January 2025 Fishing Report
anuary is shaping up to be a phenomenal month and all into the spring! This is my all time favorite time to be out and about. So grab that new gear you got for Christmas, layer up and get out there as much as you can.
Both no generation and high generations have been fishing great with a possibility of a fish of a lifetime. Water temperature and oxygen levels are back to where they need to be after a struggle with both late summer and fall.
For wade fishing, I've been seeing most of the fish caught in the riffles or in slightly moving water as well as the the head of runs and tailouts. With the orfice gate closed now until early summer, the water is super clear and the fish are a little more spooky, especially as the eagles and other predators are around. I have been lengthening my leaders and running a dry fly or new Zealand indicator with the typical midge set up. Olive nymphs in size 16 to 22 have been working really well. The big key is to drift to the fish and not cast to the fish. Always fish closest to you and work your way out with each drift.
I also have been seeing the start of our shad kill in the high generations. The Threadfin shad so far have been in the two to three inch size, so trim down those streamers to accommodate. I have been tying a kreelex on a size 4 streamer hook, and that has been working well. Dead drifting white wooly buggers 6 to 8 ft below a indicator has been very productive. Be safe out there on those higher generations with these colder days approaching.
Flies:
Krafts kreelex in silver - size 4 streamer
White wooly buggers - size 4 to 10
Olive midges - size 16 to 24
Pheasant tail nymph - size 16 to 18
Blowtorch - size 16 to 20
Pheasant tail - size 16 to 18
Rainbow warrior - size 16-22
Perdigons - size 16-20
I hope everyone has a great 2026 season. I wish you all the best of luck. If you have any questions on rigging, flies, etc., please feel free to give me a call or send me an email! And if you see me out there, give me a wave!
