Welcome to winter fly fishing season!
The good news: The trout stay and the crowds go.
The bad news: The cold-cloud-wind combo on any given winter day will test your dedication.
There is some kind of elegance in being prepared. It’s a little bit of an art form for someone like me. The ultimate luxury is being prepared. Picture a day that goes off with out a hitch. Old man winter starts to blow and you reach for your wind breaker. You slip on a warm hat just as the sun dips below the mountains, and take a sip of scotch. Life is good in the land of preparedness.
Here are 10 must-have products to keep you happy and warm in the winter fishing season.
1.) Wool socks.My feet always get cold first. These Patagonia mid-weight socks are the nicest fitting, warmest socks I own. They are even warm after they got a little damp because they are made with wool. The green is an especially “fishy” color if you ask me.
2.) Handwarmers. You can stick these bad boys anywhere, and they really do warm-up nicely. They take up little room in your pack, so they are nice to keep on hand. ( no pun intended!) I use hand warmers on my feet ( they make a specific foot warmer shape too.), hands, and in my pockets. We joke about sticking these on every inch of our legs on the blizzard days. I’ll let you know if it comes to that.
3.) That warm fleece lined hat. The debate is out on exactly how much heat you lose through your head. One thing I know for sure: if you want to stay warm you better wrap that bad boy in something warm and fuzzy. The thicker the hat, the warmer. Go for the gold and get a hat that is lined in fleece. I am not loyal to any one brand, but visit a ski shop or outdoor shop for the best options.
4.) Fleece Neck Gaitor. Go for the thickest one you can find! Your neck nd face will thank you!
5.) Thin Puffy Layer. I wear this layer more than anything I own winter or summer. Patagonia makes a great version that is hard to beat.
6.) A hand towel. This was a stroke of genius from my husband. If you catch a trout, you will need to get your hand wet to touch it. A nice hand towel dries your hands quickly so you can get back to fishing without frozen wet hands.
7.) Simms puffy pants. Both my husband and I have tried the puffy pants, and they are hands down winter fishing’s biggest luxury. They blow any other fleece combo out of the water for warmth. Puffy pants win. At the time of posting this, it seems they are no longer available on the Simms site, but I did find some similar puffy pants by Patagonia.
8.) Fishing gloves. These are a great way to cut the chill without loosing dexterity. You can get the Simms version with fingers that fold back which allows the angler to tie flies on without stripping of the glove.
9.) Quality base layers. If you have spent any time in the outdoor your know that cotton kills. (ie: don’t wear it!) But I have struggled to find favorites when it comes to base layers amoung the hundreds of options. I have favorites from- icebreakers and hot chillys and Patagonia to name a few. Whatever you choose- look for a close fit and stretch.You want this layer to lie close to your skin and pull the moisture away.
10.) Waterproof Windbreaker. I wear the Patagonia women’s and Coop wears the Simms mens. Both are cut a little shorter so they don’t drag in the water while you are wading. They are fully waterproof and have special hand gaskets that don’t hold water if you have to get your hand wet.
It’s all worth it in the end! Happy Fishing!
A client from Vail stands in the early morning steam this winter.
A happy client, Barb, catches her first trout ever in a winter wonderland.
Guide, Cooper Anderson with a nice bow in a snowstorm on the Taylor River.
Me, creeking on Gore Creek after a fresh snowstorm.
One of my favorite ever photos of the peaceful Eagle River. Taken by Cooper Anderson.
I am screaming the cold away after getting my hand wet for this fish. It was fun though.
Guide friend Nate Reynolds with a beautiful fish out of the Taylor River in the snow. I think he needs more tippet.
