Pro Tips: How to Gear Up for Winter Fly Fishing

Written by: Chip Swanson, Breckenridge Outfitters

When we’re out on the river during the winter, my clients
usually have a lot to say. Here are some of my favorite quotes:

“My feet are like bricks!”

“Aren’t your hands cold, too, Mr. Chip?” 

“I should have dressed better”

“This is great! Can you just guide me to the bar
instead? I’m frozen now.”

Since I guide year-round at 9,000 feet of altitude, I don’t
have much choice about guiding in winter conditions. But other anglers do. And
many people choose not to fish in the winter because the thought of standing in
water when the air temperature is below freezing is miserable. Not to mention
that many people who have attempted to winter fly-fish in the past may have not
been prepared because they didn’t know what to expect. This is the biggest reason
that people quit early or find winter fishing extremely daunting.

It doesn’t have to be! There is no bad weather, just bad
gear and poor preparation. Okay, -15F does suck, but we can still catch fish .
. . if that’s really what you want to
do. So, to begin this series on winter fly fishing, let’s talk about what to
wear. Below, I have compiled a list of layering pieces that you can add or
subtract based on weather conditions. Following that, I will touch on some
ideas of how to mentally and physically prepare yourself for winter torture . .
. I mean fly fishing.

Inside Out and Head
to Toe

Remember that layering is key and to leave ALL cotton at
home.

Base Layer: Start
with a thin polypropylene or wool layer for your top and bottom.

Mid layer: This
should be a slightly thicker fleece top. Followed by a very thick
fleece/insulating pant. If your second pair of socks can cover this fleece
layer a bit, I think it helps. 

3rd layer: soft
shell, light/thin insulated jacket, or a vest can be added here

Optional 4th and 5th
layers: Puffy down or Primaloft jacket and waterproof shell, depending on
weather.

Socks: I wear two
pairs. The first pair is a very, very thin pair of wool or synthetic ski socks.
The second pair should be a very thick wool mountaineering or hiking sock. No
cotton athletic socks!  Anglers from Southern states, I’m kinda looking in
your direction here. No hate. Just sayin’ that it’s cold up here at 9,400 feet,
y’all. Love you folks, but seriously, just get some wool socks.

Gloves: This is
the big one people always ask about. To start off, I prefer using fingerless
gloves, or the ones that fold over to create a mitten or glove but still allow
your fingers to be exposed. I also use a pair of liner gloves with the very
tips of the thumb, index and middle fingers cut off. I will often end up using
both pairs during the day, so that when one pair gets wet or when I’m clumsy
and drop one, I have a dry pair of gloves waiting for me. Next, having a good
pair of mittens or a thick pair of ski gloves in your pack or tucked inside
your jacket is essential for warm-up sessions. For advanced tactics, latex
gloves offer lots of benefits when you handle fish with your bare hands or are
doing a lot of line-stripping.

Neck gaiter, Buff, or
balaclava: Keeping your neck warm is crucial. All of these options can be
pulled up or down to add warmth as needed. They can also collect moisture and
freeze, so having multiples can be nice, allowing you to switch them out as
needed. 

Hats: Hats are
fun! A simple knit hat works just fine; however, a baseball hat with a knit hat
over the top of it will give you the benefit of the brim to help with sun
glare, as well as keep you warm. I’m a huge fan of hoods, which can always be
deployed quickly to add or remove heat.

Sunglasses: On
very cloudy and overcast days, stick to non-mirrored polarized glasses
(especially on waters where fish are easily spooked). On sunnier days, a
mirrored lens isn’t bad, but be aware of your “stream presence.” I
know I’ve spooked fish just because of a bright, mirrored lens. Just be aware. In
general, stick to polarized lenses in brown, amber, or low light yellow/pink
(for very overcast days).

Sunscreen: The
sun can still be very intense, even on winter days. As a bonus, sunscreen can
also prevent windburn. Try to apply your sunscreen in the morning as you’re
getting ready at home, not stream-side. It’s too cold for that!

Wading boots: Spikes
or cleats on your wading boots can be a big help. You may want to consider
carbide spikes that are easy to add and remove. Leave the felt-soled boots at
home because they tend to gather snow, mud, and other freezing stuff on the way
to the river, making it very difficult to walk. Remember that you should be
able to wiggle your toes with all your socks on; don’t cut down your
circulation, which will make you cold. Choose the right size boot-wader-sock
combo.

