By David Hulsey
Fly fishing in the winter in Western North Carolina can involve lots of layered clothing and a search for sunlight. December, January, and February are usually the coldest months to be out flogging the water in search of trout. These months can be some of the most rewarding too if you do a little careful planning. Fly fishing on one of the most beautiful streams in the mountains, such as Big Snowbird, can be a quiet and peaceful experience, occasionally interrupted by a splashing trout or two.
In the winter, I love being on the river when we have a good warming swing in the temperature from morning until afternoon. Air temperature rises of 20 to 30 degrees from a frosty cold morning will also raise the water temperature, sometimes as much as three to five degrees, and get the trout moving around enough to eat. Usually, they won’t move just a few inches to eat the fly so pin point presentations of subsurface flies are the key. Fishing patterns that you can see below the surface are a real aid to getting the fly right on the nose of a visible fish. Brightly colored egg or worm flies, fished as a sighter in tandem with small stonefly or caddis nymphs, can be deadly. Czech nymphing techniques almost always work, but in bitter cold conditions there is probably not a better way to pull some beautiful fish out of Big Snowbirds deep runs and pools.
I don’t know if the fishing is actually better in the bright sunshine in the winter or if that’s where my old bones are drawn to, but it does seem to make a difference. The low winter sun at your back not only feels good but it also enhances your vision enough to be able to see the trout glued to the bottom of the river. The water temperature in Big Snowbird in the dead of winter can be in the 30’s so slow, careful wading is in order to keep from falling on the often icy bank and taking an unplanned swim.
Don’t be in a big hurry to get to the creek. Arriving about ten in the morning and fishing to about three seems to be about right. Favorite winter fly patterns for the area include heavy nymphs, such as tungsten beaded Pheasant Tails, Dark Hare’s Ears and small Rubber Legged Stoneflies all in size 12 – 16.
For a cold weather guided romp through the river give me a call at Southern Highroads Outfitters fly shop at 706-781-1414 in beautiful Blairsville, Ga.