Anglers willing to endure the elements can generally find uncrowded conditions and a few cooperative trout on almost any winter outing. (Pat Dorsey photo)
By Pat Dorsey
Winter can be a divisive season for anglers. Some mourn the end of warmer days, while others eagerly anticipate the unique challenges and rewards that winter fly fishing brings. For many, the colder months become a time for fly tying, gear maintenance, and indoor preparation. However, for a dedicated group, winter is the prime time to venture into the serene, snow-dusted landscapes and pursue the often-elusive winter trout.
Personally, winter has become one of my favorite times to fish, particularly for those seeking tranquility. The solitude found on rivers during winter is unparalleled. While it presents unique difficulties, anglers prepared to brave the elements will often discover uncrowded waters and trout willing to cooperate. Accessing remote stretches, often blanketed in snow, might require snowshoes, skis, or snowmobiles, adding to the adventurous spirit of winter angling.
Indeed, winter fly fishing presents arguably the most technical and demanding fishing of the year. Low, clear water conditions, infrequent insect hatches, frigid water temperatures, and the characteristically slower metabolism of trout all combine to test an angler’s skill and patience. Add to this the potential for brutally cold air temperatures and unpredictable weather, and winter fly fishing truly becomes a test of dedication. But for those who accept the challenge, the rewards are significant.
Where to Find Trout in Winter
My angling journey began in the Rocky Mountains, learning on some of the nation’s premier tailwaters. It quickly became clear that tailwaters – rivers flowing from dams – offered distinct advantages, especially during winter.
Tailwaters offer several benefits compared to freestone streams, which are directly fed by precipitation and lack dam regulation. These advantages include consistently clear water, regulated water flows, abundant aquatic vegetation, stable water temperatures, healthy trout populations, reliable insect hatches, and, crucially, year-round fishing opportunities. Even during prolonged freezing periods, the water released from the depths of dams remains ice-free and flowing, providing a consistent habitat where trout continue to feed.
Freestone streams, conversely, are inherently unpredictable, with fluctuating water clarity, temperatures, insect activity, and flow rates. Furthermore, many freestone streams become choked with ice for considerable periods during the depths of winter, making fishing impossible.
While freestone streams can offer decent winter fishing during milder weather or warming trends, and occasionally provide exceptional fishing in late fall or early spring, their fickleness pales in comparison to the reliability of tailwater fisheries, particularly in the heart of winter.
In my home state, Colorado, rivers such as the Fryingpan, Taylor, Blue, and South Platte are renowned winter trout destinations. Extending beyond Colorado, the San Juan, Colorado River at Lees Ferry, Bighorn, North Platte, Green, and Provo rivers are also outstanding, and numerous lesser-known but equally productive tailwaters exist across the country. Even the Southeast, with its abundance of TVA-managed dams and reservoirs, offers surprisingly pleasant winter fishing conditions in February.
From late fall through early spring (roughly November to March), trout seek out slower runs and deep pools to conserve energy and maximize feeding opportunities while minimizing exertion. It’s essential to avoid fast-moving riffles, runs, and rapids, as these areas hold fewer fish during winter. While riffles are prime feeding locations in warmer months when trout are more active and require highly oxygenated water, winter’s slower pace dictates a different approach.
Long, smooth, pool-like stretches known as “flats” are excellent places to find trout feeding near the surface. These are even more promising when located immediately downstream of a riffle, providing a continuous supply of drifting food.
Be cautious when approaching shallow bank areas, as trout often hold close to the edges. Observe rise forms carefully to determine if trout are taking emerging pupae or adult insects. Flats are particularly well-suited for dry-dropper rigs (like a Griffith’s Gnat paired with a tungsten beadhead midge pupa), as heavier nymphing setups can easily spook trout suspended higher in the water column.
Many anglers mistakenly overlook pocketwater. Pocketwater, characterized by a mix of rapids, plunge pools, and slots, also contains slower, glassy pools, soft cushions, and smooth seams. These calmer sections within pocketwater offer prime winter holding areas, often harboring less-pressured trout more inclined to feed than those in larger, more heavily fished pools. Thoroughly explore these nooks, crannies, small pools, and deep slots between boulders, as they can hold surprising numbers of trout.
Winter Fly Fishing: Tactics and Key Tips
Unlike summer, when dawn and dusk often provide peak fishing times, winter fly fishing typically peaks during midday. The significantly colder water (high 30s to low 40s Fahrenheit) dramatically impacts both aquatic insect life and trout metabolism.
