Recently, at a New Year’s Day football game watch party, I was asked by someone what I wear to fly fish when the air temperature is 32 degrees.
The answer to that question was a golf shirt, sweatpants and sandals with no socks. I’ll be sitting in front of a roaring fire with a cup of hot coffee. If it’s late afternoon, the coffee is replaced with my favorite single malt scotch. After I gave him my answer, I found myself mumbling, “Why would anyone be outside fly fishing when it’s 32 degrees?”
I then realized he was new to the sport and hadn’t developed the necessary skills to determine when to fish and when to stay home. That exchange was followed by my seeing, and reading, an article in Fly Tyer, “12 Flies for Cold Weather Trout.” I checked my fly box and found I use those 12 flies for warm-weather trout. I don’t think I know the difference between warm and cold weather.
With that question and article out of the way, the new question is, “What is a dedicated fly fisher to do when the weather map shows cold and freezing weather across much of the country?”
Well, if time and money permits, head for the southern tip of the Florida Keys. If you have lots of money and time, head for Hawaii, South America or the Caribbean. If those travel options won’t work for you, and staying home in the cold is your destiny, you do have some good alternatives.
I enjoy planning a summer road trip to a location that holds a special place stored in my box of fond memories. The road trip I am planning for this summer is to The Rail Road Ranch on the Henry’s Fork in Island Park, Idaho. If you’ve been to The Rail Road Ranch, you understand my wanting to return to it. If you haven’t been to the ranch, you should go. It is proof positive that “trout don’t live in ugly places.”
Inspecting your equipment is another worthwhile activity. It also can be done inside where it is warm and dry. I suggest you start with your fly boxes. After you’ve looked to see if you have the “12 Flies for Cold Weather Trout,” begin the process of assessing your collection of flies. Get rid of flies you haven’t used in two years, flies you can’t name and flies you can’t see to tie them to a leader. Once you’ve done that see if the flies you keep will now fit into one fly box. It’s a challenge.
Another piece of equipment to inspect is your vest or whatever you use hold all your gear. If the vest is so filthy that no amount of washing will get it clean and the pockets are beginning to tear off, this could be a good place to spend some of the money Santa left under the tree.
Checking fly lines is an area often overlooked. Recently, as I was putting reel on my rod, I noticed the line was so old and full of cracks that it was going to be a sinking line. A new three-weight line is on my shopping list. A new line will help you make great casts.
Tying flies is always a good way to stay warm and dry. I suggest you tie only flies you can name and use. I tie them on nothing smaller than a size 16 hook. They are just easier for old eyes to see. If you don’t tie flies, this might be a good time learn.
With some new, or updated equipment, you’ll be able to comfortably head out when the weather warms up and test the theory, “Trout don’t live in ugly places.”
Reach Don Oliver at durango.fishing@gmail.com.
