Angling Publications - Index

Angling Publications - Magazine - Index

Alabama
February is the time to catch landlocked saltwater
striped bass as they push the bait up on the flats,
making themselves a relatively easy target for fly
fishers. Look for baitfish busting the surface on
the Coosa River system from Cedar Bluff to the
Wilsonville area. On some of the lakes in this system
you may see birds over the bait, which will aid you
in finding the fish and virtually assure hot top-water
action. Top-water flies that work well for are large
poppers and divers. Other flies that work for us are
white deceiver patterns. Sinking lines will help you in
getting these flies down to the deeper fish. For more
information, contact Frank Roden at Rainbow
City Auction & Fly Shop (256-442-5919).
Alaska
This is a tough month to be a fly flinger in Alaska.
A few steelhead will be poking up Southeast rivers
in the Ketchikan region and along Prince of Wales
Island. Pack egg patterns—that’s all you’ll need. The
really rugged will be bouncing flesh flies along the
rocks and ice for rainbows and big Dolly Vardens in
some of the upper rivers out of Homer, Anchorage
and Fairbanks, but the really smart will be tying flies
and watching for spring.
Arizona
The sun has not yet topped the ridges to the east,
but it has transformed the sides of the tall sandstone
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bluffs to a rich vermillion. Fishers bundle up against
the cold and head upriver in powerful jet boats. It’s a
clear February morning and these hearty fly fishers
are after trout. The spot is Lees Ferry on the Colorado
River. Fishing this time of year is mostly nymphing
with midges off gravel bars, but there are occasional
BWO hatches in backwaters. Streamers swung in the
current of shallow bars can be very effective. While
most anglers take a boat upstream, the walk-in area
downstream from the boat ramp can be quite productive.
For the latest on the fishing, a good room
and great meals, contact Lees Ferry Anglers
(800-962-9755; www.leesferry.com).
Arkansas
Area lakes, ponds, and reservoirs are iced over,
but anglers can find reliable action on the White
River. Riley’s Station (www.rileysstation.com) in
Mountain Home reports good fishing for rainbows
on size-14 to -20 sowbugs, size-14 to -20 scuds, and
San Juan worms fished under indicators. Olive or
black woolly buggers are another good choice; choose
a bead-head variety in faster water. There will be a
few hatches in February but they are unpredictable,
so pin a few dry flies in your fly box and keep an eye
peeled for hatches while you’re on the water.
California
Floods, fires and puzzling saltwater fishing restrictions
disappear in mid-winter, and there’s no finer
river bank to park along than the Smith River in
February. Big steelhead are the draw and there’s
nothing easy about the fishing. Ultra-clear water
(bring yards of Fluorocarbon tippet), lots of
competition, and sporadic, oddly temperamental
fish—makes you wonder why you bother,
until you do. There’s magic in the Smith. Bring
a drift boat, dump it in at the Forks, and point
it downstream to wherever you left the truck and
trailer. This is probably the most beautiful river
that most fly fishermen will ever get skunked on,
but it can also turn on in a heartbeat, especially
on mornings coming off a surge of high water.
Dark flies or egg patterns rolled along the bottom
below big strike indicators or swung through the
monstrous tailouts are the best bet. Try to get on
the water just after a hard rain when the level is
falling. Hot patterns change quickly, so check
with Smith River Outfitters (707-487-0935)
before you wet the boat.
Colorado
When I think of Colorado winter fishing, I think
of tailwaters. There are many famous ones, like the
Frying Pan and the Blue. But one tailwater that
is less well known is on the Uncompahgre River.
Below the dam at Ridgway State Park the Pa Co
Chu Pack area offers excellent winter tailwater
fishing. The river has been rehabilitated to create
deep runs, large pools and big boulders for fish to
JASON BORGER ILLUSTRATION