In Vermont, we are lucky to have many streams and rivers open to fishing year round. If you want to fish this winter, You have to have a new 2026 year license. You have to use artificial lures and you have to release everything you catch.
You have to understand, this not spring, summer or fall fishing. It’s going to be cold which brings a whole set of new challenges. Now more than ever you’ll need to put safety as the priority. Things can go bad much quicker during cold weather cold water adventures.
The cold weather it tough on anglers . Gone are the summer days of wearing shorts and wet wading. Now, dressing like your going skiing or ice fishing is something you’ll need to consider. Some days you can’t fish because the river is frozen. Other days your normal parking spot is a snow removal area. That usually means you walk to the stream could be in a couple feet of snow. Preparation is key.
If you are new to winter fishing, you should always go with a buddy who has been doing it for years. Many of Stream and Brook guides fish right through the winter, and can help you understand the challenges and overcome them. So you can extend your fly fishing season into the winter months.
Most of the challenge revolves around the cold, typical of a Vermont winter. Before the cold even brings snow and ice. Cold air cools water from summer time highs of 70+ to the upper 30’s in the fall. This cool down slows everything, particularly the metabolism of cold blooded species like trout. During this time, trout don’t eat much and the items on their menu are also not very active or not available at all.
Technic and strategy’s are minimized this time of year to swinging streamers and dead drifting nymphs. You won’t need dry or emerger flies for the most part. Streamers should be retrieved slowly and nymphs should be drifted as slow and close to the bottom as possible.
Give us shout if you would like to see what winter fly fishing is all about. It’s another great way to enjoy the outdoors and extent your fishing season during a Vermont winter.
