How to Prepare for Cold Weather River Fishing
Winter steelhead fishing is not for the faint of heart, but for those willing to brave the harsh elements, it can offer a truly rewarding experience. Jay Peck, an avid winter steelhead angler, proves that cold weather is no obstacle when you’re prepared. In fact, winter fishing presents a unique set of challenges that can be met with the right gear, preparation, and mindset. By adjusting to the colder conditions, anglers can enjoy the solitude of the river and a productive day on the water, as steelhead remain active even in frigid temperatures. Despite fewer anglers out on the water, winter can offer some of the best fishing opportunities of the year.
Cold weather impacts every aspect of the fishing experience—from fish behavior to the performance of your gear, and even the flow of the river. The key to success is learning how to adapt to these conditions. Steelhead remain active and continue their migration, but they are often less likely to take a fly or bait, requiring anglers to refine their techniques. The slower pace of fishing in winter means you need to focus on a more subtle, methodical approach. In addition to skill, one of the main factors to surviving and succeeding in winter steelhead fishing is preparation.
Dressing for Cold Weather
One of the most critical—and often overlooked—aspects of cold weather fishing is dressing appropriately. Many new anglers underestimate the importance of staying warm and dry, and a common mistake is dressing in layers that aren’t sufficient for the long hours on the river. Unlike in warmer months, where physical activity can generate body heat, winter fishing typically involves more stillness, as you wait for fish and patiently cast in cold water. This reduced movement means that you aren’t producing heat as effectively, and the cold can creep in quickly.
Investing in high-quality, insulated layers is essential for winter fishing. Layering is crucial for trapping heat while allowing for moisture to escape, and it’s vital to use materials like merino wool or synthetic fabrics that dry quickly and retain warmth even when wet. When selecting waders, a good pair of boot-foot waders will significantly improve your warmth and comfort, keeping your feet dry and insulated. Fleece-lined or neoprene waders are excellent choices for cold water. Consider purchasing boot-foot waders with adjustable straps or those designed to fit snugly around the ankle to keep water from seeping in when you’re wading through cold currents.
Don’t forget about your extremities. Cold fingers, toes, and a chilled face can quickly distract from your fishing experience. Carry extra gloves to prevent losing dexterity from wet gloves. When gloves get wet—whether from handling fish, dropping them in the water, or simply from moisture in the air—it’s hard to stay warm. A thick wool or fleece pair is ideal, and having backup gloves or mittens ensures you always have a dry pair when you need them. An old dish towel can serve as a handy tool to dry off your hands between casts, and can even double as a makeshift scarf for extra warmth on your neck.
Lastly, don’t forget about your head and face. A good winter hat and face mask can make a huge difference, as a significant amount of body heat escapes from the head. A fleece-lined cap or beanie, and a balaclava or neck gaiter, are great choices. Look for breathable options to prevent moisture buildup from sweat while maintaining warmth.
Cold Weather Fishing Gear
When heading out into the cold for steelhead fishing, it’s essential to take extra care of your fishing gear, as low temperatures can affect the performance of everything from your rods to your reels.
Reels are particularly vulnerable to the cold. As the temperature drops, oils and greases in reels can thicken, causing them to function less smoothly. To combat this, anglers should clean out old lubricants from their reels before heading out. Switching to a dry lubricant, such as Teflon or graphite-based oil, can prevent thickening and maintain smooth operation in freezing temperatures. Regularly cleaning your reel and keeping it free of ice buildup will ensure optimal performance, as ice can form on reels when wet, leading to poor functionality or line tangles.
Fly lines are another critical piece of equipment that can be affected by the cold. Modern fly lines, particularly those with PVC coatings, tend to become stiff and coiled when exposed to low temperatures, making them harder to cast and control. One way to avoid these issues is to switch to older-style fly lines with softer coatings. Lines such as the Cortland 444 or 333, which were designed with cold weather in mind, are less likely to stiffen in cold water. You can also carry a line treatment or conditioner designed to keep fly lines supple, reducing tangling and making casting more manageable.
Rods should be selected carefully, with an emphasis on their ability to handle the elements. Fiberglass rods tend to perform better in cold weather than graphite ones, as they’re less likely to become brittle in freezing temperatures. However, for those who prefer graphite, be sure to store your rod in a safe place, such as a rod tube, during travel to prevent damage. You should also take care when transporting rods, as cold temperatures can make graphite more susceptible to breakage.
Fishing Techniques for Winter Steelhead
When it comes to fishing techniques in cold weather, patience and persistence are key. Steelhead are less aggressive in the winter months, and they tend to move slower through the water, making them more difficult to catch. Focus on fishing deep runs and pools where fish are more likely to be holding, as they seek shelter from the cold current. Slower, more methodical casts are necessary for these conditions, as you need to present your fly or bait right in front of the fish. Keeping your casts subtle, with a longer pause between movements, increases your chances of enticing a strike.
Baiting can also be more effective in winter, as steelhead might be less inclined to chase down flies. Natural baits like roe or sand shrimp can often be a better choice during the colder months, and drift fishing or bottom bouncing with such baits can present a more natural offering to winter steelhead.
Fly Fishing Presentation for Winter Steelhead
Winter steelhead fishing requires a different approach than the rest of the year, as steelhead become more lethargic in colder waters, often slowing down their reaction times. With water temperatures hovering near freezing, steelhead are less likely to chase after a fly, making presentation and patience even more critical. When steelhead are in a slow, almost dormant state, presenting a fly too aggressively can spook the fish. Instead, it’s crucial to adjust your fishing style to match their behavior. The key to success is a slow, steady presentation that gives steelhead time to process and respond to the offering.
