Picture this: snowflakes falling over a trout stream, fish slowly rising to the surface, and you’re the only angler in sight. In an ideal world, every day of winter, fly fishing would look like this, but that is rarely the case. For most, winter trout fishing looks more like icy roads, frozen fingers and toes, and midge patterns so painfully small that 7x tippet is the only hope to tie it on. With gray skies looming and the dead of winter upon us, we can’t help but dread those days. To ease our minds and hopefully yours, we put together a list of the top 5 winter fly fishing destinations to escape Jack Frost. From the tropics to the southern hemisphere and everything in between, this list is designed to give you some inspiration and a warm weather retreat in search of some more eager fish.
How We Made Our Picks
Over the years, we have made it a point to take at least one wintertime fly fishing trip to escape the cold and catch a few fish. Our adventures have taken us to some epic places and some not so epic. To save you the hassle of learning where to go, we’ve compiled our favorites here. From DIY fishing to all-inclusive lodge experiences, we cover it all. So grab your flip-flops and pack your bags because this list has something for everyone.
Best DIY: South Florida
A short plane ride from the Rocky Mountain West and anywhere on the East Coast, South Florida, offers abundant opportunities. An incredible amount of exotics, such as peacock bass, snakeheads, and clown knife fish, to name a few, can be found throughout the extensive canal systems. In addition, natives like largemouth bass, snook, tarpon, and even an occasional permit make their way into saltwater canals.
Even in the depths of winter, South Florida from West Palm Beach to Miami continues to fish well. The fishery closer to West Palm Beach consists mainly of snakeheads, peacock bass, and clown knife fish. Further south towards Fort Lauderdale and Miami, the water control structures allow more saltwater into the canals, resulting in a mixed bag of tarpon, snook, and varying exotics.
For a DIY angler, South Florida is riddled with opportunity. Bridges, canals, and ponds are everywhere, and a short drive or walk reveals excellent fishing opportunities. To keep costs down, Airbnb or a similar housing rental service is our go-to. With proper research, you can often find places near canals and ponds. Gear-wise, we recommend 8wt and 5wt rods. A day of guided fishing is also an option for anglers looking to get out and explore the Everglades, Biscayne Bay, and other inshore fisheries.
Best for Big Fish: Louisiana
Louisiana, in recent years, has gained popularity for its world-class redfish fishery. Starting in the fall and continuing through early spring, big bull reds are abundant and uber-aggressive. Big streamer patterns are the name of the game, and finding fish is fairly straightforward. The various creek mouths and tidal estuaries serve as alleyways where fish will stack up and wait for a falling tide to wash bait toward them.
If you have access to a skiff, Louisiana and its coastal estuaries are worth exploring on a DIY trip. Baton Rouge is a good starting point to branch out and find fish. Look for river mouths and bays where bait and redfish congregate. Otherwise, we recommend a guided trip to truly experience what Louisiana has to offer. With the right guide, expect big bull redfish and plenty of shots at fish. Louisiana is not as tropical as some other destinations on this list, and it can get cold in the winter. That said, the sheer size and quantity of trophy redfish make it a serious contender among winter fly fishing destinations.
Best for Trout: Argentina
Argentina is located in the southern hemisphere, meaning the seasons are flipped such that winter becomes summer. In South America, Argentina is the second largest country, offering diverse habitats, climates, and fishing opportunities. For simplicity we’ll break it down by the three main types of fishing Argentina is known for: trout fishing, sea-run salmon and trout, and golden dorado. Each of these offers unique experiences and perspectives on parts of this incredible country.
For anglers looking to experience trout fishing that rivals the best the American West has to offer, SET Fly Fishing also has you covered. Patagonia, a legendary part of the world for trout fishing, offers incredible streams and rivers. You’ll be targeting browns and rainbows with some incredible hatches and a chance at trophy-caliber fishing.
The last part of the country is the southern tip of Argentina. Here, the legendary Rio Grande and surrounding rivers drain into the Atlantic Ocean. Every year, from January to March, the rivers fill with sea-run brown trout. Anglers target these fish with two-handed fly rods and swinging flies. Kau Tapen Lodge offers some of the best water and fishing for sea-runs, with the possibility of catching a fish over 20lbs very realistic. During this time period, the Rio Caterina is another destination worth considering for chinook salmon. Fish nearing 90lbs have been caught, inching closer every year to the all-tackle world record.
Golden dorado are, in many ways, the quintessential gamefish—they fight hard, display wicked acrobatics, violently chase down flies, and exhibit incredible vibrant colorations. These fish are found further north in Argentina in the tropical jungle sections of the country. Getting to and finding these fish certainly calls for guides, and we have found no better place than SET Fly Fishing.
Best Place for the Family: Bahamas
If family is a priority when making fishing plans, consider the Bahamas. This long chain of islands is positioned in prime bonefish habitats and relatively untouched. Chances at large schools of tailing bones are readily available, and depending on the island, local guides will take you out for a day of fishing. Some of the best islands are Andros and Grand Bahamas. While other islands have plenty of fish, these particular islands have resorts and activities for the entire family.
In addition to guided trips, walking the beaches on the right tides will present opportunities for bonefish. Look for mud clouds, tails, and waking fish on a low incoming tide. A 7 or 8-wt rod will do the trick, and small-size four-bonefish flies like the Crazy Charlie or Gotcha are your best bet. For a tropical getaway, the Bahamas should be near the top of winter fly fishing destinations.
Best Place to Catch Numbers of Fish: Belize
Belize has gained notoriety in recent years as a destination fishery for bonefish, permit, and the occasional tarpon. While fish are not necessarily the giants of the Florida Keys or Bahamas, numbers are abundant. It is not uncommon to get 20+ shots a day at permit and lose count of how many bonefish you have caught. There are several lodges in Belize worth considering, and DIY opportunities are somewhat available around San Pedro.
For a true tropical escape, consider Belize if constant action is what you are after. There is a realistic chance of landing the legendary “Slam”—a tarpon, bonefish, and permit all on the fly in one day. As far as gear, rods ranging from 7 to 10-wts are recommended with corresponding reels and fly lines. The smaller rods are great for bonefish but 9 and 10-wt rods are ideal for throwing bigger flies in the wind and pulling against tarpon and permit.
Final Thoughts
With winter in full effect and much of the country seeing record lows and snowfall, an escape to a warm weather retreat may be the best way to break up winter monotony. While there are plenty of world-class destinations out there, this list is designed to put options at every price point and skill level together for fly anglers. From Louisiana to Argentina and Belize to the Bahamas, we’re confident these top 5 winter fly fishing destinations will cure the wintertime blues.
