Some of our most famous rivers here in the Greater Yellowstone Region (GYR) go desolate in the winter months. Most anglers are off fishing the saltwater, enjoying the holidays, and planning next summer’s trip to Montana. Little do they know, the winter months offer some of the best dry fly fishing of the year.
Though I have much more to learn, I have spent the last few winter seasons sharpening my dry fly skills. Much of what I have learned about dry fly fishing has come from my days hunting heads in the winter. In this article, I go over a few points that have made my days of winter dry fly fishing a success.
Winter Dry Fly Fishing
Remember, it's Winter
As you know, we experience cold temperatures here in the Greater Yellowstone Region. What does this mean for winter fishing? The water temperatures are cold, causing the trout’s metabolism to slow down. In turn, they feed less regularly than they do in other seasons.
These cold temperatures also affect the bug life. Hatches will occur when the water temperatures are warmest. If you plan to fish dry flies in the winter, feel free to sleep in and tie a few extra flies. No need to be on the water early when looking for rising fish in the winter.
Winter Hatches
The primary hatch you will come across while fishing in the winter is midges. Midges are one of the few insects that can complete their life cycle during the winter months. They account for the majority of a trout’s diet during the cold months. What they lack in size (usually size 18 to size 24 flies), they make up for in abundance. Midges hatch in great quantities, which is ultimately why trout feed heavily during their emergences.
Depending on the water temperatures and the watershed, you may see a few other insects. Other winter hatches include pseudocleons, blue wing olives, and winter stoneflies. Along with your midge patterns, a few flies matching these insects may come in handy.
Fish To Rising Fish
The biggest difference between summer and winter dry fly fishing is how you fish the dry fly. As I mentioned, the trout are not feeding heavily and rarely expend much energy moving for their food. In the summer, it is effective to prospect likely holding water with dry flies looking for fish willing to come up and feed. This technique is ineffective in the winter. The insects are too small to be worth a trout’s energy.
Instead, I am usually headhunting. Going out in the afternoon looking for fish actively feeding on the surface before making a cast. This tactic is effective in all dry fly fishing, finding rising fish and feeding them your flies. However, it is especially important to understand in the winter
Where To Look For Rising Fish?
Now we know to look for rising fish, but where? This goes back to cold water temperatures and trout looking to expend the least amount of energy when feeding. I look for slow pools or slicks located close to the bank. The best spots have a riffle or seam acting as a conveyor belt for food. I look for slow water below obstructions such as rock gardens, shallow riffles, and logs. This water can be 8 inches deep or 8 feet deep. Here are a few pictures of prime winter dry fly fishing water.
I hope these pictures give you a sense of where to look for rising fish. Each river is different in where fish rise in the winter. As you fish, you will learn where to look on your specific river.
Small Flies and Light Tippet
Winter dry fly fishing brings its own set of challenges, one being the size of the flies you must fish. While I have gotten away with a #16 fly a few times, many days require #18 to #22 flies due to how small the insects are in the winter. Fishing small flies also requires light tippet, usually 5x or 6x in this area.
Fortunately, the rivers in the Greater Yellowstone region do not require flies much smaller than #20 and 6x tippet, but on certain days it will increase the odds.
Solitude
One major benefit to dry fly fishing in the winter is the lack of crowds. While the summer hatches bring swarms of anglers chasing the bugs, the winter is the opposite. Fishing pressure is low. When I do come across other anglers, I rarely see them dry fly fishing.
This opens up amazing dry fly fishing on our famous rivers with little competition. If you’re willing to put up with the cold temperatures and small flies, you can have it to yourself.
Practice for Summer
The last point I will make on winter dry fly fishing is the practice it gives for our summer hatches. After many days of fishing an indicator, knocking the rust off your dry fly rod is a great way to stay sharp for the array of hatches that start in May. I’ve developed many skills while dry fly fishing in the winter that translated to the summer. I hope you can have some success and learn something this winter dry fly fishing.
For those willing to bear the temperatures, the winter offers some stellar dry fly fishing opportunities. While it comes with its challenges. Keep these points in mind as you prepare for this winter, and maybe you can experience some of the great dry fly fishing. Stay curious my friends and I’ll see you on the water.
2 thoughts on “Winter Dry Fly Fishing”
Great article Nick!!! Looks like winter bugs are pretty close to the same size
as the ones here in Colorado. Except we start at 20 and go down to 26’s. But
not in dries. Showing the different spots on the river. Good stuff.
Thanks Dan! I appreciate the feedback. We rarely need to go much below size 20 to catch fish, but I have had fun trying the small patterns and experiencing their effectiveness. I’m excited to get out and fish some winter hatches and try some new patterns over the next few weeks. I’ll let you know what I learn!
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