Posts tagged: Winter Fly Fishing

Fly Fishing in Maine: February and March

Fly Fishing in Maine: February and March

February and March are notoriously the hardest two months in Maine to catch a fish on a fly rod. Cold weather produces iced over stillwaters and rivers and streams that are often much too dangerous to fish due to unpredictable and dangerous shelf ice that forms on the banks. This is especially true recently with the very cold temps and then shortly afterwards a swing of 20 degrees warmer. Opportunities at fish will be totally dictated by weather and it is not uncommon to go long periods of time during these months where absolutely nothing is fishable. Always keep an eye on the weather patterns, and river flows to find those few opportunities that may pop up.Use great caution when fly fishing out on waters where unstable ice may be present.

Fly Fishing In Maine February March Fishing Report

Trout and salmon will be the name of the game, as they will actively take flies throughout the winter months and are often found in moving water that is less likely to freeze. For fly selection, streamers fished slow and low will produce bites, as well as nymph rigs that can get the flies down in front of the fish's face. Streamer selections should consist of Woolly Buggers in various sizes and colors, as well as smelt and other small baitfish imitations. For nymphs, small Pheasant Tails, Hare's Ear, and of course midges are reliable bets.

Check out our Winter Fly Fishing: How to Stay Warm Article for tips and tricks to stay warm on even the coldest of days.

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Fly Fishing in Maine: January

Fly Fishing in Maine: January
Words + Photos: Joe Webster

January in Maine for most fly anglers is spent at the tying desk preparing for the next season's adventures. However for those that are brave enough to bundle up and find what little open water may be available, there are some opportunities to be had. Most of these will be stocked trout and landlocked salmon fishing in moving water. To find water that is open year round consult the IF&W law book. The next step is going out and finding ice free water. The combination of those two steps can often be limiting and has a lot to do with weather. The southern part of the state is often more reliable at producing fishable water that is open year round. Northern Maine has very limited year round trout and salmon. Do not expect the January bite to be red hot, but getting out in the solitude of winter can be rewarding in and of itself. If you are lucky to catch a fish in the dead of winter in Maine, it can be incredibly rewarding. Never stand on shelf ice on the banks of a river as it is dangerous and unpredictable. Always be aware of ice chunks floating down river, they sneak up on you more often and faster than you think. This happens when shelf ice breaks off on warm days, which are usually the days anglers would be out. For fly selection, streamers fished slow and low will produce bites, as well as nymph rigs that can get the flies down in front of the fishes face. Streamer selections should consist of Woolly Buggers in various sizes and colors, as well as smelt streamers and other small baitfish imitations. For nymphs, small Pheasant Tails, Hare's Ear, and of course midges are reliable bets.

Check out our Winter Fly Fishing: How to Stay Warm article for tips on making winter fishing comfortable.

Fly Fishing In Maine In January

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Winter Fly Fishing: How to Stay Warm

Winter Fly Fishing: How to Stay Warm

Though many people hang up their gear, especially here in Maine, the winter months can be a fantastic time to get out and wet a line. The peaceful solitude of winter fly fishing, which can actually be quite productive at times, is not to be missed out on because it’s too cold outside. Here are 5 things that are guaranteed to keep you warm and happy when venturing out even in the coldest of days.  

1. Bootfoot Waders:

Bootfoot waders are a game changer for winter fishing. The number one discomfort when fishing water below 40 degrees is cold feet. Bootfoot waders essentially solve this problem. Though there is no argument that stocking foot waders are more comfortable (though you would be surprised at how comfortable the boots are in the Simms G3 Bootfoot Waders) and a better tool for walking long distances, however they will not keep you warm because there is not enough room for air to reach around your foot. This is the same reason that foot warmers often do not work as well as you would want them to in stocking foot waders (Side note: foot warmers will often prematurely wear out neoprene stocking feet). Bootfoot waders allow for circulation and for allowing warmth from other parts of your body to transfer down into your feet. Bootfoot waders will also accommodate layering of socks, or one pair of thicker socks, much better than stockingfoot waders. Generally speaking, when investing in a pair of waders for spring, summer, or fall, people are not accommodating for extra layers which does affect boot size. Circulation is everything. Another perk of bootfoot waders that is worth mentioning is how easy on and off they are. Just slip in and go. 

Check out the Simms G3 Guide Bootfoot Waders

2. Gloves:

Two or more pairs is best but one is not enough. You never know what’s going to happen and gloves have a tendency to attract water just like fly line attracts to your feet (haha). You can try to prevent it but the reality is it’s going to happen. Your gloves will get wet. Keeping your hands warm can affect how your whole body feels. The best thing to do is carry a pair of fingerless or fingerless/mitten combo gloves for when you are actively casting, and another pair of mittens or insulated fingered gloves for when the other pair gets wet. Mittens work better than fingered gloves to keep you warm fast for the same reason boot foot waders do, circulation. Hand warmers will also distribute heat to your fingers in mittens vs. fingered gloves. Whatever your preference may be, make sure you have a pair you can use while casting, and a warm pair (that might not be suited so well to casting) to throw on when the fingerless gloves aren’t cutting it anymore. 

Check out the Simms Lightweight Wool Flex Glove

Check out the Simms Gore-Tex ExStreme Foldover Fishing Mitten

Check out the Simms Gore-Tex Infinium Flex Glove

3. Towel:

If you’re lucky enough to catch a fish in cold water and you’ve removed your gloves to safely release the fish without affecting its slime coat, your hands will be cold. Don’t just stick them back in your gloves because then your gloves will get wet. Always bring a towel to dry your hands off. This is a simple thing to bring that will improve your post fish celebrations greatly.

