Fishing Report – Dec. 9, 2010
by Mike Kaul, Two Rivers Emporium
December 9, 2010
Glancing outside at snow-covered ground, ice-glazed trees and single-digit temperatures on the thermometer indicates the main part of our fly-fishing season is over until spring. This is a good time to talk about the weather conditions we are experiencing and the potential effect it will have on the fish catching when we enter next season. Looking at this fall and so far this winter, I see weather activity which could have a positive impact on our local fisheries and promote some good fishing opportunities next season.
We experienced some wonderful summer-like days in October and early November. These warmer-than-normal temperatures promoted aquatic insect hatch activity in our local streams, providing an increase of food sources for the trout that were in the process of storing up calories for the winter. This pleasant autumn weather gave the trout in our local streams a little extra energy boost, which should help the overall survival rate for each trout species. The fall spawners, like Brook and Brown trout, made good use of this increased food bump to help recover from the strain of reproductive activities. The spring spawners will be in better condition to survive the rigors of winter and be in good shape for their spring reproduction cycle. Another positive aspect of this favorable fall weather condition was that it occurred when there was very little fishing pressure, so the trout were able to gorge themselves in a relatively undisturbed environment, which should also help them to enter the demanding winter period in good physical shape.
The Wind River Mountains and the Wyoming Range, which supply water for all our streams and lakes, are starting to show signs of good snow depth. Our elevation puts us up a little closer to the jet stream so we also experience significant breezes or winds (I will let you judge the difference) as the storm fronts move in and out of the area. This activity drifts the snow into the crevices that are a significant part of our mountain and foothill landscape. The warm and cold temperature contrast we are experiencing will hopefully compact those drifts which will help promote a slower melt in the spring. Most of our streams are free-stone or free-flowing, so a moderate release of moisture out of the high mountains is key to good water flows throughout the summer months. If we stay on this present weather tract, our many streams originating in the mountains surrounding Sublette County should provide some excellent fishing opportunities this next fishing season.
Please feel free to give us a call to check on the latest water projections.
- Mike Kaul, Two Rivers Emporium
211 W Pine Street
P.O. Box 1218
Pinedale, Wyoming 82941
(307)367-4131
1(800)-329-4353
2rivers@wyoming.com
www.2rivers.net
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