In late December and most of January we fly fisherman have to deal with winter here in South Texas. However, all is not lost if you just brave the elements and get out there with them. After a few cold snaps the trout get a little lethargic but will still bite. Flies in particular are a great way to catch these s-l-o-w-e-d down fish because of it being a little tidbit of a morsel that can be worked very slowly.

When the water cools down to the mid forties to low fifties, a trout's metabolism slows way down. It no longer has to eat as much as it did back in the fall because of their slowed down metabolism. I've seen many large trout on the flats in the winter and most will not chase anything that is moving faster than a snail. It's this time of year that you find slow moving fish such as dogfish in the stomach of these larger trout.

The key to fly-fishing these guys is to wait till later in the day when the sun gets up and visibility is at its best. You don't have to be the early bird this time of year. With the sun being in the southern hemisphere this time of year the window of opportunity is small. Here in the Lower Laguna Madre the wind has to be coming from the south as well. I find that the fish tend to cooperate better then because of the water starting to warm as the sun gets higher. Trout seem to be more willing to take the fly more so then than in the early part of the day as they do in the spring and summer months.

Look first over dark grassy areas that are known to hold trout. These areas tend to warm faster because of the darker bottom and the fish tend to move sooner there. A good two tide day with an in coming tide is usually best when working these areas. Move slow and look hard for "gators" slithering along just on top of the grass and even in the grass. I've seen a lot of fish just laying there like they were taking a siesta or something and laid a fly across its nose and watched her woof it.

Big bulky flies like top water muddlers and poppers don't seem to be nearly as effective as the smaller Sea-Ducers , Winslow Whispers and Deceiver patterns in the #4 and #6 sizes. Slow sinking flies such as these will almost float when first presented and will sink like a stunned baitfish when stripped slowly and stopped in front of one of these great fish. When she takes the fly don't set with the usual strip strike as you would with a red or flounder, but lift the rod to a high angle and wait for her to finish the hook set. Most of these fish will not fight as hard as they do in the spring because of the water temp but will still gratify the most seasoned angler. Anytime you can catch a big trout on the fly or any lure it's gratifying.

When releasing these fish take extra care in reviving them. Just like in the summer when they get taxed from lack of oxygen during a fight, so this time of the year is no different. Because they can hardly move, they can hardly breathe too. So when you catch one take special care in the release. They do recover better in the cooler water than the hotter water which is a "good thing" as Martha would say.

Skipper is a freelance writer and fishing guide in South Padre Island where he and his wife Judi own and operate Island Outfitters. www.islandoutfittersspi.com 956-943-2798

Contact Skipper Ray here. Photo by Capt. Scott Sparrow