If you follow my reports, you know that Rufus Woods Reservoir and Lake Roosevelt are a couple of my favorite winter fisheries. They aren’t the only ones, though. There is a special opportunity in our area to fly fish throughout the winter months. Rocky Ford Creek, near Ephrata, is spring fed so it doesn’t freeze up. There are abundant numbers of big rainbow trout in Rocky Ford. The populations are maintained by an agreement with Trout Lodge, who produces the triploids for the WDFW and others for planning programs. The rainbow in Rocky Ford aren’t triploids, but they get BIG. My personal best is a 27-inch fish, and I have seen even larger fish taken here. Rocky Ford is fly fishing only, and you can’t wade. This can make casting a challenge in some areas, but there is plenty of good spots where casting isn’t difficult. I have had my best success with an olive Mini Leech and Ultra Scud combo. In shallow water I just cast the Mini Leech. I have also caught some big ones stripping a white Bunny Leech in the afternoons. A Scud or chironomid pattern under an indicator is the most-often used method by fly anglers on Rocky Ford.