As a wildlife photographer, I often hear friends who combine their love of photography with fishing, say, “Wow, I had a river otter swim past me today.”
Another might comment, “I think the mink I saw today was eating all of the fish because I didn’t catch a single one.”
As the bumper sticker reads, “A bad day fishing is better than a good day working.”
I could actually say the same thing about photographing wildlife, or just being outdoors in general, but that is exactly why anglers and nature photographers share so many common interests.
For years I have wanted to try my hand at fishing. Growing up in New Jersey meant I was often by the ocean and on boats where people were fishing but I couldn’t do it. I just couldn’t overcome the conflict of taking or harming an animal versus feeding myself.
Living in Colorado for more than two decades, however, has given me a different perspective on how fish are managed. I have learned from biologists at Colorado Parks and Wildlife about the intense and careful practices they go through to make sure the state has a healthy fish population.
And my fear of harming an animal? My overwhelming concern to always consider the wellbeing of an animal definitely still exists and drives my decisions. After spending a day on a photo shoot, however, with another writer who took up fishing as a way to enjoy the outdoors and decompress from her stressful life, I saw how peaceful and serene being on the water made her.
That was four years ago.
Eight weeks ago, I asked a friend, a local Estes Park resident and avid fisherman, if fall is a good time for fishing.
He was curious about why but explained that it is actually an ideal season. He clarified that early fall sees perfect water levels, the temperatures are not yet too cold, the bugs are still abundant and the crowds have dissipated on the creeks and rivers.
I told him about my concerns but also about my interests in learning to fish and asked him if he would show me the ropes for my first fishing outing. I think I saw his eyes light up.
“Absolutely,” he said with a bright smile and cheerful demeanor. “When can you go?”
It still took me two months to schedule the outing but we finally coordinated dates last week.
I knew I had missed the best of the fall season. Ice already started to form on the rivers, even with quick flows in the channels, and water levels were quite low in many popular fishing holes.
As is typical with Estes Park in late fall, the winds were howling on the afternoon we decided to go out, but it was sunny and warm.
I verified that my fishing license was available on my phone and suited up in my neoprene waders. (I own two pairs — one for summer weather and thicker ones for winter — so I can get those low-angle photos from water level and on ice of birds, ducks and other water-loving animals.)
Off we went, navigating down the bank of the Big Thompson River into my friend’s undisclosed location. (Like us photographers, anglers often don’t like to give away their favorite and productive fishing sites.)
His generosity extended beyond his time by also providing the equipment — two fishing rods and reels, line, hooks and flies. It turned out that one of the rods was brand new with a cork handle still encased in plastic wrap.
“Oh, no, don’t take that off,” he said. “You can only take that off after you catch your first fish with the rod. It’s a fishing thing.”
I chuckled. I didn’t anticipate removing it on this day.
We slowly walked out to the center of the river, cautiously navigating the rocks below the moving water.
Once we found a stable location, he showed me how to hold the rod, a nymph rig he already set up for us with a sow bug, caddis midge and foam head RS2 on the line. He cast the line. On the second cast, he pulled a fish out of the water — a 12-inch brown trout. It took four minutes from when we arrived.
It couldn’t really be that easy, could it?
Turns out, no; I had just asked the right person to help me achieve my goal.
But achieving the goal for myself turned out to take a little more work.
I followed his lead. Thumb up, hold the line with trigger finger, tip the reel, cast the line.
High stick the rod without lifting the fly out of the water and allow the fly to float on the surface with the current.
As the fly drifts downstream past you, lift up on the rod and repeat the process to cast again.
After a few missed opportunities to hook a fish, I finally nailed the motion to hook set the fish and caught my first fish — a 12-inch rainbow trout — 82 minutes later.
We had switched the fly to a chubby Chernobyl and my friend explained that as the afternoon progresses, the water warms up and the mayflies and caddis start to hatch, bringing the fish to the surface. The goal of fishing, he explained, is to emulate the movement of insects rising to the surface to attract the fish.
Fifteen minutes later, I caught my second fish, a five-inch rainbow trout.
My friend, knowing my concern for harming the fish, was super gentle with removing the hooks and we returned all of the fish back to the water.
As the sun set, my toes started to feel the cold temperature of the water. We packed up the gear and headed back to the truck.
My friend told me that it was time to remove the plastic from the rod.
“No,” I said. “You deserve the honors because you caught the first fish.”
The plastic wrap remained on the handle as he placed the rod in the carrier on the truck.
Although fishing in winter can be cold, wearing the right gear will make it enjoyable and comfortable. Warm waders with good grippy soles, polarized sunglasses and sunscreen are a must. Hire a guide to help with where to go and what to use. The guides will also provide all the gear you need if you don’t own the right equipment.
During the winter, Kirk’s Flyshop and Scot’s Sporting Goods offer guided fly-fishing adventures.
Both shops plus the Estes Park Mountain Shop sell fishing gear in the winter.
On a side note, I encourage anyone who enjoys the outdoors to purchase an annual fishing license. Even if you don’t fish, the license gives you access to all of the state wildlife areas in Colorado and helps support the state’s Search and Rescue Fund. The purchase of a fishing license also helps to support state parks, habitats and wildlife programs throughout the state. As a wildlife enthusiast or recreator, it expands your access throughout Colorado while supporting the programs that make this such a fantastic state for enjoying the outdoors. And who knows, maybe you too will pick up a fly rod to spend time on a river not fishing but watching the dippers, mink and otters pass by.
To purchase a fishing license, visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website at https://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/FishingSeasonDatesFees.aspx.