I pulled out my 5-weight rod, pre-rigged with a pair of midge larvae on a 6X tippet, and began the treacherous, slippery descent to the Taylor River tailwater.

Immediately, I saw the subtle ring left by a rising trout. More rise forms followed. Two huge browns were feeding on tiny midges in the surface film. My already frosted fingers fumbled as I frantically changed the flies to a size 20 Griffith’s Gnat, with a size 22 Midge Emerger dropped 18 inches behind.

Although I didn’t catch a single fish on that trip, two hookups with trophy-sized trout convinced me that winter offers flyfishermen great fishing opportunities -- and that cold, wintry days can be quite comfortable for the angler who’s properly dressed.

The extreme cold on the Taylor River that day was mainly the result of its 9,100-foot elevation. Extreme conditions are not necessarily typical of many Western trout rivers in the winter, however. Winter temperatures along Colorado’s mountain rivers can range from toe-numbing cold to jacket-shedding warm.

Winter trout angling in the mountain states usually means tailwater fishing and targeting oversize browns and rainbows with tiny flies and ultra-light leaders.

The water flowing from a bottom-release reservoir remains at a constant temperature and typically will remain ice-free for some distance downstream, even on the very coldest days.

Tailwaters are also fertile, producing ample insect life on which the trout grow fat. Three Colorado reservoirs contain mysis shrimp, a nutritious food that bulks up the enormous fish found below the dams. The benefits of targeting winter trout are many, not the least of which is that you’ll have the stream to yourself.

Also, winter fly-fishing is a gentleman’s game -- no early-morning or late-evening fishing. There’s no need to be on the river until the sun has had ample opportunity to warm the water and stimulate insect activity, perhaps even a midge hatch.

Fishing activity usually peaks from about 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Low, cold and clear water equates to lethargic, but spooky, trout. They seek out deep, protected water with limited current flow for their preferred holding lies. Cold-water trout require less sustenance than more active summer trout; and so feed more sparingly. Trout in deep, slow currents are usually in a restful mood, not particularly interested in feeding. They will also hole up under protective cover and tend to refuse most food items that pass.