Top 5 Tips for Winter Fly Fishing

When fall comes to a close, most anglers prefer to stow away their rods and reels, hang up the waders, break out the fly-tying vise, and call it a year. Other anglers plan trips to warmer waters in exotic locations to satisfy their fishing needs. For the rest of us psychopaths, fly fishing doesn't stop when snow hits the ground. Believe it or not, fish are still (somewhat) active in the winter months, scavenging for enough food to sustain themselves through the season. To catch these fish, it is necessary to make tactical adjustments to combat the variables of this challenging time. Fly fishing in the winter is very different than fishing in warmer seasons of the year, and requires a different approach in order to achieve success.

Here is a short list of strategies I employ to increase my odds while fishing in the winter:

Top 5 Tips for Winter Fly Fishing

1. Staying Warm

2. Winter Flies

3. Low and Slow

4. Best Conditions

5. Tailwaters

Tip One: Staying Warm

This may seem like an obvious tip, but it is an extremely important consideration that greatly affects the type of day you are going to have on the water. Wintertime conditions quickly change with storm systems and wind, often dipping into the negatives. Staying warm is not only essential for your comfort, but it is imperative for your safety on these chilly days. Hypothermia is a serious risk and can be a real factor with an accidental slip into the water you are wading. There is an inherent danger to spending time outdoors in the winter, which is only amplified with time spent in the water. Taking the cold seriously and preparing for the worst is vital, and can be made simple by following a few thoughtful measures.

• Layer up! Multiple layers help to maintain body heat. Wear a beanie or other warm hat that covers ears. Moisture-wicking base layers and socks are key!
• Utilize hand warmers in pockets or gloves.
• Keep a dry cloth on hand. Fishing line delivers moisture to your hands, and freezing days require gear maintenance AKA chipping ice out of your rod eyelets. Use cloth to dry wet hands/arms.
• Bring a fire-starting device such as a lighter or small box of matches in a ziplock. This can come in handy if disaster strikes and you get soaked in the stream.
• Store a blanket and a towel in your car. Not only helpful to keep in your car for any winter disaster scenario, but is also a great tool to dry off and warm up after a day on the water.
• Keep moving! Don't be afraid to try multiple sections of water, or just take a short walk if you get cold. Moving helps elevate your bo
  dy's core temperature, so feel free to stretch those legs.

Tip Two: Winter Flies

In the heart of winter, there are occasional, area-dependent flying insect hatches that some anglers like to target, but these hatches are few and far between. Let's just face it; winter is not a good time for dry flies. I probably lost a few readers there, but if you are excited to work deep holes with wet flies and streamers, winter is your time to shine! Worms, small midges, attractor patterns, and stonefly nymphs are all viable wet fly options, as well as baitfish and crayfish patterns for streamers. The following is a list of must-have nymph patterns for most winter fishing situations.

• Squirmy Wormy. Many fly anglers call this pattern sacrilege, but I call it effective. This pattern works all year, regardless of hatch or water condition. Pink or red are your best bet.
• Zebra Midge. One of the smallest nymph options, this little guy has a tendency to attract big fish. A superior tailwater pattern, this general chironomid imitation makes for the perfect dropper to imitate any small bug existing under the water's surface. Black or red are killers.
• Rainbow Warrior. Unlike its tropical name, this warrior works wonders in cold environments. Its colorful head makes way for a shiny body that proves itself irresistible to even the most stubborn trout.
• TJ Hooker. My personal favorite rubber legs pattern, the TJ Hooker is a fantastic lead fly to weigh down your set-up. This yummy pattern works year-round and has a tendency to attract larger trout.

Tip Three: Low and Slow

Due to freezing water temperatures, trout tend to look for the warmest possible areas in the stream. This is typically in the slowest moving water and deep pockets, where they are not required to work very hard or use excessive energy. Trout are in an energy-conserving state during the winter, and are often so lackadaisical they will only move a few inches at a time for a drifting food source. Winter fish also show a tendency to congregate in larger groups together, all forced to hold in the same areas to avoid excessive energy use and vigor.

What does this information mean to the angler? It means that these fish are harder to locate, but if you can find one, you are likely to find others. Be on the lookout for deep pools and drop-offs, slower flows on the inside of bends, and long deep runs. Remember: low and slow water is key! If you start to catch trout, it is best to stay in place and feed them all the hits from your box. If you aren't catching anything, feel free to move on to the next target area.

Tip Four: Best Conditions

Fishing during the chilliest parts of the day can be a miserable experience. Cold winter conditions not only affect us, but they also affect trout populations immensely. Due to the low water temperatures, trout are nearly slowed down to a halt and only move as much as absolutely necessary during the coldest parts of the day. This means that during the heat of the day (warmest water temps), trout become much more active.

Fly fishing in the early morning and late evening may be the best tactic for other times of year, but during the winter months, the best time of day to fish is the afternoon. With a few hours of sun to warm up the water, this is your most productive window of opportunity to work the stream. It is helpful to keep in mind the previous day/night's conditions, as storm systems or sub-zero freezes will affect the following day's recovery rate as well. Ultimately, remember to sleep in, and get off the water as soon as it becomes too cold. Enjoy the afternoon sunshine and look for some fish!

Tip Five: Tailwaters

Are you getting the wintertime fishing blues because all of your local freestone rivers are frozen? Don't fret! Tailwater fisheries are here to save the day!

Dams create a consistent flow of water that fish can rely on and often do not reach the same freezing temperatures experienced by their freestone relatives. Trout patterns nearest to the dam remain the least affected (the further from the dam, the colder the water gets) and can be counted on in even the worst of conditions. Directly below dams, tailwater fisheries also have a lesser affected bug cycle, continuing to produce midges, shrimp, and scuds. Sometimes reaching a tailwater fishery requires a trip, but it is well worth the hassle to satisfy your irresistible fly fishing cravings.

