While most are sitting in the comfort of their home tying flies and daydreaming about fishing, a small group of fly-fishing junkies lace up their waders and head toward the river to get their fix. With frost, snow, and a sniffle it’s hard to stay focused on fishing but once you hook a fish, adrenaline kicks in and you quickly warm up. That said, catching trout in the winter is no easy walk in the park. It requires grit, determination, and a never-say-die attitude to catch fish. Check out the 3 tips below to make the most of your winter outings.
Appeal to a slow metabolism: During the winter, a trout’s metabolism slows down, translating to less feeding and movement. To successfully target fish, you’ll need to throw small patterns that are easy to eat. Tiny midges are perfect for the job; we’ve got you covered with our midge subsurface fly assortment. You’ll be able to confidently hit the water with an array of size 16-18 tried and true winter patterns tied on Ahrex hooks. In regards to technique, both indicator and euro nymphing are perfect for the job as they allow the fly to slowly bounce around the bottom right in line with the fish. Keep in mind that winter trout are moody so choosing the right tippet is pivotal. Our favorite setup is a two-fly rig tied on 6x or 7x. While one fly bounces bottom another fly covers the middle column, giving you the best shot at a fish.
Dress for success: Count on it being cold! While wearing warm clothes is a no brainer, there’s a few hidden tools that make winter fishing a much more comfortable and enjoyable experience. First things first, neoprene waders are a must! Standard waders are breathable and made to keep you cool as you walk through the water. Neoprene is the opposite, it traps and retains heat, which helps keep you warm throughout the day. Another tool is convertible gloves. Typical gloves can interfere with your sense of touch, which reduces your confidence. With the right pair of convertible gloves, you’ll be able to easily grip the fly line while also keeping your palms warm.
Pick your days: At Postfly we're all about hitting the water whenever you can but the winter is truly brutal. The chance of you catching a fish on a bitterly cold day is pretty slim. If you can time your outings around a few warmer days the fish might just be a little more active. In the game of winter fishing, giving yourself a slight edge is the difference between catching and blanking out. Ideal winter conditions include warm days when the sun is able to beat down on the water and potentially raise water temperatures a degree or two. As for timing, the middle of the day is typically the warmest so plan to hit the water around noon.