Carrying a digital thermometer and regularly checking water temperature is crucial. If the water temperature is below 40 degrees, trout are likely to be sluggish and less willing to feed. Consider a mid-morning break for coffee or warm soup, waiting for the sun to warm the water slightly. It’s not uncommon to encounter anchor ice or surface slush before 10 A.M. On tailwaters, moving closer to the dam can often provide slightly warmer, ice-free water.
By late November, most major insect hatches are concluded for the season, leaving only sporadic Blue-winged Olives (BWOs) and intermittent midge hatches. A trout that would actively feed multiple times daily during summer now consumes only a fraction of that amount.
The most productive fishing window typically falls between 11 A.M. and 3 P.M. Under typical winter conditions, water temperature will gradually increase a few degrees throughout the day. Even a 3- to 5-degree rise can significantly improve fishing success. On unusually warm winter days, water temperatures can increase by 5 to 10 degrees, triggering more active feeding behavior in trout.
As their metabolism slows in late fall, trout congregate in slow runs and deep pools where they can conserve energy. Long, smooth pools called flats are good places to find trout feeding on the surface. (Cathy & Barry Beck photo)
Always be alert for signs of a midge hatch. The appearance of adult midges buzzing around indicates potential feeding activity. Trout will often move from resting positions to feeding lies to capitalize on emerging midge pupae. It’s crucial to maximize your efforts during these often-brief feeding windows, which may last only an hour or so.
When a midge hatch is underway, focus on transitional zones – mid-channel shelves and gravel bars – as these areas offer both food and refuge. During intense hatch periods, more aggressive feeders might even venture into shallower riffles and drop-offs, as the abundance of food outweighs predator risks.
Sight-Fishing Strategies for Winter Trout
Sight-fishing becomes a highly effective winter strategy. Lower water levels make rivers easier to navigate, and fewer hiding places for trout. Some of the largest trout of the year are often caught during winter’s low, clear flows.
My friend Mark Adams recently landed an impressive 9-pound, 27½-inch cuttbow trout on the Yampa River by sight-fishing. His guide, Steve Henderson, spotted the fish under an overhanging willow, and after a few precise drifts with a chartreuse egg pattern, Adams successfully hooked and landed it. During higher flows, such trophy trout become much harder to locate.
Targeting small groups (pods) of fish, rather than individual trout, can also increase your odds. You can often entice one or two fish from a pod to take your fly. After hooking a fish, apply gentle downstream pressure to move it out of the pod quickly to avoid spooking the others. Once you’ve landed a couple of fish, move on, as the remaining trout are likely to become wary.
Large concentrations of fish in slow pools require a more methodical approach. Systematically cover the water using a grid-like pattern, starting from the tailout and working upstream. Spending 30 minutes to an hour in these areas isn’t unreasonable. While it’s important to stay on fish when you find them, be mindful of other anglers and avoid monopolizing a single spot.
Light conditions significantly impact sight-fishing in winter. Surface glare is your primary obstacle. Glare comes in two forms: direct sunlight and reflected glare from clouds or snow on the banks.
While overcast days offer ideal fishing conditions generally, cloud cover often creates flat light and harsh glare on the water’s surface, making fish spotting difficult. Sunny days, while less comfortable for anglers overall, are often preferable for sight-fishing due to better visibility.
When sight-fishing, always position yourself with the sun behind you to minimize blinding glare. Use polarized sunglasses and cup your hands around the sides to further reduce glare and enhance visibility. Look for smooth currents, or “windows,” which allow temporary glimpses to the river bottom. Focus on identifying fish silhouettes and subtle color variations.
Carefully observe any suspected fish silhouette for movement. Sunken logs or rocks can often mimic the appearance of fish. If the object remains stationary, it’s likely not a fish.
Locating feeding fish is the ultimate challenge in winter sight-fishing. Of every dozen trout spotted in slow, clear water, only a few are likely actively feeding. Catching a feeding fish is usually straightforward, but trying to entice a non-feeding fish is often futile and wastes valuable fishing time.
Once you spot a fish, take a moment to observe its behavior. Look for clues suggesting active feeding. Is the fish suspended in the water column? Fish higher in the water column are often feeding. Watch for flashes, subtle mouth movements, rising in the water column, or slight back-and-forth sweeps – all indicators of active feeding. Avoid targeting trout that are hugging the bottom and showing no signs of movement, as these are likely non-feeders.
