Fly Fishing Tips

This winter, when everyone else is headed for cover in their homes, the adventurous fly fisherman is headed out into the crisp rushing waters to take advantage of some of the most exciting fly fishing of the year. If you’re the type who doesn’t let winter get between you and fishing, then pack your tackle box with an assortment of fishing flies and try out one of these choice winter locations.

Whistler, Canada:

Get your recipes out for wild steelhead, salmon, rainbow trout, and char, because that’s what you’ll be coming home with after a fly fishing trip to Whistler, Canada. Temperatures here in the winter months range between 35 degrees and 46 degrees Fahrenheit so pack your thermals! As for packing your tackle box, some good bets for fishing flies are green highlander, the Green Butt Skunk, and the Thunder and Lightning.

Eureka, California:

Needs something a little warmer? Winter temperatures in Eureka rarely dip below 45 degrees. There are 6 fly fishing rivers in this little Northern California town: The Smith River, The Klamath River, The Trinity River, The Mad River, The Eel River, and the Van Duzen River. Each has its own unique qualities, but each is rich with steelhead. In these rivers, you’ll want to pack plenty of fishing flies that appeal to these hungry fish including the Black Bear Green Butt, Black Dose, and the Orange Body Bomber.

Lake Creek, Alaska:

If you’re dreaming of reeling in some of the biggest, most beautiful salmon in the US, you’ve got to get out to Lake Creek Alaska. In these lakes you’ll have the opportunity to catch huge King Salmon, Pink Salmon, Chum Salmon, Rainbow Trout, and Northern Pikes. Pack lots of different fishing flies but be sure to include sinking flies like nymphs and dry flies.

Taupo Region, New Zealand:

If you’re going to take a fishing trip during the winter, you may as well go big! New Zealand is an outdoor lover’s paradise, with some of the most amazing scenery anywhere in the world. Wintertime fishing in New Zealand is best in the Taupo region. This area is believe to be where the largest number of rainbow trouts in the world spawn. For fishing flies, you’ll want to pack lots of nymphs, particularly pheasant tail nymph, hare and copper nymph, and various forms of caddis.

Sure, it’s cold and there are fewer hatches and therefore fewer fish in the winter. But those that are there are out are practically begging to take hold of a juicy-looking fishing fly. So start dreaming, find your ideal spot, load up on fishing flies and set out on an adventure to break up those long winter months. If nothing else, you’ll come back with some great fishing stories.

Can you feel the cool water coming up around your ankles? Can you feel the warm sunshine beating down on your face while watching the most beautiful Bald Eagles soar above? Then you do the only thing left to make this moment perfect, you begin to pick up your reel and step further into the water as rainbows and dollies swim just seeming to call your name. This is the experience that you can find when Alaskan fly-fishing. The experience of fishing in remote areas, soaking in some of the greenest trees you have ever seen, immersing yourself in the untouched natural surroundings, while casting your line in the cool Alaskan waters.

Alaskan fly-fishing is an adventure for anyone looking for a once in a lifetime experience. When you go fly fishing in Alaska you will find over hundreds of great fishing spots in over a 1,000 miles of streams and rivers. Anglers will have endless chances to catch dollies, rainbow trout, king salmon, and pink salmon. Though it is usually the larger than life sized fish that tends to draw anglers to the great adventure and the fun of fly fishing in Alaska, that’s just the beginning of what you will experience. While on your fly fishing adventure, it is likely that you will see whales, seals, otters, bears and other varieties of wildlife wandering the countryside.

Going on an Alaskan fly fishing trip isn’t just for the experienced angler either. It doesn’t matter if you are a novice, or third generation fly fisherman, Alaskan fly-fishing can be for you. There are vacation packages that include private cabins and secluded islands. If you are the only angler in the family that is all right because there are a variety of other things the entire family can do. There’s camping, sightseeing, and fun for the whole family. You can take a cruise on a boat, swim in the beautiful lakes, or take in any of the countless tourist attractions around. If you’re an angler of any kind, it will most likely be the solitude of the waters, and the unending supply of fish that will draw you into the enjoyment of Alaskan fly-fishing.

The under exploited waters allow for plentiful fresh fish just right for the catching. Helping Mother Nature in the overflow of the fish is the Department of Fish and Game. They have a widespread planting and stocking program throughout the waters of Alaska so that when you go on your Alaskan fly fishing journey, you will find no shortage of Artic graylings, rainbow trout, lake trout, Coho salmon, king salmon, and Artic char.