Cold Water Nymphing | Technique by Bob Glassen

The water temperature’s about 34 F.  Pretty damn cold.  You wouldn’t think the nymphing is hot, but it is.  The fish are hot, too – surprisingly strong for that water temp.

The thing to remember is that they are not in the fastest water.  Right now, you’ll find them in medium fast to slow water.  But you’re water reading skills are still important.  Look for drop offs and seams.   Check slow water near shore.  The inside corner is big. 

Pink is in.

But remember: It’s not the fly that’s most important; it’s what you do with it!

Cold Water Nymphing Technique | Bob Glassen

In almost fifty years of fly fishing I’ve been asked, “What fly are you using?” a thousand times.  Nobody ever asks, “How are you fishing it?”  And that’s the most important thing. 

So, the fish are near the bottom.  They will eat, but you have to get the fly in their face. 

You may get away with a “kinda-dead” drift in fast water with active bugs, but you’ll seldom hook up like that in the winter.

So, you need to do two things:

Find Fish. They are near the bottom in medium fast to slow water.

Put the Fly in Their Face. Suspend your nymphs from the indicator.  Touch bottom with nymphs and then bring it up about 12 inches (or less).  Adjust your indicator when the depth you’re fishing changes.  If you keep striking on bottom, bring it up a little.  Find the bottom and adjust every time you move!  Strikes are subtle.  If it twitches, hit it.