Fly Fishing for Native Brook Trout in a Small Creek! (WINTER TROUT FISHING)

Fly Fishing for Native Brook trout in the Middle of Winter!
Brook Trout are the official state fish for 9 US states, the most of any fish species. A relic from the last ice age, their numbers have been on the decline for decades. The beauty of brook trout isn’t just the fish, but in the places they live. I’ve never been to an ugly native brook trout stream. If chasing native brook trout isn’t on your bucket list… then, well, it should be.
In this video I broke out the fly rod and decided to go fishing in the snow. I nymphed for the entirety of the day, catching most of my fish on a small green fly that imitated caddis larvae. I knew this small creek held a good amount of native brook trout and I was hoping a few would be willing to eat. The crystal clear water (that was a little low) made it difficult to get close enough to cast, and the white snow made me an obvious target when approaching the fish.
All in all I can't complain. I caught a handful of brook trout not the fly in the middle of winter in some clear and low water. This time of year is by far the toughest time to fish for these trout. I eventually got too cold to continue and backed out to fish another day.
Thanks for watching! #fishing #flyfishing #troutfishing

[@briljantje9583]

I só admire your addiction to flyfishing. Even in Winters January. Chapeau!

[@hardmanfishing]

Fly fishing for life!! Thanks for watching

[@damianmlamb]

Trout is soooo good I love catch clean cook and eating creek side.

[@humphlc4]

Hi Jon . Im live in the UK and have to agree tase little brook trout are the most gorgeous of all the trout family around the northern hemisphere!

[@scotthamilton9581]

I love the dedication to your craft. You always find some of the most beautiful places to fish in my beloved home state of West Virginia.

[@hardmanfishing]

Wild and Wonderful!! Thanks for watching

[@sgttombailes3380]

AS a kid my Dad took me and my buddies Trout Fishing in the streams and Rivers in N, GA... I miss those days so much !!

[@FlyFishDan]

Love getting out in the winter - despite the numb fingers. Great vid!

[@hardmanfishing]

Thanks Dan!

[@michaelsmith7193]

Thank you for braving the winter elements to bring us this video. Lovely fish, beautiful stream. Greatly appreciated!

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you for watching!! Glad you enjoyed

[@drichi07]

Just returned from my annual trip back home to WV. I never got to do any fishing, but had I time, I would have. Watching this makes me regret not making time.

[@beritbutschy4807]

Going on my share of winter fishing this morning too! Good motivation to start the day off!

[@appleseeD552]

Dude, props again on braving the elements on makin this.👊🥶 I TOTALLY appreciate the effort AND sacrifice involved bro.🥶👍 Fishing when it's BRUTALLY COLD is an achievement all by itself, not to mention, it's sumthin to be SERIOUSLY said about the angler.👊🥶 Stay dry, keep warm, and plz keep these vidz comin (without getting frostbite 🥶). Peace ✌😎

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!! Glad you enjoyed the vid as usually.

[@leemowers9395]

You caught several brookies before the cold won., nature always wins. Thanks for sharing, see you next video.

[@hardmanfishing]

Nature is undefeated! Thanks for watching

[@eddyro]

Videos like this are some of the best! Impressive!

[@hardmanfishing]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@powslayer5632]

Last summer I fished a high mountain lake in Colorado at about 10,500 ft. I was fishing from an inflatable kayak with my girlfriend. I have caught many, many brook trout in my life but these were the most beautiful brookies I've ever seen. They are the most beautiful freshwater fish on the planet.

[@hardmanfishing]

If you're able you have to get out east and chase the native brookies! The western brook trout are cool but they just aren't the same. Thanks for watching!

[@henryleslievermont6004]

Enjoyed, thanks for sharing. :)

[@TightLinesNW]

what a cool creek and beautiful fish. Thanks for sharing!

[@hardmanfishing]

Thanks for watching!!

[@troutowl]

Great video as always, beautiful fish and scenery. Love some of the camera angles on the fish.

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!!

[@Oldtimecarpenter]

Thanks for sharing this outstanding video with us.

[@hardmanfishing]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jeffreylea2319]

As always, thanks for making the effort. Heading out for wild brooks in CT today- Have to agree, they ARE the most beautiful fish!

[@hardmanfishing]

Good luck!

