Every year, winter’s biting winds, piercing snow, and sheets of ice limit us to only a few options for winter fishing. Ice fishing is a common fix, yet I never fell in love with it; something about huddling over a tiny hole in the ice with a pencil sized rod never amused me like most other forms of fishing. If you’re an ice fishing fanatic, this post probably isn’t for you. Others travel south to somewhere like Florida where the warm weather and spectacular fishing never seems to cease. Fortunately, there is another option that doesn’t require a trip down to warmer waters or a steely commitment to fishing through the ice.
Simply pick up your fly rod and find yourself a public stream or river that supports trout populations.
The vast majority of flowing streams throughout the northeast remain open, uncovered by ice, throughout the winter. Put on a pair of insulated waders, a burly winter jacket, maybe even a wool cap, and you’ll have no problem bearing the elements while combing the river banks for holding trout. Browns and brookies are the typical winter-time suspects patrolling the shallow rapids, even though stocked rainbows and tiger trout can also be found in select streams. Wild rainbow trout typically swim upstream from their residences in lakes or ponds to spawn once spring finally comes around in March. For this reason, it is much rarer to catch a rainbow trout in a winter stream versus a brown or brook trout (who spawn throughout the fall and into the winter.)
I find the activity involved in hiking along a river or stream to be much more captivating and exciting compared to sitting around a hole in the ice. Being on foot, the slow and methodical pace allows enough time to genuinely take in your surroundings. When walking along the stream or river, you will witness some of the most beautiful spectacles in nature that the northeast has to offer. Ice collects along the banks creating crystal-like boundaries between land and water. The barren trees make it easy to spot wildlife through the woods, revealing foraging deer, roosting owls, and many other elusive species that would not have been spotted through the thick vegetation in the warmer months. Rising trout can be seen in the calmer stretches of water, their slender profile grazing through the water’s surface. Much of the time it feels alot like hunting, the way you creep into casting distance of a seemingly inhabited pocket or eddy, investigating for signs of life. Then, casting your fly through every portion of viable water, watching intently for any indication of a strike from your float while it drifts downstream.
You’ll do best using an array of flies that accurately represents the bait in your area whether that be nymphs such as hellgrammites, mayflies, midges as well as artificial or natural trout eggs. Matching the hatch in this form of fishing has been far more important in my experience than any other form of fishing I’ve pursued in the past. Local tackle shops often sell locally made flies and will offer their opinions on the best flies for the area and time of year. Also be mindful that certain public streams can be closed to fishing during certain times of the year and some are restricted to artificial baits only, both of which are typically posted. As I mentioned before, I use floats when fishing with nymph flies and eggs which not only gives me an indication when a fish picks up my fly but also allows me to adjust the depth at which my fly suspends in the water. Adding split shot to the line under your float will help your fly get down to the desired depth quickly in deeper and faster water. For my rod, I like to use a five or six weight for nearly all scenarios when targeting trout and this is no exception.
Practice casting, and anybody new to fly fishing will be able to bring in some trout of their own. It’s awe inspiring to see them emerge from the frigid waters and the brilliant arrays of colors across their spotted patterning that would have remained perfectly concealed amongst the stony riverbed. In my eyes they are the most beautiful of all the freshwater fish and are a valued part of my winter seasons. Using a rubber net over the standard nylon cording that is on most fishing nets will prevent any damage to the trout’s gentle skin and be careful to not keep the fish out of the water for more than a few seconds in sub-freezing temperatures. Although I typically only target trout in the winter, they are actively feeding throughout the year and offer fantastic opportunities for an exciting and memorable experience.
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