Winter can be the best time of year to go fly fishing, with its crisp, cool days and beautiful scenery. That said, it’s important to know what you’re doing before you head out on the ice with your rod and reel; otherwise, you may find yourself more cold and wet than enjoying the sport you love. Use these seven tips to ensure that you enjoy winter fly fishing as much as possible!
1) Know where the fish are
Lake Charles and its nearby areas provide year-round fishing opportunities. Known as one of Louisiana’s premier sport fishing destinations, Lake Charles is a great place to fish in all seasons. Most people want to count out the winter months, but, truth is that the winter months can be a successful time for Lake Charles to put on a show. Especially if you’re looking to do a little winter fly fishing. Before heading out to the waters, it’ll do you good to know the patterns o;f the fish you’re looking for and where they tend to hang out when the temperatures drop – that way you’re casting your line in the right area! A quick Google search should do the trick!
For Example: Where do ____ fish go in cold weather?
2) Dress Appropriately for Winter Fly Fishing
Dressing properly is an important step to winter fly fishing success. It’s crucial that you’re dressed appropriately in layers so that you can regulate your body temperature as conditions change. If you’re not moving around a lot, there’s no need to wear heavy clothes. If you are active, though, make sure that you layer up when necessary and take off a layer if you get too hot. You don’t want to be fighting off hypothermia or heat exhaustion while trying to catch fish! A hat and scarf will keep you warm without restricting your movements, but there are many other options out there. Avoid thin clothing made of synthetic materials—they trap air inside instead of letting it flow over you to provide insulation. Wool is a great choice for layers because it works well with your natural body temperature regulation system; also consider pile clothing like sweaters and scarves which work well with down jackets.
3) Keep your hands warm
If you want to catch a lot of fish in winter, your hands need to be warm and dry. The best thing you can do is buy a pair of glove liners and make sure that they’re always in your pockets when you go fishing. When it’s cold out, it can feel impossible to fish with wet or even damp hands. Gloves are important because they protect your hands from both extreme weather and from becoming too sensitive when water seeps into them.
4) Have Good Gear for Winter Fly Fishing
Fly fishing gear can range in price and quality, but having good gear is worth it. When you’re fly fishing in winter, poor-quality gear can make your task more difficult. Using well-made fly rods, reels and lines will help you enjoy your day on the water instead of worrying about your gear. Opting for a sturdy snow mobile or fish van is also important when fly fishing during cold weather. By using high-quality items, you can have an enjoyable time on your trip without missing fish due to equipment failure.
Stop by Lake Charles Bait & Tackle to shop for your favorite Winter Fly Fishing gear or get our expert advice if you’re not sure exactly what to look for!
5) Try new techniques
It can be easier to learn fly fishing techniques when there are fewer people around, but it might not seem as much fun. If you want to try something new on your winter fishing excursions, focus on trying new techniques and exploring variations in technique. There’s a lot of information about how to fly fish during warmer months out there, so take advantage of all that research by trying something new and then researching how best to do it so you can replicate your success next time around. You may even come up with a completely original technique that no one else is doing yet!
6) Fish early in the morning
Winter mornings, in general, are much less busy than any other time of day. This is great news if you’re looking to go fishing before your day starts. Just make sure you bring a warm layer to throw on when you get there – you’ll be glad you did! Also, most anglers will tell you that winter days tend to be brighter and warmer than they seem. The dimmer hours of early morning still provide plenty of light by which to fish; just grab a pair of polarized sunglasses and head out. Finally, regardless of what time of year it is, always dress in layers – trust us: it makes life much easier when trying to avoid getting soaked or lost in some deep snow!
7) Enjoy Winter Fly Fishing Wonderland
We’re all so eager to get to our favorite stream in fall, when temperatures are warm and we’re donning our waders. But if you’re looking to fly fish during winter, it’s worth taking a moment to enjoy that snow-covered wonderland—and any time spent outside is time well spent in your sport.