[@edwardcowan7012]

Nice! I might go out this afternoon. Caught a few last weekend. More details on equipment would be helpful, I’ve been spin fishing and am presently building a 8ft 4wt fly rod. Hope to try it next weekend.

[@lanecountybigfooters5716]

Brookies are my favorite - they are SOO pretty! Thank you for taking us along on these trips to gorgeous areas! Also, try fingerless gloves with a handwarmer inside them. Cycling gloves work, too, and are waterproof but flexible. Your fly fishing pole is really pretty, too. That drone shot at the end was great!

[@hardmanfishing]

Glad you enjoyed!!

[@obozomustgo5449]

Jon, you're a madman for fishing in that weather. But, thanks for being a madman to bring us some great videos.

[@hardmanfishing]

Dedicated? or dumb? not sure which anymore! Thanks for watching

[@obozomustgo5449]

@@hardmanfishing - it's a fine line, for sure! 🤣

[@georgesakellaropoulos8162]

@@obozomustgo5449 Always liked that joke.

[@georgesakellaropoulos8162]

I used to live at the north end of the Shenandoah Valley and was within striking distance of thousands of miles of water like this. This was one of my favorite things to do. I'll get back someday. Used to carry a portable stove to brew tea and for warm up breaks. Oh yeah, lose the jeans. Once that cotton get wet, game over.

[@hardmanfishing]

I wasn't in jeans! Those were the waders! But glad you enjoyed the video

[@georgesakellaropoulos8162]

@@hardmanfishing Sure looked like it lol.

[@hom38078]

Hello You Is the crane jammed?Fish Cold🥶👍

[@damianmlamb]

It's 22 out but makes me want to go to the creek lol

[@WildBlueDiscovery]

Good man braving the elements and catching some natives! Plus flying a drone in that cold weather!! I've got a trip planned down your way this spring. Tightlines from PA!

[@hardmanfishing]

The drone flight was tough. The batteries died in like 15 minutes LOL thanks for watching!

[@OmaticFever]

Great video! Love seeing the fish. Once fishing in the Black Hills of South Dakota my hands were so cold I could not grip the key in the door lock with enough force to open the door.😛 But I did figure it out.

[@hardmanfishing]

Where there's a will there's a way

[@gregorysullivan7913]

Nothing prettier than a brookie!

[@25falcons]

hello - and great video. I am a newly to fly fishing. Are you fishing the euro nymph technique? what did you set up your rig? thanks,

[@MikePGuitars]

Most beautiful fish on earth! Get some fingerless wool gloves. They stay warm when wet. Shove some hand warmers in them.

[@hardmanfishing]

That's what I'm going to do right now

[@tonywalkingstick8883]

Awesome video. Brookies are beautiful. Some handwarmers would help or build a small fire, just carry a small foldup shovel to cut brush with to build it and to cover with dirt to put it out before you leave, but at least you could stay warm.

[@powslayer5632]

So you're one of those people that build fires everywhere you go. How about leave no Trace which means no fires no digging.

[@hardmanfishing]

I'm going to try and buy some fingerling gloves and bring hand warmers along. At least that's my plan for the next trip

[@robertwilcken8431]

hand warmers brother

[@Trailstostreams]

Great videos and channel. What kind of camera setup do you have?

[@jeffrey4869]

You certainly are dedicated! lol I couldn't fish in the cold if I wanted to, as I've got Raynaud's Syndrome, aka white finger syndrome. Always appreciate your videos!

[@hardmanfishing]

Dedicated... or dumb. Not sure which!! Thanks for watching!

[@hickmanpropertyinspections7135]

Great video! What flies were you using?

[@Hilliard-Brothers-Fishing]

I’m going native brook trout fishing tomorrow and just got into fly fishing. What rig and fly should i use?

[@jimgollach6202]

Your right Jon, I've always said trout don't live in ugly places. I've done like you, fish until my hands turned frozen, anyway I don't think you could retie a fly with frozen hands. What say you? Enjoyed watching. 👍

[@hardmanfishing]

Thanks for watching and I'm glad you enjoyed!

