Winter Fly Fishing Techniques!

Winter fly fishing techniques.  What?  Fly fishingunder the right conditions during the cold weather
in the winter?  Are you crazy?  Many fly fishingmonths, drifting nymphs under a strike indicator is
anglers put their gear away in the winter andthe most dependable and productive winter fly
resort to reading magazines, tying flies, orfishing technique to use this time of the year. 
watching football.  But imagine, a nice quiet river,Pheasant tails, golden hares ear, stone fly, midge,
beautiful scenery, solitude, and often times, greatand prince nymphs are popular  patterns to use
fishing.  Getting out to your favorite troutin the winter.  Downsizing your fly patterns is
stream or river in the winter can be veryrecommended.  Sizes 12 to 20 works best since
productive if you apply a few simple techniqueslike the fish, the bugs have a slow metabolism in
and are willing to adjust to the climate.  winter also, and they haven't grown to their full
How to stay warm.  Layers, layers, and moresize yet.  Downsizing your leader and tippet is
layers.  You will need to layer your clothingalso recommended.  Many times the water will
underneath your waders.  Wear 2 or 3 pairs ofbe more clear in the winter.  Dropping down a
socks.  Usually, a pair of insulated or thermalsize or two will help prevent leary fish from being
underwear with blue jeans or fleece pants, underspooked.
your waders will be enough to keep you warmAs expected, trout are not as active, their
under most circumstances.  Wear a loose fittingmetabolism is slower, and they can be somewhat
tee shirt under a long sleeved tee, and then alethargic during the winter.  With this in mind, look
heavy sweatshirt or fleece with a good rainfor the deeper, slower running pools out of the
jacket over top will normally do the trick to keepmain current.  Look for deep, slow running pools
your torso from freezing.  A warm hat andclose to the bank, or below riffles and rapids. 
gloves are also a must have if you are going toThe trout will more than likely be holding tight to
venture out to the river during the winter.  Asecure cover in these areas.  You will also need
pair of hand warmers or a warm thermos full ofto get your flies down close to the bottom where
coffee or hot chocolate stuffed in one of yourthe trout are holding since they will not be wanting
vest pockets can also help take the chill off ofto move too far to get their meal.  I would also
cold fingers if your hands happen to get a littlerecommend using a double rig.  Rig up two flies
wet or cold from handling your fly line or landing aabout 12 to 18 inches apart and set your strike
fish.  indicator at a depth  where the flies will be close
Make sure your boots and waders are waterto or touching the bottom.  This will allow you to
proof.  Leaky boots or waders are a recipe forcover more water and give the fish more options.
disaster when wading in cold water.  Wear boots 
that are one or two sizes bigger than you wouldAthough trout are not as active in the winter
normally wear to allow room for the extra layermonths, they still need to eat, and are usually
of socks.  The key is to make sure that none ofmore than eager to take an offering if it is
your clothing or gear fits tight.  I find breathablepresented correctly, even when it is cold out. 
waders to be more comfortable than neopreneSo, if you are willing to brave the elements, and
and they do a surprisingly good job of keepinggive these winter fly fishing techniques a try, you
you warm.  I only use neoprene waders whenwill see that fly fishing in the winter is definitely a
the weather conditions are really cold and nasty.great way to relieve some of that cabin fever. 
 In fact, it can be a down right, exhilarating
Winter is the time to use subsurface flies. experience.
Although, flies will hatch and trout will rise to them