For me, walking a grass valley floor, and fishing its meandering stream is about the most relaxing and enjoyable kind of day I know. Especially when the stream is full of self-populating, wild, native trout! Because these valleys are wide open, an angler can rig up just about any fly rod in his quiver he desires. I usually use one of three graphite rod models when fishing grassy meadows in my regular rotation: 376, 480, and 586 fly rods. They work perfectly in these meandering streams, and I'll select one based on the mood I happen to be in for the day. Yeah, life is good when the most difficult decision of the day is which rod to rig up.
The rod on the tailgate (photo below) is a 7'6" 3wt Winston IM6 model built in 1997. It is my favorite rod in that size. I will usually rig up a 3wt rod when the wind is light or when it's completely calm on this particular stream. Sometimes the valley below has a bit of a stronger breeze, and I'll then use an 8' 4wt rod just to make it easier for casting a fly with some accuracy.
Yeah, these are the kind of streams I dream about through the winter months. Each day now is longer than the last. And, today, it is the eve of 2026! My fly fishing rituals during winter is the same each year. I'll research if any fishing rules have changed for the streams I like to fish...buy a new fishing license for New Mexico and Colorado. I also like to reserve a few places like campsites or cabins to lock in some fishing days in familiar places of mine.
I wonder where that first trout will be hitting my landing net? Will the first catch come from a meandering stream with dormant grass still? Or, on a little mountain creek cascading down through canyon walls, in search of a valley floor? Yup, I'm getting a bit punchy for dry fly fishing in the new year!
Happy New Year Everyone!
2026
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