Our Mission

February 6th

You've heard of the "Jordan Rules" here are the Winter Rules:

1.  It's all weather now.  Any warm up will likely produce quality fishing, if only for an hour or two.

2.  Dress as warm as possible, don't skimp!  Thermal underwear, fleece, jackets, extra gloves, wool caps, heat packets, neck warmers, balaclavas, whatever is necessary.  There's no dishonor in neoprene (or however the Hell it's spelled.)

3.  Fishing will be better when air temp is above 32 degrees - line does not freeze in guides.  Rusty preferred 35 degrees.

4.  If you are wading get out every 90 minutes or so and just walk around on shore to circulate blood and warm up.

5.  Limit wading to about three hours if air temps are below 40 degrees.

6.  When in doubt, call it a day. 

7.  Carry a snow shovel, wood planks, and bags of sand.  Don't use salt!

8.  Remember your cell phone!

9.  Make sure the section that you plan to float is not blocked off by ice at some point.  This is likely to occur below Mio if air temperatures get very cold.  It's best to check landings or talk to credible sources before floating.

10.  Carry a saw in your boat.


It's not a bad time to learn the art of true nymphing, with indicators.  Many trout will settle in a deeper crevice in the riffles and pick off nymphs as they float by.  This will be a pattern for many months to come.  It's slow work and one can get mighty cold doing it, but if becoming a more well rounded fisher is your goal then have at it.

Streamers will be the ticket.  They don't have to be really small or retrieved really slow.  That's largely a myth.  Low, clear water - very common in winter - will call for smaller, more natural stuff.  The best winter fishing, however, is usually on the thaws.  These warm-ups put water and stain into the system.  A couple days of thaw will raise a river several inches.  That means time for the big stuff that so many folks love to pitch.  Varying the retrieve is a good plan, sometimes a yo-yo method, letting it sink, can be very effective.  The fish will let you know.

Cooler water slows down a trout's metabolism.  When that happens the feeding windows shrink.  There may be "bite lights" of 30 minutes once or twice a day, less unless it thaws.  These thaws can produce very good fishing, the best of the year at times.  Water temperature is always key.

Or you could go steelhead fishing below foote.  Learn more at STREAMSIDE.  Kelly Neuman's had a good fall, and even been featured in the Detroit Free Press.

GOOD LUCK GETTING A CAR SPOT SINCE THE MIO FLY SHOPS APPEAR TO ALL BE CLOSED.  THEY WHINED FOR AN EXTENDED SEASON AND THEN TAKE A VACATION!

Learn how to properly release fish at C&R.

HAVE FUN!!!!