Your Best Bets for February Trout Fishing in the Rocky Mountains

February 18, 2014 By Brian Strickland

Here's a sample of some great destinations to help you plan your next fishing trip and be sure to check out the solunar fishing calendar on In-Fisherman!

Let's take a look at the options available for February Trout Fishing in the Rocky Mountains.

FEBRUARY

Rainbow Trout

San Juan River

If you dream of spending a warm early spring day tossing tiny flies to large rainbows, then you should make plans to spend some time on New Mexico's storied San Juan River; it just might be the best rainbow trout tailwater in the Southwest! This jewel begins below Navajo Dam in northwest New Mexico, and rumor has it there are as many as 80,000 trout swimming throughout the first 4-mile section of quality water below the dam. Needless to say, a fishery of this magnitude does see its share of visitors. Despite this, catch rates are very good and rainbows, even a few browns, average around 16 inches. Twenty-plus-inch brutes are often witnessed bending anglers' rods as well.

Early spring fishing can be phenomenal on the San Juan as trout are often seen rising on midges. With this in mind, toss aside those #14 to #20 summertime flies and start tying on #24 to #26 midge and BWO patterns.

T-REIGN TETHER

www.t-reignoutdoor.com

Anglers like their tools close by. And it's even better if it's connected to you so it doesn't go in the drink. T-Reign retractable gear tethers hold onto your pliers, hemostats or landing net. Several size options. Carabiner connects to D-ring, belt loop or strap, or use the stainless steel clip on belt or pack.

Suzuki DF15A/20A EFI

www.suzukimarine.com

MSRP: $3,329/$3,738.

Suzuki's two new four-stroke, two-cylinder portable outboards have a compression reduction system for easier starting. The 20hp tiller model weighs 97 pounds the eletric-start model weighs 106 pounds. Single overhead cam, four-valve engine with Suzuki's Lean Burn Control and bat-tery-less electronic fuel injection. Built for running in skinny water, both motors come with five tilt pin positions and 15- or 20-inch shaft.

SCATTER RAP

www.rapala.com

MSRP, $8.99.

Rapala is hoping the new Scatter Rap Series lures and their 'evasive action ' will be as popular as the original 'wounded minnow ' style action that the company is famous for. The new lure has a 'Scatter Lip ' that creates an evasive, erratic, aggressive sweep-ing action. Ideal for multispecies gamefish, the Scatter Rap Series is available in 14-16 classic and new color patterns. Baits 5- to 9-feet deep.

GEAR GRABBAR

www.geargrabbar.com

MSRP, $18.95 per pair.

The original Gear Grabbar is a unique way to hold lures and tools at the ready in boats. But the new Lure Hangar is a step beyond. This is a 12- by 16 1/2-inch plate,m ade to mount on your gunwhale, that holds 16 or more lures. There's enough room for a selection of jig, plugs, topwaters or whatever other baits you want to hang.

HONDA OUTBOARD

www.marine.honda.com

MSRP, $24,025.

Honda Marine's BF250 outboard is a 24-valve 3.6-liter V6 that uses varia-ble valve timing and lift electronic control (VTEC). Programmed fuel injection delivers the precise amount of fuel and air to each cylinder for easy starts and instant throttle re-sponse. 20-, 25- and 30-inch shaft models.

TACKLE TOTE VEST

www.fishandhunt.com

MSRP, $19.99.

If you wade when you fish, Fish-N-Hunt Pro Gear designed a Tackle Tote Vest that to keep gear accessible but dry when you're standing in deeper waters. It's adjustable, sturdy, has lots of pockets and a modest pricetag.

FLEX 'N GO TACKLE SATCHEL

www.planoMolding.com

MSRP, $24.99-$29.99.

On-the-go anglers will find a lot to like in Plano's new Flex 'N Go Tack-le Satchel. It features adjustable built-in storage with a deep bin on one side and framework for the pair of swap-pable Plano 3600 StowAway boxes on the other, each Stowaway held with a flexible strap.

CABELA'S RAINGEAR

www.cabelas.com

Jackets MSRP, $249.99-$269;
Bibs, $229.99-$249.99.

Cabela's Guidewear raingear now comes in four distinct series. Bass Angler (pictured) jackets and bibs are built with the tournament bass angler in mind. Xtreme parkas and bibs will help anglers fishing Northern lakes and rivers. Tidal jackets and pants offer lightweight, waterproof and breathable protection. River Runner jackets are perfect for wading anglers.

BERKLEY JAR BAIT FOLDER

www.berkley-fishing.com

MSRP, $14.99-$19.99.

Anglers who use jar baits know it's a pain to carry more than a few. Berk-ley now has two Jar Bait Folders to keep the baits at hand and make them easy to transport. Model 1170 holds 10 jars. Model 1490 holds 16. Both have various pockets and a D-ring for pliers.

BERKLEY TRILENE XL

www.berkley-fishing.com

Berkley says they've improved a classic. New Trilene XL lines are now 10 percent stronger 20 percent more flexibility then they had been. Knot strength has also improved, said the company. Trilene XL has been around since 1972.

AV MICRO

www.Aquavu.com

MSRP, $299.

The new AV Micro is a complete underwater camera system that is the same size as a smart phone. On the boat or off the dock, use it to see where fish are hanging out. 3 1/2-inch diagonal display. Built-in rechargea-ble lithium ion batteries.

SMITHWICK ROGUE

www.smithwick-lures.com

MSRP, $6.99.

Smithwick Rogue's has been a stand-ard in bass-anglers' tackle boxes for years. Now they've got a new twist on the famous jerkbait. The Perfect 10 Rogue has a new lip de-sign, to get deeper, quicker than other jerkbaits.

SIMMS WEATHER GEAR

www.simmsfishing.com

MSRP, jacket $349, bibs $299.

Simms designed its Contender Gore-Tex jacket and bibs for anglers who need reliability when they are motor-ing on the water at 70 mph in rain and wind. Waterproof and breathable. Cuffs are water tight and adjustable.

Where are your favorite fishing spots in the Rocky Mountains? "Like" us and share your opinions on G&F Facebook!

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Your Best Bets for February Trout Fishing in the Rocky Mountains

FEBRUARY

Rainbow Trout

San Juan River

T-REIGN TETHER

Suzuki DF15A/20A EFI

SCATTER RAP

GEAR GRABBAR

HONDA OUTBOARD

TACKLE TOTE VEST

FLEX 'N GO TACKLE SATCHEL

CABELA'S RAINGEAR

BERKLEY JAR BAIT FOLDER

BERKLEY TRILENE XL

AV MICRO

SMITHWICK ROGUE

SIMMS WEATHER GEAR

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