You so often hear people say "it was great just to be out and it didn't matter that I didn't catch any fish". I am not going to repeat any of that "catch-cry-of-the-loser" stuff, because I would have liked to have caught a few fish, even a single fish. Unfortunately though, even though temps got towards 28F (-4C) the fish were still sluggish. However, it was a pleasant afternoon and a good day to work on those technical things that will come in handy when temps start being more conducive to kick-starting the trouts' metabolism.I did get to use my new lamson reel for the first time and it performed well.
After a couple of days of just laying low I decided I needed to get out for a couple hours so at about 3pm I got my stuff together and headed down to some local streams. As I drove along Beaver Creek I saw a couple of vehicles so decided to head all the way down to the main branch of the Whitewater River. After donning the snowshoes and trecking into a spot that has produced on winter days before, I found the river only beginning to open up, with extensive ice-shelves. Large ice chunks were floating downstream and breaking off everywhere providing evidence enough to suggest the river will be open in a few days if temps stay moderate. Anyway, I swam streamers on the wet swing and fished them upstream before deciding to call it quits in the challenging conditions after a half hour or so. Despite the absence of fish it's always nice to fish this spot as it is nestled comfortably in the valley where the river is gently winding it's way towards the Mississippi.
From here I headed back to my favorite stretch of Beaver Creek. Although I didn't notice any rises or insects, I elected to fish a midge dry fly (#22). I began at one of my favorite holes that I know holds some good fish, but they are wily and spook very easily - just the kind of challenge that tests your skills. When you catch a fish from this pool you feel as though you've accomplished something. As seems to happen most times, I failed to pull a fish from the hole. I went on to plumb a short stretch both upstream and down, mainly with a small brassie (#20) but again came up empty.
As evening drifted down into the valley a pinkish hue softly reflected from the snowscape, somehow giving the whole scene an inviting and almost "warm" atmosphere. The familiar silence of the snow-covered, seemingly lifeless forest was tranquil and put me at ease (yes, even despite the lack of fish). I went home feeling very relaxed and content...............until the Giants took out the Patriots in the Superbowl!
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