“Mayfly and Caddis. Stones, Dragons, Damsels, Alders, Dobsons. Midges and Beetles and Ants and Hoppers. Leeches, Shrimp, and Moths. The list is endless.”

I won’t exhaust my affinity for winter fishing, in this lifetime, to say the least. The bitter cold serves as an obstacle that must be overcome before the reward can be realized, as your wade begins in knee high snow just a few yards from the pickup. Then, when you finally make it to the water, the struggle you must first endure to mend a line and conjure a respectable drift through frozen guides and with pain-ridden hands tends to force doubt into your mind. You might even ask yourself, “just what in the Hell am I doing out here?” All of it culminates in an almost insufferable challenge but, when the sun eventually rises, vindication washes over you with the first rising fish, an esurient take, and an effortless hook set. 

Eventually the spring comes and, some time after the worst of the runoff, the elaborate and plague-like hatches of the West’s water bottoms become remarkably apparent. Incomplete and complete metamorphosis characterized insects live out their lifecycle before your eyes: from egg, to nymph or larva & pupa, to adulthood and, the ones that don’t get slurped up by the wild & spotted creatures of the riffle then fly off to spawn the next generation. 

Mayfly and Caddis. Stones, Dragons, Damsels, Alders, Dobsons. Midges and Beetles and Ants and Hoppers. Leeches, Shrimp, and Moths. The list is endless.  

Yes, I absolutely love winter fishing but, there is nothing to turn your nose up at in regards to the traditional season of this sport. It’s not the bugs I miss in these cold, lifeless months. It’s what they represent: Warm evenings around a campfire while the songs of the running river and distant coyotes harmonically fill the ambient night air. The early morning wet grass and all the movement of the wild things as they feed over the ridgeline to sun themselves on an eastward face. The sun rising to its hierarchical point at the top of the sky, inspiring you to shed your hoodie and stuff it into the bottom of your backpack where it can hinder your efforts no more. The aggressiveness of Brown and Cutthroat Trout when a large, meaty topwater fly is presented just right, and it drifts through their feeding column with a seductive float. 

It’s all wonderfully captivating. Every season, every opportunity. The only days I regret are the ones when I can’t make it out.

Fish more, my friends. For the sake of your soul. 

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Author’s Note:

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this story and all the content associated with it. As an avid sportsman, I hope that this tale inspires you to get outside to enjoy the wild with the ones you love most. I write these stories as a supplement to my lifestyle as a sportsman and guide, and with them comes a certain accountability. The details of my stories are purely based on my recollection alone and in no particular way do they reflect a chronologically factual, indisputable timeline of events. They are in no way intended for official use or as a reference for official purposes. These are simply tall tales meant to entertain the tired mind; best served with a clear evening, a warm fire and, a strong whiskey.

All the photos and content featured in my tall tales are my own, unless expressly cited otherwise, and the unauthorized use or reproduction of them is strictly prohibited. That’s all for now, my friends. If you enjoyed this content and would like to see more like it, I can be found on Instagram by searching “Authentically Wild Out West” and on YouTube by searching the same phrase. Until the next campfire, stay safe out there and look after each other.

On another quick note: I’ve launched a new publication on Substack, specifically to showcase my serialized fiction and poetry! 

I hope you’ll join me there! Follow THIS LINK to have a look. 

Gear, Equipment and Organizations I Advocate For:

ADVENTURE UPDATE: Para, Brazil – Amazon Jungle 2026 is a GO!

Adventure into the Jungle with me in September of 2026! I’m taking eight intrepid souls along with me as I fly into the heart of the Amazon jungle to pursue Surubi (Tiger Striped Catfish), Payara (Cachorra), Trairao (Giant Wolf Fish) and, Tucanare (Melaniae Peacock Bass) in crystal clear pocket water. I’ve partnered with Angling Frontiers to develop this once-in-a-lifetime excursion into the headwaters region of the Xingu river basin. This majestic arena has been closed to human presence for nearly 30 years – designated as a conservation district – however, it was just opened exclusively to my partners for guiding operations in the 2026 season. Don’t miss your opportnity to experience one of the last truly wild places on earth, where fish and wildlife have never seen a human. Spots are VERY limited so, reach out to me with any questions of to book! I’m looking forward to sharing in this adventure with you.

I’m going to be hosting even more trips, in more exotic and wild places in the future! Subscribe to my newsletter to stay updated on trip info as it becomes available!

Come Fish & Hunt in Wyoming With Me!

If you’ve been reading my tall tales and outdoor articles for a while, you have probably recognized that much of my writings revolve around anecdotes. I live these stories, here in one of the last truly wild places on Earth and now as a full-time guide, I’d like to extend an invitation to you: 

Come experience this prestigious place with me. 

You can do this by reaching out to Wyoming Fishing Company and exploring the many options we have available to accommodate your next fishing, waterfowl, upland bird, small game, or predator hunting adventure. We can facilitate small & large groups alike or offer a one-on-one guided experience. Come make some memories this season! I’m already looking forward to adventuring with you.

If you’re coming out to fish or hunt, don’t forget your license and stamp!

Don’t get caught between a rock and a hard place! Research first! The laws and policies surrounding our game, access, boating, and industry are a huge contributor to maintaining our plentiful resources. APPLY HERE for all your licenses and tag needs.