Winter Fly Fishing in BRUTAL Conditions! (Trout Fishing)

Winter Trout Fishing in BRUTAL Conditions!!
Link to the fly that caught that big rainbow trout: reddsflies.com...
Winter in the Appalachian mountains is bleak. As deer season rolls to a close the woods settle into silence. Everything switches into survival mode as the temperature plummets and snow blankets the landscape. But for the few fisherman willing to brave the elements… The rewards can be incredible.
Winter fishing can be fickle. As we fished up the creek we netted dozens of small trout, only one of which broke the 10 inch mark. Granted several of these fish were among the prettiest wild rainbows I’ve ever caught, but the size just wasn’t there. On the final stretch of the day, when we had pretty much given up hope of seeing any sizable fish, we finally got a break…
Typically when the water temperature drops into the 30’s I start to hole hop. That’s because the fish slow down and sit in the deepest / slowest sections of the creek or river. I’m not saying they’ll never sit in fast water, but the amount of fish sitting in riffles drops off dramatically. This allows you to predict where the fish are going to be and spend more time in high fish density areas. Even just picking out deeper sections of an otherwise shallow section of creek can yield some big fish… much like the last fish I caught in this video. Just something to keep in mind while you’re out fishing this winter. If you want to make these tips at the end of the video a common occurrence, leave a comment and let me know. Thanks for watching!
#fishing #flyfishing #troutfishing

[@Black-March]

Winter fishing can be insane, I was fishing at a snow covered mountain in Norway the other day, 1100 ASL and entire lakes covered in thick enough that you can drive a car on it. But from the road I could see a tiny hole in the river which wasn't covered in ice, about a 50 meter stretch. Had to wade in snow up to my hips just to get down there and do a couple of casts. But I was rewarded for doing so, got a 49 cm trout weighing in at 1.4 kilos. Definitely the most insane fishing experience of my life.

[@hardmanfishing]

That’s amazing!

[@Sunsdahl]

That’s awesome man!!

[@michaelsmith7193]

First of all, thank you for all your videos of 2022! You and Andrew gave us a very good year of travel and fly fishing adventures. Greatly appreciated - and I look forward to your outings in 2023!

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!!

[@swr917sr]

Like your comments. Since I’m just getting started fly fishing I can use all the advise you can gives. Thanks!

[@ryanthecox1]

Man. Great fight with that fish. Some River Runs Through It stuff. Awesome.

[@inthemwoods523]

Love the video. Beautiful fish. Please keep giving tips. I've been fly fishing for over 12 years now, but I still learn something new all the time.

[@colinstaley5717]

Love the tips! Always looking to improve in any way I can!

[@erik123362]

I've been out fishing every week this winter, from 30f to -2f. only broke 2 rod tips from line frozen to guides hah. I wear fingerless gloves underneath other fingerless gloves with a mitten cover that I can flop over onto my fingers. Bring a small hand towel to dry your hands when you get them wet, i also have 2 zippo hand warmers. In in my front pocket of my waders under my coat, and the other in my rod hand pocket.

[@WildBlueDiscovery]

Nice video! Good job braving the cold. Tips are good! Tightlines

[@johnbruce2868]

Great video. It is closed season for trout in the UK between the end of September and the end of March. However, we do have winter grayling and they dearly love a pink nymph. Sometimes the pinker the better, things like 'the grayling bomb' which is a shrimp imitation but will catch unintended trout as well. After your amazing experience it might be worth trying that fly out in your mountain streams. It catches me lots of fish. ATB.

[@hardmanfishing]

I’ll definitely have to check it out. Thanks for watching!

[@leemowers9395]

Great winter fishing, grate finishing fish. Otherwise the dinks were winning., thanks for sharing, fish on.

[@scotthamilton9581]

Thank you for a great year content. I look forward to the year to come and more videos. Happy New Year!

[@hardmanfishing]

Happy new year to you too!!

[@aaronbarrett861]

Really enjoy all the videos! Thanks for all the insights and showing the fish. Any tips you can share are greatly appreciated for us that are newer to fly fishing and need those tips.

[@zumalot]

Something I never got to do was fish in the winter. I'm glad you did. Very nice rainbow.

[@cellensmith4127]

We just came off of a stream in Elkins, WV a couple of hours ago and found your video. Glad to see that it was filmed here! As newbies to fly fishing, it gives my husband and I hope for future winter trips. Thanks for the content!

[@Cstripling]

Yeah! Wild and Wonderful streams.

[@markm417]

Incredible fish thank you. I often think we should carry a little some kind of fish food to reward a hungry winter fish with what it wanted! Probably impossible. Anyway the tips i would love to see are how you decide when you approach a place based on what you're seeing, like here's why i think a fish is in this spot, i'm going to try to cast this thing here and as the current moves it/lets it sink i'll... then, you know, what the concept is of what you're trying to show the fish. These are great videos and much appreciated, i know theyre a lot of hard work.

[@FlyFishMd]

Just getting fully into fly fishing your videos are by far the best on KZbin keep it up man

[@patjordan1955]

That big rainbow was a beautiful perfect fish! Thanks!

