02.25.24 Found some open water this winter....

   

      With the mild winter we are having this year and the fly fishing shows only partly curbing my Cabin Fever I've been venturing out and about to fish for striped bass before New Jersey's March 1st opener. There's a few things that you have to consider when winter fishing, the most important to me, is how much cold can I tolerate. And the answer is not much. Yes, I've pushed through 20 degree mornings with water temps just about 40 at times but most,

but not all people, will say that as we get older the cold is harder to tolerate. One reason is our bodies just don't insulate ourselves like they used to, even if you're fattish. My hat goes off to those anglers that brave the elements on the Great Lakes tributaries fishing for steelhead, trout, and salmon and those out at sea on the rail fishing for bottom fish. 

     If you're not all jacked up physically, and have a bit of a belly, having to bundle up and then be able to secure your stripping basket around your girth, while still giving you some flexibility, can be difficult, and exhausting after an hour or so of casting. Add to that the fact that I don't have, or really can't find, all those warm weather layers that you should wear when fishing. My idea of bundling up is two t-shirts from Good Will, and two pairs of Costco socks. That doesn't really get it done. In the end maybe I'm just a warmer than colder weather fly fisherman. 

     

     Like at any other times when striped bass fishing variables like time of day, tides or water levels, and temperature come into play. And probably the biggest factor is how well you know and are dialed into any particular body off the water and the fishes behavior that swim in it. Part of the fun in exploring new waters are learning those X factors, and best when done on your own. Finding your own fish is always better than when someone does all the hard work and lets you in on it. 

     Marc and I made several trips since mid-January. He mostly spin with some fly fishing mixed in. You know I prefer to not fish with spin guys, and probably vice versa. For me, it's because they generally catch more fish in front of me, and for them, fly rodders are just annoying, and can get in the way. 

    One thing about this time of year that's fun is it's time to put away those baby flies and hurl some meat into the water. Big baits catch big fish. One thing that's bad about this time of year is that the fish aren't looking up so getting the fly down means you're using sinking lines or weighted flies, which can make for non-picturesque and exhausting casts. Low and slow is the presentation you need. 

    During our trips Marc landed one 40 + pound fish taken from a lie that was way out of my range. and while fishing next to a spin guy can be frustrating, it's at times a really good, well, type of fish finder. Load up a bus of fly rodders and put them on a stretch of water and you may never really know what is swimming beneath the surface. Their success shouldn't lead to your frustration. There's times when we get

them back. Swimming flies behind the rocks in the boulder fields or using micro flies when the bass are on baits like peanut bunker, silversides, and bay anchovies, leaves them frustrated as well. 

    There was a lot of exploring and walking which at times feels more like hunting than fishing, but for me that's a large part of the fun. Even during the crowd-drawing blitz fishing that occurs in the fall, 

there's an element of the hunt that happens, even if most of that is done from your truck or through the eyes of binoculars. But finding new spots or your own fish is always more rewarding, at least for me. 

    

     The cooler water temps and low levels made walking and wading in new waters a touch easier. It can be dangerous exploring new places because if you don't read the water correctly you can find yourself out one step too far. Always have in place your wader belt (I don't), a wading stick, and do it with a buddy in case you get jammed up. 

     I tend to be a creature of habit, and I think most of us as anglers are. We know a spot, have caught fish there, and it becomes a go-to, until you get bored of it or the spot gets blown up. It's easy to be successful, or increases your chances, of catching when you revisit old haunts. And, if the bait, birds, or bass are showing themselves then it makes it more the easier. Below is the scene from one of the early morning outings. Nothing showing, kind of "boring" water, but it's a place where the fish are, and some good fish to boot. If you don't go then you won't know. While I haven't brought a fish to hand, or had a hit yet, when it does come the feelings of success will have made it all worth it. 

     And tonight don't miss Jason Taylor on Master's of The Fly. If you haven't met Jason or listened into one of his presentation's or podcasts you'll be glad you did. Jason is just a master, no pun intended, at 

Keep It Simple Stupid, fly tying. Now he makes it all look simple, and for you it might be challenging, but he breaks down the materials and techniques to shorten your learning curve. Some of his flies are just a few turns of properly chosen and placed materials. Others, are more advanced, and just nice to look at. If you want to up your game, and tie flies other than Beast Fleyes, only because they are such a niche' fly, then this event will serve you well, and help you fill your fly box. Check it out, it starts at 8pm and usually goes an hour or so.