Winter Fly Fishing in Colorado Part I
Author: Will Rice
Copi Vojta on thin ice.
It would seem that the balmy days of late November and early December are all but a warm memory. January is here and it is time to start thinking about your winter fly fishing strategies.
Fly fishing in the winter months of December, January and February is a fairly different game than fishing in spring, summer or fall. The one big positive difference you’ll probably notice right out of the gate: you most likely will not find yourself elbow to elbow in some of the more popular rivers that you normally fish in the warmer months. On the downside, get ready for cold feet.
If you have not already started doing so, it is a great time to start thinking about your winter strategy. If you change your tactics with the seasons and stack the deck in your advantage, you can have a challenging and rewarding experience.
“The biggest difference between winter fly fishing and other seasons is where to concentrate your efforts both in what rivers you go to and also where to focus your time once you get there,” said Reid Baker, Guide Manager at Trout's Guide Service after a day on the water in early December. “This is mostly tailwater season. A tailwater is a section of river below a reservoir or dam. Because the outflow of the dam is typically coming from the bottom of the reservoir, it’s like the fish have air conditioning in the summer, and heat in the winter. As a result, these sections resist freezing and the water remains at a temperature that keeps a trout’s metabolism stimulated.”
You need to think about a trout’s behavior – and temper your expectations. If you expect to see fish chasing big streamers or crashing grasshopper imitations on the surface, you’ll probably be disappointed. Understanding that trout are typically in deeper water, are more selective, and do not move far or expend a great deal of energy will help your mission. In most rivers during the winter, you’ll find fish more densely consolidated and sticking together in deeper runs. You will want to look for slower moving water that will bring insects in a consistent manner to the fish so they do not have to expend a ton of energy.
“Once you’re on the water, its all about slowing things down,” said Baker. “Whereas in the warmer months, a trout may feed aggressively in the riffles on the abundant and variety of insects, in the winter they’re going to seek out the slow and deep water. Trout are not as likely to move far to eat because its not a valuable use of his precious energy. And there’s going to be fewer insects to begin with. They’ll seek out the slower deeper water and pick a feeding lane that maximizes their ability to eat, while minimizing how to work for it."
“Don’t make it too complicated. Just think slow and deep.”
In many rivers here in the Rocky Mountain West a trout’s diet consists of small midges, stoneflies, and mayflies.
“The winter months are the 'small bug' time of year," said Baker. “The plus side is, generally, fish are focusing only a couple species of insects.”
A few patterns to think about: the stone bomb, jimmy legs, black beauty midge, juju baetis, egg imitations, and the rojo midge.
How about it? Do you have any solid winter fishing techniques or strategies to share with the Trout's Fly Fishing contingent?
Stay tuned to our blog for the Part II of this three part Series. In our next installment we’ll talk about tactics, reading water, and winter rigging...
Comments
Sweet blog post. Can’t wait for part II. :) thanks for the info.
I love tying up midge larva patterns and hitting the streams in the dead of winter. The solitude is priceless. And the fishing can be pretty good too.
Thanks for the feedback! Solitude and winter fly fishing go hand-in-hand. If you follow our blog and have winter fly fishing tip to share and want to win a fully loaded signature fly box chock full of bugs, share your thoughts right here in the comments section. We want our blog to be a place where our customers and followers can share information, ideas, and stories. The best tip, tactic, strategy, funny anecdote or solid nugget of information posted here between now and Monday January 14 will win a signature Trout’s Fly Box full flies. Thanks again for following Trout’s Fly Fishing!
Winter fishing in Utah is super fun. Low crowds, hungry fish. I have recently done this; planted my feet for a while when I see any fish activity and try didn’t flies in the same spot until something works. That instead of covering a lot of water. Extra fishing in the same area has done well for me.
In the winter, I always rig up the night before. There is nothing worse than having to rig up in the AM when it’s less than 10 degrees out. So, set aside some time the night before and get your tippet and flies tied on. Your hands will thank you in the morning and bring lots of whiskey.
