Week of January 4th 2026: Happy New Year!

It is an icy start to 2026.  Cold weather has been hanging around and is closing the banks, so to speak, as ice starts around the edges and moves toward the middle of the river.  After a week of great fishing, the wind and overnight lows has essentially closed the “meat hole” in the KLG. Faster moving stretches remain clear of ice and fish may move into runs and riffles as the days warm up.  The water temperature, however, is also consistently cold and fish are less likely to move while they conserve energy. Patience and slow drifts are required when it's this frigid.  Trout find the slow deep pools, unencumbered by ice and wait for any food that drifts by. 

Pheasant tail and hare’s ears, nymph and soft hackles, have been productive.  Midges are going to be increasingly important the colder things get.  Our local tyers produce many effective patterns to try, including Lenny’s Fat Lady, Connor’s Bling midge, and Hunter’s Pop Rocks.  Rainbow midges offer contrast to drab, earthy colors.  

When the small stuff is not moving fish, try a streamer.  South Branch Chubb, Mickey Finns, or Grey Ghosts, drifted or swung slow, can entice a take.  Some say that fish weigh the benefit of spending energy for a morsel of food and the bigger offering could change their mind.  Later this week, the temperature could reach fifty degrees.  Snow melt will raise the flows, which is still a dire need, but the shift may create a situation for a midge or BWO hatch and a winter dry fly opportunity. 

Not much else to say - look for open water and fish slow and deep.  Wait for the warmest part of the day - or warm days towards the end of the week.  Bubba remains at large…

See you out there,

Roy B.