how cold is too cold?

[cmcclung]

So how cold is too cold for winter fly fishing???? I am particularly interested in the bow, but its supposed to be a high of -2, so is that too cold or not?

[icefever]

When there is too much ice in the eyelets to get the line out.

[Albertafisher]

Originally Posted by icefever

When there is too much ice in the eyelets to get the line out.

Amen.

[grinr]

Personally,I hate wearing gloves and not being able to feel the line so I wear fingerless mechanic's gloves for winter fishing.A cpl hrs at -5C is about my limit where my stripping hand gets wet and numb fingers.Other than that,I'd say as long as the river aint slushed up,giver'!

[kissarmygeneral]

Originally Posted by icefever

When there is too much ice in the eyelets to get the line out.

X2

[drock0802]

anything above zero and im good to go. that way i don't get ice on the guides and a coating of ice on the fly line

[Pikebreath]

Actually you need a few degrees above 0 C to avoid icing of the guides,,, whipping the rod back and forth adds a wind chill factor into the equation.

[vital shok]

Supposibly lip chap on the eyes makes them not ice up.forgot to try it yesterday so yes ice was a problem.

[goldscud]

Last Sunday it was -2 with a bit of wind. Guides would freeze up about every dozen casts or so. Above +2 is better.

[Jayhad]

guys becareful of what you put on your rod/guides.. some petroleum based products with break down graphite and/or fly line coatings.

it's pretty easy to break the ice off the guides by hand, or dip your rod in the water

[cranky]

Originally Posted by vital shok

Supposibly lip chap on the eyes makes them not ice up.forgot to try it yesterday so yes ice was a problem.

Im sure the older crowd on here (me included) remember when we were kids. Our mothers would put Vaseline on our faces and eye lids before we went out to play etc.. It does protect some from freezing,frost bite. Definitely keeps face warmer in winds.

[Bushrat]

When I used to fish steelhead in the winter, I would finish my cast, dunk the rod under water and let the line drift down deep with a wet line, get that nymph right on bottom, done your drift lift the rod out of the water, no ice in the guides, give her a snap to shake the water drops off and your good to cast.

[scel]

Originally Posted by cmcclung

So how cold is too cold for winter fly fishing???? I am particularly interested in the bow, but its supposed to be a high of -2, so is that too cold or not?

The problem is the guides freezing up (as everybody has mentioned). I find that anything cooler than 3C at the airport, will give temperatures on the water that will allow the guides to ice up. This is OK for nymphing, but I find it rather frustrating for streamers. I do not do much stripping, and use short casts without stripping in line

If you want to fish streamers, and not have to de-ice your rod every 5-6 casts, I would aim for above 4C.

[ksmitty]

Rubbing the guides with a bar of soap works too

[braggadoe]

if your really keen to fish below zero. wrap an old crappy/fibre glass/ etc, rod with extra large steel guides and tip. so you can smash it against the water/ice after every cast.