WELCOME TO GEORGIA FLY FISHERMAN!

Welcome to Georgia Fly Fisherman, where we'll look at all things fly fishing in the great state of Georgia!

I'm Steve Hudson, and I've been fly fishing Georgia's great waters since I was about eight years old. I've enjoyed writing about the sport for many years, and I especially enjoy sharing it with others. In fact, that's the goal here: to help you get the most out the fly fishing opportunities that Georgia has to offer by sharing insights, tips, tricks and more. 

Whether it's exploring a tiny stream for native brook trout, working a pond for lunker bass, or fishing a tidal area for monster reds, Georgia offers a wealth of fly fishing opportunities to explore. That's what we'll be doing in the weeks and months to come, and I look forward to your comments.

Welcome aboard!

Cold weather...hot fishing! 

So it's 26 degrees outside. The steps are iced over. The walk down to the truck is a solid sheet of ice. The doors to the darned truck are even frozen shut.

Winter fly fishing -- Georgia's best kept secret?

But is it too cold for a little trout fishing with the fly rod?

Not at all.!

One of the best-kept secrets in fly fishing today is that winter is one of the best times to hit the water with a fly rod. It's not hard to see why either.

Why winter fly fishing?

Why indeed? For many fans of wintertime fly fishing, one of the biggest reasons is that cold weather means uncrowded streams. In fact, on most cold winter days the angling crowds will be light to nonexistent -- even on well known and easily accessible waters.

Does the cold bother the fish? Warmwater species like bream and bass will definitely slow down (or maybe shut down) as the weather turns cold. On the other hand, trout can love it. For example, fly fishermen on waters such as the delayed harvest section of the Chattahoochee in Atlanta or Smith Creek in Unicoi State Park know that some of the best action of the season can come on those cold or dreary days when people with more sense are sitting at home by the fire.

Staying warm 101

The key to wintertime fly fishing is to stay warm, and experienced wintertime outdoors enthusiasts will affirm that layering of clothing can be a key. Rather than wear one thick coat, you should instead layer your clothing.

Start with a wicking-type fabric next to your skin. Such wicking fabrics draw moisture away from your skin, helping you to avoid that damp and clammy feeling that's often the first sign you're on the road to miserable.

Experienced wintertime outdoors enthusiasts will also tell you that staying warm means giving particular attention to head, feet and hands. Keep those warm, and the rest will follow. But if head, hands or feet get cold, you'll soon begin feeling the chill all over. Here's how:

A warm hat can be a key to comfy wintertime fly fishing.

Hat: You lose a great deal of heat through your head, so wear a hat that keeps you warm. Experienced wintertime anglers prefer hats that not only cover your ears but cover your neck (with a scarf, a full-head hat, or even a ski mask, depending on conditions and preference) as well. You may not look as stylish as those sporting only western-style fishing hats, but you may be a lot warmer.

Footwear: Start with the socks. Layering is a good idea there, too. Start with a thin wicking-type liner sock worn next to the skin. Top it with a thicker cushioning sock, and you're half way there. And the other half of the puzzle? Make sure that your boots or other footwear are not too tight. Tight boots will impede circulation in your feet, and that means cold feet (and inevitably a cold rest of you) in no time.

A special word on hands

You lose an incredible amount of heat through uncovered hands, especially if your hands get wet (and when you're fishing, wet hands are pretty much a given). The way to deal with it is with a good set of gloves. Wool or fleece will stay relatively warm even when damp, so they're good bets.

These days, purpose-made angling gloves are not hard to find. What should you look for? Flexibility, for one thing. A stiff glove isn't much use, no matter how warm it is.

And what about fingers? Should your gloves be fingerless? Fingerless gloves expose the fingertips, making it possible to tie on new flies and handle other such tasks without having to shed your gloves. The exposed finger tips can become chilly, however. One compromise: fingertip-less gloves with a fold-over mitten to cover your fingers when additional warmth is needed.

In any case, for insurance, carry a second set of gloves. That way, should the first set get too wet to be comfortable, you can break out the back-up and continue with arm hands.

What about jackets?

Another key to winter fishing comfort, especially if it's damp or drizzling, is a good breatheable jacket. It will keep the rain on the outside, but it will let water vapor from perspiration (yes, you will sweat even when it's cold outside) escape. Again, the result is that you avoid that damp, clammy feeling.

You'll especially appreciate a good breatheable jacket if you have to hike any distance to your favorite wintertime fishing spot. It's surprising how much heat you can generate on even a short hike, particularly when you're wearing waders (they should be breatheable too). 

Other tips for staying warm?

What are your favorite tricks for staying warm while fishing in winter? Let me know, and we'll pass them on!

Next time: Last-minute gift ideas for fly fishers, part 1!

Copyright Steve Hudson 2010. All rights reserved.