Trout holding in slow currents and clear pools are particularly challenging. You often have only one or two casts before spooking them. Trout in slow, flat water are highly sensitive to overhead disturbances. Fly lines, strike indicators, and split shot landing in the water can easily frighten them. They also have more time to scrutinize your flies. Therefore, seeking out fish in slightly “bumpy” water (not fast, but with some surface texture) can increase your success rate.
Winter Nymphing Techniques
Subsurface nymphing is generally the most productive winter fishing method. On smaller streams, short-line or high-stick nymphing excels. Long-line nymphing, requiring false casting and mending, can easily spook fish in the clear, still winter waters. While short-line nymphing has limitations on larger rivers, adapting your tactics is key.
My standard winter nymphing rig consists of two or three nymphs (always check local regulations regarding multiple flies), a split-shot weight (adjustable with moldable putty), and a yarn strike indicator. I typically use longer leaders in winter (9′ or 12′) to reach the deeper holding areas where trout congregate.
Trout in flat water have extra time to inspect your flies. Look for water with a slightly bumpy surface. This indicates good bottom structure, and allows the fish less time to make a decision. (Cathy & Barry Beck photo)
Begin by approaching trout as closely as possible without causing alarm. This minimizes the amount of fly line on the water, often eliminating the need for mending, and reducing ice buildup in rod guides.
Roll-cast your nymphs upstream at a 45-degree angle and immediately lift all fly line (and the butt of the leader) off the water, keeping only the strike indicator and leader on the surface. Drag can occur if fly line rests on the water, creating a belly that prematurely pulls the flies unnaturally through the current. A precise dead-drift is crucial, and sometimes you need to virtually “bump” the trout on the nose to trigger a strike.
Maintain tight line control using your non-casting hand to strip slack while managing the line with your casting hand’s index finger. As the flies drift downstream (about 45 degrees), slowly lower your rod tip to extend the drift. After the flies swing downstream, develop a habit of setting the hook automatically, regardless of a visible strike indication. The subtle tightening of the leader can often trigger a take.
When sight-fishing to a specific fish, immediately recast once your flies drift past the target. Focus on presenting to the visible fish and avoid wasting time fishing blindly. Cast 3 to 4 feet upstream of the fish, allow the drift, and recast. This maximizes time spent presenting flies to visible, potentially feeding fish.
Strike indicator selection is personal. Yarn indicators are highly sensitive to subtle winter strikes and easily adjustable with an orthodontist rubber band. For windy conditions or when yarn freezes, a Thingamabobber-style indicator might be preferable.
Many anglers set their strike indicators to 1½ to 2 times the water depth from the weight. However, excessive distance between flies and indicator can delay strike detection.
Winter strikes are often incredibly subtle. Up to a third of strikes may go unnoticed by your strike indicator due to slack in the leader. In faster currents, leader tightening quickly signals a strike, but in slower winter currents, where trout often hold, the indicator may barely twitch when a trout takes.
Therefore, carefully observe the fish as your flies drift into its feeding lane. Look for any movement: a rise in the water column, a shift to the side, or a subtle mouth opening. React to any of these cues with an immediate hook set.
Winter Fly Selection: Small and Sparse
Winter trout diets differ from their summer counterparts. Your winter fly box should reflect this shift, emphasizing simple, sparse patterns, and most importantly, small sizes.
Midge, Baetis (Blue-winged Olive), and egg imitations should constitute the bulk of your winter fly selection. Midge larvae inhabit the river bottom, trout’s primary winter holding zone. They come in various colors, but red larvae are particularly effective in slow, oxygen-poor water with silt and organic matter.
Midge larvae live along the bottom where trout spend their winters. They come in many colors but red larvae seem especially effective in slow, oxygen-poor water with silt and debris on the bottom. (Pat Dorsey photo)
While occasional trout might take caddis larvae or stonefly nymphs, the vast majority will feed on tiny midges and Baetis nymphs, the primary winter food sources in tailwaters.
Carry an assortment of midge larvae (pale olive, cream, and red) in sizes 18 to 20. Red midge larvae are consistently effective winter patterns. Proven patterns include the Mercury Blood Midge, Barr’s Pure Midge Larva (pale olive or red), and the Rojo Midge (red). Larvae patterns are effective year-round, especially when drifted close to the riverbed where trout are concentrated.