Please note: Not all tailwaters stay unfrozen! My current residence in Wisconsin has two tailwater salmon fisheries nearby that both freeze solid during the winter. Be sure to perform your due diligence by researching your local fishery to determine if it is fishable during the winter.

Conclusion

"Just because it's winter, it doesn't mean fly fishing is over." You will hear this in many fly shops you visit, and sometimes they will even tell you it is one of their favorite seasons to fish. There are little to no crowds, the fish are still swimming around eating, and it can be a beautiful time of year to be outside. Winter is certainly one of the more challenging seasons to fish, but catching trout can be accomplished using sound methods with the right approach. You may be in for a surprise; winter fishing can lead to some impressive results!

Sharing the Water

Where do we draw the line when it comes to sharing the water with other anglers? This is an ancient debate resulting in friendships and nemeses made on the river. As anglers, we have a tendency to be a bit selfish. Ideally, we want the greatest stretch of water, the honey hole, all to ourselves. We certainly don’t want anyone nearby to out-fish us. I have a habit of eavesdropping on neighboring fishermen, tracking their catch rate to ensure they are not ahead of me. If they start to catch fish, I might give a “thumbs up” of approval, but on the inside my frustration can quickly boil over. Public land is a remarkable concept that unfortunately creates a complicated ecosystem when all anglers own the same land. Encountering other anglers is inevitable in many fly fishing settings, and it is sometimes met with vitriol and disapproval. Although it may feel warranted, this attitude is detrimental to the sport, and has no place in the world of modern fly fishing.

Fly fishing is often considered an individualist activity. Many anglers are motivated by the quiet serenity of the outdoors, accompanied by free flowing currents and the promise of a fish. They are taking a breath from their daily obligations, to relax and enjoy a stream to themselves. Time and effort have been spent, finding the perfect location, choosing the right flies, investigating the current CFS and weather conditions. All seems to be going to plan, until a jacked up truck blasting music pulls up to the bank, disrupting the tranquility of the peaceful scene that was. A few college kids jump out and give a wave while hiking directly to your target water. Now, as an angler you have a few options:

1. Give up and go home.

2. Curse them out. (SOBs)

3. Share a smile, wave back, determining if you need to move on, or stay in place.

If you are a true fly fisherman, then option number one is clearly not the acceptable answer. Our egos could never handle giving up, and there’s always another fish around the bend (even if there isn’t).

Option number two is probably the easiest; to direct a snarky comment to these nimrods, to shake your head and roll your eyes. It feels like justice to let them have it, to “teach these damn out-of-staters a lesson”. But I don’t believe this accomplishes anything productive.

It can be painful, but I am of the opinion that option number three is your best bet. This option is not only the best option for oneself, but for the betterment of the sport in general. 

Maintaining a positive attitude is imperative in the sport of fly fishing, and there are far more impending variables on the water that require this practice. If other anglers show up, why should this ruin your trip? For the effort and energy spent to get to your fishing hole, a few anglers sharing this enjoyable activity in the same vicinity should not be allowed to make the difference on your attitude. And what are the odds these anglers are simply uneducated, unaware of standard fishing courtesies? This type of behavior is far more common with beginners, versus those of us who have logged years in practice. Etiquette is learned by time spent on the water, and through positive interactions with friendly anglers. If these anglers are faced with harsh backlash and discouragement, they will not be motivated to revisit the water, partaking in this sport we love and cherish.

Responding to unaware anglers in a negative and demeaning way is remarkably damaging to the future of fly fishing. Fly fishing is made possible by anglers who advocate for public access, clean up streams, protect native fish habitats, the list goes on. Without our fellow fishermen, the fly fishing we experience today would be in a poor state, or possibly not exist at all. To be stewards of the game, we need to make an effort to be polite and respectful to all, even if they do not share the same prerogative. Showing this initiative creates a culture that welcomes anglers and encourages immersion in the sport, rather than turning positive investment away from our waters. 

I personally despise the pretentious, condescending stigma earned by some of our snobby fly fishing predecessors. Let’s be the ones who are willing to make change, starting with our attitudes. I urge you to keep these values in mind next time you encounter other anglers on the water. Remember, they are just like us, trying to make the most of their time chasing a beautiful animal in its natural setting.

Best Fly Fishing Christmas Gift Ideas 2023

Christmas is officially right around the corner, and you still don’t have presents sitting under the tree. We have all been there; waiting until the last moments of December to finally complete our Christmas checklist. In fact, I’m currently writing this blog to procrastinate buying presents for my loved ones. Never mind that. This blog is about you, not me. Anyways… To complicate matters, the person who you are buying for is a fly angler. With all their gizmos, gadgets, sharp hooks, and feathers, it can be very difficult to navigate the fly fishing gear world, especially for someone completely disassociated from the sport. To solve this conundrum, I have compiled a list here based on general price points to help guide your Christmas shopping, without getting lost in all the complexities of fly fishing equipment.

DISCLAIMER: Although I have attached hyperlinks for shopping convenience, I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you check out your local fly shop beforehand for the items listed. Nothing compares to the knowledge, service, and care these shops provide. The holiday season is an extremely important time for these small businesses, so please do your due diligence and give them the support they deserve this Christmas. 

Please see the following links to a few of my personal favorite shops and small businesses:

Tight Lines Fly Fishing Company: https://tightlinesflyshop.com/

Rock Creek Fisherman's Mercantile: https://rcmerc.com/

Blackfoot River Outfitters: https://blackfootriver.com/

Grizzly Hackly Fly Shop: https://grizzlyhackle.com/

Missoulian Angler Fly Shop: https://www.missoulianangler.com/

True Water Fly Shop: https://truewatermt.com/

Blue Line Co.: https://www.bluelineflies.com/

Price Point: $1-$15

Look, sometimes you just need that perfect stocking stuffer or something easy for a friend at a Christmas party. Maybe this is part of a larger gift bag or something fun and simple for a work colleague! Any gift goes a long way, and these gifts are bound to please a fly fisher in more ways than you might expect.

