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.