You’ll also need a comprehensive selection of midge pupae in sizes 20 to 24. If a midge hatch occurs, switch from larvae to pupae. Pupae imitations can be fished throughout the water column, but I find them most effective suspended higher in the current. Use minimal weight – often a small split shot suffices, as excessive weight can cause flies to sink below the feeding zone. Maintaining flies in the correct feeding zone is as vital as fly choice. Effective midge pupae patterns include Dorsey’s Mercury Black Beauties, Medallion Midges, Top Secret Midges, Egan’s Rainbow Warriors, and Craven’s Jujubee Midges.
Dry-fly anglers can still find rising fish. Focus on slow-moving currents, streambanks, and shaded areas. A dense midge hatch can bring even wary trout to the surface. Use size 18 to 24 Matt’s Midges, Griffith’s Gnats, Cannon’s Suspender Midges, and Parachute Adams. Carrying two rods – one rigged for nymphs and one for dry flies (or dry-dropper) – maximizes efficiency.
On some tailwaters, sporadic to heavy Blue-winged Olive (BWO) hatches occur even in winter, particularly on overcast days. Favorite BWO dun imitations include size 20 to 24 Hi Viz Baetis, Sparkle Duns, and Parachute Adams.
Baetis nymphs are effective throughout winter, as trout consistently seek them out. Essential BWO nymph patterns include size 20 to 22 Craven’s Juju Baetis, Churchill’s Sparkle Wing RS2s, Dorsey’s Mercury Baetis, Stalcup’s Baetis, and Flashback Barr Emergers.
Whitefish and brown trout spawn in late fall, while suckers and rainbow trout spawn in early spring, making trout eggs abundant during these winter “shoulder seasons.”
Trout remember eggs throughout winter, and micro egg patterns are excellent attractors in winter nymphing rigs. Tie micro eggs in sizes 18 and 20 in colors like McCheese, apricot, and golden. Small San Juan Worms (#18) serve a similar attractor purpose. Egg/midge or egg/BWO combinations are particularly deadly winter rigs.
Understanding Lake Stratification for Tailwaters
Large bodies of water undergo seasonal temperature changes influenced by time of year, sunlight penetration, wind, and air temperature. During summer, lakes and reservoirs stratify into three distinct layers, a process called summer stagnation.
The warmest, least dense layer, the epilimnion, remains at the surface. The thermocline, the middle layer, is cooler and denser. The hypolimnion, the coldest and densest layer, sits at the bottom. This is why water released from the bottom of deep impoundments is significantly colder than the surface temperature in summer.
In autumn, cooling air temperatures and wind mixing cause the epilimnion and thermocline to equalize. This process eventually extends to the hypolimnion, resulting in uniform water temperature throughout the lake.
As air temperatures continue to drop, the surface water cools and eventually freezes. In lakes and reservoirs, water is densest at around 40°F. Colder, less dense water near the surface stays at the top under the ice. The warmest water is now at the lake bottom. This is “seasonal lake turnover,” occurring twice a year: spring and fall.
The result for bottom-release tailwaters is “winter warm and summer cool”—temperate-zone bodies of water provide trout with warmer water during winter and cooler outflows during summer, a phenomenon aquatic biologists call “winter warm and summer cool.”
Dressing for Winter Fly Fishing Success
Modern advancements in technical outerwear and underwear make winter fishing more comfortable than ever. Layering is key to adapting to changing conditions. Start with a good base layer of merino wool or synthetic material like polypropylene to wick moisture and maintain comfort. Layer synthetic fleece pants and jackets over the base layer for insulation.
(Brian and Jenny Grossenbacher photo)
For warm feet, use a thin liner sock under a thick insulating sock of Smartwool or synthetic fiber. Winter wading boots should be one size larger than your summer boots to accommodate thicker socks and maintain circulation, as tight boots restrict blood flow and lead to colder feet.
Choose lightweight, breathable outerwear that provides wind and snow protection. A soft-shell jacket effectively blocks wind and snow, allowing for insulation layers underneath.
Carry at least two pairs of gloves: half-finger gloves for dexterity, foldover mitts for added warmth, and neoprene gloves for wet conditions or rowing.
Pack spare clothes in a waterproof duffel bag in case of an unexpected fall. Always use a wading staff, especially in winter, where a plunge can be not only shocking but potentially life-threatening due to hypothermia.
Winter fly fishing, while demanding, is a rewarding way to overcome cabin fever and refine your angling skills. While it presents trade-offs and challenges, the solitude and potential for winter trout make it worthwhile.
Pat Dorsey is a co-owner of Blue Quill Angler in Evergreen, Colorado. He is Fly Fisherman’s southwest field editor and the author of Tying & Fishing Tailwater Flies (Stackpole Books, 2010).