• Fly Fishing Sticker

All fly fishermen love stickers. Applicable to car windows, Yeti coolers, Thules, water bottles, etc.

• Flies

This is the name of the game in this sport. If you don’t know what to get, I would recommend that you visit your local fly shop to ask them if they can help you pick a small handful of “winners” AKA flies that work. Remember to shop within your budget. These flies may be small, but they add up fast!

• Tapered Leader/Tippet

When choosing a tapered leader or tippet, it is helpful to know what species of fish your angler likes to target. Line strength is measured in lbs using an X formula. If you know the species, a quick online check will suffice. 4x or 5x are great for most general trout applications. Scientific Angler, Rio, and Orvis are good brands.

• Strike Indicators (bobbers)

Does your fly angler catch a lot of fish? This is because they prefer to fish with nymphs. Get them a bobb- I mean strike indicator. Best brand is Oros, I would go with them.

• Nippers

Optional alternative to human teeth used as a tool for cutting line. Not only satisfies anglers but saves their teeth in the process.

Price Point: $16-30

As we approach the next level of fly fishing gifts, keep in mind that previous gifts can simply be multiplied to attain your desired price point. If the following gifts are not your speed, then maybe a combo of the previous gifts will make for the perfect Christmas present. Fishing equipment is constantly broken, worn down, or lost, so multiples are typically not a concern for fly anglers.

• Fly Fishing Literature

Obviously not a gift for everybody, but if you are gifting to a reader, this is a perfectly viable option! You won't go wrong with narrative stories like The Optimist (see my previous blog for a full book review), technical guides like Small Mouth Modern Fly Fishing Methods, Tactics, and Techniques, or location-specific books such as Flyfishers Guide to Northwest Montana's Mountain Lakes.

• Local Swag

Anglers love to rep their water, and what better way to show your roots than by sporting a shirt or hat from your local fly shop. This is an awesome gift that supports small businesses while fulfilling your angler's innate desire to prove they fish in the area.

• Mystery Box

This is a fantastic gift idea (not to mention my personal favorite) for fly anglers of all experience levels. Typically, mystery boxes include a randomized mixture of flies, with an additional surprise such as stickers, leader, floatant, etc. Popular grab n' go boxes are the PostFly Fly Fishing Kit, or Blue Line Co. Holiday Gift Bundle. 

Price Point: $31-60

This next level of fly fishing gifts begins to shift from light gear and apparel to performance items. These items may be used more purposefully, and are great gifts for anglers in need of an upgrade or replacement.

• Net

Fishing nets come in a variety of price points, but for most fly anglers a net of this caliber offers the best mixture of quality and durability to fit their needs. A preferable netting should be rubber material, versus mesh. If your angler currently has a mesh net, this is a great opportunity to upgrade their net from one that snags hooks, hurts fish, and tears, to a more durable one that catches and releases fish safely and effectively.

• Wading Socks

Maybe not the most fashionable, but extremely practical for wade fishing with boots. Great gift for anglers without boats.

• Fishing Vest

Vests allow the angler to comfortably carry flies and gear to the river. Transporting equipment to the river can be a hassle, and a good vest allows an angler to conveniently switch flies or swap set-ups on the go.

Price Point: $61-100

Okay, I realize this is a big price jump with a wide range. But as the price point increases, there is quite a bit of price variability per item. To help simplify this, I am going to continue to highlight products I believe are valuable and cost-effective.

• Sun Shirts

Hood or no hood, these shirts work magic for the angler facing the elements. Sun shirts prevent sunburn and eliminate wind harassment, creating the perfect armor for avid fishermen. For the best quality, in a budget-friendly package, I strongly recommend Columbia PFG shirts. For the best all-around performance and comfort, I would recommend Free Fly sunshirts.

• Fly Line

I am of the opinion that fly line is often more important than the rod itself. Fly line is an absolute game-changer when it comes to smooth casting, accurate line placement, and giving an effective presentation. Fly line can be tricky to purchase, so be sure to keep your receipt! 

Fly line needs to match the weight of the rod. First, determine what type of rod your gift recipient uses. For example, most trout anglers prefer to use a 5-weight rod. When purchasing a line, be sure to purchase a 5-weight line.

Scientific Angler makes a fantastic all-around floating line called "Infinity". This weight-forward (WF) line is great for dry flies, nymphs, and streamers, and is available at a multitude of price points. I would recommend Mastery Infinity for beginners, Amplitude Smooth Infinity for advanced anglers, or Amplitude Textured for extremely avid anglers.

• Fly Reel

The fly fishing community faces a deep divide on the importance of fly reels. Are they glorified line holders? Or are they the backbone of all fly fishing equipment? I don't really know. I do know that they get really expensive really fast. I've had great experiences with "cheaper reels", and this year a few releases have caught my attention as awesome options for a solid price point. Check out the Orvis Battenkill reels, or the fashionable Bozeman Fly Works Hamilton reel.

• Mapping Subscription

Finding public land is not always an easy task. As responsible fly anglers, we want to fish legally and safely within our boundaries. Apps like Onx and TroutRoutes are key for this, including features such as public/private land mapping, satellite imagery, offline GPS, distance measuring tools, and more. A year-long subscription to either of these services is a great gift for the modern fly fisher, and may even save them in a sticky situation.

Price Point: $101+

Once you pass $100, you can start to look at the big three of fly fishing. Fly rods, waders, and boots. Let's start with waders and boots. These items are extremely important items for use on the water, and they are essential for the wade fisher to fish through every season.

• Waders

I am not sure if there is a more dominant brand in fly fishing than Simms when it comes to waders. They own the market, and for good reason. Simms waders are the most durable, most comfortable, most breathable waders on the block. They come with a hefty price point but also include one of the best warranties offering full coverage for 365 days. Recommended waders are the Freestone Waders, the Watershed Waders, or the Guide Classic Waders.

