The Solstice Report: Missouri River 12.21.16
Fishable Conditions are a relative term. Above freezing is nice, but within reason, it can be a little colder. Wind is a big influence in cold weather. Especially sub-freezing temps. Your level of cut off based on winds of 30 mph, 20 mph, 15 mph and 10 mph or less will need to be factored into your fishability equation and the level of mercury in the thermometer. I notice my window of fishable conditions is directly related to how long it’s been since I’ve been on the water. The longer the separation, the nastier the weather I’m willing to challenge.
The thing about fishing in the winter is really just staying comfortable and having conditions that allow you to fish properly. If your line is freezing and your skin is freezing and you can’t make a decent cast or fishable drift, it’s pointless. Assuming the conditions allow you to present your flies appropriately, there are some comfort factors to consider.
I hate fishing with gloves, but sometimes it’s unavoidable. If you fish with gloves, chances are they are going to get wet. Contact with wet line and line spray is inescapable if you are casting varying lengths of line and retrieving a portion between casts. The best way to combat this is to plan on using more than one pair of gloves. I like to carry two pairs of fingerless for fishing and a big warm pair of mitts to warm my hands as needed. An external heat source like hand warmers or even a small propane heater are also great to have along.
If you need gloves, we have winter fingerless options online from Patagonia and Simms.
Boot foot waders are life changing for icy cold water. I’ve used a pair of Simms boot foot waders for years and my feet don’t even know they are wading. Knowing that not everyone has boot foot options (I currently need new ones), there are a few tips for dealing with stocking foot waders and cold water.
First, get the warmest socks you can find. Then slide a plastic bag over your foot before you pull on your waders. This creates a vapor barrier that will keep your stocking foot from getting damp (and funky). It also tricks your body into producing less sweat by keeping the warm humidity right around your feet.
Want hot feet? Check these out.
The next consideration is movement. Winter fishing is a slow process. You need to work the key holding water thoroughly. Just don’t stand in the water on one spot for 90 minutes. You’ll be an ice cube. If you’re walking like Frankenstein, you’ve been anchored in place for too long. Fish for 20-30 min and then get out and walk around until your blood is moving. Rotate between spots that might be a couple hundred yards up or down river. Walk back to the car, crank the heat and drive to another location.
Now for the fishing report. I don’t have any personal or shop talk accounts to draw from after three weeks of arctic cold. A few people purchased flies and ventured forth, never to return. I hope they are alright. I can tell you the flows are going to be in the mid 3000 cfs range. The water temps have bottomed out to their typical 35 degree winter chill. If the weather matches your fishable window, the fish are catchable. My last day fishing was December 1st. I had a great day swinging flies and landed a number of fish. On Friday, the forecast is for mid to 20s and wind less than 10 mph. That’s well within my relative window of "let’s give it a try."
If that's still to cold for you, then read this eMag and curl up at the nice warm tying bench.
It’s time to dig into the Firebeads and pink stuff again. Nymph the shelves and drop offs into slow moving or even slackish water. Swing the moderate flows. Don’t waste time on the quick and the barren. Remember that the fish feel like you do after standing in the water too long.