3 Days of Trout Fishing! || What did I learn? (Winter Fishing)

3 Days of Trout Fishing in the Mountains!
In this video I showed the process I go through nearly every weekend looking for winter trout. It is not unusual for me to fish 4 or 5 different creeks in a weekend looking for trout that are willing to bite. Depending on the weather I may even squeeze in another creek or two. On this particular weekend my first two days were tough but I made up for it on the third day.
The first day I attempted to fish some freestone creeks purely because I was happy they were finally free of ice. I let my excitement for open water overpower my knowledge that winter fishing in a freestone stream is nearly impossible, especially in high water. I tried 2 different creeks before giving up. I had a total of 2 fish get off, both small native brook trout.
The second day I tried a limestone stream that I never had a ton of luck at but I figured it was better than fishing a freestone stream. The temperature had dropped overnight and I got an extra 5 inches of snow which made the fishing almost impossible once again. With temperature hovering around 20 degrees almost everything was freezing which added get another layer of difficulty. I was lucky to be able to avoid the skunk with one stocked brown trout before I froze to death.
The third day it warmed up and I tried a spring creek desperate for a fish. With temperatures pushing 40 degrees the fish seemed to be a lot more active and I was able to catch 4 wild rainbow trout. After a few hours of fishing the pressure on the spring creek got a bit ridiculous so I decided to make a move to another freestone stream hoping that the warmer weather had the fish biting. Although the freestone stream was still tough I did come away with 2 beautiful brook trout which completed my trifecta for the weekend.
THINGS I LEARNED:
1. Winter trout are predictable - which is good and bad.
2. Look for "winter holes" and don't waste unnecessary time on the summer runs.
3. Low and slow is a necessity - and green nymphs rock.
Hope everyone enjoys this 3 day, 5 creek, adventure. This video took a lot more time to film and edit and any feedback would be appreciated. As always thanks for the support!

[@hardmanfishing]

Did y'all like this type of video?? Let me know!

[@gojoe36]

FROZEN reel...put it in the creek water for a minute and it will get the ice off. Then strip about 3-4 feet of line off and dry it off on a piece of clothing as you reel some back in...a foot at a time. Repeat the process every time the reel freezes 😉 NICE BROOKIE 👍

[@hardmanfishing]

@@gojoe36 I am aware, I did that just after I finished talking! I knew someone would say that LOL

[@wvlongshooter3912]

Yes. Great content!!

[@NickAndCaroline]

I love this channel, very much. And yea I like the format, I recently did one like it haha, but nobody watches my shit and that’s fine lol. If the big camera isn’t ready you should unhook the fish and let it go. You’re better than that we know. I’m not perfect, but I’m better than I was yesterday!

[@stanokeefe2713]

This was refreshing, im a winter fisherman and I thought I was just bad, good to see you also struggled at times. Thank you, great vid

[@brad5065]

The earliest I fished for trout in a river is Late march when they bite like crazy. Usually just under some falls. This was a great lesson. Thanks. Beats a frozen lake in high winds.

[@flyguymike5247]

Next time you have ice issues with your reel you can dip it into the water and it’ll melt it enough for you to reel it all in. You just have to be done for the day so you don’t repeat the problem.

[@kenmelrose4414]

You’ve inspired me to try fly fishing. Never trout/fly fished in my life ( bass/gear). Two things would help me out. 1) show/describe the flys and rig you’re using. 2) identify the fish (species and how to tell if it’s native or stocked). Often, they all look the same to me. Thx for all you do for us!! I just subscribed as well.

[@richardmarshall159]

Great fun,keep on trucking. Thanks, Rick

[@zumalot]

I've always been mesmerized by mountain creeks and rivers. My tent was always close to the stream or even when staying in a condo during the summer I would sleep with the windows open. However I've never fished with snow on the ground. The snow and water were beautiful with the winter sun peaking through the trees and those brookies were the perfect icing on the cake for this flatlander.

[@hardmanfishing]

I’m glad you enjoyed it! There is a certain beauty in a snow covered mountain, as miserable as it is.

