Cary, what kind of weather conditions can one expect at the Ford this time of year. Deep snow a possibility?
I’m trying to convince myself to come. It looks iffy at best but I sure would like to.
Gnu Bee,
Snow is a possiblility, of course. But usually not too bad at the Creek itself. The weather can be pretty sketchy. Wind, horizontal rain and/or snow, wind, wind, and wind. Traveling south from BC, however, could be an issue, but you know that better than I!!
Would love to see you again. Have a great Christmas!!
Jeff
Eleven straight New Year’s Day trips to the Ford, I’ve run into all kinds of weather there.
JeffW has it pretty well pegged. Expect wind, regardless. In the 11 trips on New Year’s Day, we’ve fished in snow so hard and so “sideways”… we couldn’t see each other, when only 20 feet apart.
We’ve also shed ALL of our keep-warm-gear, on two trips and fished while standing in a foot of snow, in our T-shirts and chesties!??!
The Ford, sits down in a small aryo, sort of, but surrounded by nothing but Central Washington high desert country. (Think: “Mars Scape”, from the National Geographic).
Theres is NOTHING to stop the wind, no place to hide from it, once you’re there. Januray 1st. IS NOT the time, on The Ford, to try out your new Christmas presents of “double tapered line and 4wt. rod”, sorry!! The “average fish” is around 18" and being a spring creek, they have NO idea it’s winter time, out there, above their world and they’re usualy quite hungry.
The brush, of course, is well down this time of year so you hav about 31 free miles behind you to make a back cast, with no fears from hanging up your line/fly. I’d personaly suggest a 9’ 5wt. (6 is fine, too) and some sort of WF line. Bass Bug tapers, work well at The Ford this time of year, just for the wind factor.
But, also remember, this creek…about 90% of it, is only 10’ wide and 3’ deep. I’ve taken probably close to half my fish there, on New Year’s Day, with 5’ of line out and using a 9’ tapered leader.
It’s “hit and miss”, when using furled leaders there. If the hatchery, at the head of the creek, is letting water out of their pens, you’ll spend over half your fishing time, cleaning the crud and crap off your furled leader. Straight, tapered, mono or floro leaders truly work the best.
Be careful, to what boots you wear with your waders. You cannot wade, in Rocky Ford, you can’t even step off the bank to land, and/or, net a fish. There are hatchery employees that watch us fishermen there, all times of the year and if they see you step into the creek… your day is over and they’ll also remember you, the next day too!
Anyway, waders are needed for the taller, wet, grasses and reeds or you’ll be wet and miserable, in an hour’s time. But, you don’t need any “traction” for any real reason and felts, on your boots will only pick up a ton of snow and cause your feet to weigh about 100 pounds in a very short time. The area is FLAT, so you won’t slip and slide anywhere, either. Rubber soles work the best, if you have them.
It’s “a true expeirience” to fish The Ford on New Year’s Day and I WISH I could go, for my 12th straight year. Have fun and stay warm!
OK so dig out the red bandanna and wear it on your hat, around your neck, on your arm, your vest, somewhere it can be seen in order to be recognized by fellow FAOL’ers you may not have met.
It’s snowing lightly here in Moses Lake today (Sunday the 23rd). I’ll be tying scuds in light olive and grey, and small midge emergers and dries in black. Wouldn’t hurt to have some small BWO’s.
Yes dress warm in layers. Until then, Merry Christmas.
As it stands right now, Ken Sample from Colorado who is spending a month & ? building Bamboo rods and I are planning on being at the Ford On Jan 1st. Of course our attending will depend on driving weather from here to there and back. Will only be able to make the choice when we get closer to the time. Is a fun day and the proper way to bring in the New Year.
Denny & Ken
Wish I could join Cary. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Dean
Dean, We will miss seeing you there! Have a great holiday season!
Z
I think the plan right now is for Jeremy and I to do a cast (Jeremy) and blast (me) on the Dolores before I hightail it back home for work on the 2nd.
Competition is fierce for the few open waters around here this week:
What a beautiful picture!
thanks for sharing.
Will bring the black pot to share providing the roads are passable.
REW
Glad to hear you’re gonna try and make it REW. I’ll bring some baguette bread. Anything else I can bring?
Dean, wish you could make it also my friend. I was looking through my pictures the other day and saw one of you below the dam on the creek. I haven’t seen you in forever man. Guess I’m gonna have to try and make it down your way this summer.