Hey Reader,
Christmas is two weeks away. Winter officially starts next week. But here in Boise, it's been warm.
Like, really warm for December.
That got me thinking about how we adapt our approach to fly fishing throughout the year.
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🎯 One Tip to Build Your Confidence
Adapt to Conditions, Not the Calendar​
Fish don't follow calendars. They respond to what's happening around them in the moment.
I'm finishing up my Winter Fly Fishing Guide (launching soon!), and I can already imagine my past self taking those seasonal tips to the river only for them not to work. The problem? I would've followed the "rules" without reading the water and warmer conditions around me.
Seasonal guides, YouTube videos, your local fly shop, even "Bob" who swears by that one magical fly... those are all clues. Good ones, actually. But to become a more confident angler, you have to take that knowledge and adapt it to the conditions you're facing that day.
Fishing on a 60-degree "winter" day? Those size 20 midges might not be the move. Maybe it's warm enough for caddis to be bouncing on the surface. That's a clue to adjust what you are doing.
Keep learning. Have a seasonal plan. But don't forget to observe and adapt.
🪰 One Fly to Try This Weekend
Black Woolly Bugger (Size 6–10)​
As colder conditions settle in, food sources start to thin out. Trout sense this and often key into bigger meals like leeches or small baitfish. A Black Woolly Bugger is a great option right now.
Cast across the current, let it swing all the way downriver from you, and strip it back with short, erratic pulls. Or dead-drift it through deeper runs like a big nymph. It's one of those patterns I always keep in my box, and late fall into winter is often a great time to use it.
📸 One Inspiring Post
​I came across a short film from Simms a couple weeks ago that really hit me. It follows Eli, a former baseball player whose career was cut short by injury. After hitting rock bottom, he rebuilt his life through fly fishing. Now he's out west with his family, embracing every day as a new challenge.
I reached out to Eli after watching, and we ended up having a great conversation about fatherhood, time with our kids, and how fast it all goes. His story is a beautiful reminder that fly fishing can be so much more than catching fish.
🎥 Watch it here​
Speaking of videos, I took a little break from publishing content lately, but I've got some awesome new stuff coming your way. This Saturday, I'm dropping footage from a fall steelheading trip on YouTube. It's a good one, and actually the start of a new ongoing series. Stay tuned!
Tight lines,
Derrick Hicks
Founder, Confident Angler
P.S. Want to know exactly what fly fishing skills to focus on next? Take my free Confident Angler Assessment here. It only takes a few minutes and gives you a clear roadmap to grow your confidence on the water.