Went out on the upper Chagrin with a friend from the shop to try and swing up a steelhead on some flies that were gifted to me over the holidays from the best fly dresser i know. I know you can't catch fish swinging when the waters cold, Oh you heard that also, well lets give it a try anyway.

When swinging in colder water try lots of flash and movement to wake em up. I would say we have it covered with this bug. These types of flies are also great conversation pieces in the shop or on the river. The conversation usually starts like this when you meet a fellow angler "what the hell is that thing"

Waiting for a grab. Toes are getting chilly.

Took a walk to try a new spot and saw this furry fellow on the shelf ice. Gotta like a good beaver shot.

Still waiting for that grab. Come on fish, don't you know who tied this fly. Then again we all know the phrase "it's not the arrow it's the Indian" In this case it's not the fly that's not doing the job but this spot is usually money. In my defense there was a bunch of ice so i couldn't fish it like i wanted.

There he is. Nice healthy buck that couldn't resist all that fishy flash and wiggle. Also would like to thank Simms for making the best fishing gear on the planet. Water temps like today make you appreciate great performing gear that much more.

Without the extended hook in the cold water i probably wouldn't have hooked this guy. Having learned the hard way this is the way many of my cold water swinging flies are now tied. Otherwise you get the old swing and miss. That is a great grab or tug is followed by not hooking the fish because it got a mouth full of feathers or rabbit but no steel.

Kurt battles a hard earned fish.

A beautiful hen that decided to eat just as we were about to call it a day. Kurt i will not tell everyone what transpired to keep your secret technique safe but it was one of the most interesting ways i have ever seen a steelhead hooked and i appreciate your sharing it with me.

Today was a great day to be outside on the water after that horrific cold snap we had. There is not a ton of water to fish but plenty to get out, wet a line, and maybe if your lucky hook a few fish. As for angling traffic lets just say it was minimal. The water itself was on the clear side with good flow. For indicator fishing this time of year it is hard to beat an orange, yellow, or pink glo bug with a stone fly or white or olive buggers. Happy New Years from Dan and Pete