Ice flow on the Animas is a little to high lately,but was good back a couple wks.back.using mostly nymphs,egg patterns,wooly’s etc.fishin the NM side around Aztec- Flora vista..The San Juan has been real good also,if you wanna brave the cold temps.using dead chickens,midge larva,SJ worms,etc..well grab some tail for me,happy huntin..
I think, regardless of what fly is on the end of my line, and whether or not I even hook up with a fish, the great thing about fishing in the dead of winter is knowing that the only souls you will run into on the stream are either wildlife, or guys that are as nuts about fishing as I am. So aside of the natural reset that you go through being on the stream, you might gain yourself a new friend and fishing buddy!
The current on the bottom of deep, slow pools that trout prefer in the winter is slower than the current on top. Therefore, your indicator should be moving a bit slower than the surrounding current. If it’s not, use a big more weight or move your indicator up the leader to let it sink deeper. I always catch more fish, especially in the winter, when I do this.
Fish are known to be shy of strike indicators adn split shot in the winter, so use a high floating line light-colored can work as an indicator and use dark-colored beads can work as your split shot.
Egg Sucking Leech - A words used to describe your girlfriends mooching brother! Unless you fly fish…
I recently bought a new pair of boots one size bigger than usual just for winter fishing. Big boots allow for an extra pair or two of socks while also not restricting blood flow in your feet, which is key to keeping toes warm. It makes a huge difference - much more than I thought it would.
Also - if you have a dog well suited to cold weather that you like to bring with you in the wintertime spray a little non-stick cooking spray (i.e. Pam) on the back of it’s legs to keep the snow from balling up and sticking.
Great article! When nymphing in winter I find that in order to get bugs down deep I will use a 3-4 ft section of leader material and tie a tiny swivel to it, then i will tie a 7-10 ft piece of light floro to the swivel before attaching my top fly (usually a bead head). This helps the tiny micro bugs down deep. Tight lines!
I love fly fishing in the dead of winter; it helps to weed out all the seasonal fly fishermen (not that there is anything wrong with being seasonal), and there is less competition on your favorite streams.
Comfort is key!!! Dress in layers, and invest in a good pair of long johns. Also panty-hose (yes, panty hose)underneath your long johns will make all the difference in the world.
One of the most frustrating things about fly fishing in the winter (besides numb fingers) is having your sunglasses fog up while you’re tracking feeding fish. Python makes a great anti-fog spray that you can use on your sunglasses. Spray it on both sides, and wipe it off. Make sure you put it on in the warmth of your car though, because it doesn’t dry very well in freezing temps.
comment #5 is spot on: bring whiskey. #12? No need for panty hose…
Seek out a good tailwater. Not Cheesman Canyon or the Blue. Probably not going to fish as much as other months so travel for it. One of my favorite winter spots is the Taylor below Taylor Rez. Massive rainbows and plenty of browns that you can see feeding. Small flies and most importantly - a good drift. There may be a few people there, but not packed like the summer. Stay the night in Gunnison and fish during the night, too. You’ll catch fish and they’ll be 16” plus easy. Drive your truck the way down to Gunni and then have a bud drive up to the tailwater while you drink whiskey. Make sure to bring plenty because it wears off quick in -10 degrees!
Have a plan for winter fishing trips. Work the plan. For instance, make sure you are dressed for the conditions of the day. No fishing trip is worth it, if for some reason, you can’t enjoy it. In the winter time, cold temperatures mean cold fingers and feet. Dress accordingly, but don’t over do it either, as circulation is key to proper blood flow and the ability to stay warm in the situation. Happy hook ups with a few precautions.
