Many Western rivers offer excellent opportunities for winter trout fishing. The following suggestions are just a sample. Anglers who do a quick search of the Internet will locate plenty of information on fly shops and guides, fishing regulations, recommended fly patterns and clothing, stream conditions and weather forecasts.
Utah: The legendary Green (browns, rainbows and cutthroats) and Provo (browns and rainbows) rivers, along with the Weber River (browns, rainbows and cutthroats), are desirable destinations for winter fly fishers. For information on the Green and Provo rivers, contact Western River Flyfishers, (800) 545-4312. For the Provo and Weber rivers, contact Utah Fly Drifters, (801) 631-0382.
New Mexico: Many consider the San Juan River (browns, rainbows and cuttbows) at Lee’s Ferry to be the premier winter fishing river in New Mexico. Contact Duranglers, (888) 347-4346. However, the Red River (browns and cuttbows) can be just as good. High Desert Anglers, (505) 988-7688.
Colorado: Colorado has numerous outstanding destinations for the winter fly fisherman. These tailwaters offer a chance of collecting trophy trout year-round. The Taylor River yields double-digit rainbows and browns, as does the Blue River. Huge trout thrive in the Frying Pan (browns, rainbows and some cutthroats) and South Platte (browns, rainbows and some cutthroats) tailwaters as well. The Stagecoach Reservoir tailwater of the Yampa River (browns, rainbows and some cutthroats) usually requires negotiating some snowdrifts to reach great fishing. There is also excellent winter fishing on the Yampa right through Steamboat Springs.
For information on fishing the Taylor River, contact Dragonfly Anglers, (970) 349-1228, or Three Rivers Resort, (888) 761-FISH. Call Cutthroat Anglers, (970) 262-2878, for fishing information on the Blue River. Advice on fishing the Frying Pan is available from Frying Pan Anglers, (970) 927-3441.
There are three major tailwaters along the South Platte drainage as well as miles of open water. Several outfitters and guides service this world-renowned water. Call Blue Quill Anglers, (303) 674-4700, or Flies and Lies, (303) 647-2237, for information. Check with Steamboat Flyfishers, (970) 879.6552, regarding the Yampa River.