Winter Stream Update
Winter trout season is upon us! With colder ambient air and water temperatures, the trout’s metabolism and our window of opportunity to catch them is compressed both in terms of productive water and prime hours to be on the water. Typically, trout thrive in water temperatures of 55-65 degrees, but as predominant water temperatures cool during the winter months, our quarry will follow suit and become conditioned to cooler water temperatures. During the winter months, we scarcely see water temperatures rising above 55 degrees. While fishing our streams during the winter season, the key factor we are looking for is a fluctuation in water temperature. The trout is a cold-blooded animal, and its metabolism and therefore its need for food is controlled by water temperature. 80-90% of our streams have a strong spring water influence with optimal water temperatures and productive fishing through the winter months.
Veteran fly fishers seek out the three entities, which offer fluctuation in water temperatures during the winter – predominant air temperature, time of day and spring influence on water temperatures. If overnight low and daily high air temperatures remain unseasonably warm for a period of days, this has a profound positive effect on water temperatures. Ambient air temperatures through the afternoon hours will also influence rises in water temperature on a daily/hourly basis as the sun warms the water. Most importantly, springs and spring-fed tributaries offer the most optimal temperatures in which to find feeding trout. The cold water sources which we seek out during the warm summer months provide comparatively warm water sources for our winter trout, and as the warmer spring water mixes with the predominantly cooler water, trout migration and feeding patterns are effected. Carry a good stream thermometer and use it! Where trout hold and when and where they feed on a seasonal, daily and hourly basis can be plotted by water temperature.
Spring creeks such as Big Spring, Letort Spring Run, and Spring Creek have a high incidence of cress bugs and freshwater shrimp, and trout continue to feed on these organisms throughout the winter months. Aquatic nymphs are also important food sources, but are predominantly small and immature compared to their mature pre-hatching counterparts in the spring. Effective nymphing skills are an important asset for your winter trouting.
Temperate streams and spring creeks alike will see almost daily midge hatches in the afternoons. Trout can be found sipping these tiny insects in the slower stretches. Pay careful attention to slower stretches with a silty bottom substrate.
Large streamer and sculpin patterns account for some of the largest fish of the year during the winter months. Fish these slowly and methodically in the best fish holding structure you can find. These food items provide a lot of calories with little energy expenditure on the trout’s part – difficult for a hungry fish to pass up!
As with all seasons, presentation of your fly is really the key to success. With its slowed metabolism, the winter trout will not move far for its food – so it is important to get your fly close to the fish and cover productive water thoroughly.
Every fly fisher is smarter than any fish! With a basic understanding of the trout’s biology and ecosystem, the diligent angler can have some very memorable days on our water during the winter months. Winter fishing on our spring – fed streams provides optimal water temperatures with very good to excellent fishing through the winter months – one of the best kept secrets in Pennsylvania. Gear up & get out!
Recommended winter fly patterns:
Griffith’s Gnat #20-26
Gray or Black Midge #26
Gray or Black Midge Pupae #26
Olive/Gray Cress Bug #12-20
Brown/Mottled Sculpins #6-10
In addition, the use of basic “food nymphs” like Hare’s Ears, Pheasant Tails and Soft Hackles in smaller sizes such as 16, 18 and 20 will account for many nice fish.
Pattern of the month
Tom’s Sculpin
Hook: Mustad #3906B, size 8
Eyes: 1/50 or 1/30 oz. lead eyes
Tail: Brown and black marabou and brown flashabou
Fins: Mottled brown hen back feathers
Body: Brown/black variegated chenille
1. Tie lead eyes on top of hook shank using figure 8 wraps, 1/3 of the way down the hook shank. Coat with lacquer or Zap A Gap.
2. Advance thread to hook bend, tie in sparse clump of brown marabou equal in length to 1 ½ times the hook length. Tie in 2 strands of brown flashabou on top of the brown marabou, and top with a sparse clump of black marabou, same length as the brown.
3. Tie in 6” section of medium variegated chenille at hook bend.
4. Advance thread to behind lead eyes, and tie in Hen feathers for wings. They should flare out to the sides, following the natural contour of the feather, and equal to 2 times the hook gap in length. You can also add rubber legs if you’d like.
5. Wind the chenille forward to form a dense body, completing with a bulky head formed by figure 8 wraps around the lead eyes. Tie off the chenille behind the hook eye.
This fly will ride upside down and go deep with an erratic motion very similar to that of a natural sculpin. You can also fish heavy structure with this fly – it’s virtually weedless.