• Wading Boots

There is nothing worse than uncomfortable, unstable fishing boots that leak water and slip on the rocks. This can turn an exciting fishing adventure into a disaster in an instant, so it is good to have high-quality fishing boots to depend on. New releases like the Danner/Patagonia Tractor and Riversalt boots are being met with stellar reviews. I have worn completely through my Korkers wading boots, and they continue to support me in the river by some sort of miracle, so I am apt to recommend them any day. Simms wading boots are another excellent choice and pair nicely with their finely tuned waders.

Time to finally look at some fishing rods! This is the initial investment to get into the sport, whether a rod and reel combo or a nice fly rod on its own. Or maybe the angler you are shopping for needs a backup rod? Or do they need a backup for their backup rod? Or maybe a backup for their backup's backup? They will probably explain why they need it in a roundabout way that doesn't make sense to anyone but themselves. But why blame them! Here are a few gift ideas to encourage their problem, not fix it.

• Rod and Reel Combo Kit

If you fly fish and are looking to get either your spouse, child, or friend into the sport, it's hard to go wrong with a rod and reel combo kit. These are usually budget-friendly, and include everything you need to hit the water that very day. I would personally recommend the Scheels Outfitters Premium Fly Fishing Combo Kit, in 5-weight for smaller species and trout, or in 8-weight for larger species and bass. With an attractive price, this is an impossible combo kit to beat for the quality it provides (see my recent gear review).

• Fly Rod

Gifting a fly rod is perfect for beginner, advanced, and elite anglers alike. Instead of buying a combo kit for a beginner, you can buy a rod at the exact same price that holds a much higher value. This is assuming the recipient already has a reel, or that you could also gift an inexpensive reel off Facebook Marketplace, or one you found in the back of your shed. You can gift that same type of rod to an advanced angler as a backup, or level them up with a wide range of rod choices. I would recommend the Echo Lift or the Orivis Clearwater for beginners, or as a backup fly rod. For more advanced anglers, I would recommend the Orvis Recon, my personal favorite. If you are looking for a gift of the highest magnitude, I would recommend the Orvis Helios 3D, which is basically the Ferrari of fly rods as far as I am concerned.

Conclusion

Finding the perfect gift for a fly angler isn't easy, so I hope this list will help generate some creative ideas for you to use this Christmas season. At the end of the day, your angler is going to be satisfied, no matter what they get. As much money as you may spend, just remember the most important gift is time spent with your loved ones. I cherish every moment I get to spend with mine, especially on the water. If you give the gift of fly fishing this year, maybe consider joining your loved one on their next trip to the stream. They will be grateful for your presence, and you will be able to share a memory with them that far transcends the significance of any material good.

Merry Christmas and God Bless!

Fly Fishing Book Review: The Optimist by David Coggins

When my brother first gifted me The Optimist, I was shocked to see that this evaluative fly fishing book was written by the ultra-marathon running, former Navy Seal, and best-selling author David Goggins. Upon slightly closer examination, I was able to determine my mistake. 

The author of The Optimist, David Coggins, is the best-selling writer of Men and Style, writer of Men and Manners, and a frequent contributor to The Financial Times, Esquire, along with several other publications. As it is made clear in this book, (and even clearer on his Instagram, @davidrcoggins), Coggins prefers to spend his remaining time fly fishing around the globe. Although he claims the streams of upstate New York as his “home water”, he will frequent the remote Andros flats in the Bahamas, the mythical chalk streams of the UK, the beautifully picturesque Rock Creek near Missoula, and the list goes on. 

In The Optimist, Coggins takes us on many of these fishing journeys, accompanied by an important lesson learned from each one. In an account reminiscent of my own journey, Coggins details the trip from his humble beginnings fly fishing for bass in Wisconsin, to the legendary trout rivers of Montana. Reading this passage was surreal; This fall my fiancé and I relocated from our home waters in Montana to our new residence in Wisconsin. To relive that drive in reverse through Coggin’s writing was a perfectly relatable experience. Where he considered trout fishing in Montana as the proving grounds of his development, I felt like moving to Wisconsin and fishing for Great Lakes salmon was mine. This chapter sub-titled “Assurance” is told with elegance and honesty, Coggins’s forte as he navigates the great failures and successes that accompany the sport. He is willing to admit his shortcomings, while still divulging moments of glory that fly fishers can enjoy in an accessible manner.

Coggins not only displays an exceptional ability to relate to the modern angler but is also able to paint the environment he fishes in a masterful way. The reader can almost taste the brilliant culinary spread curated by Argentinian guides, smell the aging hardwood of the fishing cabins in the Maine North Woods, and absorb the chill of the winter air while salmon fishing in New Brunswick. Reminiscent of the artful elaboration composed in A River Runs Through It, there is a romance behind each location that captures the minds of novice and experienced anglers alike. The settings are clear and immersive, and the fish are teeming with life. I suspect the fly fishing travel industry owes a “Thank you” to The Optimist, as I am confident that I was not the only reader daydreaming about booking a trip to fish in one of these exotic locations.

I would recommend The Optimist to anyone seeking a sense of adventure and an understanding of what makes fly fishing so desirable. The angling experience is captured magnificently throughout each passage, told with witty character and offering contemplative insights as to why we choose this sport. Coggins’s passion is tangible in each page of this book, and he does an excellent job pleading his “case for the fly fishing life”, while still leaving questions for the reader to evaluate for themselves. This combination creates a thought-provoking experience that entertains the whole way through. The Optimist is a book I will not soon forget; it will be on my mind as I fish my local waters in search of meaning behind the passion I love so well.

