River Warrior : Winter Hacks for the Die Hard Fly Fishermen

Cassandra Ellery Sorensen

If you’re anything like me, saucing flies through the cold season is non-negotiable. Fly fishing is too addictive to wait on seasonal change, patience is best exercised on the fish we catch. Winter fly fishing in a nutshell is tough and slow going. It can be absolutely miserable, and the odds of being skunked are high. So any success, however great and small, is welcomed. Between combating the negative temperatures, slippery ice shelves and lethargic river fish, enticing an eat in the colder weather is not an easy thing to do. You can put your fly right in a fish’s face and it doesn’t guarantee a bite. Winter trout fishing is a different game then those warm dry fly days, you can only hope that the fish are hungry.

A trout’s metabolism slows down immensely over the winter. They retreat to deeper pools, tailwaters, and areas of slow current to conserve energy. Staying in the deeper water prevents fish from over stressing themselves in the current, and makes predation from above a more difficult task. Energy expended by a fish must be cost effective as their energy is limited. Food takes longer to break down and therefore lasts longer. In a trouts mind the benefit must outweigh the costs in regards to the energy spent obtaining a meal. If you’re a catch and release fishermen, playing a fish for as little time possible is preferable. The colder temperatures already have a hand in higher mortality rates, so do your part in terms of giving back.

During the winter season trout are spookier and pickier than ever, an addictive challenge. That’s what makes catching them that much more technical, and why enticing an eat can be much more complicated. I’ve learned when dealing with picky and spooky fish, presentation is key; even more so during the winter. Presentation of both yourself, and your setup. Paying attention to the sun’s position will help an angler keep their shadow in check, trout are always looking up for predators in the sky. Fish are more likely to spot you if you’re sporting bright colours, so wearing gear that blends with your background will give you an edge. Moving slower and more purposefully when casting will blend your movements into your background. Jerky and fast casting may alert your target of your presence.

Longer leaders are essential to keep your fly line further out of a trouts visual field. If you are using strike indicators, a longer leader system can be more effective in decreasing drag and maintaining a natural drift. Fine tuning your mending technique creates less surface tension and drag in regards to your fly setup. Less fish will be spooked, and more fish will be caught. Maintaining smooth mending and casting makes all the difference to what trout see below the depths. I highly recommend oiling the drag of your reel, the use of line conditioner, and guide de-icer. Keeping your equipment in working order ensures a more accurate cast and mend. Don’t set yourself up for failure and frustration by skipping the use of these products.

Using finer and smaller tippet lends credit in the stealth department. Fluorocarbon tippet is the gold standard when nymphing and fishing small winter flies. Despite the higher cost, it really does make a difference in comparison to its cheaper counterpart, monofilament. Fluorocarbon’s diameter and density cause it to sink faster, which gets your fly into those fishy zones in a more timely fashion. It is stronger, less visible, and has a higher level of sensitivity than monofilament. Winter trout don’t always hit a fly as aggressively as in the summer, so sensitivity prevents fewer missed bites.

Winter hatches are full of dull coloured midges, caddis pupae, and nymphs among other bugs. Fish themselves also grow darker in colour, so it only makes sense to use flies that match the aesthetic of nature. My go to winter flies are boring black, dark purple, green, or brown tungsten nymphs and zebra midges. These colour variations with a subtle addition of flash or tinsel added are terrific. I love a soft hackle euro nymph or a collared nymph because overall they look more “buggy” underwater. Colder temperatures make for smaller bugs so matching the hatch with flies ranging in sizes from 16-22 will make a hook up that much more probable. The cost/benefit ratio that is a part of a trout’s modus operandi (feeding methods) make small clouser patterns, and wooly buggers, one of the more effective flies in your box. I prefer marabou because of how natural and flowy it is underwater. In my experience, the most effective are dark browns, greens, blacks, and greys incorporated with small bits of flash. Precise depth control with slower and less aggressive strips are key for a trout to commit to their meal. Keeping your rod tip down and closer to the surface increases the sensitivity you feel but mitigates added surface tension. Inching that streamer just off the bottom will look more natural and fit the profile of a baitfish, increasing the likelihood of an eat.

Proper gear is vital no matter the season, but especially so as the temperatures drop. My fingers and toes are always the first thing to get cold. Over the years I’ve adjusted just a few steps of my routine when gearing up. I don’t typically wear gloves as I’ve found them to be too restrictive, and fly line sensitivity is decreased. Simms makes fingerless gloves with fold down mitten tips. I find that they don’t sacrifice your finger mobility, sensitivity or grip, and will keep you warmer then none at all. To bypass wearing gloves altogether, I put air activated hand warmers in my chest wader pockets for when my fingers get too chilly. I can quickly tuck my hands in, recover some warmth, then be right back to drifting nymphs.

Cold feet ruin a great day on the water so over the years that’s been a big focus of mine. Footwear is of the utmost importance. A semi-fitted, mid-thick sock made of either cashmere or merino wool will keep your feet warm. Make sure not to double up. Two pairs of socks compress your feet, decrease circulation, and actually make your feet colder. Next up are a pair of waders with a thicker stocking foot to insulate, and wading boots a size up from what you normally wear with good tread. If you don’t want to spend the extra money on bigger wading boots, loosening your regular wading boots around the toes and mid section of your foot will do the job. Tightening your laces around the ankles will provide the necessary stability without sacrificing warmth. Again, too much compression around the extremities is counter intuitive.

You lose most heat from your head, so a good hat is crucial. They’re the “Cherry on Top” so to speak, and purchasing from your local fly shop is an excellent way to support small businesses. Funky, fresh, and excellent over the boulder fly holders! Wearing a warm base layer of polar fleece or merino wool are well known basics on a cold day. Keeping your core warm prevents you ending a day on the water prematurely. Layering under a puff and a wind breaker will keep you warm without being too restrictive or bulky when casting. Keep your jacket or at least your base layers tucked into your waders if possible. Just in case of a slip in the river, being tucked in will prevent the base layers from getting completely drenched and you from freezing. Nobody likes the soggy walk of shame back to your vehicle, even less so in the negative temperatures.

You think the glare from the water is bad in the summer? Get yourself a good pair of polarized sunglasses and wear SPF. You don’t want to be the person that can’t glimpse any fish because you don’t have your polarized sunnies. Do yourself a favour and get a pair. You only get two eyes so take care of them. The sun’s rays can be strong regardless of the season, but beware of those winter rays because they are stronger. As most of our best trout rivers are in our Rocky Mountains it’s important to take into account the high altitude. The risk of burning is higher on these rivers because the atmosphere is thinner. So SPF can be one of your best friends, I mean, unless you like being a tomato?

Lastly, we all know the river is dangerous in the winter. A much higher degree of care should be taken when crossing the river. One slip could change the entire dynamic of the day, or your life. Take it from someone as clumsy as me and who knows, the frigid water temperatures cut deep. Take your time crossing, plan your steps. Make sure you can see bottom the entire way across. I’ve made the habit of having a partner to fish with in the winter because accidents happen. Being prepared can make all the difference when out on the water. Winter trout fishing is already difficult, so set yourself up to succeed.

Stay safe, stay warm, and tight lines!