Winter is officially here in Park City, Utah but don't let a little cold weather stop you from getting out on the river. I’m writing this blog to share a few secrets and tricks that will help you enjoy your time fly fishing when the temperatures drop below freezing.
The worst part about winter fly fishing is it can be unbearably cold on your hands and feet. The solution is to pony up and buy a pair of winter waders -waders with a boot fit. You can either go old school neoprene with boot fit or spend a bit more on a nice set of Simms breathable with the Bogg boot fit. If you go the old school route, the key is to buy them 1 or 2 sizes bigger than your foot size and slide in a wool boot liner from your winter boots.
For your hands, I suggest investing in a pair of Kast stealhead gloves. They are the bomb with a completely waterproof OutDry membrane that keeps your digits dry even if they're submerged for minutes at a time. Unlike neoprene gloves, which allow sweat to build up and freeze, the Kast steelheads are totally breathable and are built with 4-way stretch fabric and a warm fleece lining to keep your hands warm as well as dry. Far more low-profile than most fishing gloves, the Kast steelheads also have grippy palms and fingers to help you control your equipment and grip fish without damaging them. Their rubberized cuffs and closures seal out water. Your hands will thank you for it.
Now that you have all ten fingers and toes warm and toasty, we can move on to the next problem faced with winter fly fishing. ICE. Ice builds up on your guides. I have found a product that will change your world. It’s called Never Wet.
It is a Rust-Oleum product that is designed to repel water. No water = No Ice. How it really works, I'm not sure, but it’s magic. You can find it online or most hardware stores. I coat my guides and treat my entire fly line with the two part aerosol spray. Don't worry, it won't harm your line or your rod and it dries clear. Just follow the directions on the box. After some time, you will have to treat your guides and line again. This trick will keep your guides from freezing no matter how cold it gets. Winter is an amazing time to be out on the river. You usually have the water to yourself. It can be very peaceful. Now that you have some helpful tricks up your sleeve, you can turn an unbearably cold day on the water into a very pleasant memorable one. So get out there and reap the rewards of the solitude and the great winter fly fishing that the Provo River offers.
-Jeremy Rogers