February Ice Free Spring Creek Fly Fishing For Tiger & Rainbow Trout

Mid Winter February Spring Creek Fly Fishing. Near Salt Lake City, Park City, Ogden, Provo Utah private fishing on our 10,000 acre family ranch close to salt lake city international airport, in Tooele County ut. 

"Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after." — Henry David Thoreau

We went "open water" fly fishing Monday February 20, 2012. The date is not generally considered the “hot” time of the year for fishing (unless you want to go ice fishing) but the trip turned rather interesting. It reminded me of the real reasons why I and many others have developed such a passion for fly fishing; reasons that have little to do with catching fish.

"Get Out Of The House...Now"

I have a sneaking suspicion that my wife probably enjoys my getting out of the house as much as I do. Her reasons might be a bit different than mine. I became suspicious of this when she told me: “How can Photo Solitude of fly fishing on ranch in Tooele Utah

Warm February Day

I miss you if you don’t go away?” Aside from that, there is something nice about coming home and having her greet me with a smile – so I know I am not totally unwelcome.

Winter can be daunting; I can stand the cold, snow and, as long as they don’t last for too long, the overcast skies. When I was a boy, my mom would bundle me up against the cold and send me outside to play. The rumors about her tying a bratwurst around my neck are not true – at least to my recollection. We sure had fun playing in the snow till dark or frostbite, whichever came first, sent us in, Bundling up for the winter cold reminds me of those days and my recollections are pleasant.

Fishing Is The Best Therapy For What Ails You, Especially Blue Bird Winter Fly Fishing in Utah!

There is something else about the winter weather. When a storm moves through, it scrubs our air and leaves a kind of clarity in its wake that is refreshing. I like the smell of the air and when we go fishing, we usually roll the windows down and just take in the air. It has a therapeutic, restorative and uplifting effect and we leave the windows down till it gets nice and cold. It awakens us as if we have been lingering in a long hibernation.

Friends, Nature & Sense Of Renewal With No One Around But Your Own Private Party.

To be with friends, on the water, enjoying the stark winter landscape and noticing whatever animal life comes into view reminds me that there are simple things in life which are more important than those which I give so much time and attention.

I sit down on a bench and watch as the orange sun arcs toward the blue Mountains. The snow reflects the orange and blue in alien colors - as the waning warmth of the sun starts to ebb away. As the sun slips away, everything seems like it is refreezing in the spreading darkness. In the chill, I think of the water, fish and friends and I remember winter is not forever.

Foot note...There are those days in Winter when it is all about catching the fish too. It's just the mind set we go out with or change depending on our mood at the time we reach our destination. Either way, have a great time enjoying your commune with the out of doors.

Photo enjoying fly fishing in the evening at sunset

Check out Fenwicks Fly Fishing Secrets & Tips In Previous Blogs Posted On This Site.

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Photo Spawning Mid Winter Tiger Trout Male

Dove Creek West @ Hogans Ranch in Tooele County is open year rouund to the public by advance reservation.  Salt Lake City & Park city resorts and hotels are less than 1 hour drive to the ranch.  Fly fishing guides and instructors are avialble but not requred on our wild spring creek fly fishing waters for giant rainbow trout, cuttbows, record size tiger trout. 

My Fly Box or Catching Trout On A Limited Budget

Fenwick does it again with an article pointing out the obvious of just how simple fly fishing can be if you remember to cut down on the clutter and excess equipment and just have a really good time catching trophy trout.

Free Locations & Hatch Chart For Our Readers

Free Hatch Chart & Fishing Guides Locations In UtahAt the end of the article there will be some location information as well as a year round fly hatch chart for our readers to access. There will also be some information about our trophy trout fly fishing guides for Salt Lake, Park City, Heber, Ogden, Provo & Orem areas.

Photo Fall Rainbow Trout The Basic Flies

I usually don’t carry a large selection of flies with me. Rather than carry boxes of dries, emergers, nymphs, terrestrials, and what we used to call “wet flies“, I carry a few of each of the patterns which have served me well over the years.

