This month really starts to bring change to the weather in the High Country. Winter is fast approaching and colder weather is here which also brings colder water temps. This will slow fishing just a bit but hardy fisherman can still be rewarded with nice catches!

As for hatches, they change quite a bit with “bugs” becoming much smaller. Look for baetis or blue winged olives in sizes 18-22 along with tiny olives in sizes 20-22. Small dark colored caddis and dark black stoneflies are also present in sizes 18-20.

As always, midges become the predominant insect hatch and trout make them a big portion of their diet. These insects are normally grey, white, black, or tan in color and most are very small, in sizes 18-26.

The ponds located along the Parkway will change quite a bit with the colder weather. Bass fishing will begin to taper off as the bass move into deeper water and feed much less during the cold months but trout can still be caught during the winter on streamer patterns or fishing sink tip lines with nymphs deeper in the water column. Trout may be found sipping midges during the day on Sims pond and Trout Lake.