In Canada where I live we have some dreaded word called winter. In the Southwestern States like California, the winter months are usually not that cold and snow is rarely seen. We here in Calgary cannot be so lucky. We are however turning the corner and winter will soon be gone, the sooner the better for me. I was fishing on the weekend with my brother-in-law and I saw the same old thing I quite often see while fishing in the winter. There is always that one or two guys fishing that same spot they were catching fish in the summer months.
I would like to inform the reader of the fact that fish do not, and I highly emphasize the words (do not) occupy the same water in the winter. Here on the Bow River or any place where that winter word is used, fish go to over winter in deep holes; pools if you will. Food slowly enters the pool and the fish do not have to exert too much energy to have a meal. I look for pools with weeds on the bottom where fish like to sit for cover and also feed off the larvae of insects that cling to the weeds. Fish will not be in spots they normally are in the summer months, it’s that simple or is it?
I will be fishing this weekend and will be looking for the trout in these slow deep pools. I will shoot some video and describe in detail exactly what I am trying to convey here. The Rainbow Trout will be moving south down the river now and will prepare for their annual spring spawn which will create some excellent opportunities for some awesome Brown Trout fishing in the next two months. If you know where you can catch the Rainbow at the staging spot on the river and hammer out 15-20 fish in 2 hours or less depending on how many fish have moved in. The time I choose to arrive at this location is usually in the third week of March. Look at your lunar cycle and pick the 4th day before or after the full moon. Bring along some A5-35 as your arm will feel like it’s going to fall off. These staging fish will do everything in their power to get off your line.