From the East
Not a lot of midge activity here in northern NEw England. The key to a good day out is variety. Fish are in the likely spots, getting the take can often be a matter of the right drift combined with just the right fly so don’t walk away when the “go to” combo doesn’t produce, work the box a bit. Flashback seems to be a good addition to any winter fly and peach is a color that winter fish seem to enjoy in caddis form.
I like to tie my lead fly (e.g. mysis) with weight so you don’t have to use splitshot to get your flies to the fish sitting on the bottom. Follow it with 2 small midges or a tiny baetis and a midge. Also glow in the dark thingamabobbers look like bubbles and don’t spook shy fish.
Sight fishing and high stick nymphing! I’ve caught all my latest winter fish within 10 feet of where I’m standing. No worries about your guides freezing up when you’re not releasing/retrieving line every cast.
Winter is my favorite time to drop my ‘bread and butter’- a san jaun worm followed by something small in a tail water while dressed on more layers then I do to go skiing and enjoy the solitude. Remember- if/when you get chilly step out of the water and go for a short walk to warm up and get the blood flowing. Fish spook really easy in the low water so to get Out, give them a break and then return warm and ready to hook, fight and release nature! Happy fishing!
Line guides freeze up? Dip your rod tip (first couple of hard to reach guides and the ones most likely to freeze up) into the river. You’ll be ice free long enough to reel in.
Thanks for all the great comments. There are quite a few valuable pieces of information here. It is great to see we have some East Coasters on the board! It is also awesome to see the CO contingent out in full force. Keep the input coming and we’ll announce the winner on Monday afternoon.
I like to coat my line guides in unscented chapstick. It doesn’t leave an oil slick on the water and keeps your line guides free of ice build up.
I’m gonna be the middle man and pass along a quote from the great John Gierach, “Winter Fly fishing takes nothing more than stubbornness instead of actual endurance and courage.”
The best way to become a better fisherman, no matter what the season or conditions is to fish more. Plain and simple.
I found out very recently that the most important thing to remember about fishing Colorado in the winter is that ice is really slippery. So, when you decide to walk out upon what you think is a thin piece of ice that you will break through in order to get to that slow-deep run, think twice. You may just take one step on solid ice and do a road-runner impression until you fall flat on your face. The worst part is, you may have to return home and hear your wife’s, “I told you to be careful out there all by yourself!”
That picture with the you on the ice is epic! Great article really enjoyed it.
A good tip for winter fishing is using Mojo Mud. The name of the game is that perfect drift and with Mojo you can get that perfect weight. I do like the Blue in Silverthorne for one of my winter fisheries. I was up there last wednesday and in my first hour and a half I cought 7 and had another 4 hooked. All 16” or better with a couple pigs brought to the net. Also an easy trip from Denver.
Stay warm and tight lines!!
Wow.. how I sure love our great sport of FLYFISHING! And how I also love fishing Colorado and living on the front range. I feel so fortunate to be able to have so many good angling experiences readily available to me. We have a good mixture. You know what I mean. Opportunities for good work, family and friends - right here in Denver. Yet, we are also in such prime position to enjoy extremely productive, and even, world class fishing on our home waters. Year round. Frankly speaking, on some of our Colorado rivers, when the conditions are right, the flyfishing SHINES IN WINTER!! An angler driving from the Denver metro area can hit all of the waters listed here on the blog within a 1 to 4 hour drive. The S. Platte or all the way to the Frying Pan or Taylor rivers. Awaiting us are excellent winter midge fishing and mysis fed trophy trout adventures galore! Winter’s low -flows congregate the fish and the bye gone of past summer crowds give the fish a break. Dark, cloudy days and a watchful eye can provide a fantastic shot at a big fish. Don’t spook it and get a good drift because the fly will need to drift properly through a fish’s specific feeding zone. Fish feeding in winter water temps want the flies coming right in their face. Go ahead and set a lot. A slight indicator movement often shows a biting fish. You should have a light drag setting, too. Try to keep it fun and enjoy!!!! After all - You just discovered the hidden gem of winter angling.
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