posted on the Fly Talk blog.
Dave Roberts may be good but this lady is amazing and pretty cute too.
Samistopdog…
Oh BTW have a great Thanksgiving and thanks for all you have given us (your readers) this past year….hug the L&T, scratch ‘ole Wlly on the ear and have a sfe trip.
Hey Tom,
When I am there in the summer, I am always amazed at how well stocked the shops are with fly tying supplies. Kinda makes me think those folks hole-up and tie all winter.
Either way, it’s always a beautiful place to be.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Rick
Have a happy Thanksgiving, Tom.
Don’t you ever put those dries away? It’s meat and potatoes time!
I love fishing with snow. During winter season I usually fish with #18 Elk Hair Caddis.
Regards.