Kent, Many years ago on a bitterly cold morning on the Skykomish River, I took up steelhead fishing. My partner, a grizzled veteran steelhead angler, watched as I swished my rod tip around in the riffles trying to get the ice out of my guides. He hollered over, "Damn, It's colder than a well digger's rear. You don't have to be crazy to do this, but it sure helps."
Until now, I thought that old adage applied just to winter steelhead fishermen. After reading about your recent trip to Rocky Ford, I've changed my mind. There are at least a few wacky winter trout fishermen out there too. Enjoyed the post, and congratulations on initiating your new rod. After a trip like that, you'll appreciate those balmy days of summer even more. Bob > >Ive finally rally'd the troops to spend a day this saturday. We are > >still debating the destination (suggestions?). Ill post a report > >when we are back. So far Rocky Ford seems to be the destination of > >choice. > > As we geared up under the clear blue dawn standing in the snow at the > south parking lot at Rocky Ford, Les and I both glumly contemplated > how foolish we were to even be there. The time and temp sign in front > of a bank in Ephrata indicated 19� at 7am. The flag was standing > straight out from its pole, pointing due south like a cloth > weathervane in the gale force wind blowing straight out of the Arctic. > > Once on the water and walking stiffly in all our layers, the wind > chill was well below zero, numbing our fingertips and noses, freezing > our guides, whipping our lines in random directions and landing every > other cast in the reeds or weeds. > > In short, yesterday at the Ford was tough fishing at best and made > the proverbial witch's tit seem warm and inviting by comparison. > > The good news is that we had the place to ourselves until two other > fools showed up about 3pm. I christened my new 1973 Orvis Limestone > Special bamboo rod by landing fish of 24 and 19 inches and SDRing > another of 18-20 inches after a several-minute struggle. All my fish > came in the morning with only a few brief hook-ups after 11am. > > But the best news is that we were off the water and heading for home > while it was still light. > > K