During winter, egg patterns and nymphs in sizes 8 to 12 are the go-to flies for steelhead. These patterns closely mimic the natural food sources available to the fish at this time, such as salmon roe and aquatic invertebrates. The most effective presentation is a dead drift, where the fly drifts along the river bottom in the most natural manner possible, without any jerking or sudden movements. Using 3x or 4x tippet (8 or 6-pound test) will provide enough strength while still offering the finesse necessary to present your fly delicately in front of the fish.
Steelhead in winter are often positioned in deeper, slower-moving waters, so you’ll need to ensure that your fly stays at the right depth for long periods. Patience is crucial, and allowing the fly to stay in the strike zone is essential for drawing a response. With the right presentation, you give the fish enough time to consider the offering, improving the likelihood of a successful strike.
Using Strike Indicators
Strike indicators are an invaluable tool in winter steelhead fishing. These simple devices allow anglers to detect subtle bites and monitor the depth of their fly. In winter, fish tend to strike gently or hold the fly in their mouths without moving far. A strike indicator makes it easier to detect these delicate takes, ensuring you don’t miss any opportunities.
Moreover, strike indicators give you better control over the drift of your fly. By adjusting the depth of your indicator, you can ensure that your fly stays in the optimal strike zone for longer, increasing your chances of hooking a steelhead. These indicators also help to reduce the amount of wet fly line that gets pulled through the guides, which can lead to ice buildup in freezing conditions. By keeping the line from becoming overly wet, you can reduce the risk of your guides freezing, which would otherwise slow your progress and interfere with your casting.
Keeping Your Gear Dry
The challenge of freezing conditions is one of the biggest obstacles to winter steelhead fishing, but with careful attention and preparation, you can avoid the frustration of frozen gear. One of the most important pieces of advice for winter steelhead anglers is to avoid submerging your reel in the river. Water temperatures near freezing can cause reels to freeze almost instantly upon contact with the cold water. This can result in a completely useless reel until it thaws, wasting valuable time and ruining your fishing experience. Always keep your reel high and dry, and if it does get wet, dry it off quickly with a towel.
Frozen guides are another common problem when fishing in winter. Wet fly lines that are pulled through the rod guides can freeze, causing the line to stick or even break. To prevent this, consider using a technique called “high sticking.” Instead of casting and retrieving long distances, fish a fixed length of line—typically about two rod lengths—and move yourself along the river rather than moving the line. This reduces the amount of wet line that’s exposed to the freezing air, thus minimizing the buildup of ice on your guides. If ice does accumulate, use a rod with a smooth finish on the guides to make ice removal easier, and remember to keep a dry cloth or small towel handy to wipe down your gear between casts.
Daytime Fishing
Winter steelhead fishing requires a shift in approach compared to the warmer months. One of the most significant changes is the timing of your fishing hours. I’ve come to think of my approach as fishing during “banker’s hours,” meaning I make sure to start my day around 9 a.m. and fish until about 3 p.m. Over time, I’ve learned that there’s not much benefit to being on the water at first light when targeting winter steelhead. While there might be a fleeting bite around dawn, the river usually remains quiet, and the steelhead less active, until the sun starts to warm the water around mid-morning.
For winter steelhead, the most productive time on the river is typically from mid-morning through mid-afternoon, as the fish begin to move and feed more actively during these hours. By sticking to these peak times, you can maximize your chances of success while staying comfortable and dry. Winter fishing can be physically demanding, so it’s important to fish during the warmest part of the day, especially when facing sub-freezing temperatures. Once the afternoon rolls around and the cold begins to settle in, the bite generally slows, and it’s a good time to wrap up for the day. Heading back to shore for warmth and a hot meal provides a satisfying end to the day.
Winter Fishing is Worth the Effort
While winter steelhead fishing has its challenges, the benefits of fishing in colder weather are hard to beat. Perhaps the greatest advantage is the reduced fishing pressure. With fewer anglers willing to endure the harsh conditions, you have access to some of the best spots on the river, free from the crowds that dominate during the warmer months. This can lead to more opportunities to land fish, especially in areas that tend to be overlooked during peak season.
Despite the cold, steelhead remain active in the winter, particularly the fresh-run fish that are arriving from the ocean. They’re eager to bite and offer an exciting challenge for anglers. The key to success is being prepared and adaptable. Modern advancements in outdoor gear, such as improved cold-weather clothing, insulated waders, and better gloves, make it much easier to stay warm and comfortable even when the temperatures drop.
The real hurdle for many anglers, however, is psychological—the fear of being cold. Once you overcome the mental barrier of braving the elements, winter steelhead fishing can become one of the most rewarding fishing experiences of the year. The steelhead are there, they’re hungry, and they’ll often surprise you with unexpectedly active bites despite the frigid conditions.
Winter fishing, though tough, is absolutely worth the effort. By properly preparing and embracing the challenges, you can enjoy a productive, rewarding day on the river. With fewer anglers on the water, an abundance of prime fishing spots, and the thrill of landing a steelhead during the winter months, the rewards of winter steelhead fishing far outweigh the hardships.
Original Article By Jay Peck
About The Author
Jay Peck is a fishing guide on the Lake Ontario tributaries. With 40+ years of fly fishing experience including 30 years as a licensed New York State guide, Jay has been applying his knowledge of the sport and local waters to help anglers in their pursuit of migratory fish, inland trout, and a variety of warm water species. Jay is also an accomplished spey caster and fly tyer. He has developed several fishing techniques and fly patterns for fishing the tributaries and inland trout streams. To learn more, check out Jay’s youtube channel, and get in touch with Jay at jaypeckguidesflyfishing.com.
This article has been revised by Daniel O’Neill, an experienced angler and writer, to ensure its continued relevance and accuracy. As a result, it may no longer reflect the original author’s views or intentions.
