The Thaw

More than a thaw, it's a heat wave!  Warmest temperatures in 3 months.  We've had our weeks with temperatures staying below freezing day and night.  Some -5 to -10 morning lows.  Even some snow, though we're below average so far.  But this?  We're at the end of a short run of daytime temperatures in the mid-50's and lows barely around freezing.  The dividing line is strong, its below zero just a couple hundred miles north of me in Wyoming.  One must capitalize on these record highs for the dates before the harsh reality of February slides back south. 

In the canyon below the dam, the sun reaches down from above the canyon walls and shines on the shallow riffle/pool for several hours during the mid-day.  The dam and canyon walls partially block and divert the fresh south winds that usher the warm air.  I'm fishing in just a long sleeve T-shirt!  Fish rise to every tiny bug on the pool, grateful for the opportunity.  They really boil at times for a few hours.  It's taking candy from a baby.  And yes, they're mostly babies. Small fish, but lots of eaters.  One fly.  Just the kind of winter thaw I need.

Seasonal Reminder

Fish are just lined up in here

Cookie cutter ~13 inchers.  Hey, they eat the dry.

There's some of these around too, less-interested in the straggler midges though.

This one's just happy to get to the river!  He didn't wader-up.

All I needed.  I used two that both ended up chewed into comparaduns when I was finished.