When it comes to winter fly fishing, it’s easy to think of cold fingers, icy guides, and the occasional day of going fishless. But let me tell you, when it all comes together, those winter days on the water can be downright magical. I’ve had my share of days where I barely squeak out a fish or two, but then there are the golden ones—days when everything clicks, and it feels like the river is just giving out gifts.

So, how do you make the most of your winter fishing? I got five tips from my years on the water to help you turn those frosty outings into fish-filled days that make you wish you could be out every day.

1. Know Where the Fish Are

Winter fishing success starts with finding the fish. During this time of year, bug activity is at its lowest. No more mayfly or stonefly buffets like in the summer. Instead, fish focus on midges, scuds, sow bugs, and the occasional worm. With less food around, trout are conserving energy by holding in slower, deeper water rather than faster riffles where they’d burn more calories than they’d gain.

For example, I fish a local tailwater with slow-moving flats that are five to six feet deep. In the winter, these flats turn into a fish buffet. Find that slow water with just enough current to bring food to the fish, and you’re in business. Skip the riffles and fast runs—focus on deep pools, eddies, and slower sections.

2. Tailwaters Are Your Winter Best Friend

Speaking of tailwaters, these are prime spots for winter fishing. Thanks to stable flows and consistent water temperatures, tailwaters stay fishable when freestone rivers freeze over. Spring creeks can also be excellent, but tailwaters are often the most reliable option.

Not sure what a tailwater is? It’s the river flowing out from beneath a dam. These stretches of water are often the warmest in winter and hold plenty of fish. If you’ve got a tailwater nearby, make it your go-to spot for cold-weather fishing.

3. Pick the Right Flies

Winter trout aren’t picky—they’re focused. Midges, scuds, sow bugs, worms, and egg patterns are the main players on the menu. It’s like Christmas dinner: Ham, taters, and rolls. No room for green bean casserole, or your aunt’s squash soup (aka the flies they’re ignoring).

Egg patterns are especially effective because trout feast on drifting eggs from fall-spawning fish like browns and brookies. Pair an egg with a zebra midge or scud, and you’ve got a killer winter rig. Don’t forget the dreaded pink squirmy worm—my buddy Charlie swears by them in the winter and catches plenty of fish with this simple fly.

4. Go Light with Your Rig

Winter fish are lazy. They’re not going to slam your fly and run off like a typical summer eat. That means extremely subtle takes, like where your indicator just barely stops but doesn't go under the water, and because of that, you’ll need a sensitive setup to detect the eats. Think of small bobbers or yarn indicators, and pay attention to every little movement it makes. Use heavy flies instead of relying on split shots, which can dull your rig’s sensitivity. A dry-dropper rig is also a great option when fishing small spring creeks for added finesse—and hey, dry flies in the winter? why not!

Midges hatch year-round, so you might even catch a mid-hatch. Nothing beats the thrill of winter dry-fly fishing when everyone else is nymphing. It’s a little counterculture and a lot of fun.

5. Respect the Spawners

While egg patterns are great and will catch a ton of winter trout, be mindful of where you’re fishing. Avoid targeting actively spawning fish on redds (those clean gravel nests). Walking through redds can harm the next generation of fish, so give them space. There are plenty of other trout ready to bite—focus on those.

For more info on spawning fish go check out this article https://www.flylifeproductions.com/all-post/redd-alert-how-to-fish-responsibly-during-the-spawn

Tight Lines in the Cold

Winter fly fishing isn’t always easy, but with the right approach, it can be incredibly rewarding. Focus on finding the fish in slower, deeper water, hit up your local tailwater, and dial in your rig with the right flies and weight. And don’t forget: even when it’s freezing outside, a day on the river beats a day indoors.

Bundle up, grab your rod, and give winter fly fishing a shot. Who knows? You might just have one of those epic days where everything clicks, and you find that PB trout you have been looking for all year. Tight lines!