It is possible to find actively feeding fish in tailwaters during winter even in the coldest months of the year when fly fishing is a year-round pursuit.
For the best action, you don’t have to rush to the water hours before sunrise. Yet too many anglers do not consider the possibility of catching big trout in the winter when they hang up their waders and store their rods.
As long as you use the right flies, winter fishing offers more opportunities to catch big trout, especially from tailwaters.
As water temperatures drop in freestone streams, trout become sluggish, but with controlled flows and consistent water temperature on tailwaters, trout remain comfortable and feed all year round.
Listed below are five tailwaters that are particularly productive during the coldest months of the year, so layer up, get out there, and catch some trophy trout.
Arkansas River at Pueblo, Colorado
Tailwaters can be fantastic places for anglers to fish, as the waters are often full of food that attracts high concentrations of fish.
In Southern Colorado however, one tailwater stands apart; the Arkansas River. This river enjoys a long high water season which is perfect in the wintertime when it’s not so productive during summer months.
Anglers are in luck when they visit this spot as they often can catch trout between 16-20 inches in length. All in all, the Arkansas tailwater is an excellent winter fishing destination!
In Pueblo, the Arkansas has a comparatively warm and low-elevation climate that differs from other trout fisheries in Colorado.
The air temperature here is 10 to 15 degrees warmer than on the Front Range and 15 to 25 degrees higher than those of rivers up in the mountains.
This relatively mild climate combined with adequate reservoir releases enable trout to actually eat all year round, as opposed to entering a dormant state during wintertime.
In November and December, bluewing olives hatch on top giving anglers great dry fly action, whereas midges hatch throughout the rest of the season.
Without hatching activity, nymphing is usually the most successful tactic for catching fish in January and February; “subtlety is key” notes Connell O’Grady, an experienced guide at The Drift Fly Shop.
For any type of fishing situation: always set your hook whenever you notice your indicator slowing down – you may never know if something’s there until you try!
Farmington River, Connecticut
It is common for anglers to picture a winding waterway in a wilderness setting when they think of good trout streams; not a winding river in the middle of the Northeast.
In Connecticut, the Farmington River is one of the best trout waters, and it’s just two hours from Boston or New York City, so it’s probably the easiest to reach fishery.
The Farmington offers winter anglers an abundance of public access points, with a 21-mile-long seasonal catch-and-release stretch and a 6-mile-long permanent section.
Regular stocking of rainbows, in line with the release regulations, plus a hefty population of wild brown trout mean plenty of opportunities for those looking to fish in cold conditions.
The bottom-flow releases from the Saville Dam keep the water temperatures just right throughout the year, allowing trout to stay active even when the air is chilly.
The Farmington River offers a special winter caddis hatch from December through February that draws trout to the surface during the morning hours.
Alternately, Torrey Collins, manager of UpCountry Sportfishing recommends effective slow and deep nymphing tactics for other times of the day.
He recommends nymphs, streamers, and “junk flies” such as eggs, Woolly Buggers, San Juan Worms and mop flies–a wiggly sub-surface pattern made with microfiber dreadlocks taken from floor mops–all fished close to the river bottom.
Green River, Utah
John Wesley Powell’s intrepid 1869 journey, which started by floating Utah’s Green River, saw him name the particularly vibrant section ‘Flaming Gorge’.
Most of it is now submerged in Flaming Gorge Reservoir though its tailwater below the dam still offers a stunning view and great fishing.
Its stellar trout density and clear water have made it nothing like the untouched river of its past as today, it plays host to a vast array of fly-fishermen during summer.
When they’ve gone for autumn though, you should seize the chance to target those trophy trout with fewer anglers competing against you.
“There are fewer people, better streamer fishing, and good midge and blue-winged olive hatches during the winter,” says Doug Roberts, the owner of Old Moe’s Guide Service.
On the Green River, nymphing isn’t as productive during this time of year as it is in other tailwaters on this list. Stick with streamers and dry flies instead.
White River, Arkansas
While many tailwaters offer only a few miles of good, accessible trout fishing beneath the dams that feed them.
The White River in Arkansas boasts 50 miles of public trout fishing downstream of the Bull Shoals Dam in the northern Ozarks and virtually every inch of the river has the potential to hold trout of a lifetime, aside from a few small closures to protect spawning fish.
Winter fishing in the White River is particularly notable because a huge shad kill occurs in Bull Shoals Lake when sudden cold water temperatures knock out a significant proportion of reservoir dwelling shad.
When the bait drifts into the dam turbines, it is ground up and siphoned into the tailwater, resulting in a protein-rich chum that helps trout grow fat and keeps them active despite the cold water temperatures.
Bighorn River, Montana
The renowned Bighorn River has its tailwater portion near the town of Fort Smith, Montana one of the few remaining true trout towns.
Those up for a do-it-yourself angling day can head to Bighorn Angler where they can obtain all the necessary gear and even rent a drift boat with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
The rainbow and brown trout population in the river is extremely high, yet it doesn’t stop brave anglers from catching plenty of fish in wintertime despite the frigid temperatures.
“The first part of winter fishes really well,” says Steve Galletta of Bighorn Angler.
Due to Bighorn Lake’s lengthy seasonal turnover, the temperature of its waters remain warm for many miles downstream of Yellowtail Dam in comparison to Montana’s freestone streams.
December is an excellent month for fishing, though anglers can still enjoy their sport through the remainder of the winter season.
Trout gathering in deeper runs are easy targets with a standard sow bug and nymph setup.
Fishing gets extra interesting when midges hatch along the bank during the coldest months, while February brings even better streamer fishing in search of post spawn browns.
If you have a tailwater with open water and a trout population nearby, you can still catch fish.
Don’t let the fact that fly fishing is not as popular in the winter stop you from getting out there.
It is possible to catch trout in these five fisheries during the winter, so be prepared for the cold weather, wear a high-quality pair of waders, and have fun.
