A Cure for those Winter Blues
Fresh snow, mostly clear skies, a slight East wind, and a maze of footprints: Days like that are rare around here in the late winter months, so I have to take them when I can get them. A friend and I decided this past Saturday we’d try to use the break in the weather to shake off our cabin fever and chase a few coyotes in the desert.
We set up in a few areas and covered several miles of ground, but sadly the only animals that seemingly appeared out of nowhere were jackrabbits. Coyotes were definitely in the area though, make no mistake about that. We found hundreds of fresh tracks snaking through the sagebrush all around us. We finally coaxed one dog into responding on our last set, but my buddy shot low, and the ‘yote was gone as quickly as he came.
Aside from the missed shot, it was a good morning. After spending most days indoors the last two months, it was a much-needed break. How do you guys shake off the winter blues? What sort of activities do you do to keep your mind from going stale before spring? —Ben
I do exactly what you do. I chase coyotes like its my second religion during the winter. Ive only gotten one this year but im dfinetly gonna get more. Last saturday me and my cousin were in our blind and to coytes were howling to eachother for a good hour. Man those nights are what make sitting in 2 below weather worth it.
February 17th, 2009 at 3:02 pmI really cant spell. definetly and two. srry
February 17th, 2009 at 3:03 pmcoyote hunting is great! specially this year, i’ll be hunting them this spring too since the hides aren’t worth squat anyways. i haven’t connected on any this year yet but i’m going out this weekend! rabbit hunting is still open for a few weeks and the pigeons are starting to fly around the barns when the weather warms for a day or two. then there’s ice fishing, and when the creeks open up, beaver trapping!!! there’s never an offseason for sportsmen HaHa!
February 17th, 2009 at 6:05 pmBen-
I was at my vice tying some flies and realized that in my wholly bugger kit i got some gold beads what are those for?
February 18th, 2009 at 6:57 pmGold Beads? Huh, wonder how those got in there. . . When it comes to nymphs (like the Hare’s Ear) or streamers (like the woolly bugger), some fishermen found that adding a small bead on the front attracted fish, and helped the fly sink. They come in a variety of sizes, colors, and shapes and there are hundreds of patterns out there that you can use them on. . .
If you want, try tying a beadhead woolly bugger by sliding the bead on the hook first, then tie the fly, and end the fly with a few whip-finish knots behind the bead. Hope that helps. . . Let me know how it turns out!
February 18th, 2009 at 8:55 pmI tryed that on one of my woolly buggers, it turned out good.
February 18th, 2009 at 10:06 pmCool–glad you guys are trying that stuff out. . . I didn’t know beads were included in the kit. . . Maybe fly tying will be your new winter hobby. Its certainly one of mine!
February 19th, 2009 at 8:15 amThat worked great and my uncle wants me to bring those on our fishin trip. He said that theyll catch some of the biggest rainbows ive ever caught.
February 19th, 2009 at 5:53 pmYeah, hopefully i can find a good spot, because i haven’t fished up there that much yet
February 19th, 2009 at 7:35 pmI wanted to try ‘yote hunting this winter, but that didn’t happen. You should’ve shot, Ben; you woulda nailed him! I hope to go rabbit hunting soon. Fly tying is definitely a great pastime; even just walking my dog is fun during the winter to get out of the house. There’s always turkey hunting to get ready for, too.
February 20th, 2009 at 3:13 pmYeah, hopefully the week I draw for turkey hunting is the same as the trout opener up here.
February 20th, 2009 at 6:21 pmturkeyman, if your state doesn’t have a season, coyote hunt to your hearts content! the furs aren’t worth anything last i heard so shoot them on account of pest control…they are just as fun to shoot all spring and summer. that’s what i’m gonna do. oh by the way, i got three inches of fresh snow outside waiting for me in the morning!
February 20th, 2009 at 11:03 pm