Wonderland

335 makes for a very slow and low winter flow, but the fishing was on excellent if you found the deeper seams. I  fished the LFZ in the morning and the trek up the north side was pretty rugged in the deep snow. Most people had walked right up the river with the low flows, but Nancy's wading boots  have worn studs, so I broke trail so she wouldn't slip in the water. A few guys were already fishing when we got there, but I fished around them and pretty much had steady action. I constantly changed flies until I found the right one. Blue eggs ,  caddis larvae, and a large hare's ear with an orange beadhead were the main  producers.  Not every spot produced from my observation. The Kiddie Pool was near empty by lunch. Apparently it was very dead. We didn't have enough time in my estimation to snowshoe in very far for the afternoon session, so we walked down from the Pineville Bridge. The  far seam on the  curve was on fire, but  well taken. Broke Trail all the way to the Ace, but the low flows made for lousy drifts in shallow water. I went back upriver and  played with a few in the seam above the bridge to end the day. The crowds weren't really there, but if you wanted a prime seam/hole, you had best have gotten there first.
Lots and lots of unproductive water. I saw and heard of only dark and darker fish, so no new movements with this low water. That'll change I bet. The snow in the woods had very high water content. Some of the densest snow I've waded through in recent memory. 3' of snow would let me sink  only about 20"  but trying to swing your leg forward to bust trail took a lot of effort.
I finally figured out the right drag settings  and how to put on  the  brakes on with my new St. Croix switch. It has an odd taper , much like the Orvis mid-flexs that were almost their signature for years.  By using the middle portion of the rod, you can wear fish and let the long, flat  flex of the tip protect the tippet.  Only problem with the longer arc of this rod, is you can't quite reach fish with a short handled net. I'm gonna make a handle  extension for the Frabill  I have and like.  My feet after many hours in the water  stayed warm the majority of the time. I put some reflective insoles inside my stocking foots and they made a BIG difference. It was nice to stay in the water and not have that numb , clubbed feet feeling. I had some good conversations and interactions with guys on the river, some of whom even remembered my name from earlier this year or past years. It's great to run into people that love the winter fishery and value it as much as I do. People are far more relaxed and friendly when they're not crowded and harassed.  I saw zero garbage, zero people doing anything other than legally fishing. Maybe a few guys with a little too much weight in the zone, but nothing they probably would even got a ticket for. All in all, one of the best days I've had this year. Nothing big, nothing bright, but lots of action, lots of fight.  Can't wait til the next time.  New Year's , I think.
 

Charlie,thanks for the report,enjoyed the pictures.
Could you expand a description of those reflective insoles.I might try to fish over the holiday while visiting the daughter in Ohio and would rather wear my breathables instead of the HEAVY boot foot neos.

Awesome Charlie

Awesome man,  might get out this weekend.     Looks like t s up to around 1k, but the site mentions 335 until tonight.  Wonder if they bumped it up or if it is run off

Jack and Cape, Nanc bought me these in Wal-Mart. She said they were 7 dollars. I still had the package. I would suggest cutting a piece of heavy cardboard to the size of your foot and putting them in your stocking foots and trying on your wading boots. They take up a little room, and you surely don't want them tight. Mine are oversize for the winter. I wear a liner sock and heavy Merino wool. The Little Hotties really made the difference though. 
I hope the water goes up, but no damaging floods!  Good luck, if anyone gets out.

Charlie I did the cardboard test and I have the room so I'll be hitting Wallyworld next week to get a pair,but the neos will be there just in case ....Thanks for the info!

I've worn my breatheables on a -22 morning. But they are boot foot. I don't mess around with stocking foot in the winter time. Easy on and easy off is key and you can't beat the warmth of an insulated boot foot

Agreed they feel like clown shoes. My boot foots that I have are a 30 year old pair of streamline 5 mm neoprenes and a 10 year old pair of hodgmans breathable. I usually wet wade til its too cold. 450 is not in my budget nor is a new pair of stockings. I guess its just been engraved in my head since a child that boot foots are necessary in colder weather. Kinda also like if it ain't broke why fix it

fichy
Who the F' said anything was broke? I made a comment on what worked for me , not a comment on what's the best. Sorry if it offends your expertise.

I usually refrain from commenting too much during work hours but I can't resist... even though I try to stay away from explaining my nonsense on the webs I will not here. In regards to being "broke", I was referring to my old equipment... it works for me so why try elsewhere... I do strongly urge people away from stockings in the winter though... but what can I say, I guess I'm just an****clown in clown boots :)
No offense taken by me in the slightest. Just an obvious misunderstanding through text. And no hard feelings at all. If you choose to erase your post I will erase mine as it includes your text quoted in it...

My first response in this thread regarding boots was aimed towards jack mentioning how he wanted to wear breathables. I mentioned that I had worn breathable waders on cold days. The thread that had semi swayed towards wader discussion as many threads sway away from original topics often. I guess I'll take the assassination with honor even though I was only joining in on an already started off topic discussion. Sorry if I offended you as you blatantly are sensitive and yes it is a misunderstanding.

Happy holidays guys!
 
I'm certainly not the boss of anyone but may I suggest everyone takes a step back and a deep cleansing
breath.