Glenwood Springs – It isn’t part of the essence of fishing to be manipulative or sly, particularly when it concerns affairs of the heart. But considering what’s at stake here, the rare opportunity that awaits a stream-fishing enthusiast for this valentine scam, it just might be worth a try.
When you’re done reading this, you might want to chew it up and swallow. Meanwhile, here’s the deal. With the lure of a romantic interlude in Glenwood Springs, complete with lazy luxuriating in the Hot Springs Pool and dining at any of several surprisingly good restaurants, you convince your significant other to spend a weekend in the mountains.
After selling that notion, you begin to sneak in the part about how, since nobody can stay in the pool forever, what with the wrinkles and all, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to spend a couple of hours down by the river, just to cool off.
As you say this, sly devil, you’re sliding your rod case and waders into the vehicle, right alongside the basket with the champagne and chocolates. How well all this plays out depends in large part on the degree of understanding you’ve attained with your loved one and whether said loved one actually likes to fish. But after you hear what’s happening on the streams in the Glenwood Springs area, you’ll be tempted to make a run at it.
The lower Fryingpan and Colorado rivers are running clear and free of ice, a condition that even extends part way up the Eagle. Ambitious locals have been rowing trout-happy float trips since early January and, barring a serious weather reversal, the best is yet to come. While this still is winter fishing, with conditions changing by the hour, there have been far more good days than bad over the past month.
“Trout start waking up around Feb. 15 and really come on about March 15,” said Tom Trowbridge, who works as a guide at Roaring Fork Anglers (970-945-0180) and watches the river from his bedroom window.
This season’s uncommonly early start on the river is the result of a weather pattern almost diametrically opposite to that along the Front Range – generally warm weather, not much wind and plenty of snow.
“It’s been cloudy most nights, which keeps overnight temperature from being really cold,” Trowbridge said. “This means the water is a little warmer in the morning, with more trout activity.”
Further, Trowbridge allowed, the region has received fresh snow every couple of days, the most recent of which has coated the vertical striations of adjacent cliffs to create the impression of slices from a wedding cake. Depending upon how that valentine relationship is working out, you might want to check the weather on this one.
All that snow raises another angling issue, that of a profuse and enduring runoff.
“We still have a couple big snow months ahead, so nothing is certain yet. But as things now stand, we’re due for a big water year,” said Trowbridge, who suggests anglers take advantage of this window when action, particularly with nymphs, can be remarkably good.
“Better get it quick before runoff,” he advised.
Even with the water a chilly 35 degrees, Trowbridge on Sunday consistently caught trout at a public access point near the upstream edge of town.
“I’m a nuts and bolts kind of fisherman,” he said, explaining his practical approach to the game. “I’d rather give them the right size and a good drift than change my fly a hundred times. In winter, you usually don’t have to be that exact.”
Using a double-fly rig in slow, deep pockets below riffles, Trowbridge landed rainbow and brown trout on three separate patterns: Red Copper John, red wire brassie and a bead epoxy golden stonefly, size 12.
Given an agreeable day, Trowbridge can show you how and where to do the same. Champagne, chocolates and that special friend are optional.
Charlie Meyers can be reached at 303-820-1609 or cmeyers@denverpost.com.
