Who Says You Can’t Fly-fish On The Ice?

To many diehard fly-fishers, the only fishing for them is in open waters where they can cast their flies up stream for trout and salmon. Others enjoy casting their flies for bass and other fish species, but again, only in open waters. When winter comes, they put away their fly-rods and wait for spring to arrive, totally unaware that they could continue their passion of fly-fishing even on the ice. Although the casting is out however, and the fly-rod isn’t used. 

One year, long ago, a Trout Unlimited member remarked to me, “Boy, I’ll be glad when spring arrives and I can fly-fish open waters again.” I had to agree. However, I asked him if he had ever tried fly-fishing on the ice. “What? Are you nuts? You can’t fly-fish on the ice. What the hell would you ever catch when your flyline can’t even get into the water below?” I then told him that I went fly-fishing on the ice and caught some very nice black crappies, some bass and even some nice white perch. Thinking that I would lie to him, he threw up his arms and walked away.

Granted, when fly-fishing on the ice, the standard gear (fly-rod and fly-line) is not used. It’s all about jigging with flies instead of casting them. I found it far more exciting than using the standard tip-ups and live baits or even the normal jigs that are used. A long length, light jigging rod is used with a spinning reel having Berkley Vanish Fluorocarbon, or similar, four pound test line. On the end of the line, tie on a #4 barrel swivel. At the top of the barrel swivel, clamp on a split-shot weight. At the bottom end of the barrel swivel, tie on a seven inch strand of the 4 pound test fluorocarbon line to which your flies will be tied. 

What kind of flies should you use? No dry flies or streamers. Use wet flies and nymph patterns. It is also best if the flies have been tied with weighted bodies using a lead substitute. This will help keep the fly from rising upward too much. One of my favorite patterns is the Sparrow fly, originated by Jack Gartside, and my innovation, the Sparkle Sparrow. On my Sparrow flies, I tie a slightly longer tail so that it wiggles as the fly is moved. Other good flies to use include Wooly Buggers, beadhead nymphs, conehead Wooly Buggers and any variety of nymph patterns. 

Once your hole is cut through the ice, lower your fly pattern down to an appropriate height. I use a depth finder to locate the depth of fish. Occasionally twitch your rod tip up and let the fly settle before doing it again. Also, try slowly lifting the fly upward then letting it fall back down. I also move the tip of my rod around the hole several times, stop for a minute then move the rod around in the opposite direction and stopping for a minute or two.

So, let it never again be said just because the ice is in you can’t fly-fish through the winter. Give it a try. Good luck and tight lines.

Bob Harris can be reached via e-mail at: outwriter2@aol.com

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