New To Winter Trout Fishing

[Weather Watcher]

In an effort to try to stem the winter blues, this summer my brother and I planned a winter fly fishing trip to Montauk. I'd appreciate any tips. Is there much difference between summer and winter patterns?

[Fly Fishing Fantasma]

I'm also planning my first winter trip during c&r season. Just see all the pics of big fish in the winter and ready to do some hog huntin!

No sure about montauk but have seen on here that drys are pretty slow in winter (obviously) but that woolies and streamers work well on the bigger fish. I usually fish RR but have never during winter.

[stlfisher]

The only real differance is there may not be as many big hatches on really cold days, but the water temperature is the same year around so the fish are still active. Small dries have work the best for me at Montauk lately, but you can still catch them on the bigger stuff too. Just kinda depends on the day and their moods. I wouldn't do anything to drastically different just dress warm and have some zebra midges and small dries on hand in case you need them. Egg, cracklebacks, griffith's gnats, and Mohair leeches are all good choices anytime of the year. Have fun I love Montauk in the winter.

[mic]

Egg, cracklebacks, griffith's gnats, and Mohair leeches are all good choices anytime of the year. Have fun I love Montauk in the winter.

I've never fished Montauk before, but if it is like the rest of the spring runs... If the sun is shinning and/or really warm, griffith's gnats are killers. Try tying a large one 12 or 14 and tie a small 22 off the bend of the bigger one. If there only popping the big one, cut off the size 22 and drop off a zebra midge. Enjoy the day. That is my favorite winter setup for dries.

Another rig is I've read about but have not tried yet (can' t wait) is to use a large griffith's and a small bead head crackleback. After the float, swing them across stream. Again, I only heard it works. I've only fished small streams this year and there isn't a lot of swinging flies.

[stlfisher]

I've never fished Montauk before, but if it is like the rest of the spring runs... If the sun is shinning and/or really warm, griffith's gnats are killers. Try tying a large one 12 or 14 and tie a small 22 off the bend of the bigger one. If there only popping the big one, cut off the size 22 and drop off a zebra midge. Enjoy the day. That is my favorite winter setup for dries.

Another rig is I've read about but have not tried yet (can' t wait) is to use a large griffith's and a small bead head crackleback. After the float, swing them across stream. Again, I only heard it works. I've only fished small streams this year and there isn't a lot of swinging flies.

Oh yeah, swinging cracklebacks and griffiths gnat's can be very very effective. Sometimes I use short strips at the end of the float when they start to swing. Zebra Midges always work pretty well for me at Montauk. Never thought to combine the two though. Now I will!

[Weather Watcher]

Thanks everyone. If the weather behaves, looks like we'll have a great trip.

[Fly Rod Ryan]

For winter use grey or olive scuds or olive and regular zebra midges these will also work in summer to but i like to use caddis in spring and summer.