[@FlyFishingChronicles]

Your tips are always appreciate!

[@NathanSeibt]

Love the tips, thanks!

[@Thunderinme111]

Great Content about fishing im fisherman but this videos is so great ✅

[@dom6711]

I got my first ever fly fishing rod for Christmas. Just getting into this sport seems like a great time all around. I can't wait until I can't get out there and catch some new species this spring any tips will help. I enjoy your content

[@hardmanfishing]

That’s awesome!! Good luck out there

[@andikarizki]

Good morning my friend fishing 🎣👍

[@andrewmcdowell1291]

Great video. More tips. Thanks to you and Andrew for all the amazing videos of 2022. Happy New Year

[@hardmanfishing]

Happy new year!

[@adamcoons4700]

Nice a video from my favourite KZbinr and fly fisherman. Watching this on my way to bday dinner. Hopefully going to get on some steelhead tomorrow the rain got the best of my today.

[@hardmanfishing]

Good luck!!

[@briljantje9583]

Super video! I really admire your perserverance.

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!

[@oldgold5848]

Best fishing I have had was 3 consecutive sessions in the snow at a small stillwater in England. Over 20 fish each time....orange blobs and black and green tadpoles, but v cold fingers

[@kyleautrey8320]

Great video! Winter fishing is tough physically and mentally!

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it

[@nunyabusiness5143]

Y’all are amazing love y’all

[@viking7560]

I can’t get enough tips. Keep them coming.

[@hardmanfishing]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@jeffreylea2319]

Beautiful Rainbow to end the day! Heading out to our local CT stream tomorrow. Temps this week are unseasonably warm- 48 F, so may be trying some dry dropper as well as my usual double nymph rig.

[@hardmanfishing]

Good luck!!! And thanks for watching

[@lanecountybigfooters5716]

Brrr! And into the water, too. Gorgeous fish! Happy new year!

[@ccmusic2249]

I need ALL the tips. I cold-weather trout fished the Appalachians and bombed. More tips, please! Your content is phenomenal!

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you! I’ll definitely throw in more tips

[@tommoody5065]

I know this stream! I couldn't believe my eyes when I watched it. I caught one of the original rainbows stocked by the locals several years ago between the first two holes you fished. 25 inches. They been reproducing ever since..

[@fishandflywithgus]

Incredible video and that last fish was insane!!!!!! 🔥🔥

[@hardmanfishing]

Thanks Gus!!!

[@aleta5873]

Wonderful trout...

[@appleseeD552]

Wow!! Well done on that last BEAUTIE!!😲👍 Gorgeous catch my friend. 😁 Totally appreciate u makin this and braving the HARSH elements of this time of year. Props man, props.👊🙂 Keep em comin bro...provided your NOT gonna get frost bite.🙏🥶 Peace ✌😎

[@hardmanfishing]

Thanks John!! Glad you enjoyed

[@NoahS-gz3en]

I very much enjoy watching your videos, thanks for sharing them. As a relatively new fly fisherman, I'd really like to see the fly that you are using, or switching to, as the case may be.

[@hardmanfishing]

I'll try to show that more next year! Thanks for watching

[@dongkhaora]

Fishing Adventures, Well done!

[@TreyTheFisherman]

Don’t ever let her tell you 6 inches isn’t enough, heads up kings 😂

[@nhsmith85]

Yeah man! Appreciate the helpful tips at the end of the video! What are you fishing with in winter here in NC mountains? I heard you mention “nymph” at one point.

[@larryhudson4511]

Another great day on the water!

[@hardmanfishing]

Thanks Larry!

[@robertwilcken8431]

cool fish, no pun intended

[@giovannigrieco2627]

Miticoooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jimtanner4310]

One very nice fish

[@Lemurs]

Can you put the gear you use in the description of your videos would love to see what your using for specific spots🔥

[@knoxwhalen4571]

I like the tips at the end can you show us what you’re using to

[@gavinbassin9950]

Hey man I am a 15 year old boy who is new to fly fishing and just wanted to thank you for the videos you make because with out them I would have never gotten into fly fishing in the first place! I just went fly fishing for the first time with my uncle and cousin but we sadly did not catch anything. I guess I still have some learning to do, on that note do you have any tips or tricks on how to find trout near me ( Dayton Ohio ) and how to catch trout ?

[@daletowler1354]

Hope to see you 2023,in N.C.

[@daletowler1354]

One year Hardman I was fishing in Jan. in N.J. snow and ice

[@kingkiddfishing]

That was eventful, nice fish!

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!

[@reddsflies]

Love the content

[@hardmanfishing]

Thanks! The fly I got that big rainbow on was from your site

[@Mattytube18]

What weight rod and how long? How long is your leader? Thnx, such a beautiful spot in the winter!

[@davidleimeister5027]

Great video. Love the bow and creek. How often do you fish in extreme weather? Happy New Year Jon!

[@hardmanfishing]

Not too often, usually I wait for the “good weather” days in the winter. Although sometimes that can be pretty extreme. Happy New Years!