4. Face Covering:

No, for once we’re not talking about masks. This means the combination of a gaiter (or baklava) and hat. The neck warmer can often be shed when moving spot to spot, but when sitting in a location, something to keep your neck warm can turn an uncomfortably cold day into a balmy day. There are many options from lightweight wool gaiters to full baklava’s that go under your hat and cover your whole face. For hats, something that goes over your ears is a must. If not bring ear warmers. A visor is especially useful when there is snow on the ground as it is another tool on top of your sunglasses against glare. Wearing a beanie over a hat with a visor is a great option because the beanie can be shed if you get too warm. 

Check out the Simms Gore-Tex ExStream Cap

Check out the All Points Beanies

Check out the Simms Lightweight Wool Neck Gaiter

5. Waterproof Pack or Dry Bag:

Whether you buy a waterproof pack, or carry a dry bag in your non waterproof pack (often a more budget friendly option), it is important to have something to keep your extra clothes dry. Moisture is what will make you cold the fastest. On top of a place to store your extra gloves and towel, make sure there is enough room in your dry bag for a jacket or two. Because layering is so important during the winter months, you can often find yourself adding and shedding layers constantly. Walking through snow requires so much physical energy, you can find yourself getting very warm when moving around, and freezing when standing still. Make sure to shed layers when walking, and to bring enough layers to keep you warm when standing in one location. Bringing an extra pair of clothes when hiking too far away from your vehicle is always wise when hypothermia is a risk.

Below are some great waterproof pack options that we carry

Check out the Fishpond Wind River Roll-Top Backpack

Check out the Simms Dry Creek Z Backpack

Check out the Fishpond Thunderhead Roll-Top Dry Bag

Check out the Simms Dry Creek Simple Pack

Check out the Fishpond Thunderhead Submersible Sling Pack

Check out the Simms Dry Creek Z Sling Pack

Other great cold weather gear to consider!

Simms G3 Tactical Wading Jacket

Simms Insulated Challenger Jacket

Simms Challenger Jacket

Simms Freestone Wading Jacket

Stanly's Ice Off Paste by Loon

- Joe Webster

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Do You Clean Your Fly Reels?

Do You Clean Your Fly Reels?

We've had multiple snow storms here in New England with plenty of white stuff around. Unless we have a warm January or February, we will most likely be blanketed at least until trout season opens on April 1st. Although there is still plenty of trout fishing to be had around here in the winter, most of our saltwater gear for stripers, bluefish, and albies is slumbering until spring.  After months of salty endeavors, our reels need some TLC.  Saltwater is brutal on everything that it touches and a fishing reel that has been essentially swimming in the Atlantic ocean for months will need a refresh. Buying good quality gear is a big factor in how long it will last. But, taking care of this gear is the only thing proven to keep gear even longer...

Whether you have a trip booked in a month for bonefish and tropical flats or you are putting your saltwater gear away for the winter, here are some tips for keeping your fly reels ready for whatever you have planned next...

Taking The Backing Off

Cleaning Your Fly Reels - Saltwater Fly Reels

This is something that I think gets overlooked quite a bit by anglers. A lot of people treat and clean their fly lines, but ignore their backing. Dacron backing specifically breaks down much quicker than the higher-end gel spun, braided, or similar types of premier backing. The main reason for this is that dacron gets damaged by UV rays much easier and also absorbs and holds water much more than other backing materials. This causes saturated/salty backing to sit on your reel throughout the season and slowly degrade on itself and also potentially your reel. The only way to tell if dacron has gone bad is when you watch a fish swim away because your backing broke. Dacron is also inexpensive enough where it is very much worth changing it out every season. Plus it gives you a clean slate to clean your entire fly reel. 

Take A Closer Look

Cleaning Your Fly Reels - Fly Fishing

The above picture shows a very common issue. If you look in between the backing and the spool, you will see salty/mineral build-up. This happens all the time to almost every reel especially if fished in the salt regularly. This is piggy-backing on another reason to strip your backing off...if that were to sit like that for extended periods of time it will only cause degradation to the reel and problems in the future. Check all screw holes, corners, and any other small spots that would collect/trap salt.

Rinse - Scrub - Repeat

Cleaning Fly Reels

After you have been able to take a good look over your reel, it's time to get it clean! Running some warm (not hot) water in the sink and applying additional scrubbing with a tooth brush can be a great way to fully clean off your fly reel. Get all the hard-to-reach areas and leave no spot left for corrosion. 

Cleaning Fly Fishing Reels

Let Sit In Water

After you have gone over the entire reel and done some cleaning with a brush - it's a good idea to let the reel sit in some warmer water for a little while. This will help to break down any additional salt/minerals that have built up which didn't come off already. After a short soak, make sure to give a thorough rinse! I do not advise people to leave their reels in the sink overnight as I believe reels sitting in (borderline) salty water doesn't help much nor has it provided any additional benefits. 

Dry + Store 

It's important to make sure that your reel is completely dry before storing. Putting a damp reel back into a case/box/etc and allowing it to sit like that for months will certainly kickstart entropy! 

I hope this helps! I will be posting up more "cleaning and maintenance" blog posts soon, so keep an eye out!

Words + Photos: Josh Thelin

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