[@justinstotler1338]

Whsat rod and reel you using here, looking for a new setup for smaller streams

[@tidelybumsquish]

What are you using to catch ? Did you even show what your using...or did I miss it

[@justinbrewer310]

appreciate the video even though it was short my man. cant wait for the next one. maybe take some gloves next time :P

[@limoucheu8522]

If the Slavelinus fontinalis is your preffered fish you absolutely go in Labrador, there Brookies counts in pounds not in inches. Indeed these smallies are absolutely gorgeous. Cheers

[@hardmanfishing]

It's on the bucket list!!

[@darrelbaillie7829]

Hi Jon. Question: What weight line are you fishing with? #3 ? It looks very stiff and wiry 🤔. I see it in most of your videos. Just curious.

[@finefishing3560]

Hey i am looking for a camera to by for filming my fish what do you use thanks.

[@slickydicky]

Is that a Risen nymph rod? If so how do you like it?

[@raymonddoerr2523]

16 inch trout for me on my spinner today. I live in Washington and there are lots of good places for trout here.

[@ericw3229]

For the hands get some fingerless wool gloves. They' ll keep you hands warm even when wet

[@Dylans_Garage]

What line are you using here?

[@brocmiller7635]

I’ve wanted to go hit a local mountain creek that isn’t fished by really anyone here in south central pa. Love your content and try to learn from it. I know regular local water so well but never fished a mountain stream and don’t even know where to start other than location. What would be the best advice you could give me on my first native brookie fly adventure?

[@hardmanfishing]

If it's this Time of year definitely focus on the bigger / deeper holes. Spend some time on them picking it apart. Also throw things that get deep in the water column. If you do that and there's any number of brookies you should at least get a bite. Good luck out there!

[@viking7560]

I’ve stayed off the Brook Trout streams about as long as I can stand. Plan to hit at least one next week.

[@hardmanfishing]

Good luck!!

[@ThatSB]

How do you keep your guides from freezing shut?

[@davidleimeister5027]

Thanks Jon for braving the elements. How about neoprene gloves?

[@hardmanfishing]

I think I'm going to get some wool gloves

[@stantha9485]

Hello, what kind of rod is that? thanks

[@salmotrutta471]

That’s a bunch of fish for winter man, went out for the past month and kept getting skunked. Any tips for flies for winter brookies?

[@MikePGuitars]

My go to for winter brookies is a stimulator over something like a livelylegz double trouble. Sometimes just the stimmy by itself. In my experience, native brookies aren’t picky. If you’re getting skunked my first suspicion is that you might be spooking them.

[@hardmanfishing]

Green flies work well for me, or something bright. Fly choice isn't super important. Although I will say this time of year is TOUGH. I mean getting skunked this time of year should happen every now and again depending on where you're fishing. Also if the water is low be sure you're taking time on your approach. Thanks for watching!

[@mpfishing5530]

Yo I’m going for brookies tmr up in PA I’m bringing my spinning rod just in case I can’t get any but I’m really hoping to get my first brookie in a fly rod, do you have any flies you think even a beginner could catch some on?

[@hardmanfishing]

Rainbow warriors and "junk flies" always catch brookies, then just having like a hairs ear or pheasant tails never failed. Flies are less important than getting a good drift in front of the fish

[@Stefan-se4hg]

you use a mono rig or euro nymphing line?

[@hardmanfishing]

Mono rig nowadays

[@67polara]

Line looks like mono, are you euro-nymphing? I'm a bit new....

[@hardmanfishing]

You are correct! I was euro nymphing

[@Orlando-xw8lv]

Why are they so small?

[@TheRealFreakingO]

What state was this in?

[@hardmanfishing]

WV

[@David-yq4rz]

My dad hooked into a 14 inch native brook trout. We lost it at our feet.

[@hardmanfishing]

That's heartbreaking...

[@yakkerssteve6842]

Intro my guy….unreal

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!!

[@robertgibson7716]

in Scotland we cant fish for brown trout after Sept to MARCH as its the breeding season for them

[@hardmanfishing]

The brookies breed in October / November here. Of course we don't have a closed season anyway

[@larryhudson4511]

Tip of the day. Tip 101 - Nobody likes a quitter

[@somerandomguy706]

Were you in jeans!?!

[@hardmanfishing]

No those were my waders LOL

[@johnbakken1853]

Quitter. 😂

[@hardmanfishing]

LOL