[@justinjohnson7756]

Any suggestions I fish western park of Virginia in the Appalachians and I am very new to winter fishing! Great videos man!

[@zbigniewkolasinski4627]

Piękny!!!!! 💪🙂🎣🎣🎣🎣

[@Lemurs]

This makes me want to go out on the water

[@jeffrey4869]

Epic battle with that rainbow! I'm a fair weather fisherman. lol

[@hardmanfishing]

Sometimes I wish I was lol it’s not always fun out there

[@barns.flydrift]

More tips :)

[@markhopkins3825]

Great chase scene… I was afraid you were going in! Tell us about your Line… did you change for winter conditions?

[@hardmanfishing]

Nope not at all. Although these conditions probably warranted it, I don’t usually use different line for winter fishing. My setup is generally the same as when I’m fishing warmer conditions, but I may use slightly smaller tippet and smaller flies

[@joetrapiss2668]

Man those fish so tiny I wouldn’t waste my time freezing

[@jasongreen5470]

How do keep your feet warm in that type of winter weather? I am in upstate New York. It is temperatures like that all January and February.

[@hardmanfishing]

I usually just put on wool socks and have on an extra layer under my waders. My feet don't typically get too cold

[@giovannigrieco2627]

😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@richardbradley2059]

What State are you fishing? I’ve got cabin fever. Thanks for the video

[@hardmanfishing]

This was WV!

[@ThatSB]

Are you using monofilament instead of fly line??

[@flyman451]

I see it appears you are running straight mono. Because it freezes less?

[@hardmanfishing]

Partially, but also just because it helps me be able to feel what the flies are doing better

[@wvoutdooradventures1052]

Hey Hardman what kind of boots are those? Are they the Orvis Pros? And are they really good on slippery rock etc? Thanks for the info!

[@hardmanfishing]

Korkers Devils canyon! And yeah they're pretty dang good

[@wvoutdooradventures1052]

@@hardmanfishing nice..I was thinking about buying a pair of those or Orvins…what soles are you using on the rocks in the creek? Felt?

[@AViancourt]

What kinda rig are you using in winter ?

[@kirkshammett94]

What flies were u using. Double nymph rig? That’s my go to for winter

[@hardmanfishing]

Yep double nymph rig. Point fly was a flashback pheasant tail and the tag was a pink flashy fly (not sure what it’s called, link is in description)

[@gagehurst2162]

Hey man love the vids but serious question from a fairly new fly fisherman, I hate using indicators when nymphing, would u recommend a floating fly line or sinking, if sinking what sink rate

[@gagehurst2162]

Any help is appreciated

[@hardmanfishing]

This is a complicated subject, but if you don't like using indicators then its not necessarily your fly line that needs changed. That just means you'll need to kind of switch your technique to tight lining / euro nymphing which is why I was doing in this video.

[@HudsonRV]

What kind of camera do you use?

[@ericcannon5439]

Where are you fishing? I know the Appalachain Mountain range but what city and state?

[@hardmanfishing]

WV!

[@johnt1877]

In the video it looks like you have monofilament on your fly reel instead of fly line. Just wondering, is that monofilament and if so, is there a reason you use it? What weight rod are you using?

[@hardmanfishing]

I do have fly line on my reel, but when I’m euro / tight line nymphing I try to not have any out because it effects my ability to feel what’s going on.

[@stephenkutney9626]

I have had good luck using fingerless gloves with a chemical hand warmer in my palm while fishing during the winter.

[@billrobinson8149]

More tips the better

[@SebastianDavidPB]

You lucky bastards, trout season in my country is closed from october till end of martch

[@brodiewiebe9242]

Brutal conditions eh? 😂😂😂

[@victoriamackenzieramsey9739]

What kinda fly line is that

[@ethanrowland3343]

What fly rod and reel combo do u recommend that's reasonably cheap but good quality

[@kirkshammett94]

What’s your budget?

[@ethanrowland3343]

@@kirkshammett94 under 300

[@JoshDambuleff]

What reel is that?

[@zenbooter]

Where ? Just the state.

[@brodymaitland]

We’re you just nymphing

[@hardmanfishing]

Yes

[@ThatSB]

You never show what fly youre using. And how do you cast with 0 backcast lol

[@samphilipp4997]

Do you wear neoprene waders?

[@hardmanfishing]

Nope! I just wear layers underneath my regular warm weather waders

[@chesterpielock8824]

sardines?

[@cadecummings165]

if that’s 20 mines 50

[@jakepage7383]

carry a cloth to dry your hands =-)

[@hardmanfishing]

This is actually game changing. I had someone I fished with recently carry a towel and it saved my day. Had warmers are another one!

[@jakepage7383]

@@hardmanfishing i grew up ice fishing =-) always carry a towel ....even in the summer its nice to dry off now and then ....almost enough ice here =P

[@coreylabarge126]

You wearing jeans?

[@hardmanfishing]

Nope, dryft waders

[@ArifurRahman11]

Great efforts

[@samoistina9507]

which one of the flies are the best for winter? i prefer adam