Fly Fishing In Wisconsin: Cold weather can still mean hot fishing
by Jerry Kiesow
So here it is November, with December right around the corner and full-blown winter sneaking up fast. Not exactly our best fly fishing months. Really? Does that mean that there is nothing left for us who like to wave wands to do but put on heavy clothes, pull out the bows and guns, and hunt? Well, that certainly is an option, but if you really want to continue fishing, here are some suggestions.
As long as the rivers remain open, there are steelhead and brown trout to cast and drift to. Granted, it will be a bit nippy, and perhaps you may not be able to stay in the water for more than a half hour at a time, but it can be done. And it can produce some really nice fish.
Let’s talk a bit about the fish. We have two strains of rainbow trout (steelhead) that live in Lake Michigan and move into the tributaries (the Root, Menominee, Milwaukee, and Sheboygan in my part of the state) this time of the year: the Chambers Creek and Ganaraska River species. We also have two varieties of brown trout: Seeforellen and Wild Rose. How do you tell which strain is which? I have been told that the only way is to know what the fin clip i.d.s are. I don’t know them therefore I don’t worry about it.
Generally, the Chambers Creek enter during mid-November but do not spawn until January or February. Ganaraskas come in to spawn anywhere from late February through May, depending on the weather—meaningww water temperature and flow. The browns come and go. So as one year ends and another begins, both species are available.
What all this means is, if you are not a hunter, or if you just need to keep fly fishing, there are challenging fish out there to test your skills—and patience.
So you ask, “What kind of flies would I use if I am fishing for these fish at any time from now until the spring run is over?” Right now, and until the spring spawning is on, I will fish nymphs 85 percent of the time. Why? Well, nymphs are the most abundant natural food, and these fish have to eat.
These are not 4-year-old salmon that come into the rivers to spawn, do not feed, and then die. These fish come into the rivers to spawn, but they continue to feed and return to Lake Michigan when their procreation process is over. Their main fare consists of those tiny creatures living among the rocks and debris on the rivers’ bottom: nymphs. Yes, minnows are there too, so a streamer will work sometimes, but their main diet consists of nymphs.
Egg patterns come into the picture later next year. I have three patterns that I favor during the winter months: the Prince, the Pheasant Tail, and my own Rapids Nymph.
(Photo: Even though the author carries a variety of nymphs in his box, these three patterns—l. to r.: the Rapids Nymph; the Sawyer Pheasant Tail, both without and with a beadhead; and the Prince, plain and beadhead—are his most reliable this time of the year.)
The Prince is an interesting pattern. It has some natural color and the profile is stonefly-like. However, no one I have talked to and nothing I’ve read can explain what the white biots are supposed to be. The fly works, so maybe the white is the attraction.
The Pheasant Tail, specifically the Sawyer Pheasant Tail is probably the most popular nymph pattern ever created. If not, it is tied for that honor with another pattern, the Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear, which is another pattern you can carry. I favor the P.T. because it is easier to tie.
My Rapids Nymph was not created to represent any specific nymph. It was intended to simulate many. It has a good, basic profile and that is what I think makes it work.
All of these patterns can be tied in sizes 8 through 14. Some tie them even smaller for normal stream trout during the regular season. Personally, I tie them exclusively on # 10s and 12s. I tie them with and without a beadhead, on straight and curved hooks. All are weighted.
As far as fishing them is concerned ... well, they are nymphs; fish them as such. The only thing you must do this time of year is fish them slow and deep. For that, if I am drifting an especially deep hole, I use a sinking tip along with a sinking leader so I do not have to use that dreaded split shot. Admittedly, the sinking tip and leader is not easy to lift from the water to cast, but with patience and by retrieving longer to get closer to your body which keeps the pick-up short, they work just fine.
There you have it. If you have to get out and float a fly during these months (and why not?), I have suggested where to go and what to use. You can also check out the DNR website for additional suggestions of where to fish.
Now if you will excuse me, I have to try to get some grouse, venison, squirrels, and one more turkey for our freezer. I will add steelhead and browns once that is accomplished.
Something New
Over the past few years we have introduced you to fly fishing, helped you choose your tackle, and walked you through a few patterns. Starting in our next issue of On Wisconsin Outdoors, we will be adding something new: a Q&A opportunity for you. You ask the question and I will try to get the correct answer for you. No, this is not “stump the chump”! This is serious.
We cover a lot of subjects in the fly fishing world, but maybe not the specific subject you would like to know about. Maybe there is a fly pattern you would like to learn more about or a term you would like to have explained. Now you can ask. Email me at flyfishing@onwisconsinoutdoors.com. Tell me what you are having difficulty with. I will help you. Or at least I will try. You know, our publisher, Dick Ellis, calls all his writers “experts.” I will be tested. Keep a good thought!