Winter Fly Fishing Tips to the Patient Angler

Fly fishing throughout the cold winter months takes a high level of tolerance. Unlike the spring and summer months, where trout have increased energy and healthy eating habits, patience, is the name of the game when fishing winter conditions.

New to winter fly fishing, I visited Fly Shop of the BigHorns in Sheridan, Wyoming to speak with the local experts and gentlemen who operate this one-of-a-kind anglers paradise.  Upon speaking with one of the “shop guys”, he educated me on what flies to use and definitely what not to use. He said, use four to five primary nymph flies when fishing cold winter streams:

Red Zebra Midge

Black Zebra Midge

Pheasant Tail

San Juan Worm

Frenchie

Also, nymph flies were more suited to winter eating habits of trout. With that in mind, fish as deep as you can with heavier nymphs because that’s where the trout huddle in groups.  Trout use less energy in calmer deeper slow moving pools. 

The best advice he gave me “stay patient, move slow and most of all fish slow”. I had never heard this before.  So I needed to know why.  He explained, trout can sense rapid and unfamiliar movements. Slow down to their speed and energy level and your results will pay off. 

Many thanks to the “shop guys” at Fly Shop of the BigHorns. Make sure you stop by there store on downtown historical Main Street the next time you are in Sheridan, Wyoming. Their expert knowledge has made my winter a little warmer.