Winter Fishing (part 1)

Believe it or not, fly fishing in Michigan is a year round activity. Obviously, many streams ice-over during the winter, so you have to use a certain degree of common sense in choosing your spot. But realistically, trout can be caught on flies twelve months out of the year.

Cold Water Brown: Post-spawn brown trout in late November.

Winter fishing is especially rewarding because of the solitude. Unless you’re fishing the Pere Marquette River’s “flies only” section, you probably won’t encounter another single fool . . . I mean fisherman . . . during your outing. The P-M is a story unto itself, however. I had some business to attend to in Big Rapids one weekday in February 2008, so I thought I’d swing out to Baldwin to fish the P-M. When I pulled in to the Green Cottage access, there were SIX cars already parked there. So much for solitude.

Customarily, however, there are very few fishermen that take advantage of the solitude that winter fishing offers. (I guess that’s what makes solitude, solitude.) There’s a flip side to all that solitude, however. Have you ever “casually” glanced around over your shoulder after releasing a feisty steelhead or brown trout back to the river, just to see if anyone had witnessed your act of nobility? Guess, what. No one’s going to be there. So take your camera along.

Let’s take a brief look at some of the basic elements of winter trout fishing. You might want to give it a try.

THE OBVIOUS
Scout before you go. Check out DNR regulations to locate river sections that are open to trout fishing during the winter. Then, pull out a map, and check for access. Keep in mind, that many trails will be snowbound, and impassable, except with a snowmobile. If the water is close enough to your home, you might even want to do a “drive by” before committing to the outing. Nothing will make you feel sillier than walking up to a stream with your waders on, just to find that the stream is completely frozen over . . . does that sound like someone is talking from experience??

When a river freezes over, it generally does so from the shoreline first, working out toward the swifter main current. This initial shoreline ice, is referred to as “shelf ice”. The presence of shelf ice doesn’t mean stream fishing is over. It just means that entering the stream can be tricky, or even treacherous. Early on, when shelf ice has just started forming, it’s generally possible to break it up as you step into the river from the bank. That’s not a problem.

But, what about when you can’t stomp it down? How far out on the shelf would YOU be willing to venture, knowing that at some point, as you worked your way toward open water, the ice would give way, and unceremoniously plunk you down into water of unknown depth? That’s where the “treacherous” word comes into play.

Shelf Ice: Shelf ice and slush, the demons of winter fishing.

Personally, I don’t play “shelf ice roulette”. If I can’t break through the shelf ice while still holding onto stout streamside vegetation . . . I’ll head back home to tie some grasshopper flies, or something else that reminds me of summer. Then, if we get a few days of above-freezing weather, I’ll go back and survey the shelf ice situation, again.

DRESS FOR COMFORT
Neoprene waders are snuggly warm when standing in 33F water. But, they are definitely not required for winter fishing. Actually, I have two pairs of waders. Originally, I had used the neoprenes with great glee during the winter, until they developed an un-repairable leak in the right boot. Then, I gave them to my son-in-law to wear, and I donned my breathable, summer waders. Everything worked out well. My son-in-law put a plastic garbage bag on his right foot, and I put on extra long johns. Just make sure your wading boot isn’t laced too tight. Cutting off blood flow to your extremities is a fast way to a miserable day on the river.

NOTE: I have been VERY pleased with my Cabela's brand 5mm neoprene waders. My waders came with felt soles for better traction. Swimming in the river in January should be avoided at all costs. Men's LaCrosse Super - Tuff 1000 - gram Thinsulate Ultra Insulation Mossy Oak Bottomland Chest Waders, MOSSY OAK, 14

Layering some quality insulated garments is just common senses. That has served me well. But, admittedly, I’m only good for about 3 hours of wading at a time. By then, I’m either bored out of my mind (fish aren’t biting), or my fingers are frozen senseless from getting them wet when I release my quarry back to the sea. Either way, I’ve had enough.

Gloves are nice to have . . . when you’re walking back to your vehicle. But, I never wear them while I’m fishing. I’ve just never figured out how to change flies without getting the barb tangled up in the knit wool. Taking them off to change flies, and you run the chance of dropping one into the river. THEN what will you wear when you walk back to the vehicle? That’s just what I do. You can figure that one out for yourself.

In Part 2, we'll look at tactics, rigging and flies.