Waders: You have
a couple of options here. First, buy waders big enough that you can get all
your winter layers underneath, and make sure your two pairs of socks (and
neoprene) fit into your boots. The other option is to have two different types
of waders: Your winter set and your summer set. Spendy? Yes. Worth it if you do
this enough? Yes, maybe. Even those neoprene duck-hunting waders with the
attached boots can be a warm option. Other anglers (probably me) may snicker a
little, but if you’re warm, who cares? This is just fishing, not a fashion show.
Well, actually looking at my Instagram right now, maybe it is for some.

Hand warmers: When
used correctly, these little beauties can help you out tremendously. Most people
just throw them right in their gloves, but I find this the least effective
method. Plus, they are always falling out whenever you take your gloves off.
Want the #cheatcode that I use? Put hand warmers close to your arteries. This
means you should pop them on the inside of your wrists in between your base and
mid-layers. Or use a tennis wristband to hold them in place, John McEnroe
style. Use the sticky warmers in other places like under armpits or behind
knees if you’re really, really cold. Just don’t apply the hand warmer directly
to bare skin.

Towel: This is a
major #cheatcode also. Use a microfiber towel or even just an old golf or dish
towel to dry off your hands before placing them back in your gloves or mittens.
The microfiber options are smaller and take up less space. This is also helpful
for drying off gear that gets accidentally wet, like your reel or rod
handle. 

Backup Clothes:
Keep an extra hoodie, pair of sweat pants, pair of socks, and full-size towel
in your vehicle. This can really save your butt if you take a fall into the
river. If you do fall in the river and get wet, or God forbid fill your waders,
you’re done for the day. Bail out immediately and get to your warm and dry
layers. Hypothermia sets in very quickly.

Before heading out to fish, try on all your gear at home.
Make sure all the layering selections fit under your waders (minus the big
puffy and Gore-Tex layers, which will go on the outside of the waders). You
might feel a little like the Michelin Man, and your wife or roommates will make fun of you, but make sure you
can move around enough to crawl onto riverbanks. You don’t want to be like the
kid in A Christmas Story who falls down and can’t get up because he
has too many layers on, especially because you’re going to be standing (or
should I say, falling) in moving rivers. 

Preparing Mind and
Body

So, now that you know what to wear, how do you mentally and
physically prepare yourself for this winter fishing odyssey you intend to
take? 

First, get lots of sleep, hydrate, and eat a good breakfast.
Eating a good, high-calorie breakfast can go a long way for warmth and
longevity. Personally, I like high fats and carbs, with some sort of hot sauce
or spice incorporated. Second, prepare your body by doing some stretching
before you head out. In winter especially, balance on slippery surfaces is the
name of the game. Give your body a fighting chance at staying upright. It’s
important to know your physical limits. Remember, if wading is tough for you in
the summer, it’s going to be even tougher in the winter. Consider a wading
staff. And most importantly, have realistic
expectations. You and your friends are probably not going to last as long as
you normally would in the summer, and you should be prepared to be okay with
that. You’re also probably not going to catch as many fish. Be okay with that,
too.

Do your research before you head out. Know if the water is
still flowing or if it is frozen and what weather will be like throughout the
day. And as part of your preparation, get organized before you leave the house.
The less time you have to search for stuff or rig in cold weather, the better.
That’s vital fishing time—and warmth—wasted. This can include getting your
flies and bag organized, verifying you have the tippet and indicators you want,
pre-rigging a couple of set-ups you think will work, and so on.

If your destination might not have cell coverage, tell
someone where you’re going and when you expect to be back. The chances of
having a car battery die or getting stuck are greater in the winter. There also
tend to be fewer people around to help you out of the trout-induced pickle
you’ve gotten yourself into on your favorite dirt road of misery. Just let
someone know when and where they should be sending out the search party.

Have fun out there! Stay warm, go fish, and keep the rubber
side down!

Chip Swanson, the 2019 Orvis-Endorsed Fly-Fishing Guide of the Year, works for Breckenridge Outfitters, in Breckenridge, Colorado. The next installment of his winter-fishing series will include where to find trout in the winter and different rigging techniques and tactics to find them.