Here are a few tips and techniques to make open water angling both enjoyable. And safe.
Pick your spots – Winter angling is best enjoyed when the temperature is hovering around zero or a little higher. When the air temperature is too cold ice formation on your rod guides inevitably occurs making casting difficult. While angling is best during the warmest part of the day when fish are most active.
Ice is always going to be an issue. Be aware of ridges, overhangs and drifting ice pans. A mid-winter dunking can not only be uncomfortable, it can be downright dangerous. Know your limits and err on the side of caution.
Go Slow or Go Home – Slow down presentations and retrieves in winter. Get your flies right on the fishes’ noses. Be patient. Even if you don’t catch something open water angling in January is almost like cheating.
Read the Regs – There are many different closures and other restrictions on winter fisheries that aren’t around in the summer months.
Layer Up – Keeping warm in a cold climate is one of the great challenges of winter angling. Waders should be neoprene but breathables work too. Layering is the key and extra socks are a must.
A pair of fingerless gloves are an essential assets to keeping your hands warm yet still allowing the delicate finger work needed for changing flies, etc.
Freedom of movement is also important so a combo of underwear, shirts and fleeces is far better for mobility than one bulky parka.
Attitude Adjustment – Look, it’s Christmas week, you shouldn’t really be doing this. But you’ve got a rod in your hand, a silky river is flowing by you and there’s a good possibility you might catch a fish. You’re already ahead of the game anyway. Enjoy the moment.
If your strike indicator jerks and there’s something solid throbbing at the other end, consider that a bonus. You’ve already beaten the odds by getting out at all.
