Fishy Fridays by Confident Angler: One fly fishing tip, one fly to try, and one inspirational post to get you fired up to fish this weekend. 🎣
Hey Reader,
I'm going to keep it short this week. It's been one of those weeks where I'm dragging a little. Under the weather, low energy, not much fishing to report.
But, Spring is coming!
We've had a warm winter here in Boise, and I can already feel the season starting to shift. Longer days. A little more sun. That first real hatch is coming soon and I want to be ready for it.
In the meantime, here's a couple of simple tips to make the most of these last few weeks of winter.
Winter Fishing: Smaller Water, Midday Hours Winter fishing is just tough. Let's just get that out of the way.
The fish are sluggish. Hatches are sparse. Your hands are cold. Everything feels slower and harder than it does in summer.
But here's the thing. Fish still eat in winter. You just have to adjust your approach.
Two very simple changes in my approach have made the biggest difference for me, and I thought I'd share them with you today. Maybe it's just a reminder for most of you, but it could be a helpful tip too.
First, fish smaller water. Those big rivers that are amazing in summer? They can feel like a desert in winter. Fish spread out and become pretty difficult to find.
Smaller streams concentrate fish. Fewer places to hide means you're more likely to find them. Tailwaters are great winter options too, since they stay warmer and more consistent than freestone rivers.
Second, fish midday. I know we're all conditioned to be on the water at dawn. But in winter, that's usually the coldest, least productive time.
Water temperature rises through the morning as the sun hits it. By midday, let's say 11 am to 3 pm, you're hitting peak activity. Any bug activity will usually happen within this window. And the fish know it.
So yeah. Sleep in. Hit the water late morning. Focus on smaller streams. You'll have better odds and warmer hands.
🪰 One Fly to Try This Weekend
Clouser Minnow (Size 6–8) Big trout eat smaller fish. In late winter, they're hungry and looking for easy meals.
The Clouser Minnow sinks fast and has a realistic profile. It works just about everywhere. Focus on deeper holes, slow bends, and runs with overhead cover. Strip it with pauses. The diving action on the drop often triggers strikes.
Fish during the warmest part of the day. That's when winter trout move most.
📸 One Inspiring Post
My buddy Tyson over at @leave_no_trvce just dropped another Pokémon-themed fly rod giveaway.
It's a custom Net Ball Fly Rod. Hand-built in Idaho, 9' 8wt, comes with a dozen hand-tied flies and some extras from @reactive_fishing.
If you're into Pokémon or just want a shot at a fun setup, go check it out. Always good to support creative projects from good people, too.
P.S. Want to know exactly what fly fishing skills to focus on next? Take the free Confident Angler Assessment here. It only takes a few minutes and gives you a clear roadmap to grow your confidence on the water.
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