FLOWS: ~800 – 300 CFS
WEATHER: COLD MORNINGS, SUNNY DAYS
WATER: CLEAR CLEAR CLEAR
BOATS: CLACKA AND NRS OTTER DODGER
RODS: GOOD OLE’ REDINGTONS, RED TRUCK 11’0 5WT
REELS: REDINGTON GRANDES, REDINGTON ACE, GALVAN TORQUE
“When she’s perfect, she’s great. When she’s complicated, she’s still great.”
That’s a little quote I made about the River. It’s always good to be here. Serious. You’ve probably read that in my past reports or listened to me say that on my podcast. This river is simply great. Honestly, if you come here to only catch fish and not enjoy the views, you’ve already lost.
When I say the river is clear. IT IS VERY VERY CLEAR. These fish see you coming from miles away. Which requires a few things to be successful when you are bobber fishing from a boat. Let me see if I can explain the formula.
- Good casts away from the boat: Self explanatory as if you’re too close to the boat, the fish are already gone. If you’re banging up the water, the fish are gone. Too many mends, the fish are gone.
- Good rowing technique: This is up to me of course. And this can be hard on some boats that don’t track well. Bad rowing makes too much ruckus on the water, and then well, the fish are gone.
- Timing: Don’t need to go early. Stay later. It’s COLD in the morning. Let the river come alive. Also, some runs get sun on them, shade is better.
- The right bugs/flies: Does it really matter? Yes it does. Especially on a trouty river like the Trinity. Size 8 Golden Stones might not get bit as much as size 10’s. The bead in the wrong shade won’t work and if you’re swinging soft hackles, well, good luck if you are off in color.
- Good river flows: 800 was great! Then it went back down to 300…and that’s LOW. Makes it tough. Read above and times it by 5 for your definition of difficulty during LOW and CLEAR conditions.
Of course there are many other factors that are going to affect the fishing. How many boats are on the water? What time of the week? Is it packed? Are you first boat or last boat?
Do I sound like I am complaining? I am trying not to. I am simply saying that LOW and CLEAR has been difficult. This is real steelhead season. It’s never been easy in the winter. So don’t come up here expecting glory all of the time during the winter. Expect beautiful scenery with low laying clouds. A river giving life and love to those who enjoy her for the right reasons. Lastly, if you’re lucky, maybe a bit good, you’ll get a fish of a lifetime along the way. And if you’re just a little lucky, you won’t catch one, and you’ll say, “I’ll be back.” Then find another reason to get away from the b******* and come to the Trinity River…maybe catch a fish.
I can give you details on each trip but to be honest, I’ve been working so much it’d make this report too long. And I am so grateful for those that rescheduled due to the high flows, or expected the winter grind and booked earlier this year. Let’s just say we have been having a blast no matter how the fishing is. I have to be honest, I’ve struggled with my job choice over these past few weeks. Being a guide, in winter, on a steelhead fishery with complicated water management. But then I had to remind myself, I am here to enjoy my clients, the views, the water, the boats, the laughs, the good casts, the Lewiston Hotel, the birds, the fog, the hoar ice on my boat in the morning, the frogs in my backyard, the cold hands and feet, the skeletons of the trees, and the community. With that reminder, we got some fish, I slept a lot easier, and I am looking forward to many more years to come.
Get out there when you can. Fish good and fish hard. It’s okay to suck. Share your fishing holes with strangers. Take a few pictures to show your friends how goddamn pretty it is out there no matter where you end up to get a line wet in winter. When you’re fishing in the cold, you’re living. You’ve already won.
-Mario G
PS. A detailed report of flies used and locations are available to be viewed on my Patreon.