Top 5 Tips for Fly Fishing with Nymphs

When most people think of fly fishing, they only think of fishing on top of the water. The exhilarating rush of a trout rising from the depths like Jaws, slamming a finely detailed dry fly on the surface. For the so-called “dry fly purist”, this is the only way to target fish with a fly rod. For those of us who are interested in actually catching fish, fishing below the surface is a perfectly viable option and often a more successful one. Wet fly fishing with nymphs may not be as romantic as fishing with dry flies, but using a bobber gets the job done just the same. It is a tactic that in some ways requires more research but can also lead to higher reward and overall understanding of the aquatic life cycle.

Top 5 Tips for Fly Fishing with Nymphs

1. Use an Efficient Wet Fly Set-Up

2. Cast to Avoid Tangles

3. Adjust to the Appropriate Depth

4. Cover the Water

5. Mend the Line

Tip One: Use an Efficient Wet Fly Set-Up

There is an abundance of ways to gear up a nymph rig, and with more time on the water, it is likely you will develop your own individual preference. For instructional purposes, I am going to go over my personal nymphing set-up and explain why it works for me.

For targeting trout species, I will either use a 9ft or even a 10ft rod in the 5wt category. 10ft is my personal favorite for nymphing, as it helps me cast and mend a bit more efficiently with the slightly added length. 

Using floating line, I will attach a 9ft tapered leader – typically in 4x strength for targeting most trout. I find the end of tapered leader a bit too fine for my liking, and I will sometimes cut off nearly a foot for peace of mind (NOT REQUIRED).

At the end of my leader, I will tie on my first nymph. One nymph is a perfectly fine option, and this may help avoid tangles when casting. Adding two nymphs is a very effective alternative. I typically add two nymphs, as I believe an added fly will increase my catch opportunities, and the extra weight allows these nymphs to sink quicker to target the trout. I like to start with a larger fly as my initial nymph, and a smaller fly as my secondary nymph.

To add a secondary nymph, I use a cinch knot to tie added tippet to the hook of my first nymph. This begins as a loop that I place over my hook.

Next step is to turn the tippet 5 times, then push the guide end of the tippet back through the initial loop on the hook.

Final step is to hold tension to the bug and the guide end of the tippet with one hand, pulling the rest of the tippet to secure the knot with your other hand. I will often wet the line with my tongue, so friction doesn’t disrupt the completion of the knot. 

After this step, tie the secondary nymph to the end of your tippet. I like to have around 18in length between my lead fly and my secondary fly.

Depending on the flow of the water I am fishing, I will add split shot to ensure my nymphs make it to the lower water column. The best way to add split shot is to start with a single bead, then continue to add more as you probe to reach the bottom of the stream. I usually prefer to use Size 1, and to add as necessary. Split shot is added above the first nymph and can be applied at various lengths. Common places to add split shot are 8in above the first nymph, to stray line remaining after adding additional tippet to pre-existing leader, or above a swivel/tippet ring. Adding weight can be as simple or as complicated as desired, but it should be added in a way that does not result in an abundance of tangles (SEE TIP TWO).

Lastly, adding the bobber, or strike indicator as it is tenderly referred to in the fly fishing community. I prefer to use twist on strike indicators that are easily adjusted, and generally stay firmly in place. Strike indicators are adjusted for depth and should be attached at one and a half times the depth of the zone you plan to fish. I judge this distance off my lead fly. A trick I like to use is to let my lead fly sink to my feet where I am wading. Using this, I estimate how much deeper the water will be where I am fishing and use the “one and a half” distance rule in order to determine my bobber placement.

Tip Two: Cast to Avoid Tangles

Tangles and nymph fishing tend to go hand in hand. With all the extra materials added to the line, throw in a little wind and poor mechanics and massive tangles are sure to form almost instantaneously. Casting with unevenly dispersed weight is a far less delicate version of the single dry fly cast, and it is notably less intuitive. Although practice using a nymph rig is the best cure for tangle situations, here are a few tricks that may ease some of the difficulty that comes with using a new tactic.

1. Do not cast past your limit. Try to cast to an attainable distance and work your way to reach further distances. Forcing a long distance cast often leads to mistakes and closes your casting loop. Open loops are key for casting with heavy nymph rigs to avoid tangles.

2. Avoid halting cast momentum. When line abruptly stops mid cast, it increases the chances of your flies interacting with the split shot and/or bobber. If you get a hit on your strike indicator and commit a false set, just ease into another back cast. Smooth action leads to smooth results.

3. Cast forcefully when encountering wind and elements. Heavier nymph set-ups can beat the wind, unlike lighter dry flies. Maintain a smooth cast, but do not let the forces of nature bully you. Use your dominant elbow and the hand on your line to deliver the power needed to complete a cast with intent.

4. If you keep getting tangled with a full set-up, make adjustments to dumb it down. This can mean reducing split shot, fishing with a single nymph, or simply using a large dry fly and adding a nymph below, eliminating the bobber. Sometimes it is necessary to reduce gear, and practice fundamentals until you are confident enough to cast a fully loaded heavy nymph rig.

Tip Three: Adjust to the Appropriate Depth

Trout tend to hunt for the most available food source, and often the most attainable food source is at the rivers floor. I am going to avoid a full-on biology lesson for now and try my best to keep it simple; trout like to feed near the bottom of the water column. Nymphs primarily exist in this lower section of the river, so you will need to get your wet flies down as close to the floor of the stream as possible. 

When wet flies reach the bottom of the river, they will bounce and slide across rocks, boulders, or any other type of material presiding in the area. This will result in your strike indicator slightly bobbing and shifting as it drifts across the water. The frustrating nature of fishing with wet flies is that they often get snagged and stuck on underwater obstacles: Believe it or not, this is a good sign! This means that your nymphs are in the correct place, navigating across the bottom of the stream. If you are not getting snagged at all, or catching any fish, this can be an indication that you are simply not deep enough. Make a small adjustment to your bobber (I usually will add around a foot or so) and try again. Continue this process until you are confident that you are at the bottom, or if you begin to catch trout. 