[@JamesJones-pf4mx]

I learn something every time I watch you fish. Now to the tying bench for some flashback hares ears and green nymphs. Keep'em comin'

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!!

[@DGaydon]

Greetings from CO! A few winter tips - as someone already posted just dip your reel in the water to unfreeze it, I've had some success putting gel floatant on the guides & line to keep ice off and lastly (at least in CO) you gotta go super small - 20-24 midges. I just took up Euro Nymphing and I totally agree it's deadly this time of year! Looking forward to you guys heading back to CO!

[@garykolanda5208]

Keep these videos coming, love the winter scenery & fish combo.

[@hardmanfishing]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@mcgovks]

Really good, sound advice at the end. Really good.

[@jshada58]

This video was fantastic. Great scenery and beautiful fish. The best part was you showing the flies and explaining what, how and why you were doing it. Very helpful especially for those of us that are new to fly fishing. Thank you so much. Keep up the great work.

[@hardmanfishing]

Glad you enjoyed!!

[@jimgollach6202]

Definitely keep doing videos like this, I'm a cold weather person, and enjoy the fishing and the scenery. There's always a lot to learn when conditions are not favorable. Thanks for sharing 👍.

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed

[@larryhudson4511]

Excellent video! Thks for taking the time to get all the beauty shots!

[@hardmanfishing]

Glad you enjoyed Larry!

[@larryhudson4511]

@@hardmanfishing it'll be spring before you know it!

[@breathnaigh2005]

Beautiful vid, appreciate the tips. And thanks for the winter fishing content!

[@tonywalkingstick8883]

Well done Jon. Loved watching you land that brownie. The footage of the terrain and the different conditions were spot on. Yes we enjoy this kind of video. The teaching aspects of what gear to use for what species is appreciated by new comers to fly fishing. So keep them coming and always tight lines. Tony

[@hardmanfishing]

Thanks Tony!! Glad you enjoyed the video!!

[@caleshtcincredibles]

Brownie in 20F Temps, Let's Go!!!! Man I was cold watching this video ! Good one , hope you had a big thermos of hot coffee in your car !

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you! I wish I had coffee in my car.

[@johnbakken1853]

Love it. Hardcore Hardman.

[@michaelsmith7193]

What an excellent episode! Your efforts are always impressive, but you really went “the extra mile” on this one. Here’s hoping endeavors such as this one help you get the 100k subscribers your channel deserves!

[@hardmanfishing]

I can only dream! Thanks for watching and I’m glad you enjoyed it

[@HolyFire333]

Awesome fishing video 👍

[@vanjanfishingandcomedy1438]

That flashback hares ear fly is amazing for browns and rainbows even in Indiana we’re they aren’t as plentiful

[@herbertseigler8194]

While walking with your rod, if you turn it around, still holding it by the butt with the rod behind you, you are less likely to damage the rod tip. Enjoyed this video.

[@hardmanfishing]

Yeah I've tried it both ways and personally I like to hold it in front of me so I can see where the rod is. If I put it behind me I still get stuck on everything. Thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed!

[@darrengolding4083]

This is a great way to do a video thanks for sharing it ...

[@winterapparel7540]

I’m from MI and just got into trout fishing in the latter half of this last year. Been incredible to go out and spend time in places most people don’t go to because of the weather. Haven’t caught anything yet but the winter is a tough time to learn so I know I’ll be more successful this spring and summer. Going to be driving out west MI to hit the piers for coho and lake trout as soon as it thaws

[@hardmanfishing]

Yep winter is rough! You’ll for sure catch fish in the spring and summer. Good luck out there and thanks for watching

[@derekspace]

Nicely done!

[@TheXeniaman]

Props for getting out during winter. This time of year one trout makes my day.

[@hardmanfishing]

For sure! My expectations are rock bottom this time of year

[@bistroteamfishing]

Bravo 👍👍👍

[@deko9151]

Loving the beat 🔥

[@Pragwo1f]

Another great watch. Can't believe you caught that brown with the temperature well below freezing. As always, beautiful countryside and great filming.

