January 19, 2009

Winter in the north country has been frigid and snowy. Unless the air temp gets to 28F or higher, this boy doesn’t think too seriously about getting out to the river. It’s not that fish can’t be caught. Indeed, they can. The problem is rod guides icing up. Take a 25F air temp, and mix in a 5 or 6 mph breeze, and icing becomes a real problem. I’d just as soon stay home and tie flies.

My last time out on the river was December 27. Since then, air temps have plummeted. Last week saw a run of several sub-zero nights. Snow is well over knee deep, shelf ice has become a problem, and there’s a lot of slush flowing down the river. Even if air temps move back up to 30 or 32 degree range, it will take a couple days of those warmer temperatures, before the shelf ice deteriorates.

I’ll use this time to make sure my fly box is stocked. Then, as I go about my normal activities, I’ll swing by the river once in a while, to check out the conditions. Hopefully, we’ll get our usual mid-winter thaw, and the river will open up again.

McFlyFoam Clown Package ::: Fly Tying Material