When your bobber drops, SET THE HOOK. This is going to inevitably result in snags but will also result in caught fish. Too often have I hesitated on a hook set because I am afraid it will result in a snag. Snags are inevitable with nymph fishing, and they should not prevent the angler from taking risks to catch fish. Another strategy I like to use while nymphing is to cast above drop-offs. This requires snagging risk as well; I cast to very shallow sections of water above the drop off which are prone to grabbing flies. If I were to cast directly to the pool, I would minimize snagging risk, but I would also miss the holding lie that is directly below the shelf. Being willing to cast to challenging sections can result in great results if one is willing to bear the risks associated with nymphing.

Tip Four: Cover the Water

A classic wet fly strategy is simply covering all the water. When approaching a promising run, it is helpful to start at the bottom of the section, and to slowly work your way up. Before immediately charging into the river to wade, it is essential to consider the water directly in front of you. Occasionally trout are caught in the shallows, depending on time of year and food availability. Practice by starting your casts nearest to the bank, working each consecutive cast further across the water. Once an entire section is covered, you will have a chance to take a few steps upstream and attack the next section.

As we covered in Tip Three, adjusting your strike indicator is key, especially when reaching deeper sections of the river. If needed, more split shot can also be added to assist your nymphs in reach the lower water column. 

Making constant adjustments is mandatory in order to cover the entire section confidently without leaving favorable holding lies unaccounted for. Some holding lies are more obvious than others, but it is worth testing a variety of water in order to initiate a response.

Tip Five: Mend the Line

Similarly to fishing with dry flies, mending the line is a very important aspect of indicator fishing with nymphs. As the wet flies travel below the surface, they need to be presented in a complete dead drift. Natural nymphs do not have swimming capability and will either crawl across the rocks at the bottom of the river or be pulled into the swift current, floating helplessly. Any sort of drag from the nymph looks unnatural to an approaching trout, causing the fish to intentionally avoid consuming the suspicious material. This makes mending paramount in order to create the perfect drift in order to fool trout.

Mending with a nymph set-up does not need to be as painstakingly cautious as mending with dry flies. Because the fish we are targeting reside at the bottom of the water column, they are not as sensitive to unusual activity on the surface. They are looking to the rocks for food source, not at the ceiling of their limitations. This allows the angler to perfect their mend and readjust it multiple times to make it as ideal as possible. Fishing with wet flies is a great way to practice mending for the novice, as it is more forgivable than other methods.

When mending, lift the tip of the rod slightly, feeding small amounts of line back through with your retrieving hand, and turn your line upstream. This should create slack on the water in a snake-like pattern. If faced with different speeds of current, more adjustments will be required. Continue to adjust until the line on the water is slack enough to create a dead drift, but maintained enough that a proper set can be accomplished.

Conclusion

I started fly fishing with dry flies only and began my transition to wet flies while living in Bozeman, Montana. At first, I was overwhelmed with the idea of fishing with nymphs. It seemed like a complicated process and an alien concept compared to fishing with a single dry fly. After reluctantly performing research and acquiring the necessary gear, I was eventually ready to hit the water. What I found is that my catch rates doubled almost instantly, and I now had a much better understanding of trout habits and aquatic insects. Now, after some time applying this tactic to the water, I am convinced that nymphing is a fantastic way for fly fishers of all levels to improve their game, and to intimately learn the ecosystem that allows this sport to exist. With the tips I have listed above, I hope to create a starting point for anyone looking to try an alternative genre of fly fishing that consistently proves its effectiveness.

Trials and Tribulations of a Self-Taught Angler

Fly fishing is a skill passed down by great generations of anglers. Many anglers I meet in shops or on the water will tell you it is a family tradition. Otherwise, I know plenty who have been introduced to the sport by experienced friends or guides. This leaves a population of folks who discover fly fishing on their own; true pioneers in their own right. Fly fishing can be a complicated activity, one that only increases in difficulty for those with no previous knowledge or background of the sport. Without casting instruction, the guidance to read water, or a pre-established biological background, fly fishing is arguably one of the most challenging hobbies to pick up from scratch. This is a lesson I had to learn the hard way.

I was introduced to fly fishing at a very young age in a relatively unique way. My father was born to a large, Irish Catholic family that can be traced to two places: County Mayo, Ireland, and Chicago, Illinois. Coming from the west of Ireland, it was probably considered that South Side Chicago would be the final destination of our kinsfolk. This decision was only solidified as my family deepened their roots to the city, becoming teachers and police officers who truly committed their lives to serving their community. For any of the family members to move would be an astonishing decision, one that would require deep contemplation and introspection. Or maybe this choice would simply require a viewing of Robert Redford’s classic film adaptation of A River Runs Through It. Thank God for Brad Pitt and thank God for the nineties, because without that movie I would not be here today. My father packed his belongings and headed for Missoula, Montana, where he met my mother and started his life anew.

In somewhat ironic fashion, I was never taught how to fly fish. I grew up hearing stories about my dad’s days in the backcountry pursuing slashing cutthroats and buttery brown trout, but that was about the extent of my fly fishing upbringing. As far as my father was concerned, his days of fishing the blue ribbon streams of Montana were long gone, a distant memory as he relocated to Washington. My interest in the sport remained dormant for my adolescent years. Besides these stories from my father, I had no experience with fly fishing at all. I never saw anyone fly fish in Spokane (not to discredit the underground community dedicated to fishing native redband trout residing in the area). This changed when I found myself living in Missoula, Montana, following in my father’s footsteps to discover the adventure that lie within this wild state.

There are many towns across the country where one can live a life without exposure to fly fishing. Missoula is not one of them. It would be practically impossible to avoid running into one of the many fish sculptures, fly fishing murals, shops. Popular local beers are named Double Haul IPA, Fish On! Pale Ale, The Hatch IPA. You can even buy flies at any of the Ace Hardware stores in town. I remember walking across the Madison Street Bridge and being mesmerized by a row of folks fly fishing below the DoubleTree Inn, and quickly learning that this is a daily occurrence in the summers here. There was not a single moment that started my fishing career; it was a true subliminal brainwashing that ended with me walking out of Cabela’s with a cheap rod and reel starter kit in hand.

