Fly fishing in Winter?

[mlvaj]

I'm getting the itch to go do some trout fishing but was curious to fishing them with flies? What kind of flies normally works in the winter as I've never done it before. I have some nymphs, caddis, wooly buggers, and etc, but don't know what to use during the winter months. If I get enough thoughs from the pros here on the forum, I might just head out this weekend and cast some flies for fun. I know it's catch and release and barbless hooks only, but the itch is here.

[Ic3wind]

The generic nymphs that work all spring and summer will work just as well in the winter. You cant go wrong with a Hare's ear, Pheasant tail, or prince nymph.

[FishinFools]

+1

[Nate McVey]

Any nymph pattern will work just as well now as it will in the summer. I also like to throw olive wolly buggers in the winter as well. On some of the warmer days, don't be afraid to swing some flies too.

[wildsmallie]

Yeah, the exact fly you are using is usually not crucial, but I can't imagine going out during the winter or spring season withou a bunch of size 14 olive scuds.

[itchmesir]

prince nymphs.. orange scuds.. hare's ear.. copper johns.. pheasant tails.. brassie.. those are my top fly choices in no particular order.... actually my last three outings i haven't even switched up beyond a hare's ear and pheasant tail trailer.. its been getting me into a lot of fish so no need to change things up i figure

[ted4887]

Yeah, the exact fly you are using is usually not crucial

I'd disagree with that. To me, using the right fly has a lot to do with being successful during the winter season. You've got to have the fly that will get that trigger response from the fish. Especially when the fish are more lethargic and spooky like they are right now.

But like Ic3wind and Nate said, it's hard to go wrong with the general nymphs. Princes, PT's, Scuds, Brassies, Buggers, Hares Ears. If you're not getting any bites, pick up a rock and see what is crawling underneath them. That might help you narrow your selection down a bit more.

[itchmesir]

I'd disagree with that. To me, using the right fly has a lot to do with being successful during the winter season. You've got to have the fly that will get that trigger response from the fish. Especially when the fish are more lethargic and spooky like they are right now.

But like Ic3wind and Nate said, it's hard to go wrong with the general nymphs. Princes, PT's, Scuds, Brassies, Buggers, Hares Ears. If you're not getting any bites, pick up a rock and see what is crawling underneath them. That might help you narrow your selection down a bit more.

yup i agree as well! Proof was shown today when Ted and I were out on the water today.. he had a tandem and was casting up into a stretch and caught nothing.. i stepped in and cast up and first cast.. i believe.. i had a trout..(no hard feelings ted ).. we were both throwing completely different patterns

[ted4887]

I left that little story out for a reason! Lol, j/k. I don't think that I could count on all of my fingers and toes the number of strikes I missed today. I think it may have gotten worse once you left. So many poor hooksets today, I still cringe when I think about it.

On a side note, the 5 wt just got a some new ferrule wax, theline is cleaned up and is ready for the fish that will haunt my dreams tonight. Hope he gets his beauty sleep, because he's got a camera shoot coming on Saturday.

[itchmesir]

yeah i gotta try and remember my bugger box as well! Thanks for reminding me why i gave myself a reason to buy a 4wt

[ted4887]

Definitely! I set the 2x tippet out as well. I NEVER use tippet that heavy... but this is war.

Okay, I think I've had enough beer for one night.

[BRULEWADER]

The right fly is important any time of year, i was out today and had fish hitting my orange indicator, switched to an orange egg pattern and hooked several out of the run.

[bobbymalone]

nobody throws squirrels? or nobody wants to admit they aren't matching the hatch? I've got a lot of fish on pink squirrels.

And scuds.

[hookncook]

wow! such good information here.

When I was sight fishing in Rice Lake this weekend, I saw a variety of insects active in the cold water. I've never really sight fished before, but laying face down on the ice and looking down in the water was really cool.

It made me think, so when I was out taking pictures for a stream photo series I'm working on, I flipped a few rocks and saw active insects: dragon fly larva, stonefly larva and fresh water shrimp.

I can't see why small flies wouldn't work for trout. I also use Pink Squirrells when I'm ice fishing with a dropper with huge success. I cant see why the same flies you use in the summer wouldn't work in the winter.

Thanks for all the wonderful tips, it's good to finally see some good content in this forum.

[ted4887]

nobody throws squirrels? or nobody wants to admit they aren't matching the hatch? I've got a lot of fish on pink squirrels.

And scuds.

Bobby, I know I'm a huge fan of the pink squirrel. I always have at least 2-3 14 & 16's in my fly box.

[ted4887]

mlvaj - Another thread to take a look at is the "What have you been tying" thread in the fly fishing section. Many of the flies posted up there are prooven trout flies.

[hookncook]

nobody throws squirrels? or nobody wants to admit they aren't matching the hatch? grin I've got a lot of fish on pink squirrels.

And scuds.

I'm new at fly fishing, but my instincts tell me that if a fish doesn't eat they die- even in the winter.

Trout gotta eat all year around. I bet a sculpin pattern would work also. From what I understand trout metabolism is a little slower in the winter so one would want to work a slower technique and slower moving water.

[dudewheresmyboat]

Streamers! Big Flashy Streamers!!!!

[itchmesir]

nobody throws squirrels? or nobody wants to admit they aren't matching the hatch? grin I've got a lot of fish on pink squirrels.

And scuds.

I'm new at fly fishing, but my instincts tell me that if a fish doesn't eat they die- even in the winter.

Trout gotta eat all year around. I bet a sculpin pattern would work also. From what I understand trout metabolism is a little slower in the winter so one would want to work a slower technique and slower moving water.

oops.. forgot about pink squirrels.. havent relied on them too much this winter though... also never look past the riffles... everyone is like "slow water.. slow water" but i catch a majority just at the end of riffles still.. its where a majority of the nymphs are getting knocked about that they are eating...

[the man]

The right fly is important any time of year, i was out today and had fish hitting my orange indicator, switched to an orange egg pattern and hooked several out of the run.

this is a very good point. I like to fish with colors on both ends of the spectrum. black, olive, and dark brown in small sizes 18 and smaller (ie. hares ears, pt, biot nymphs, prince nymphs) seems to work. I usually drop a fly like that off the back of something red, orange, or pink. (ie. red copper john, orange scud, pink scud/sowbug, egg). A lot of people say size shape and color in that order of importance. In winter to me it seems to be more size and color. Fish are usually pretty optimistic when it comes to food types. Once you get the right size and color you can pretty much catch fish all day. Another important note is making sure you are on the bottom. Otherwise there is a good chance you will go home fishless. Fish will not move very far for your fly.

[Ic3wind]

ah this is a long standing debate. I put myself pretty firmly in the Presentation is #1 camp. here is my order

1.Presentation

2.Color

3.size

[wildsmallie]

Presentation is always far more important than what fly you have on...but LOCATION is the most important of all. I see a lot of guys casting in spots where there is no chance of catching anything. Spending your time making good presentations with reasonable fly patterns in good locations will equal success.

But that being said,if fly pattern doesn't matter, why do I have so dang many fly boxes?

[mule]

Getting back to the original question at hand my favorite winter fly's are usually something flashy or something that produces a lot of movement. I usually fish smaller hook sizes in winter as well.

In no particular order my winter box usually consists of: pink squirrels, psycho nymphs (with and without rubber legs), small zebra midges, scuds (pink and green), bh prince nymphs, griffith's gnats, and any tiny dry flies I have left over from summer fishing.

Pink Squirrel is my #1 confidence fly year round usually as a dropper (this summer it was amazing below a hopper). That being said it did me no good this weekend when the fish were sipping from the top. Had great success with griffith's gnats.