The Crooked River at this time last year was just blown out and remained so all winter and into the spring, so it feels good to be talking about it as a viable December and January spot again.
In January not much sun gets in some of those canyons, especially up high near the Bowman Dam. Some days that won’t make a difference and other days the cold gets locked in up there and you should consider going down stream where it opens up to the sun a bit more.
Midges are the #1 winter food source in all phases of life. BWO nymphs are important, but don’t expect to see much of a mayfly hatch from now until warmer period in February.
Scuds, Perdigons (purple, olive, brown #16-20), Rainbow Warriors, Olive or Brown Mini Gulp, Olive Wooly Buggers are good now and for the next 8 weeks as long as the river doesn’t freeze up or blow out.