freestone streams vs limestone (wintertime)

[Trails and trout]

Its winter time and the temps are definitely not ideal. But I wanted to know your guys opinions on which type of stream you target during the colder months. I know I often stick to the stable temperatures of a tail water and lime stone spring creek during the colder months, I am curious to see who has an opinion on the topic.
Also what are some of your go too flies for winter, mine are sexy waltz, squirmy wormy, pheasant tail, freincie, and jiggy stone in brown olive.

 

[Swattie87]

Limestone and tailwaters are clearly safer bets. I’d venture a guess that most fishable sized freestoners are iced over right now. I drive over the Susky in Harrisburg on days I work from the office. The channel was probably 90% iced over yesterday. I worked from home today but looking at the forecast, we’re headed for a deep freeze here in the next week. Freestones are gonna need a real mild streak to shake the ice.

In more milder Winters, the last several of which have been, I do still fish freestoners too. I tend to look for streams that have predominantly wild Brookies though, as they seem to stay more active in colder water than wild Browns.

 

[jifigz]

I agree with Swattie. An actual legit spring creek in these cold temps will have the warmest water and, therefore, probably the most active fish. The hybrid streams like Penns and the Little Juniata are usually good bets, too. In mild winters, small freestoners for brookies are my favorite streams to fish though. I've had my most memorable winter outings on them. If flows are decent and streams are ice free, brookies are pretty easy to catch all winter long.

 

[Trails and trout]

Limestone and tailwaters are clearly safer bets. I’d venture a guess that most fishable sized freestoners are iced over right now. I drive over the Susky in Harrisburg on days I work from the office. The channel was probably 90% iced over yesterday. I worked from home today but looking at the forecast, we’re headed for a deep freeze here in the next week. Freestones are gonna need a real mild streak to shake the ice.

In more milder Winters, the last several of which have been, I do still fish freestoners too. I tend to look for streams that have predominantly wild Brookies though, as they seem to stay more active in colder water than wild Browns.

I’ve noticed that too, the brookies are definitly more active and I’ve got several to eat dries even when it snowing

 

[Forestfishin]

I fish freestone streams in the winter mostly because of location. Great time to be on the water. Normal years for me it’s more a matter of finding open water that you can get to. A lot of dirt and old logging roads are too sketchy once we get into January. We’ve been lucky the last few years.

I’ve always fished buggers in winter mostly but am making it a point to fish nymphs more this year so thanks for some of the suggestions above.

 

[wildtrout2]

If flows are decent and streams are ice free, brookies are pretty easy to catch all winter long.

I'd say easier in the winter, instead of pretty easy. 😉

 

[JeffK]

Nothing wrong with these comments. One old timer trick was to drive along streams during the coldest days of the year (coming up) and look for steaming water or ice free sections along the bank. Those are the spring holes that may have more wintering trout in them. They may stand out more in the coldest weather. BTW, the spring holes may also be the late season spots when the water starts warming up in the summer.

 

[troutbert]

I've noticed that brookies are often skinny in the winter months.

They get much plumper in the warmer months.

 

[Tigereye]

Passed over Lehigh today -shoreline iced up pretty good in Tannery area. Next week's winter blast isn't going to help. Lehigh most likely a no go for while except for the extremely brave or extremely stupid.

 

[Jemoca75!]

Passed over Lehigh today -shoreline iced up pretty good in Tannery area. Next week's winter blast isn't going to help. Lehigh most likely a no go for while except for the extremely brave or extremely stupid.

They rescued a guy and 2 dogs off the susky today who left his kayak unattended and it floated away, plenty of extremely stupid people

 

[nymphingmaniac]

I fish freestone streams in the winter mostly because of location. Great time to be on the water. Normal years for me it’s more a matter of finding open water that you can get to. A lot of dirt and old logging roads are too sketchy once we get into January. We’ve been lucky the last few years.

I’ve always fished buggers in winter mostly but am making it a point to fish nymphs more this year so thanks for some of the suggestions above.

growing up I only had access to large freestone streams. Mostly stocked fish but plenty of holdovers and some natural repro. I enjoyed drifting flies along the ice edges after ice-out and did well. I lost a lot of fish trying to get them from under the ice. You can imagine that after being hooked they knew where to go.

 

[JimKennedy]

I’d stick with limestone in the winter, but only because that’s what I’ve been doing for most of my life.

It’s the time of year when the brush is knocked back (especially after a solid snow), and the crowds are thin on the big name spots.

Regarding fluid, I’ll suggest the rubber band grub. Black thread, rubber band from your office, and any number of stuff behind the eye of the hook: turkey feather legs, peacock head, bead head, etc.

There’s a too long essay about it at this link: https://brotherhoodofthejunglecock.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/bojc_news_2020_web.pdf

It’s the most realistic, easiest to tie, variable weight, all purpose fly ever.