Winter fly tying

Wapsi Perfect Popper

This winter has been too cold for me to fish for the most part. The ponds and lakes in my neck of the woods have been frozen. I could have done some ice fishing but I have never been one to trust the ice when the ponds freeze because it rarely ever gets cold enough for long enough that I would feel comfortable walking on it. What is a fisherman supposed to do when it's too cold to fish? If you like to fly fish like I do, then winter is the perfect time to tie flies. Here are some photos of some that I have been tying over the winter.

Flying Ant with Hi-vis Indicator

Yellow Butt Bream Fly

Hi-vis Parachute Adams

Simple Paracord Fly

Foam Mouse aka Rob Snowhite's Foam Depot Fly

Damsel Fly

Morrish Mouse with suede tail

Deer and Squirrel Bead Chain Clouser

Redneck version of Sawyer's Killer Bug

Foam Frog

Dedication

Decided to try out the Eagle Claw Featherlight for the first time today despite the chilly temps. Ended up with no fish and ice freezing on the guides for my efforts. Watch for a more in depth review of the featherlight and the fly line I'm using once I get a chance to fish with them some more.

Buckeye Fly Fishers Fly Fishing Show

Had a chance on the first of February to go to Loveland, Ohio for the Buckeye Fly Fishers fly fishing show. The show was really nice and as you can see from the photo, I picked up a few fly tying items and the guys at the Orvis booth hooked me up with a hat. I also picked up some casting tips that I hope to try out as soon as the weather breaks. It's definitely a show I want to hit again next year and would encourage you to do the same if you live close enough. Be sure to check out Buckeye Fly Fishers at http://www.buckeyeflyfishers.com

Base Layers

For those of you who have to work out in all types of weather like myself, this winter has been brutal. I can't stand the cold and don't like winter. Trying to stay warm can be a real challenge, especially on a budget. If you are like me and don't want to drop the hard earned cash on Under Armour or some of the other expensive base layers the you might want to give the Fruit of the Loom active collection a try. I picked them up for around $10 each and now have several pair for the cost of one pair of the more expensive brands. They do really well for me down to the single digit temps. Anything colder than that and I'm throwing on my Carhartt bibs as well.

What do you do to stay warm when faced with the brutally cold weather? Be sure to comment and let us know.