For how obvious and inviting the fly fishing culture is in the area, approaching of Missoula’s storied rivers for the first time is an entirely different story. Montana’s big sky never felt bigger, and I never felt smaller as I proceeded toward the rolling blue waters of the Bitterroot. It is a surprisingly overwhelming ordeal. My experiences at the river were usually synonymous with relaxing at the bank or floating down the current with a beer in hand. Now that this is a mission to catch trout, my perception multiplies. First of all, the river is alarmingly loud. This inhibits my ability to think as clearly and simultaneously reduces my sense of security. I have a constant feeling to look over my shoulder, just to ensure nobody is watching my pathetic attempts at casting. Or to check for bears, another concern for a Washingtonian transplant. When I step into the water, it feels cold and strong. My feet are weighed down in the water, and the unstoppable force of the current makes me uneasy. One false step will have me on my ass, and this happens more than a few times in those initial days on the water. 

Now I must decide where to cast. Fish are in the water, right? I guess I’ll just cast there. No fish? Might as well cast to the same spot again. There was no rhyme or reason to my early fishing process. I often found myself casting to the middle of the stream, where my bug would nearly bounce off the water until quickly being swallowed whole. No matter what time of year it was, I only casted a cheaply made Morrish Hopper or a ridiculously large Purple Haze. These were the only flies I could get to stay somewhat afloat, as I had no understanding of floatant or fly dry. Mending was another completely foreign concept, and this did not help my drift situation one bit. How was I ever going to catch a fish? After a good handful of completely fishless outings, I figured it was time to swallow my pride and consult one of the many local Missoula fly shops. 

Walking into a fly shop can be an intimidating experience. Most of them are absolutely stuffed to the gills with any and all fishing equipment imaginable. Filled with rods and reels, varieties of lines, endless boxes of flies and fly tying materials, shops can be hard to navigate even for the avid fisherman. As I attempted to navigate the complexities of this alien environment, a shop associate approached me. “What are you looking for?” I really had no idea where to even start. Do I tell him, “Everything”? Confessing my lack of knowledge and experience felt like a mortal sin among this setting. A shameful endeavor for my considerable ego. Instead, I played it cool. “I’m good man. Thanks!”. Walking out of the shop was a relief. In my hand were more Morrish Hoppers and large Purple Haze. Back to exactly where I started.

Fast-forward two years, I had yet to catch a fish. The only improvement made in my game was a slight increase in my casting distance, and maybe some added patience. I had come to accept the fact that trout are not real, and if they were, they must have a personal grudge against me. Trying not to allow my frustration to dwell, I decided on bringing my fly rod with me for an overnight camping trip to the remote mountains of Idaho with a few buddies from school. If anything, the case worked as a formidable hiking stick, and if we were to encounter a body of water, I could pass the time by practicing my casting. Fly fishing clearly did not involve much catching for me, but I had become fond of the practice of throwing and retrieving line, at least as a source of cheap entertainment.

 

With some time to kill after we arrived at our camp, our small crew decided to walk down to a mountain lake we passed previously on our journey. Hiking stick in tow, I followed my friends as we descended into the area containing a deep pool of crystal clear water, mirroring the mountains above. A beautiful sight, I was content to stand on an emerging boulder near the bank and once again struggle to catch the elusive species I doubted even existed. After gearing up my Purple Haze, I made a rather pitiful first cast that awkwardly plopped on the water a mere ten feet from me. Immediately, something from the depths slammed it, taking my fly deep below the surface. This moment shocked me with excitement. I quickly jolted my rod up to the sky to fight this animal I finally had at the other end of my line, praying that I would be able to finish the job. Stripping in my catch until it was close enough to manage, I grabbed my line and pulled a rather small, yet stunning native cutthroat trout out of the water. I let out a primitive yell, followed by comical laughter. “Holy shit, I caught a rainbow trout!” I misdiagnosed to my friends. As far as I was concerned, I was officially a fly fisherman.

The passion I had for this sport greatly intensified after my experience finally catching fish. It was possible. Fish ARE real. Success is something that I am capable of and can invest in. I wanted nothing more than to relive that experience, but in order to recreate this moment, I knew I needed help. It was becoming clear to me that I was only limiting my growth by refusing to ask questions when I was in the presence of other anglers. My stubbornness needed to take a backseat, and I needed to admit I was a beginner who desperately needed help. So that is exactly what I did the next time I went into my local fly shop. Instead of being ridiculed or spited by the shop assistant, I was welcomed and educated. Despite my fears, it became a delightful experience, and I began to improve rapidly.

Learning to fly fish is a challenging endeavor, yet a rewarding one if one has the willingness to stick with it. It takes patience and persistence to approach the water every day in this demanding search for excitement. But despite the intense effort it takes to catch fish on the fly, the challenge is one of the most attractive qualities about it. If fly fishing was easy, anglers would be catching massive trophy fish left and right, but the reward would not be nearly as enjoyable. The reward is not only the beautiful animal that you have an opportunity to interact with, but the science of the process it takes to finalize a catch. The tedious hours spent outside in cold conditions, the time it took to research the local hatch, the mend that took years to perfect for the ideal drift. What used to seem like the worst part of fly fishing, is ultimately the best. As I have come to discover, beginners are not the only ones tested; advanced anglers also constantly struggle to tackle their next objective within the sport. Fly fishing is a challenge worth embracing, with a meaningful pay-off that justifies itself time and time again.

