Techniques

Question: I recently went to a presentation on winter fly-fishing, and all the dry flies discussed were smaller than size 20. I am almost 70 years old, and there’s no way I’ll be able to see those patterns on the water. What’s my best option? —Jeff K., CT Answer: For those of us in our bifocal years, this is a real problem. If we can barely see...

Winter is the most frustrating time to be a fly angler. The weather is cold, the rivers are frozen, and warm sunny days of casting dry flies to rising trout seem so far away. Most of us just deal with it or find another hobby to keep them occupied during the cold months. Perhaps you’ll do a bit of winter nymphing here and there just to stay in shape, and...

Question: I love to fish early spring hatches of blue-winged olives using flies tied with CDC, but after a while the CDC fibers get stuck together and I can’t get the fly to float well anymore. What’s the secret? —Brennen M., Salt Lake City, UT Answer: CDC (or cul de canard, which means “duck’s ass” in French) is a killer wing material because...

The end of winter is always an exciting time for fly fishers. It’s time to start dusting off the rods and prep for the early part of the season. It also happens to be a time when trout in lakes and ponds get very aggressive, leading to some fun opportunities. Remote Waters The Adirondack Mountains of New York feature many remote ponds that are locked up...

Question: I plan to fish streamers a lot this spring, but I struggle to cast sinking lines of any kind. How can I make sure my streamers get deep enough if I’m using a floating line? —Charlie H, via email Answer: While sinking-tip lines and loop-to-loop sinking heads make it easier to get streamers down in the water column, there are plenty of...

Every year, hundreds of trout anglers travel to exotic destinations such as Belize or The Bahamas in pursuit of their first bonefish on the fly. But even experienced fly fishers can end up humbled because they aren’t prepared for the ways in which flats fishing makes different demands on them. Here are five essential ways to prepare for and maximize your...

Question: I’ve always used an improved clinch knot to tie on flies and a double surgeon’s to attach tippet. My fishing buddy keeps telling me I need to switch to “100% knots.” Is there really such a thing? —Mark C., via email Answer: The short answer is No. Fly fishers love nothing more than arguing about the relative merits of knots. Everyone has...

Question: I really want to get out on the water this winter, but one thing is stopping me: I hate being cold. What are the best ways to stay warm on the water? —Fred W., via email Answer: Winter fly fishing is a great way to escape cabin fever, and it feeds your angling jones during the dark months. However, to enjoy your time on the water, you need to...

When winter's chill descends, many anglers put their fly-fishing gear away and focus on fly tying or some other hobby until the first warm spell of spring or Opening Day rolls around. But wherever regulations and open water allow, you can catch trout throughout colder months, and if you’re willing to be outside to ski or snowshoe, why wouldn’t you also...

Question: I'm still tying on Mustad & Son 94842 hooks (upturned eyes) that I bought in the 1970s. I don't see upturned-eye hooks in catalogs anymore. Is there any real difference in hooking ability between up-eye, down-eye, and straight-eye hooks? ~ Carl via email Answer: Fish hooks might seem simple at first glance—just a bent piece of wire with a...