Winter Fly Fishing Tips & Techniques

This month, we are focusing on tips and techniques for winter fly fishing! Winter can be one of the most productive times of year to fish, and if you’re willing to brave the elements, you’ll be rewarded.

Benefits of Winter Fly Fishing:

• Solitude: In winter, many anglers take a break, leaving rivers and streams less crowded. This means you’ll have access to prime fishing spots without competition, leading to a more peaceful experience.
• Scenery: Winter landscapes offer a serene and often untouched beauty. Snow-covered banks, quiet forests, and icy water create a tranquil and picturesque environment for fishing.
• Challenge: Fish tend to be more selective in the winter, feeding sporadically and on smaller flies, such as midges and tiny nymphs. Successfully catching fish during this time can feel more rewarding because it requires skill, patience, and precision.
• Large Fish: Many larger fish move into slower, deeper pools to conserve energy during the colder months. This makes it easier to locate them compared to summer when fish are spread out and more mobile.
• Fine-tuned Nymphing Skills: Winter fishing challenges us to refine our nymphing techniques such as precise, quiet presentations and tuning in on subtle takes. This focus on finesse can improve overall fly fishing skills and make your summer fishing even more productive.
• Consistent Water Conditions: Rarely in the winter do you have to worry about big jumps or drops in flows. Our tailwaters are generally very consistent in their CFS throughout the winter which is helpful in eliminating flow changes as a variable. Water temps are also very consistent and safe for fish – no worrying about harming fish due to warm water.

Tips & Techniques for Fishing in Winter

Preparation and Gear

• Dress for the Cold
  • Layer clothing to stay warm and dry. Use moisture-wicking base layers, insulating mid-layers, and a waterproof outer layer. Avoid cotton and stick to wool and synthetic clothing and socks.
  • Wear waders and wading boots with good traction to prevent slipping on icy banks. Adding studs to your boots helps especially in the winter, but in the summer too!
  • Invest in fingerless gloves and hand warmers to keep hands functional without losing dexterity.
• Carry the Right Tools
  • Use a landing net to minimize fish handling in cold temperatures.
  • Using black nitrile gloves will keep your hands warm and dry but allow you to handle fish safely (nitrile gloves don’t remove a trout’s protective slime).
  • Bring a small thermometer to measure water temperature; activity typically picks up around 40°F (4-6°C).
• Safety First
  • Avoid wading into fast-moving or icy water. Check that the icy or snowy bank you’re walking on has dirt underneath, and isn’t just an ice overhang that can break loose underfoot.
  • Fish with a buddy when possible, and always carry a safety whistle and phone in a waterproof case.
  • Keep a towel, hand warmers, and extra change of warm clothes in your vehicle. Hypothermia can hit fast so it’s best to be prepared incase of an accidental swim.

Where to Fish

• Focus on Slow, Deep Pools
  • In cold water, fish conserve energy and often rest in deeper, slower-moving areas where the current is less strong. Start your drift above the pool and let it naturally drop in and dead-drift through for a natural presentation.
• Find Sunlit Areas
  • Fish may gravitate toward sections of the water warmed by sunlight.
  • Late morning to early afternoon is typically the best time to fish. Sleep in!
• Look for Springs and Tailwaters
  • Spring-fed streams and tailwaters from dams tend to maintain consistent temperatures, making them more active in winter.

Fly Selection

• Use Small Flies
  • Winter trout are often feeding on tiny insects like midges, small baetis nymphs, or small stoneflies. Size 18–24 flies are often ideal.
• Match the Hatch
  • Pay attention to what’s available to trout. Midges, winter stoneflies, and blue-winged olives are common winter hatches. Check out our up-to-date Fishing Reports for even more specific flies to use, and screenshot them so you can remind yourself when you don’t have phone service on the river.
• Have Weighted Flies and Indicators
  • Get your nymphs or streamers down to where the fish are holding by using bead-head patterns without split shot. Gin-clear water and lower flows can make trout even more spooky when it comes to anything unnatural such as split shot.

Techniques

• Nymphing Dominates
  • Dead-drift nymph rigs through slow runs and pools. Consider using a tandem rig with a larger, weighted fly (e.g., a stonefly nymph) and a smaller midge pattern.
  • Use an indicator to detect subtle takes, the smaller the better, or use a yarn style indicator for an even softer landing and more sensitive response.
• Streamers for Aggression
  • Slowly strip or swing streamers through deeper sections to trigger strikes from more aggressive fish.
  • Opt for natural colors like olive, brown, or black, as fish are less likely to chase bright patterns in winter.
• Dry Fly Opportunities
  • On warm days with active hatches, small midge dry flies like Griffith’s Gnats or on cloudy or snowy days, small Blue-Winged Olive imitations can produce. The Mole Fly is my favorite dry fly in the winter. Cast delicately for these selective feeders.

Presentation and Patience

• Slow Everything Down
  • Fish move and feed less energetically in cold water. Slow down your retrieve and drift speed to match their energy levels.
• Stay Low and Stealthy
  • Clear, low water in winter makes fish extra wary. Keep a low profile and approach spots carefully.
• Be Persistent
  • Winter fishing requires patience. Cast multiple times to the same spot to entice inactive fish.

By adjusting your techniques and embracing the challenges of winter fly fishing, you can enjoy a uniquely serene and rewarding angling experience. For even more information, check out our video below, or check our calendar and join our upcoming Winter Fly Fishing 2-Part Class!