The Gem of Western Montana: Rock Creek

The word “beautiful” is thrown around with ease when anglers refer to their favorite streams. Every fisherman is entitled to their objective opinion, and one could even consider all streams to capture some aspect of beauty. There are many picturesque settings to wet a line, whether it is a quiet and clear mountain stream or a bashful blue current from a major tributary. Although there is no shortage of streams deemed “beautiful”, there doesn’t seem to be a better word to subjectively describe the trout stream of Rock Creek. Rock Creek is something out of a fly fisher's dream; 52 miles of trout paradise with overhanging trees, large boulder gardens, grassy banks, and jagged rock-scapes that paint the environment one wades in. As I look back with reverence at my time filled with days on Rock Creek, I am filled with solemn pleasure to have been fortunate enough to experience those waters that I used to call home.

Anglers coming from the north entrance are initially greeted by the Rock Creek Mercantile, an old school fly shop and beer stop that looks like a wooden relic from days of fishing past. Loaded with boxes of native fly patterns, floppy fishing hats, and Star Wars themed trout shirts, it is a shop filled with character, the product of a less pretentious culture within fly fishing. The merc is managed by friendly employees who possess a vested interest in their customer’s fishing plans, and who exhibit a willingness to pass native wisdom onto those with genuine intentions. The Rock Creek Mercantile is a true local gem, and a wonderful way to kick start a day at the creek. Along with some of your grandfather’s flies, and maybe a 6-pack of Missoula’s best beverages, the adventure is ready to commence with an optimistic send-off.

Conversely to this warm welcome, Rock Creek Road is a notoriously hostile path that guides the angler to the river in a much less than friendly manner. This narrow path is filled with deep potholes and bordered by rocky edges that are almost intentionally grabbing for vehicles as they work their way down the road. What makes navigating this road even more challenging is the fact that there is a gorgeous blue stream winding beside it, begging to steal your attention off the road for a quick examination. Another prominent obstruction is the occasional herd of big horn sheep that refuse to adhere to civil standards, moving across the road in their own time. The incursion down this road may be a difficult task, but ultimately justifies itself when the opportunity arrives to pull into one of the many clearings near the water.

Rock Creek consists of a variety of environments along its length. The lower section consists of roaming pastureland in an area deemed “The Valley of the Moon”, with tall grass and sparse trees, where horses roam past their boundaries to occasionally greet anglers. The river cuts into the land here, and winds and braids as it makes its way out of the tributary. Upstream from this section, the setting changes dramatically, as mountains begin to develop on each side of the river and the trees begin to thicken. This section of the creek is characterized by its occasional rapids, emerging boulder fields, overhanging trees, and deep pools. An identifying feature of this area is the Welcome Creek swinging bridge, allowing cross river access during high water seasons. Moving upstream, the water winds its way around significantly more private land, where historic hunting cabins scatter below the imposing hills. From here the creek can be followed far up to its origin in the remote Sapphire mountains.

It does not take long for the following to become apparent to the visiting angler; Rock Creek is trout water. Multiple times a day, massive insect hatches are triggered, resulting in sporadic splashing and sipping of the wild salmonoids beneath the water’s surface. Depending on the time of year, those bugs may consist of juicy skwalas, giant salmonflies, fluttering spruce moths, and too many variations of caddis to count. This creates an environment that allows the trout to develop in healthy size and number. The resident trout are used to snacking their select hatches, and they are well educated to the artificial flies mixing in with the naturals. This difficulty of selection presents a suitable challenge to the fly angler, while the sheer population of trout still allows for an abundance of catch opportunity. This combination of variables leads to incredible encounters with the fish who have claimed these waters for hundreds of years.

Native species of cutthroat trout and the occasional bull trout stalk these waters, along with the introduced species of wild brown trout, rainbow trout, and a small population of brook trout. Targeting these fish takes strategy, as different species dominate separate sections of the river. Fishing streamers close to the bank of Lower Rock Creek are apt to catch the eye of a hungry brown, while lighter flies on the surface of Upper Rock Creek will produce feistier cutthroat. Every cast is still a gamble as native whitefish roam the territory alongside their trout brethren, looking to steal a share of grub for themselves. Aggressive attacks are not uncommon, leading to impressive displays of acrobatic ability when these fish take to the air in hopes of forcing the hook out of their mouths. These fish will fight a determined fly angler up and down the current, refusing to give up, even upon capture into the net. A trout’s energetic squirming makes for a difficult time trying to capture a picture but allows for a tranquil moment of release when the fish kicks its tail and returns to its holding lie. This is a special moment indeed, cherished and appreciated by anglers fortunate enough to experience battle with one of nature’s earliest creatures.

Shared experience is common at Rock Creek, as it is one of the most popular trout fishing streams in the area. Every summer, anglers flock from across the country to experience this beautiful stream for themselves. Some Montana locals take this growth as an insult and see these anglers as unwanted guests to their cherished waters. This has always seemed like a silly and redundant concept, for the few to gatekeep this pure natural beauty, holding it hostage to be only experienced by themselves. What a burden, to harbor resentment for those with honest ambitions of enjoying this sacred land. These waters deserve to be respected of course, but if handled properly can be a wonder shared by all. It is also worth noting the fact that Rock Creek does consist of over 50 miles of fishable water, so it is not unfeasible to find water to claim independently, distanced from other anglers. This is not a stream slandered by combat fishing, and most anglers practice the common courtesy expected when approaching other fishers in the creek.

Rock Creek holds its place as a true Western Montana treasure, a gem of the local fishing rivers. It is a legendary tributary, from its inception in Lolo National Forest, to its conclusion at the mighty Clark Fork River. The majesty and beauty of this trout stream is physically felt in its midst and can seldom be compared to anything else. As with a religious pilgrimage, its prominence requires to be lived and visited to be understood. Anglers alike are gripped by this river, departing its bumpy road each time with the promise of return, no matter what it takes. In my life away from the creek, I often catch myself daydreaming of this stream; the way its water swirls around the boulders, the sound of the rapids as they crash around bends, and the sight of sipping rainbow trout. In these times, I am reminded that fly fishing is an art form, and Rock Creek is the blank canvas used for a magnificent picture to emerge.