Confused about winter nymphing

[frank789]

I've noticed the change in recent posts from long line Euro nymphing to indicator rigs as the water has chilled and the trout have moved to wintering lies in slower deeped water.
I thought the long line rig allowed you to get deep quickly and stay on the bottom compared to an indicator riding in a faster surface current pulling the nymphs off the bottom plus the problem of setting the indicator at the perfect spot to get to the bottom.
If anyone can let me know the advantages of the indicator in cold water it would be appreciated, hoping to fish through the winter
Frank

[AaronJasper]

One advantage is that you can fish far away from your position. If the fish are downstream of you and the water is too deep between you and the fish to wade close enough to present the flies this allows you to catch those fish.

I don't want to freeze!! Since I can fish at greater range I don't have to wade as deep. The last time I fished I didn't wade past my knees. This makes for a comfortable fishing experience

when the fish are are in water that is barely moving I can fish to them easily. I just use a size 8 or even ten shot. Also, in these situations. Where there is little to no difference between surface and bottom currents, I can suspend my nymphs. With long leader techniques you would have to constantly have to keep lifting your flies off the bottom because there is nothing to stop them from sinking.

That should be enough for now! Frank it's about versatility, you can't be a "one trick pony" and be a good angler!

[afishinado]

Euro nymphing techniques work great, but they are just another “arrow in your quiver” of FF techniques that can be used. Knowing WHEN and WHERE is just as important as HOW; and if you can ever actually figure out WHY, that will elevate you to the level of expert Trout Predator.

[frankm205]

Do you guys know of a decent rod that dosen't cost a fortune to use for indicator nymphing? say 300 or less? Wil lbe fishing here in the Northeast all winter. Ny, Conn etc...

[AaronJasper]

Afishinado,

I liked that post You are right, when and where IS as important as how! None of us are bound to rules and are not in a competition. We are out there to enjoy ourselves and whack some trout in the process. Fish the right method for the water type. Also, if you are concerned with comp techniques, you most likely will not have to compete in the winter! So go out there and fish and enjoy yourself. It does not make you a bad person to add weight to your line as well as an indicator.

Frank,

The Greys 10 foot 4 weight streamflex is a great indicator nymphing rod.

[frankm205]

Thanks Aaron,

I already have the 3wt steramflex and use it for Euro nymphing and love it.

[jovalle]

c'mon, its not really winter fishing until the air is so cold that you can't wait to submerge yourself in the water.

The one point I'd make in using an indicator in the winter is that I find its useful to use a very small tuft of yarn rather than a bush as the takes can be subtle and you're not fishing fast enough water to need the buoyancy of a bobber.

Also, regarding versatility, I find its useful to switch from indicator nymphing to euro nymphing when the line and guides start to freeze up too much and you get too tired of picking out your guides. Getting lazy and euro nymphing when you find where they are holding can extend your session a good hour...

[SherpaB]

I think one of the prime reasons I don't euro nymph as much in winter is because most of the fish are in slowwww water...and deeper water. Keeping the line tight might seem a bit unnatural to the fish because you would have to keep enough tension so they don't hang and that might be a little too fast. I was fishing the Arkansas last week and rigged up an indicator set up and hooked into about 30 fish in a couple hours. In a deep slow pool, they were all bunched up. Last Sunday I was hitting some spots on the South Platte the holes were smaller but the water was faster...I employed the same rig I was using on the Ark the week before and took two fish in two hours. The water was moving fast enough that I could have employed the Euro rig but it was just too windy. When I get a chance to go back later this week I will see if I can get a few more than two on the Euro rig. Last winter I used the Euro rig quite a lot with great success in winter. It really depends on the places where the fish are. If you have enough current then I think you can Euro nymph but if its super slow(alot of wintering holes are) then your better off using an indicator. Time on the water will help alot with this question. Sorry I cant be more helpful but I think the best fishermen have accumulated so much time on the water that they have a "sixth sense".

[AaronJasper]

Sherpa,

I find that even if it's windy and the conditions suit the technique I will make it work. Play around with the weights of the flies and rod angle. I know that something should work there. However, if you are talking about the 30-60 mph winds that they get over there, that's another story altogether! I would say that I can make the Euro stuff work in up to about 25 mph wind speeds. After that it's a game of, find something else that will work!

[SherpaB]

It was definitely above 30...front moving through with gusts to 40. Indicator nymphing was bitchy too...If the wind is steady its more doable...placing (not casting mind you) the rig was an exercize in over compensating and under compensating.