12 Nov Take a Spare, Everything!

By Bryan Eldredge

Today Jeff Lindstrom and I fished the Salt River in Star Valley, Wyoming. It just seemed like a good weekend to get away from the usual haunts. The one downside to this, is that the low temperature last night was supposedly somewhere around 2 degrees. It was a not-so balmy 12 degrees when we left the hotel this morning, which may have contributed to our making no fewer than FIVE stops along the way to the river—licenses (“We can only take cash for licenses,” so to the ATM, then back to the store), gas station, fast food joint for breakfast and two fly shops. . . .

Those same cold temperatures bring to mind an important principle for winter fishing: “It’s better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.”

When we finally got to the river today, we wiggled our way into numerous layers of clothing, and headed for the water. By this time the sun was warming the air a little and I was anxious to hit it. I hadn’t been in the water for more than two minutes, however, when I noticed the first touch of cold water seeking into the sock on my left heel. I made a beeline for shore. Getting wet on a day like today would have spelled disaster and might even have become life threatening. Fortunately, one of the things Jeff and I discovered the first time we ever fished together is that be both ascribe to the “bring it all” philosophy. Minimalists we are not. As a result, I was able to choose from no fewer than three spare pair of waders and a dozen pair of socks. The change over took fifteen minutes or so, but it was time well spent. The rest of the day I was dry and relatively warm.

At this time of year, in cold climes, you really should have a complete change of clothes with you. If you happen to fall into a river during the winter, head to your car immediately. Don’t wait around until you start feeling extremely cold. It’s coming and it’s serious business. If you can’t get completely dry and warmed, you should never head back out. Just go home, tie some flies, watch football, read a book or take a nap.

Having an extra pair of everything doesn’t assure that you’ll be able to get back out there, but it gives you the change. If nothing else, it will make the drive back home more bearable.

Winter fishing can be some of the very best, if you are prepared and make good decisions about when to fish and when to cut and run. Enjoy it, and be safe out there.