The air and water temperature is frigid...but there are plenty of steelhead around on the Trinity.  Last week before this current insane cold snap, Clearwater manager Bill Downs had a great idea to have a hot bbq streamside lunch.  Burgers, beers, and steelhead...does life get any better?  Our group hooked plenty of fish too...although our landing ratio wasn't all that steller.  Operator error.

 

The last few days have simply been freezing.  Gino and I had yesterday off and scouted a few sweet swing spots out, but couldn't muster up the gumption to fish in the freezing shady spots. Before this cold snap, I had clients hooking from 1 to 10 fish a day.  It should be that good again when the warmer temps and rain come through this weekend.  Remember, this is steelheading...one fish a day is good, and sometimes you can really get into them.

 

There are lots of fish around, way more than last season.  Lots of people too.  I am seeing anglers at DC bridge every day on my way into town as early as 7am...good for them, they are tougher than me I guess.  It's actually easier to cast when your rod's line guides aren't continuously frozen.  In other words, there is no hurry to get out there if you are using flies.  Some people putting beads above bare hooks and are bumping into the occasional fish in the fridgid hours of the early morning.  I prefer flyfishing.