Winter Trout

[sbeausol]

I acually enjoy fishing in the winter, but have some general questions I would like some insight on....

Given the lower water temps and less food supply, I image that most fish won't be holding in their typically runs. I assume they might move to sections with lower flows, or deeper runs. Does this make sense? It seems to be logical as food intake is lower, and thus energy available is lower. With that in mind, how far will they move - as far as it takes, or am I over analyzing this, and they really don't move much at all?

Anyone have any experience/input on this?

[Venzulo]

My experience has been that you really have to slow the presentation down and basically hit the trout/salmon on the nose. An overcast or even snowing day is good too. Stay with the deep slow runs. -V

[fessiewig]

V,

In your experience, can you get closer to the fish or do you still have to apply stealth tactics?

[Venzulo]

Actually, in overcast conditions you can basically deadstick them at very close proximity. I watched my Brother-in-law land 2 salmon and a nice Rainbow with less than a 15 ft cast but very slow and deliberate. Bead-head nymphs I believe.-V

[Salmon Slayer]

I have found the same thing, that even though the fish are sluggish in their feeding, they are equally sluggish in avoiding us, so you can get pretty close. The sun is a key factor, both because it affects how well the fish see and how well we can see them, and also because direct sunlight can bump the water up a couple degrees in the early afternoon, sometimes enough to get the fishs' metabolisms going.
A helpful hint for the winter-if you put olive oil or some sort of lipid-based liquid on your eyelets it will help to slow down the accumulation of ice.

[Venzulo]

Here is a Loon product that does the trick.

http://www.loonoutdoors.com/cleanerslubricants.html

[wb man]

The Loon Ice off is great stuff. You only need to put it on the first 15 feet of your line or so, possible the guides as well depending on just how cold it is.

The other thing to remember when winter time fishing is their metabolism is so slowed that they will only eat a good sized meal once a week or so. Try really small nymphs, an egg pattern or a small streamer/traditional wet fly. Duane