Grasshoppers:
Unfortunately, I have never watched Game of Thrones but the line ‘Winter is Coming’ in the show fits well for these winter fly fishing tips. With the winter season approaching please don’t head out to the waters unprepared. Make sure you are ready for whatever the winter brings you when on the water. Here are a few tips I can pass along to make sure you have an enjoyable winter fishing experience. Winter fishing in Missouri is the best so don’t miss it but embrace it!
- Understand your limits. Know how much cold you can stand. Check the forecast and make a wise decision to fish or not.
2. Dress appropriately! No cotton. That means no cotton – no cotton socks, jeans, underwear, T-shirts, etc. Cotton holds the moisture if you fall in, and it could give you just a few minutes before hypothermia sets in. Hypothermia, if cold enough outside, can be deadly! Wear wool, fleece, or the new wicking type materials on the market today. Many companies are now making excellent cold weather gear. Merino wool is the best to wear – yes, it can be expensive but aren’t you worth it?
3. Keep your head covered. Wear a buff and hat for warmth, better yet wear a balaclava.
4. Wear gloves if you get cold hands try fly fishing gloves of wool or fleece. (Fingerless work great). Also look into wearing rubber Nitrile gloves (pick them up at Lowe’s or Home Depot). They won’t keep your hands warm necessarily but will keep them dry! I like wearing them in combination with my fingerless fleece gloves.
5. Bring some hand warmers to put in your waders or jacket pocket. Small foot warmers in your boots (if they fit ok) but definitely in your wader or jacket pockets.
6. Back to number one again – must mean this is important. Wear “good” cold weather underwear (tops and bottoms) under your waders NOT jeans, sweatshirts, or T-shirts – they’re cotton. Buy one or two top quality cold weather gear clothing (wear in layers) then you won’t need to buy again. Good cold weather gear should be thinner than the cheap stuff, so you won’t look like the Michelin tire man when fishing.
7. Wear a waterproof winter jacket – rain gear works for this. Again, top quality gear is best and will last a lifetime. I wear a winter type jacket that is waterproof, best of both worlds.
8. In your gear bag, Bring a small bag of extra clothing. If you by chance fall in and get wet, you will have the opportunity to change into dry clothes and continue fishing (plus you will be dry and warm).
9. You’re cold? – get out of the water and take a short walk to warm up.
10. NEVER fish ALONE!! You may need a friend to help you if you fall and are injured or wet – hypothermia kills.
11. Do you have cleats on your boats? You should. In Missouri we must wear rubber bottom boats and they work much better if you use cleats too. Make sure you buy an excellent quality boot – Get sturdy, quality boots. If you are on a budget, then I would advise to put more money into your boots than your waders. So many fly fishers think it’s the other way around.
12. Buy a good wading staff to help you navigate in the water (I highly recommend Folstaf wading staff) – no matter your age. Bring a staff and use it in case you have to cross fast moving water – the staff could prevent you from falling in.
13. Keep a set of car keys (whoever is driving) somewhere hidden outside the car so the guy that falls in can get warm and change clothes, in case the driver cannot be located.
14. Be aware that trout out of the water in freezing weather can kill them quickly – their gills may freeze out of water. Keep the trout in the water in your net and release immediately but if you need a picture make sure the trout is only out of the water for a few seconds.
15. Bring something hot for lunch – soup or chili in a thermos goes down well – even hot chocolate or coffee sounds good.
16. Know your flies for winter. Check hatch charts. There are fewer hatches in the winter, but the nymphs or larva are still in the rivers. Remember midges are around all year so you may need to go small.
17. Bring a flask for a nip or two?? That’s your choice!
