Things have cooled down up here and there's some more snow than we had in the beginning of the year, but things are stil fishing fairly well up here and everything is open around town still - far cry from last year at this time. Fishable conditions around Ennis that almost never happens in January. Talked to a few guys fishing around Varney and 8 Mile and that's been decent on some small stoneflies, worms, eggs and assorted midge larvae and attractor nymphs. Checked in with the boys in Ennis and they confirmed that's been the story - nymphing up here.

If youre cool with watching a bobber (which you'd better be during the winter), we'd fish some really small nymphs in the 16-18-20 variety, the Garrett's Purple Death is a good little Upper Maddy bug (a tad bit different than the Crystal Dips that everyone raves and fishes to death up here). Dead drifting some sculpin and bugger patterns with bead heads off the back of those with some serious weight can be productive as well. Eggs, worms, midges and assorted Dalektas are producing for the nymphers. Some midges here and there and a few guys looking for risers, the really good stuff as far as dry flies go will be found up in the slack water and riffles around Raynold's Pass and 3 Dollar. Be aware that with this nice weather you likely won't find your winter haunts to yourself...

Fly Pattern Suggestions:
Dries:  Neversink Gnat Hi Vis: 16-18 Griffiths Gnat: 14-16 CDC Griffiths Gnat: 14-16 Hi Vis Midge Emerger: 16-18-20 One Hung Low Midge Emerger: 16-18 Skittering Z-Lon Midge: 16-18

Nymphs:  Garrett's Purple Death: 16-18-20 Little Bit of E: 14-16-18 Purple Lightning Bugs 16; San Juan Worm: 6-8-10 Delektable Purple Hurless: 6-8-10 Mr Rubberlegs Hares Ear: 6-8 Mega Pheasant Tail: 6-8 Turds: 6-8-10 Copper Johnson Red: 16-18-20 Mustang Sally: 16-18 Red Belly Yukbug: 2-4-6 

Streamers:  Hairy Sculpin Brown & Olive: 2-4 Bow River Bugger Whiteface Blackie: 4-6 Fathead Yellow, White: 2 Sex Dungeon Rust, Yellow, Black: 2 Silvey's Sculpin Black: 2  Conehead JJ Special: 2-4 Home Invader Yellow, White: 2 Zonkers Black/olive, Natural/copper 

Last Updated: 1/27/2012

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