[@hardmanfishing]

I’d rather be lucky than good! Thanks for watching

[@joegallaher9728]

Awesome video and the snow and ice looked amazing. Those Brooke trout you caught had some beautiful colors can wait to catch some this year.

[@davidleimeister5027]

What a great video John! Great fish, creeks, and surroundings. I like this format and I think it would be cool to see it again. I think the 30 day challenge would be great. Maybe you extend the challenge to FH. Just sayin!

[@hardmanfishing]

I may do a 30 day challenge but I only fish new creeks? Sounds interesting in my head

[@Fresh_Popped_Corn]

love to see this content; if I wasn’t subscribed already then I would be after watching this 🤙🏿 cheers from NY

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!

[@rossdaughrity468]

Another awesome video!!! Love the cinematography!

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!!

[@dfrivers]

Really nice filming and editing. I would recommend you remove the plastic wrap on your grip. The water will get trapped and destroy the cork. The aging on the cork on your other rod looks awesome.

[@EngineeringHooksets]

Beautiful brook trout man

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you

[@billanderson7358]

Good stuff always pick up some bit of knowledge from your work. Thanks

[@hardmanfishing]

That’s awesome! Thanks for watching

[@briljantje9583]

Enjoyed it. Keep doing these video's!

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!

[@robertlong3264]

Killer video Jon. Enjoyed it

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!!!

[@bronmaruszewski5029]

Great video enjoyed it 😃

[@hardmanfishing]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dannysmith4238]

Love the video. The only thing better than a day on a trout stream is 3 days on a trout stream. 👍

[@hardmanfishing]

Amen!!

[@zatch6925]

The grind I real! Vids are absolutely amazing man. Keep it up🔥🔥

[@zatch6925]

*is lol

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!

[@368degreefishing4]

PHENOMENAL video love the close up shots! Tried to go the other day but it’s so cold in Wisconsin ur fly line snaps lol so I need to wait before it is above 10 degrees ha ha

[@hardmanfishing]

Now that's cold!! Thanks for watching

[@368degreefishing4]

@@hardmanfishing no problem I love your videos!

[@scottnock5241]

That’s tough as hell in those conditions for anyone even you!! Lol. But you still go and push thru!!! You the man Jon!! How many batteries do you go thru a day?? Thinking of doing that myself this year.. thanks

[@hardmanfishing]

Depends. When it’s cold like that I go through at least 3-4 on my GoPro. But it’s also worth mentioning that I upgraded my GoPro to a hero 10 and I now use cold weather batteries which helps out A TON.

[@robertwilcken8431]

Way to stay after it!

[@andrewhernandez4822]

Sick video man. I can't imagine how hard ut is to get content right now. If people don't appreciate this video they've never fished in tough conditions. And the ice on everything sucks but it makes for some solid B roll.

[@hardmanfishing]

Yeah man it’s been a grind. But it’s better than sitting at home. Glad you enjoyed!

[@andrewhernandez4822]

@@hardmanfishing No kidding man. If nothing else it is the time of year to have the water to yourself. I'm up in Michigan with over 20" of snow of the ground grinding out this winter steelhead season. Fishing is brutal but it beats the alternative

[@haroldwatson5592]

Once again another awesome video thanks . Just goes to show you can catch fish if you will get out there and try, but at home you won’t catch anything

[@hardmanfishing]

Can't catch them if you're sitting on the couch

[@appleseeD552]

Sup man, first off...PROPS on going out and making this vid. Second, gorgeous fish. 🤩👍 The scenery is "OFF THE CHAIN" (if that's still a thing ta say🤔). I do have a question on your fly fishing technique tho, there was a bunch of "white water" on some of the streams you were fishin, does the turbulence of the water affect the fish's ability to see the fly at all? Or is it just a good spot to start to let the fly drift? Great vid as always man and plz keep em comin. Stay warm if possible🥶....Peace ✌😎

[@hardmanfishing]

Yes it does to some degree, which is usually a good thing. But under the water near the bottom of the stream the white water isn't really as intense. Remember white water is just air bubbles, so it happens mostly near the surface. So what you see and what the fish see are very different. Thanks for watching!!

