Why I Couldn’t Resist Early Spring Fishing (Even With Rain & Chilly Air)
February 4th marked the Start of Spring, but let’s be real—my local weather didn’t get the memo. Yesterday was my day off, and when I checked the forecast? Still cold, still rainy. But here’s the thing about us anglers: a little (okay, a lot) of drizzle and a chill in the air doesn’t stop us from chasing that fishing high. So I grabbed my gear, threw on a waterproof jacket, and headed to my go-to spot—my “vegetable patch” (that’s what I call my secret creek; it never lets me down).
Early Spring Creek Fishing Spot: My Trusty “Vegetable Patch”
First off, let’s talk about this spot. It’s a tiny creek tucked away from the main roads, and it’s my happy place. Even in early spring, when most lakes are still sluggish, this creek has that magic touch. Here’s a quick look at where I set up:
Early Spring Fishing Weather: Rainy, Chilly, But Surprisingly Perfect
The old poem says, “The last snow drips secretly with ice shoots, and the new spring steals back to the willow tips.” Man, that’s spot-on. Even with the rain, you could feel the earth waking up—tiny buds on the willows, the air smelling like wet soil and fresh growth. Everything felt alive, even if the temperature was still making my fingers tingle.
And don’t even get me started on the rainy scenery. It was like a painting. The way the raindrops hit the water, the mist hanging over the creek… chef’s kiss. I snapped a few shots to capture it:
Another line popped into my head: “After the rain, the sky clears to azure—this color should be kept for later.” Yeah, that’s exactly how it looked. Fishing in that kind of beauty? My stress just melted away. Who cares if my jacket was damp? My soul was happy.
Early Spring Fishing Gear: Light, Nimble, and Perfect for Creek Fish
Early spring fish are skittish—they’re still waking up from the winter slump, so you can’t go heavy on gear. Here’s what I used, and why it worked:
- Rod: 3m Keiryu (a Japanese-style telescopic rod—super light, great for feeling tiny bites)
- Line Setup: 1.2 main line + 0.6 leader. Thin enough to not spook the fish, strong enough to handle the little fighters in the creek.
- Hooks: Size 4 barbless sleeve hooks (double hooks). Barbless is easier on the fish (and on me when I accidentally prick my finger), and sleeve hooks are perfect for small early spring bait.
Check out my setup:
Early Spring Fishing Tactics: The “Uncomfortable Angler = Happy Fish” Rule
I live by this one weird saying: “If the angler is comfortable, the fish aren’t; if the angler is uncomfortable, the fish are.” Let me break that down—it’s all about chasing the warm water (temperature-chasing fishing, for the fancy folks).
In cold early spring weather, the water at the bottom of the creek is a little warmer than the surface, and deeper spots are warmer than shallow ones. So even though I was shivering a bit standing in the rain, I knew the fish were cozy down there. That meant I had to fish the bottom—no floating baits here. I cast right into the deeper pockets of the creek, and waited for those tiny tugs.
Early Spring Fishing Results: My Creek Didn’t Disappoint
Want to know the best part? The fish were biting! Not a ton, but enough to keep me grinning. Early spring fish are small, but they fight like crazy—those little guys have so much energy after the winter. Here’s the proof:
And here’s the final haul—nothing huge, but every fish felt like a win:
Wrap-Up: Why Early Spring Fishing (Even in the Rain) Is Worth It
Today I’m back at work, but my mind’s still on that creek—on the raindrops, the willow buds, and the little fish that fought so hard. If you’re thinking about skipping early spring fishing because it’s cold or rainy, don’t. Yeah, you might get a little wet, and your fingers might go numb, but the feeling of being out there when the world is waking up? It’s priceless.
My “vegetable patch” creek delivered again, and I can’t wait for my next day off. Who knows—maybe the sun will be out, or maybe it’ll rain again. Either way, I’ll be there, rod in hand, chasing that early spring magic.
