January Thaw

I love a good January thaw. It feels like spring, but you know it’s not. Somehow, that makes it even more special. Especially, if you are able to take advantage of the open window and go fishing before the next cold front rolls in and winter reasserts itself.

The Missouri River has cycled through a period of typical winter chill. Ice shelves lined the river. The water hovered just above freezing. The Trout would feed, but they are very sluggish. Enter the warm Chinook winds, blowing off the Rocky Mountain front. The ice and snow evaporate away. Air temps pushing 50 degrees quickly warm the icy flows to a fishy 36 degrees. What a difference that can make. Fish move into prime feeding lanes again. Nymphing is excellent. Fish are cruising the inside slack waters of the deeper flats, opportunistically hunting for food. A good streamer gets plenty of attention.

The complainers will say it’s too windy.

Okay, the wind is going to blow. So what? At 15 or more degrees above freezing, it’s not so bad. Over line the nymph rod. Crank out sink tips with the two hander. Wind adds a little challenge to fishing that’s arguably as good as, or better than, the best summer days.

The complainers will say there’s no dry flies.

So, you can’t fish dry flies. Boo hoo. Enjoy the couch. February is coming with midges aplenty. April will bring baetis before you know it. You’ll be cleaning caddis from your teeth in June and complain about that too. For now, I like me a good January thaw.