[@stevedavis4087]

LET'S GOOOOOOOOO amped on that pretty little brown Creek 3 nice technique double nymph right?

[@hardmanfishing]

Yessir

[@joshuastenger9024]

You titled this " the gorge ". The mountain laurel, the old train track bed, the size of the stream all look like were I camp and fish. Down stream from the foot bridge is a section we call "the flats". Down stream from there, maybe 1/2 mile. We built a pavilion on the left side. Have you ever seen it? I'm trying to ask you were your at without blowing up your spot Did you ever fish the lower catch and release section?

[@hardmanfishing]

Ummm maybe? There is a flat section of river below a bridge. But I'm not entirely sure about a pavilion (could be there, I just don't pay much attention). I also haven't fished any C&R sections but that's mostly because I like targeting the natives in that river system, not so much into the stocked trout

[@joshuastenger9024]

I was taught on c&r areas. I'm always walking to find natives

[@joshuastenger9024]

I know a spot in the laurel highlands on the laurel hill creek called the gorge.

[@CaptJigglyFPV]

I'm getting more and more into fly fishing thanks to your videos. I have a lot of heavy cover streams by me like what you're fishing and just curious on what weight and length rod you are using/would recommend.

[@hardmanfishing]

For super close quarters fishing I always use a little 3 wt, usually 7’6”. For bigger streams I use a 9 foot rod anywhere from a 4 to a 6 wt. I guess it depends on what you plan on chasing the most

[@tylerstandlick3014]

What setup are you using? What fly line do you use most often?

[@WisconsinTroutFishing]

Nice video! You make some good stuff with good advice. But, I am not a fan of chest views when fishing. You take such cinematic shots around the fishing, move to a hat mount for much better views (unless u are teaching about your reel hahah) Great job!

[@hardmanfishing]

I don't like hat mounts because I look at a lot of things when I'm fishing and risk the me not getting the shot when the fish hits. Chest views are more consistent. Plus a GoPro shot is a GoPro shot, it'll Never really be cinematic no matter how you get it. But glad you enjoyed!

[@WisconsinTroutFishing]

@@hardmanfishing Too each their own, I do like what ya do. Maybe spin fishing is different, but when fishing I'm looking where fishing! lol.

[@WisconsinTroutFishing]

BTW, if you ever make a WI driftless or Superior trip, look me up!

[@Pwrcritter]

Nice, the brown coulda been a fingerling from tu chapter. U didnt say what fly he took?

[@hardmanfishing]

It’s not impossible, but typically fingerling stock fish are cleaner than that one. It’s fine and tail were a little too warn off in my opinion. And It took a green caddis larvae imitation

[@projectpat0]

When euro nymphing those size creeks do you use a sighter or just feel for a strike?

[@hardmanfishing]

Usually use the sighter, but a lot of times it is both.

[@michaelhebert8984]

Ok first off I enjoyed the video... But I would be intimated by the fast moving water at the beginning of this video wondering if there is any trout to be had in the kind of current so my question is HOW DO YOU KNOW ? did you wear polerized glasses ? I didn't see any slow running seams at the beginning but you pulled out a trout . So some advice please for whe. I get into theses situations. Thanks. 🙂🙂 Mike from Canada

[@hardmanfishing]

I mean trout can and will lay in white water at times, but typically they'll sit in the soft water on the edges of current seams. I knew there were trout in there because I had fished it before, so I knew that even in high/fast water they had to be in there somewhere because they don't disappear. So I tried to figure it out.

[@evanmelner4783]

More fly fishing footage

[@judodavid1]

That’s fishing

[@jakepage7383]

you learned winter fishing ya get cold hands

[@ryanmiller9131]

That wasn't a deer bed