Winter Fishing Tips

Some thoughts on winter fishing from Wolf Creek Angler Guide Eric Mondragon. Call today 800-800-4350 and book a winter guide trip.

Winter fishing can be effective  with the right gear and the right techniques.

Winter fishing can be effective with the right gear and the right techniques.

In my last piece, I discussed a passion for winter fishing. Perhaps it is an obsession. Either way it is my life and I love it. My wife says I’m crazy, but she knows that I know and embrace it. After all, it is better to know you are crazy than to be oblivious when everyone around you knows it.

My obsession to fish the fly twelve months a year taught me a few things about winter fishing. For tackle, I learned that faster action rods didn’t work for me as well as softer medium action rods do. The number one reason is that I often fish lighter tippet (5x-6x, even 7x) on the Mo’. Fishing slower water in winter conditions warrants smaller tippet. The fish have a longer look at the flies because they are not floating toward them very fast. However, a fast action rod seems to break thin tippet on hook-ups. That is why I prefer the softer rod tips – the tippet doesn’t break as much.

Some of my favorite winter rods: Scott G-2, Sage SP, Powell LTT and some of the pre-boron Winstons. These have medium stiff butt sections, but soft tips. I also love a reel with a silky smooth drag. In winter, fish don’t fight as hard as they do in late spring and summer months.

Some of the biggest fish I ever landed were in the winter. Hailing from Colorado, I’ve been on some of the best tail waters. The Taylor, the Frying Pan and the Blue have a reputation for producing fish that are ten pounds or more. I caught some dandies there using small tippet, medium to slow action rods and great reels with smooth drags. I brought that theory here to Montana and have had the same success.

As for apparel, I like to multi-layer in the winter. I like Patagonia R-4 regulator series clothes because they are expedition weight (not bulky). I wear expedition weight capilene next to my body. It is breathable and wicks away moisture. Then, I wear expedition weight fleece pants and jacket to help trap body heat. If I need another layer, goose down is the warmest option I’ve found. Patagonia offers 450-600 fill options. Mountain Hardware and North Face also offer good jackets.

Angling is exercise. I’m telling you, if you sweat while you are out in winter elements, your body core temperature will begin to shoot down and you will get cold. Whatever layers you choose should follow a system that wicks moisture or perspiration away from your body, but not give up your body heat.

Layering applies to your feet as well. I wear a capilene sock with a merino wool expedition weight sock over that. Don’t wear boots that are too tight. You should be able to move your toes easily but your heel should not move much in the boot.

Bring multiple pairs of gloves and switch if necessary to keep your hands as dry and warm as possible. If you prefer a cap with a bill, layer a warm stocking cap or beanie over it. You’d be surprised how much heat escapes from your head.

It is also very important to stay hydrated when you are out in the cold. I’ve learned something about winter fishing and am happy to share my suggestions. Winter fishing is awesome, but you need to be safe while you enjoy it. Bundle up and fish it up. See you out there.

Onward….

Frigid on the MO

Frigid on the MO

Well the holidays are FINALLY over. The weekend is coming to a close and tomorrow things begin to get back to normal. Back to school, back to work and back to the business of everything Wolf Creek Angler! I for one am happy to get back to the grind.

The cold weather has put the fishing on hold for most at least for the time being but there is no shortage of things to do. It looks like things are going to start to warm up as soon as tomorrow but in the meantime here are some things I’ve been at least thinking about doing.

1. Organize, Organize, Organize…

When you call a great river like the Missouri home there is very little downtime, especially with the mild weather we’ve been having this winter. This being the case, we tend to just keep throwing our gear wherever it’s convenient rather than taking the time to keep things organized…at least that’s my story. Come January the endless season finds me with fly cups scattered throughout my vehicle/boat/boat bag and in those fly cups are an interesting mix of dry flies, terrestrials and nymphs and maybe even a streamer mixed in here and there. I’ve got baetis mixed with caddis mixed with pmd’s mixed with PT’s and Zebras. It’s utter chaos! A couple of actual winter-like days such as we’ve had are the perfect time to get fly boxes organized and get that pile of gear out of the back of your vehicle and put those things where they belong. Not saying I did this, but I thought about it enough to encourage others to do it and hopefully I will get to at least some of it before I hit the water again.

As long as you are taking the time to sift though flies and gear it’s a good time to clean your fly lines as well. I know many anglers who strip all of their lines off of their reels during the off-season and wrap them around a coffee can or similar item to prevent coiling but since there really is no off-season for many of us a simple cleaning will do wonders.

Just like that the cold snap will come to an end as we reach into the high thirties tomorrow afternoon and on into the 40’s by mid week. Fishing should be fine, especially now that your flies and gear are organized and your line is clean.

Just a reminder – we are doing some work on the shop and lodging and will not be open until April 1st, but we are open for business as far as guide trips go and we’d love for you to put us to work. Give us a call today at 800-800-4350 or email info@wolfcreekangler.com to book a trip at special winter rates.

See you on the water!

Jason O.

Fishing Report

Latest fishing report from Wolf Creek Angler Guide Extraordinaire Eric Mondragon.

Gorgeous Missouri River Winter Bow  - photo Eric Mondragon

Gorgeous Missouri River Winter Bow – photo Eric Mondragon

Twas the day after Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even my spouse. The day promised forty degree weather that I couldn’t resist. I grabbed my chest pack and fly rod of choice and headed toward Wolf Creek to rejoice by catching trout.

The last few weeks have been quite cold. Cold enough that even I didn’t care to fish. I tied up a few bead headed midge and some hot bead flies and hit a few runs that I prefer in Winter. I suggest slow inside bends and drop offs that are anywhere from 3 ½ to 6’ deep. During the cold months, fish move out of the fast and moderate speed currents and move into slower, deeper, warmer water. I seek out the slow current and fish the indicator with nymphs. Orange and pink flies on top. Then I drop various midge patterns off of that.

The key to frequent hook-ups is to study the speed of the indicator. Keep in mind that you are fishing slow, moderately deep water. If the indicator even remotely slows down, set the hook. In Winter, trout will generally take flies very softly. Sometimes they eat and reject your flies and the indicator doesn’t even move. Diehard anglers say “Those who strike most, win.”

If you were lucky this Christmas, go out there and try out that new rod. While you fish it up, remember to watch that shelf ice. I like to wear ice cleats when I wade in the Winter. It is icy along the banks, even when the water is flowing. Big R Supply and Big Bear Sports sell numerous styles of ice cleats. Winter fishing can be fun if you are prepared for it. You don’t have to fish all day. Start late (after 10:00 a.m.) and fish until 2:00 p.m. On nicer days, fish until 4 p.m.

Coming soon. . . layering clothes and tackle suggestions as Winter winds on. I plan to start the new year by fishing. See you on the water.

Winter Bugs. What's in your fly box? Photo by Eric Mondragon

Winter Bugs. What’s in your fly box? Photo by Eric Mondragon

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