Salomone: Accessories for winter fly fishing
Staying warm and dry — and shifting from summer expectations — can make angling during the colder months a joyful adventure
Michael Salomone/Courtesy photo
Jack Frost blew into the valley, putting slush in the river and forming ice bridges overnight. The Eagle River held out as long as it could. Winter angling has set in. Fly anglers can either adapt or abstain. Die-hards who refuse to shelve their fly rod even under the blistery chill of winter survive by knowing how to dress and what to bring to make cold weather fly fishing a pleasure — not a pain.
Keeping warm on the river in winter is a constant task. Wind, cold water and snow are not the conditions that most anglers are used to. Prepping for the cold sets anglers up for success. And success comes in many forms.
Cold weather lowers the number of fish an angler should expect to catch. Any fish is an accomplishment. Making it out and back in comfort is a form of success. The more anglers achieve success, the more attractive winter fly fishing becomes. Increase the comfort factor and winter fly fishing becomes an aspect of your fly fishing to look forward to rather than avoid.
The quiet found on the river in the winter absorbs you. Anglers gain a more intimate look at the river. The scenery makes for a fly fishing wonderland. With the addition of a few easily purchased items, anglers can cover a lot of the common issues that negatively affect winter angling and ensure an enjoyable experience.
Stanley’s ice-off paste should be applied to the line guides and rod tip. Casting and stripping causes the cold water from your fly line to accumulate into ice chunks in your rod guides. An annoyance more than a discomfort, expect to reapply as the product loses effectiveness.
Support Local Journalism
Buffs work — even your thin summer buff cuts the chill, forms a wind barrier and covers sensitive gaps where cold air touches thin skin. There are heavy winter buffs. Even the neck gaiter skiers wear is an added bonus for fighting off the chill on the river while focusing on your drift. Protecting your neck prevents the cold from creeping down into your body.
Rubber-soled boots are the best choice for cold weather angling. Felt quickly becomes a frozen nightmare to walk in safely. Ice, snow and slush combine to layer an increasing stack of frozen debris until your feet look like a pair of stage boots for the heavy metal band KISS.
Sizing up one or two shoe sizes prevents cramped toes. Toes that have room to wiggle maintain warmth more easily. Heavy socks and toe heaters fit into oversized boots comfortably.
Hot hands are a carry-over tool from the slopes that fits right into winter fly fishing. They are air-activated, so opening and giving them a little time to warm up is a good idea. I am not sure of the shelf life but a pierced package can render the item ineffective. The small heaters fit into gloves with special pockets or the kangaroo, hand warmer pouch on your waders.
Hot hands make toe warmers too. These items do take up some room in your boot which is another reason for upsizing your boots in the winter.
Hats are essential for keeping body warmth and extending time on the water. A winter hat pulled over a billed hat keeps ears warm, maintains heat and blocks sun from your eyes. Modern fabrics block wind with less bulk than the old watch cap, but any headwear helps in the winter.
Gloves made for angling are common. Fold over mittens with pockets for Hothands heaters or fingerless wool gloves to maintain dexterity and assist in warmth keep anglers in the game longer. A quick dip in the water to release a trout can ruin the wrong gloves and prematurely send you back to the truck. Fish do not need to be held in the winter.
Layer under your waders as much as possible. Fleece and down or primaloft for insulation hold heat close to your body. There are insulated waders, but the common Gore-Tex wader with sensible layers underneath covers most situations.
Sunglasses are winter essentials. Polarized lenses not only cut the glare to see into the water more effectively, they also limit the amount of light snow reflects. This eases the strain on your eyes in the winter.
Winter fly fishing provides anglers the opportunity to expand their experience. A few easy to purchase accessories from Vail Valley Anglers make for a successful, comfortable adventure.
Michael Salomone moved to the Eagle River valley in 1992. He began guiding fly-fishing professionally in 2002. His freelance writing has been published in magazines and websites including, Southwest Fly Fishing, Fly Rod & Reel, Eastern Fly Fishing, On the Fly, FlyLords, the Pointing Dog Journal, Upland Almanac, the Echo website, Vail Valley Anglers and more. He lives on the bank of the Eagle River with his wife, Lori; two daughters, Emily and Ella; and a brace of yellow Labrador retrievers.
