When the mercury drops, many hang up their waders for spring in preference of tying flies, sorting through gear, and waiting for the first inclinations of mayfly hatches. Yet for the die-hard anglers, winter fishing offers empty rivers and chances at quality fish. Depending on where you live, winter may be the best time to fish. The PNW gets winter steelhead, the Northeast gets lake-run brown trout and rainbows, and the Rocky Mountain West sees epic midge hatches.
Regardless of where you are or what you fish for, winter fishing has its pros and cons. Wading rivers when it’s below freezing can be dangerous. Factor in that you may be the only one out there, and if you’re not prepared, things can go wrong fast. In an effort to get the most out of winter fishing while remaining safe, we put together a list of winter wading safety tips to keep you prepared.
Winter Wading Safety
These are the winter wading safety tips every angler should practice when temps drop below freezing.
1. Watch Out for Ice Dams
If you’re fishing in the winter, chances are you’ve seen ice forming alongside the banks. When it gets cold enough to form bank ice, chances are it’s cold enough to form an ice dam. For those wondering, an ice dam is a natural occurrence in which ice sheets collect in pools, river bends, or shallow areas and act as a dam. These ice dams pool water behind them until enough pressure builds up or the river warms up enough to blow out the dam.
When an ice dam breaks, massive amounts of water, ice, and anything it picks up (trees, debris, etc.) are whisked downriver in a violent display of Mother Nature’s power. If you’re familiar with a flash flood, this phenomenon is very similar. Recently, Chase DeMeulenaere captured an ice dam breaking on a local river in Vail, and the power is extraordinary.
For those braving freezing temps in search of fish, be cautious of ice dams. Our best advice is to monitor the river ice levels and flows. If you notice your local waterbody has a lot of floating ice, it may be best to wait until things warm up and the ice disappears. Another good indicator to avoid ice dams is rapidly warming temperatures. For instance, temperatures may have been well below freezing for two weeks. During this time, ice dams may form, even though the river is still fishing well. Since temps remain well below freezing, the ice dams can still be intact, but as soon as warm weather comes through, the dam will break, unleashing massive amounts of water.
2. Pack Extra Clothes
Packing extra clothes is one of the simplest ways to improve winter fishing safety. The old saying goes if you haven’t fallen in the river yet, wait because your time is coming. This is true for all anglers, no matter how experienced or coordinated they are. During the winter months, the consequences can be particularly dire.
Freezing temperatures and wet clothes make hypothermia a serious threat. The best thing to do when you are wet is to get out of wet clothes and into dry clothes as fast as possible. Keeping a spare set of clothes in your car or in your pack is a winter essential. Think warm—base layers, wading pants, and a puffy jacket will help warm you up as fast as possible. In addition, consider implementing as much wool gear as possible when fishing. Wool has unique properties that, even when wet, will continue to keep you warm until you can reach your dry clothes. It is also worth keeping an insulated sleeping bag in your car for added warmth or if you become stranded overnight.
3. Always Wear Your Wading Belt
Whether it is a lack of education or styling preferences, I’ve seen far too many anglers not wearing wading belts, even on boats. Wading belts, as useless as they may seem, actually serve an important purpose. You may have noticed most wading belts feature a stretchy fabric, ensuring a tight fit. This tight fit is designed to create an air pocket below your wading belt in the leg section. When you fall in, the wading belt allows your feet to float, rather than your waders filling with water if you are not wearing a wading belt. You can then swim or stand up and exit the river. With cold winter temperatures and a real threat of shock hitting you, wear your wading belt and make sure it is tight. For other wading gear, check out our picks HERE.
4. Pack a First-Aid Kit
No matter when or where you are fishing, a first aid kit is essential. From little things like cuts to big things like a broken bone, a quality first aid/trauma kit will have the tools you need to get off the water and to help safely. In wintertime, a first aid kit is exceptionally valuable in terms of keeping you safe in an emergency. Make sure your kit has things like an emergency blanket and other essentials that will help you stay warm when things head south.
5. Keep Fire Starting Equipment Handy
If you head far from the truck in search of unpressured fish, fire-starting equipment is the simplest and easiest way to get warm in case of an emergency. Now, this doesn’t mean starting fires whenever you feel like it; this should be used for emergencies only. A simple kit of waterproof matches, a lighter, and a DIY firestarter is all you need to start a fire at a moment’s notice. To make a DIY firestarter, fill an egg carton with drier lint and cover the whole thing with paraffin wax, then break the carton into individual sections. One section will burn for up to 30 minutes once lit.
6. Satellite Phone
Fishing in secluded areas can mean excellent fishing and little to no service. For those finding themselves far from civilization, a satellite phone is a must to stay in touch with loved ones or call for help in an emergency. Come winter, a surprise storm can be a real threat. Today’s satellite phones can send you weather updates so you know what’s coming. If you do become stranded, you can let people know where you are, your status, and if you need help. Generally, we try to avoid technology when fishing, but satellite phones are one thing we always take for our winter wading safety.
Final Thoughts
We have had some of our best days fishing in the winter, with not a soul in sight and eager fish. This guide to winter wading safety is not meant to scare you off the water but rather give you the tools needed to stay safe. Instead of hunkering down and tying flies all winter, make a plan and prep your gear in search of a winter trophy. We hope to see you out there!
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