| Fly fishers come out in the spring, casting | | | | Motion and color are important when choosing |
| their fishing flies out over water in the | | | | the right winter fishing flies. Materials |
| early morning sun. Often the streams are | | | | like rabbit strips and marabou work well, as |
| crowded not just with other anglers but with | | | | does anything that will catch the light. |
| swimmers and tubers who scare away the fish. | | | | White and yellow are good colors, though |
| Finding that dream spot on a stream can be | | | | black and red seem to work well too. |
| difficult but rewarding, and the dedicated | | | | |
| fishers continue to cast their lines through | | | | Use a hook with a large gap, such as a scud |
| the summer and fall. And when winter comes, | | | | hook or a size 10-14 singer-style hook. |
| that is the time to put away the fishing | | | | Sparse fishing flies work better than denser |
| flies and wait for spring to return. Or is | | | | patterns. Nymphs tied to a tapered leader |
| it? | | | | are usually the preferred winter fishing |
| | | | flies. Attach a split shot 10 inches above |
| The fish aren't hibernating, so why should | | | | and a strike indicator far enough up the line |
| the fly fisher? There are fewer people on the | | | | to keep the fly drifting just above the river |
| river. The fisher doesn't have to get out at | | | | bottom. |
| daybreak, since even the fish know better | | | | |
| than to be out when the temperature is near | | | | Winter fishing requires attention to more |
| or below freezing. Instead, an experienced | | | | than just your fishing flies. Long periods |
| winter fly fisher will amble down to the | | | | in the cold, not moving, maybe even standing |
| river about midday, taking advantage of the | | | | in the water, can bring hypothermia on |
| brief window of opportunity to find the fish | | | | quickly. Dress in layers and add more |
| rising in sunlit pools. | | | | clothing than you think you'll need. |
| | | | Mentally check your hands and feet throughout |
| Winter fishing usually calls for wet flies | | | | the day and if you start to lose feeling, |
| rather than dry. The fish are sluggish in | | | | it's probably time to go in. |
| the winter and don't want to chase fishing | | | | |
| flies, so it's best to drop the fly right in | | | | Winter fishing sessions are shorter than in |
| front of their nose. Winter flies often have | | | | other seasons; as little as an hour or two. |
| a brass bead so they can sink more quickly | | | | Bring along the right fishing flies, the |
| than glass or plastic fishing flies with | | | | right techniques, and the right equipment and |
| lower densities. | | | | winter fly fishing can add a whole new |
| | | | dimension to your fishing experience. |