Some small creeks and streams have a very narrow window of opportunity from year to year, especially during early-season runoff, and there can be a fine line between “too much” and “too little” water… such is the case with Cold Creek, a little over an hour away from home. Winter snowpack, Spring rains and June weather all play a part in what conditions you might find the water when first arriving at the creek. Last year the runoff was so high and fast that it wasn’t safe to wade early in the season, and I couldn’t even really get a fly on the water until mid-June!

Had a pretty good feeling about it this year, however, so decided to take a chance and take a look last week. Much to my pleasant surprise, found the water to be pretty much in the “just about right” category, and had a great morning wandering along and catching a bunch of pretty little rainbows and browns in the deeper runs where they normally hang out…