By: Ryan Severance
Fishing is not a recreational activity reserved for the warm weather summer and fall provide. Even in the winter you can spot many fisherman heading to the rivers and lakes around Boulder County hoping to land that one big fish they can boast to all of their friends about.
John Gale is one such person. To describe him as an avid fisherman would be almost offending him. Gale said he fishes as much as he possibly can and goes out about 30-45 times a year, including trips in the winter.
“Fishing for me is a fundamentally engrained part of my heritage,” Gale said. “It is a unique value I’ve been handed down while growing up in the west.”
Fishing in the winter as opposed to summer and fall adds some unique challenges and different ways of doing it.
One of the obvious advantages, Gale said, is that when you fish in the winter you are not having to share the water with nearly as many people because most people don’t brave the elements and fish when it’s so cold out.
That’s about the only real benefit, though. Gale added. Fishing conditions get worse in the winter. Among the issues include:
There are, however, some solutions to these problems that can make fishing in the winter more enjoyable. Gale suggests you avoid going in the early morning or late evening because fish tend to feed in the warmest part of the day. If you are going to go fishing in the winter Gale strongly suggests you hire a guide from Front Range Anglers in Boulder because they know what has ice and what doesn’t and they also know where the best waters to fish are and what location is holding fish at any given time.
There are an abundance of quality places to do some winter fishing around the Boulder area that include: The Big Thompson, Clear Creek, South Boulder Creek, Morane Park Waters, St. Vrain Creek and North St. Vrain Creek.
Once you arrive at your ideal winter fishing destination it is crucial you have the right bait.
Gale said he primarily uses mid flies on the surface and one small dry fly on top with one nymph or emerger sub surface. Gale said he has a lot of success just fishing nymph only rigs as well.
When fishing at anytime it is also important that you know the laws surrounding it.
The number one law most people need to know is that every single person that intends to fish must purchase a fishing license and a habitat stamp. Gale said this is important because fishing licenses provide 90 percent of the funding Colorado has to manage fish and wildlife.
It is also important to note that the Colorado Division of Wildlife has seasonal closures for fishing in some areas and a lot of waters in Colorado come with special regulations attached such as no catch and release, no bait/artificial bait only, etc. It is important to check that out before deciding on your fishing destination.
Once you decide to brave the weather and go on a winter fishing expedition, Gale said you will never regret it. At the end of the day, fishing is all about the personal pleasure and time spent with loved ones than it is the sport. A quote by Thoreau that Gale referenced to me says it all:
Fishing is not a recreational activity reserved for the warm weather summer and fall provide. Even in the winter you can spot many fisherman heading to the rivers and lakes around Boulder County hoping to land that one big fish they can boast to all of their friends about.
John Gale is one such person. To describe him as an avid fisherman would be almost offending him. Gale said he fishes as much as he possibly can and goes out about 30-45 times a year, including trips in the winter.
“Fishing for me is a fundamentally engrained part of my heritage,” Gale said. “It is a unique value I’ve been handed down while growing up in the west.”
Fishing in the winter as opposed to summer and fall adds some unique challenges and different ways of doing it.
One of the obvious advantages, Gale said, is that when you fish in the winter you are not having to share the water with nearly as many people because most people don’t brave the elements and fish when it’s so cold out.
That’s about the only real benefit, though. Gale added. Fishing conditions get worse in the winter. Among the issues include:
- The fish are much less active during the winter and don’t feed as much.
- In the winter, the insects and macroinvertebrates that make up fish’s diets are not as abundant and not as diverse.
- The weather, and therefore the water patterns can change almost in an instant. As Gale explained it, “One night of extremely cold weather can ice over a section of water you fished just the day before.
- Lastly, your fly line and rod can ice over quickly making it difficult to cast and make a good presentation of the fly.
There are, however, some solutions to these problems that can make fishing in the winter more enjoyable. Gale suggests you avoid going in the early morning or late evening because fish tend to feed in the warmest part of the day. If you are going to go fishing in the winter Gale strongly suggests you hire a guide from Front Range Anglers in Boulder because they know what has ice and what doesn’t and they also know where the best waters to fish are and what location is holding fish at any given time.
There are an abundance of quality places to do some winter fishing around the Boulder area that include: The Big Thompson, Clear Creek, South Boulder Creek, Morane Park Waters, St. Vrain Creek and North St. Vrain Creek.
Once you arrive at your ideal winter fishing destination it is crucial you have the right bait.
Gale said he primarily uses mid flies on the surface and one small dry fly on top with one nymph or emerger sub surface. Gale said he has a lot of success just fishing nymph only rigs as well.
When fishing at anytime it is also important that you know the laws surrounding it.
The number one law most people need to know is that every single person that intends to fish must purchase a fishing license and a habitat stamp. Gale said this is important because fishing licenses provide 90 percent of the funding Colorado has to manage fish and wildlife.
It is also important to note that the Colorado Division of Wildlife has seasonal closures for fishing in some areas and a lot of waters in Colorado come with special regulations attached such as no catch and release, no bait/artificial bait only, etc. It is important to check that out before deciding on your fishing destination.
Once you decide to brave the weather and go on a winter fishing expedition, Gale said you will never regret it. At the end of the day, fishing is all about the personal pleasure and time spent with loved ones than it is the sport. A quote by Thoreau that Gale referenced to me says it all:
“Many go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.”
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