http://www.marchbrown.com

Angling Publications - Index

Angling Publications - Magazine - Index

hide behind. This water grows some big trout. The
standard flies this time of year are midge emergers,
but think about streamers too. Sometimes a
streamer stripped behind a big boulder will entice
a strike from one of the big guys! Bill or Tim at
Rigs Fly Shop (888-626-4460; www.fishrigs.
com) will offer you great insight on how to make
a winter day memorable.
Connecticut
The Thames River is an all-winter gift to anglers
who just can’t wait for next spring. The area around
Norwich Harbor is the general focus of large schools
of bass that gather in the river, though some searching
is required, and are most active before water
temperatures bottom out. Most experienced anglers
look for bait with electronics, find the depth and
location where the bass are holding, and fish just
above them. More of the active fish are at the top
of the school and can be teased up to a carefully
worked fly. For more information on how to survive
the winter contact The Fish Connection in
Preston at (860) 885-1739.
Delaware
If the much warmer than usual temperatures persist,
some fair fishing can be found on White Clay Creek
for holdover trout; and on the warmer days, fish will
rise to midge and BWO patterns. It’s a good time
to either learn how to ties flies or to get better at it.
For more info, contact Terry Peach at A Marblehead
Flyfisher in Centreville (302-654-6515;
www.amarbleheadflyfisher.com) about beginner,
intermediate and saltwater fly-tying classes.
Florida
February can produce some phenomenal flats fishing
for panhandle anglers. The guides at Shallow
Water Expeditions Guide Service will be found
poling the flats targeting redfish. During warming
trends, redfish congregate in huge schools. Target
these fish on shallow dark bottom flats adjacent
to creek mouths. As the flats warm, these fish
will be found feeding in tightly packed schools.
Spoon flies in both chartreuse and gold, as well
as copper shrimp patterns produce like crazy. A
soft presentation is a must, and if you get the fly
into the school you will hook up. Speckled trout
fishing is on fire in February, with fish stacked
into creek mouths and the Intracoastal Waterway
during tidal swings. Target these fish with a clear
intermediate line and a chartreuse/white size-2
Clouser on a slow, smooth retrieve to produce
big numbers. For more information on fishing
the Panhandle, or to book a charter, contact Jason
Stacy at Old Florida Outfitters (850-534-
4343; www.shallowwaterexpeditions.com).
Georgia
BWO and cream midge hatches will bring trout
to the surface during mid-day to on size-18 to -26
Griffiths gnats and parachute Adams. Imitate little
winter stoneflies with size-16 or -18 stimulators or
elk hair caddis. Spawning activity will trigger a great
egg bite with dead drifted pale orange micro eggs
in sizes 16 to 20 and bead-head Y2K nymphs in
sizes 14 to 18. Low lake levels and cool weather will
trigger a massive “winter kill” of blue back herring
on Lake Lanier, and trout down stream of the tail
race will devour most any white streamer patterns
dead drifted or stripped on sink-tip lines. Float and
wade trips can be booked through Chris Scalley at
River Through Atlanta (770-650-8630; www.
www.riverthroughatlanta.com).
Idaho
Much of Idaho’s trout water is closed to fishing in
winter, but there are still some great spots to wet
a line. One of the best is the South Fork below
Palisades Dam. Gone are the crowds of summer,
and wade fishing—being careful not to slip on the
shore ice—can be very productive. Trout are found
sipping midges in deep, slow water where small
midge emergers are often the ticket. Alternatively,
try nymphing with weighted nymphs such as rubber-legged
copper Johns and bead-head pheasant
tails. Fishing is best on warm, sunny days. The
water is cold so be careful not to get too chilled. If
your legs start to get numb, get out and warm up.
For great help in catching these beautiful trout,
contact Snake River Outfitters (208-735-
1289; www.snakeriveroutfitters.com).
Illinois
With an early winter and plenty of snow pack,
fishing prospects are looking good. Winter steelheaders
will want to check out nearby rivers, like
the Milwaukee and Root Rivers in Wisconsin, Salt
Creek in Indiana, and the St Joseph in Indiana
and Michigan for exciting early-season action.
Typically low and clear water levels require a careful
approach and repeated drifts with the lightest
tippets possible. Stonefly nymphs and natural egg
patterns will produce the most consistent results.
After the water clears from the first snow melt or
warm rain, more aggressive fish will chase down
streamers swung through likely pockets and runs.
Illinois trout anglers will also find good opportunities
in nearby southwest Wisconsin, southeast
Minnesota and northeast Iowa. Chicago Fly
Fishing Outfitters (312-944-3474; www.
chifly.com) has everything you’ll need to make
the most of this winter’s fishing possibilities. They
also offer free Sunday fly-fishing seminars during
the winter months.
Indiana
Despite often-tough conditions, this is a good time
to start probing Indiana’s Lake Michigan tributaries
for early-season steelhead. Although the runs
typically don’t peak until March or April, even a
slight rise in water temperature or flush of water
from snow melt or rain can bring in fish. When
this happens, head for the mighty St. Joseph River
in South Bend, as well as the smaller streams like
Salt or Trail Creeks. When water is low and cold,
fish the dark water in deeper pools and pockets
slowly with multiple drifts using an indicator and
stonefly nymph and/or egg pattern. On warmer
days, swing a dark leech or woolly bugger through
shallower runs for more aggressive fish. For the
latest on Indiana stream conditions and all your
fly fishing needs, stop by and see Jon Widboom at
Fly Masters of Indianapolis (317-570-9811;
www.flymasters.com)
Iowa
With a year-round trout season and plenty of
streams to choose from, northeast Iowa is well
worth the short drive from many Midwest cities.
Once you get there, the close proximity of most
streams means you’ll usually find something worth
braving the cold for without a long drive between
spots. With low, clear, winter water conditions,
your best bet is to fish subsurface with long leaders,
light tippets and small attractor nymphs, emergers,
and scud patterns. Make your presentations slow
and deep using an indicator to detect the slightest
strikes. Bead-head zebra midges in sizes 18 to 24
67