New Year’s Eve Day marked my final fishing outing of 2024. I couldn’t think of a better way to close out the year than to spend a few hours on my local river practicing my winter nymphing. Despite the late start, the day offered valuable lessons in patience, presentation, and gratitude for the role fly fishing plays in my life. This post is a companion to my YouTube video, How to Fish Two Nymphs | Winter Tightline Nymphing Tactics, where I share the techniques and insights that made this trip memorable.
Choosing the Right Setup for Winter Nymphing
Winter fishing demands a thoughtful approach, and my go-to setup for the season is a mono-rig leader paired with a two-nymph trailer rig. This rig excels in slow, deep pools and tailouts, where trout tend to hold during the colder months. For my point fly, I chose an Eggstacy egg, an effective attractor that also provides the necessary weight to get the rig deep. Trailing behind, a zebra midge served as the smaller, more natural “dough” fly. This pairing is what I like to call the “Show and the Dough”—the egg grabs attention, while the more reasonable zebra midge seals the deal.
Time to Trailer
The trailer rig is effective in winter because it keeps both flies at the same depth, maximizing your chances of enticing fish holding near the bottom. Tying a 12-inch piece of tippet through the eye of the point fly ensures the trailing zebra midge drifts naturally behind. The egg serves as both an attractor and a weight, helping the smaller fly reach the strike zone. While many fish will eat the egg, its primary job is to get the zebra midge into the trout’s feeding lane.
Searching for Solitude
Winter fishing generally attracts fewer anglers, but the unseasonably warm day drew a few out of their slumber. I found the access lots crowded with trucks, seemingly all plastered with various fly-fishing industry stickers. Unable to access my first-choice spots, I opted for a less popular stretch of the river. This detour was beneficial. The solitude allowed me to focus on reading the water and dialing in my presentation without distractions. I targeted slow, deep pools and the tailouts of runs—classic winter trout lies where fish conserve energy in the gentler currents.
Water Types for Winter Nymphing
Winter nymphing success starts with knowing where trout are likely to hold. Unlike the faster, oxygen-rich runs of spring, winter trout seek out slower, deeper sections of the river. These areas provide the perfect combination of safety and energy efficiency, allowing trout to feed while expending minimal effort.
On my local river, which is primarily stocked, this predictability is even more pronounced. Unlike wild trout, which may scatter throughout the river, stocked fish tend to favor the deeper pools and soft seams where they feel most secure. Years of experience here have taught me to focus my efforts on these zones, making each cast count.
Understanding the nuances of winter water types doesn’t happen overnight, but with time and observation, patterns emerge. Pay attention to current speed, depth, and structure—key indicators of where trout will be holding during the cold months. These insights are invaluable for maximizing your time on the water.
Casting and Drifting for Winter Nymphing
Casting and drifting correctly are essential for this method. I always cast upstream, aiming well ahead of my target zone. Keeping my casting arm still, I use my line hand to retrieve slack, ensuring I maintain contact with my flies. The key is to let the flies fall naturally through the water column. Visualizing the egg rolling along the bottom with the zebra midge trailing behind helps me stay in tune with the drift.
If I notice my flies aren’t reaching the bottom, I’ll add a split shot above the point fly. While this may incite the wrath of the Euro Police, it’s an effective way to adapt to changing water conditions. For us mortal recreational anglers, the occasional placement of a split shot will not anger the fly-fishing Gods. In the winter, the goal is almost always to get down to the fish—adjustments like this can make all the difference. (Just don’t mention it on Facebook).
Strike Detection for Winter Nymphing
Winter trout rarely attack flies aggressively. Instead, their strikes are often subtle, demanding complete focus on your sighter. A slight hesitation, a subtle twitch, or a brief pause in the sighter can all signal a take. The key is intentional attention to the sighter, watching for even the smallest disruption in its smooth drift. Don’t expect to feel the usual tug or jolt! These winter fish require a different kind of engagement—remaining fully connected with every drift, every movement, so you don’t miss those quiet opportunities. It’s about tuning into the details, staying patient, and trusting that the fish will show themselves when you’re alert enough.
Trout in the Net
While the river holds a mix of stocked, wild, and holdover trout, my New Year’s Eve outing turned into a string of obviously stocked rainbows. I joked to the camera that I must not be skilled enough to hook a wild brown, but honestly, every trout—whether stocked or not—contributes to the experience. Stocked rainbows might not hold the same appeal as their wild counterparts for some anglers, but they’re a reminder of the river’s health and its ability to offer something to everyone, no matter what you’re after.
Affordable Gear Tip
I recently published a video for anglers seeking affordable solutions for expensive fluorocarbon. For this trip, I used Seaguar IceX fluorocarbon as a substitute for the traditional fly shop tippet. At 3-pound test, it’s comparable to 6X tippet in diameter, making it perfect for small flies like the zebra midge. Its thinner diameter allows the midge to move naturally in the current, which is essential for enticing trout. Substituting gear-brand fluorocarbon is a simple way to decrease costs while maintaining effectiveness. Just don’t let the Euro Police know you are doing it. They’ll judge.
Putting it All Together
Understanding winter water types and mastering a natural drift are essential skills, but seeing these techniques in action makes all the difference. On New Year’s Eve, I put these strategies to the test, fishing a two-nymph rig in my local river’s deep, slow runs. The result? A rewarding day capped with valuable lessons and a few beautiful trout.
To see exactly how I approach winter tightline nymphing, check out my YouTube video, How to Fish Two Nymphs | Winter Tightline Nymphing Tactics. In the video, I break down the rig setup, casting techniques, and how I maintain contact with the flies for an effective drift. Click below to watch and bring these tips to life on your own water!
Final Thoughts
The day wrapped up with a sense of both satisfaction and gratitude. There’s something about spending the final hours of the year on the water that just feels right, as if it brings everything to a natural close. The quiet of winter, the challenge of adapting to the conditions, and the constant adjustment of tactics—it all made for the perfect way to close out 2024. I hope the video that accompanies this blog inspires you to brave the winter chill and take on the unique challenges of winter nymphing. It’s a rewarding pursuit, with plenty to learn if you’re willing to put in the time and attention.
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Have a great day!
Jeff Smecker
