[birdman]

I can't handle it any longer. It's time to get out and whip the rod around a bit. We're supposed to have a beautiful day here in Colorado on Saturday and i'm jonesing to get out on the water. I'm heading to one of my local fly shops (Front Range Angler) to pick up some flies. Just curious what midge patterns you have best luck with in the early months?

[phisherman23]

I feel that itch too, Birdman, and I'm gonna follow it out to my local creek this Saturday! I'm somewhat of a novice when it comes to early-season/winter fly fishing, but I'll offer up what I know anyway. In general, I've found that Colorado trout can't stay away from midges and nymphs that are blueish-purple in coloration (similar to this smiley face color, but maybe a bit more blue: ....pay no attention to that frown). In fact, the color seems to have more impact than the fly pattern, as I've used drastically different nymphs and midges on the same day out, all that same color, and had great luck with everything. The other guideline I'm going to follow this time of year is "smaller is better". I imagine the insects floating downstream during these cold months are of microscopic size...growth rate is directly proportional to temperature in most cases, and I don't know why this would be any different in our streams and rivers. I'd use a strike indicator with a double-dropper rig containing a size 20 (or smaller) nymph and a minicsule midge off of that. Good luck if you make it out....maybe I'll run into you on the river!