Carry Only What Will Work

What I do not carry is numerous fly boxes of multitudinous selections of flies; i.e., six each of BWO’s in sizes 14 through 20 or similar collections. Why I do not carry such a menagerie of flies and sizes is that it is simply too complex for me. I cannot discern between a size 18 or size 20 Beaded Hares Ear, and; while some purists insist trout can and do tell the difference, I am not sure I am interested in those fish anyway. They are, do a degree, like some of the girls I knew in college - one had to put up with so much just to get to know these ladies, much less build a relationship with them, that after a while, it just wasn’t worth the effort. There were lots of beautiful, kind, loving and happy girls to be found that such machinations. In fact, I married just such a girl and have never rued my decision.

Photo Trophy Rainbow Trout Targeting The Trophy Trout

If the fish I am after are that finicky (pardon the pun) are they really worth the time and trouble to catch them? And, if one does finally catch such a selective target, what have you really proven? It takes a real leap of ego to go from catching a selective trout to validating that I am a superior and more intelligent angler than the fellow down the stream who cannot catch them.

Blasting Trout Out Of The Water

There are no guaranteed methods of catching fish unless you want to start throwing sticks of dynamite into your favorite lake or river. And, if fishing ever becomes so mechanical that taking steps one through five guarantees you catch a fish, I just don’t think very many people would be interested any more. Rather than fishing it would be like going to Wal-Mart: give them your money and they give you your goods.

Catching Exceptional Trout

The fish we catch, even the most selective, are the exception. The vast majority of fish do not succumb to our skills and techniques If this were not so, the rivers and lakes we ply would be emptied in no time. It takes a head full of hubris to assume otherwise.

That is not to say that we should not take pride in our skills and try to improve them. Rather, as we learn and improve, we should keep in mind that a good deal of luck factors into the fishing equation.

Still, there are those who insist that fishing is skill and luck has nothing to do with it. But, if that is true, do not those in the past who fished, netted and dynamited some species of fish into near extinction have a greater claim than to skill than we do today? Hey, they caught more fish, didn’t they?

How To Hook The Largest Trout

When I hook the most fish or the largest fish, I am justly proud; however, I never let go of the notion that part of what makes me such a good angler is that fortune and luck are on my side. I have confidence in my skills and luck and - for that reason, perhaps more than any other, I end up being both lucky and good.

Much of our skill at catching fish is designed to entice the fish to strike, but a good deal of the art of fishing is that we do not inhibit the process. The enlightened fly-fisher strives not to make the perfect presentation, but to make the least errors. It is not perfection he is striving for, he is reaching out to become a part of nature and finding harmony, realizes perfection is not needed. And, when luck, skill and some willingness on the part of our prey coincide, good things happen. I think that explains much more than just fly-fishing.

Fenwick Fleigenbinder

Post Script: Fenwick only carries the basics, on the other hand I pack everything I can carry in my fishing vest so I can be ready for any situation. Especially those times Fenwick needs a fly pattern that is catching fish that he doesn't have in his limited inventory. Ah, yes if you only take the basics, make sure they include a good fishing buddy who packs it all and is willing to share.

All-Tied-Up

Hatch Chart, Locations, Photo's & More !!!

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Check out the Tiger Trout photos, they are currently in full spawn colors and look just like salmon with their big orange bellies. They maintain these magnificent colors throughout the fall, winter and early spring months here in Utah.




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Spring Fly Fishing And How To Read A Stream

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Spring Fly Fishing In Utah Is Finally Here !!! Some Of The Best Fly Fishing Of The Year.

Photo Trophy Rainbow Trout Utah

Photo Utah Rainbow Trout

So it's time to take stock of just what flies the fish are feeding on at your favorite fishing grounds in Utah. This means having the patience and taking the time to look under some rocks, in the weeds and yes in the mouth and throat of the fish you catch. Taking this approach will assure more success and less frustration while you are on your favorite body of water fly fishing whether you are using dry flies or nymphs or streamers.

What's That Hiding Under Those Rocks ?

