Nathan Walker - Fly Fishing Winter Lakes
What is your favourite rod and reel set up when fishing lakes in winter?
I typically run a 10ft #6 when loch-style fishing out of the boat. This allows me to fish long leaders, typically 15 feet with 3 flies comfortably.
When loch style fishing, your range of motion is restricted when casting as you fish while seated. The longer rods allow you to use a relatively narrow casting arc, but allow you to get more tip travel due to the length of the rod. This is particularly useful when casting long leaders!
For land based fishing I prefer a 9ft 6’” #6 being slightly more accurate when presenting to a sighted fish. I love my Scott rods, but the new Primal Raw CCC has been getting a red hot run this season, and fair to say I'm in love with it!
How do you go about finding fish on a lake during the colder months?
As the saying goes, find the food... find the fish, and in winter, there's not a whole lot! Small midge and large yabby predominate a trouts food source, particularly in the Snowy Mountain lakes. I'll look for dark clay banks where there's visible signs of yabby beds, or where the sun has warmed up the water in the margins to find midge.
What is an effective lake fishing technique you like to use at this time of year?
If you're out of a boat, there's no better technique than loch style fishing. This involve drifting in a boat with the us of a drogue to adjust the speed and angle of your drift. Even in windy conditions, you're able to fish the flies quite slow and maintain contact. Loch style fish also allows you to cover vast expanses of water. You're flies are always covering new water. You have the option of fishing floating or sinking lines, depending on what depth the fish are feeding at on any given day. Typically slower sinking lines work best in winter as you can fish them at a slower pace, with more control.
Land based fishing can be as effective, however you typically need to cover a lot of water on foot. It pays to be relatively fit, and have appropriate technical clothing. On a calm sunny day, Winter polaroiding can be electric. Polaroiding involves spotting fish with your polarised sunglasses, and sight casting to cruising fish. It's a very visual form of fishing and be exhilarating when it all comes together. Polaroiding isn't about numbers, but more like hunting. Quality over quantity for sure!
What are some must have fly patterns when fishing winter lakes in the Snowy Mountains?
My favourite patterns are the Snowy Bugger which are now in the range of the Manic Fly Collection. They're essentially a size #14 Wooly Bugger, tied sparsely in a range of tried and tested colours. They imitate everything and nothing at the same time! Mainly small yabbies, shrimp, damsels and even small baitfish. Just a must have in any lake anglers box! If presented well in front of a hungry fish, they rarely get refused! Not to say that fish don't eat larger flies. In my experience, Snowy Mountains fish will typically take a smaller presentation more readily. Small midge patterns like the Crystal Chironomid do quite well in late winter leading into Spring as the lake starts to warm.
What bit of clothing do you find is a game changer when dealing with the cold?
Correct layering is crucial when fishing the mountain lakes in winter. At an absolute minimum, a moisture wicking base layer is vital. This helps to draw the moisture from your body and allows it to be pulled into vapour when wearing a good set of Simms breathable waders. I recommend an active fleece mid-layer to keep you warm, but not overheat when walking long distances. When fishing out of the boat of fishing stationary, a thicker static insulation layer is a must! This traps your body heat and allow you to stay warm whilst your not exerting much energy. Static insulation layers can cause you to overheat when active and can be dangerous in subzero temperatures, so be aware.
Lastly and most importantly is a good quality outer shell. When walking the banks, a goody quality pair of Simms waders and a breathable wading jacket are in my opinion essential!
They'll keep you bone dry, breathe incredibly well and most importantly block that freezing wind! Wind chill is pretty gnarly in the Snowys during winter, and the more you can protect yourself from it, the longer you'll have to be able to fish comfortably. A good pair of Simms Windstopper gloves can also be a great advantage to keep your hands warm. Simms are the best in the business when it comes to technical clothing, and have a massive range to choose from!
If you could offer one tip for beginners fishing lakes for the first time, what would it be?
Covering water is absolute key to lake fishing. The more water you cover, the better chance of coming across a fish. Cast within your limits. Try not to belt out long casts when your learning. Making lots of shorter cast with better control will make for a much more enjoyable days fishing. If you cover enough terrain, you'll increase your chances of intercepting a fish. You'll also want to vary your depth and retrieve until you work out what the fish are doing on any given day. Things can change in an instant. Change up your depth and retrieve as often as you can, until you crack the code!
ABOUT NATHAN WALKER
Nathan Walker is the fly fishing manager of BOSS Outdoors Canberra, an avid fly fisherman and qualified FFI Certified Casting Instructor.