riverman

As we're entering what is typically the quietest time on the rivers I thought I'd start a thread on the potential strategies, tackle and rewards for those who brave the nasty weather.  Let's hope we continue to see mild temps and that reasonable opportunities to fish stick around for a while.

Doing some reading I've come across recommendations for midge patterns predominantly during the winter months.  Apparently there can be winter midge hatches on warmer days with heavy cloud cover.  Anyone ever seen one of these in Ontario?

Assuming that these hatches would be especially rare then midge nymph patterns seem like the best place to start.  Bead heads with additional weight may be best to get flies down to the bottom of deeper pools where trout tend to congregate in cold winter temps.  Please share if you have had/are having success with any particular nymph patterns in winter months?

Second most recommended approach seems to be swinging streamers.  This has always been my least successful approach personally and I would love to hear what has worked for you and those you fish with in the past - size, patterns, retrieval speed?

Look forward to some responses.  Dress warm and see you on the banks.

Happy to be joining the forum!  Reviewing some of the existing forums this sure is a great resource.

I fly fish for the most part now but my roots go back to plenty of spin casting, bait casting, and of course the immortal worm off the dock or row boat.  A day fishing is a great day any way you cut it.

Off the top anyone have any comments on best fly fishing strategies for WINTER trib fishing - nymph drift and swing vs swinging streamers?

Also looking for input on most successful WINTER patterns?

Thanks in advance.  Look forward to entering the conversation.