Take a moment and turn over a few rocks in the shallow area's as you enter the stream or river. In early spring you may have to move several before you see some life. But it's there. Leeches, and worm like larvae spend up to two years in this state of their life before maturing and leave the water as an adult. So fish are you used to seeing and eating them year round. Notice the colors and size so you can match some patterns from your fly box. Of course the fish don't turn over rocks to find these guys, but rising water, changing currents and less than sure footed fisherman move the rocks and send this food down the stream to hungry trout.

I Don't See Anything In These Weeds...

Just like checking those rocks for life, take a hand full of weeds and place them in some water. A small plate or dish even a cup will do. Don't get lazy and hold the weeds in front of your eyes to find the bugs. You won't find them ! They are attached and holding on for dear life while you dangle them over the stream. Plus the branches of the weeds help to cover them up. So take some time place the weeds in a plate, add some water and amazingly the critters will begin to move around so you can see them. The first time you do this you will be astonished at the variety and numbers of insects that are alive and moving around. It doesn't require a lot of work and you just may say to yourself "hey, why haven't I ever noticed this before" ?

Photo Fish Stomach Pump and Contents

His Mouth Is Empty So He Must Not Be Eating

O.k. you tried the rocks and the weeds now let's see what the trout are really eating today. So you selected a fly from your collection that looked pretty close to the critters you found under the rocks and in the weeds. Next you caught a fish ! Before you release him check out what is in his throat ! Be-sure-to-use-the-miss-named-"stomach pump". A simple little unit that looks like a "turkey baster". The trick is you don't suction the fishes stomach (any food that deep down is usually digested beyond recognition) you suction just down inside the throat. Fill the dropper with water, insert into the back of the throat and gently past the closure of skin separating the mouth and the throat leading to the stomach (esophagus for the technical crowd). Press the bulb to fill the area with water, release the bulb to "suck" up the contents. Gently release the fish, and empty the bulb into a dish, tray or cup of water. Wow ! Look at what this guy eats and most of them are still alive (fish don't chew their food like we do, they "gulp" and swallow). Now you know exactly what fly pattern and colors to use on your next cast. With a little research you can catch a lot of really nice fish.

Where Are Those Spring Fish Hiding ?

Spring trout are usually a little lethargic so they won't stray too far from deep water usually right below a riffle and a run. The small to medium fish will be located in the run, not as deep or as much cover as a hole. But just right for this size of fish to eat and hide. The hole in this picture is clearly displayed at the bottom of the photo with the run in the middle. Cast up stream into the run and let the current carry your fly down into the hole where the big ones are waiting. If you have taken the time to study the food supply you will placed the correct fly on your line and have the best chance of catching the big one.

Photo River Riffles, Run, Pools and Hole With Cover

The Rivers & Streams Are All Muddy

Spring brings mud first to the upper streams and rivers, so fish middle and lower sections to keep in the clear water. As spring begins to end the mud moves down to the lower sections so it's time to move to the higher elevations for clear water. Use this rule and you will always find clear streams and rivers to fish in.

Where The Streams Are Clear

Just below any dam will be clear year round and offer water that maintains a near constant water temperature. Don't forget these great locations for year round access to good trout fly fishing.

How To Read A Stream

Photo Trout Cover

Riffles: The shallow water that is flowing over rocks and the stream or river bed. The smorgasbord preparation area for hungry trout. This is where the main stay of aquatic life is living and growing. It is the buffet table for trout.

Runs: If the riffle is the buffet table the run is the fast water that is a conveyor belt delivering the food to the trout. Small and medium fish are located in this area.

Pools: Located just below a run it's the deep water that provides the cover big trout need to move around in and feed. Small and medium fish along with insects in this area are all prey for the big boys.

Cover: Around the pools you will see fallen trees, boulders, rocks and cuts in the banks. These all provide protection for the big fish. They can sit in a protected area out of sight and out of the main flow of the current and be ready to ambush whatever comes by that looks appetizing.

Active Fish : Use these tips and work the water and remember not all fish are active all the time. So move to new locations. Don't forget the trout cover for excellent places of ambush for large fish.

So Get Out & Find Some Action !

Not every run or pool will contain active fish, so be prepared to keep on moving to find the active ones. If you have done your home work and selected your fly patterns using the information noted from above you will greatly increase your chances of success, remember it's called fly fishing not catching.