During the fall fishing frenzy, I had a man stop into the shop. In the course of our conversation, he mentioned that he needed to get in all the fishing he could before the trout go into hibernation. It is a common misconception that fish hibernate in the winter, and while they do not technically hibernate they do enter into a state called torpor. Torpor can last from a couple of hours to a few weeks and puts the fish into a lighter sleep state that full out hibernation. Fish can enter torpor instinctively or by choice and have some control over when they enter this state and come out of it. Lucky for us, trout prefer colder water and only enter torpor during the coldest parts of the winter, leaving us plenty of chances to catch trout during the winter months.
Follow these four tips for winter fly fishing.
1. Keep your expectations in check. During the winter months, a good day on the water means catching one fish, but for us die-hards any day on the water is better than a day doing chores at home. If you happen to catch more than one fish you can brag about it to your other fishing friends.
2. Sleep in. The colder the water the more chance the fish are in torpor. Wait until mid-afternoon on sunny days to hit the water. This being said, don't discredit windless, snowy, grey days fish tend to be more active at this time as well.
3. Slow and deep. Trout tend to hand out in deeper water where the temperature is a little warmer. Make sure you are using a weighted fly and strike indicator to get the fly down to where the fish are hanging out. Trout won't exert energy to chase after their food in the winter and just like the fish, the food slows down in their movements as well. With this in mind, make sure your dead drift game is on par.
4. Go micro or massive. For a fish to really be tempted to eat something it has to be small and drifted right in front of his face or a big hunk of steak stripped through Mr, Brown Trout's living room. Only small insects, mostly nymphs, or fingerling fry are available. When fishing carry general patterns such as Copper John, Pheasant Tail, Scuds, or San Juan Worms in sizes 16-22. There are occasionally hatches of small midges or BWO mayflies. If you happen across a hatch try using a midge emerger or mayfly emerger in sizes 20 or 22. If your wanting to go the streamer route try a Slumpbuster, Baby Ganga, or Barley Legal ranging in sizes 2-10.
- Tight (frozen) lines
P.S. Don't forget the Stanley's Ice Off Paste.
