by CA Guide Jack Specht

With an underwhelming winter settling over Colorado, there’s no better time to take advantage of the spectacular winter fishing we’re having. With dismal ski terrain open and long lift lines, why not trade a crowded mountain for a quiet day on the river? As we ease into winter, our local watersheds have been offering excellent conditions, and my guide trips in this mild weather have been both productive and a whole lot of fun.

Lately, I’ve been running into consistent 20-inch-plus fish on local half-day trips. Flows on the lower middle Blue remain solid, and the fishing has reflected it—steady action and great quality. Even better is the lack of pressure. Few things in the angling world beat having a stretch of river to yourself and working unpressured fish.

On full-day trips, the Eagle and upper Colorado have been equally productive. Fish across the region have settled into “winter mode,” and it’s common to find a lot of trout stacked in very small pieces of water. I always describe this time of year as, “95% of the fish are in 5% of the water”—and when you find that right hole, the truth of that really shows. Your odds of connecting with a fish of a lifetime are surprisingly high.

This stretch of the season is my favorite time to guide. There’s nothing quite like working late-season fish as they pack on weight for winter. And while the conditions have been pleasant, don’t let a rough day scare you off—some of our best fishing happens during the nastiest weather. I always say, “The more uncomfortable you are, the more comfortable the trout are.” So enjoy the unusually nice days, but when it turns cold and ugly, don’t let that stop you.

On a side note, if winter weather sounds daunting, come try some ice fishing with me! I’ll set you up in a heated shelter on a productive hole, and with eager early-ice fish, it’s a fantastic time to get into the sport. You might be surprised with how much you love the ice game!

Feel free to reach out to the shop Friday through Sunday to chat about winter fishing with me!