10 Best Winter Flies for Trout: Catch More Fish in the Cold Season

Written by: Eric Dodds

Published on December 16, 2025

Last updated on December 17, 2025

Time to read 9 min

Winter fly fishing is tough. Trout feed less, insect hatches slow way down, and your fingers can go numb before you even make your third cast.

But here's the thing: trout don’t stop eating in winter; they just become more selective. In that case, you can’t throw on any fly and hope for the best.

In this guide, we’ll show you the 10 best winter flies that catch trout consistently, why these patterns work when others don't, and how to fish them in frigid conditions.

Ready? Let’s get started.

Why Is Winter Fly Fishing More Difficult Than Other Seasons?

Trout metabolism slows way down when water temperatures drop. This is why fly fishing in cold weather is way more challenging than in warmer seasons.

In tailwaters like the South Holston River in Virginia, where temperatures hold steady at 45-50°F year-round, you'll still see active hatches and feeding fish. But in freestone streams that ice over? Forget about it. Those fish shut down almost completely.

For a specific region, read about fly fishing in Oregon during winter or the Middle Provo River in winter. Fish usually sit in deeper holes and slow pools to conserve their energy.

When they do eat, they want easy calories: tiny insects drifting right past their face. Miss that narrow feeding window between noon and 2 pm, and you might as well pack it in.

So how do you beat these odds? Our best tip is to choose the right fly for fly fishing. The fly patterns below will help you match what trout are eating when the water's cold.

What Are the Best Winter Flies for Trout? (Midge Patterns)

These tiny insects keep trout active when other hatches shut down. When nothing else is hatching, you can bet trout are still eating small flies that imitate these aquatic insects.

Here are the 4 best midge fly patterns in cold water:

1. Zebra Midge

The Zebra Midge is deadly effective in winter. It’s nothing more than a thread wrapped around a hook with a small bead head, but that slim profile is exactly what winter trout want.

When water temperatures drop to around 45°F, trout aren’t chasing big meals. They look for easy food that takes minimal effort to eat.

What makes the Zebra Midge work is its natural drift. Its thread body doesn’t absorb water like dubbing, so it sinks cleanly and moves naturally with the current. That subtle, lifelike movement is what trout key in on during winter.

Stock up on proven patterns like our Black Zebra Midge, Red Zebra Midge, and Olive Zebra Midge in size 18 for steady winter catches.

2. Jujube Midge

The Jujube Midge has a segmented body with distinct color bands that perfectly mimic local species. While the Zebra Midge is simple and plain, the Jujube Midge looks realistic to what picky winter trout need.

This pattern is most effective during early morning and late afternoon hatches (sizes 20-24). This is when the color contrast between the segments triggers strikes from fish that have seen every other fly in your box.

Side Note: When setting the hook, be gentle. Winter trout have soft mouths, and these tiny flies don't have much hook gap. If you use a hard hookset, it will rip right through. Instead, lift your rod smoothly and keep steady pressure.

3. Zelon Midge

If you're fishing in winter's flat gray light, try the Zelon Midge. It is visible to both you and the trout, because its wing post creates a flash underwater that catches what little light is available on overcast days.

That flash isn't just for show. It triggers strikes from trout sitting in shadowed pockets who might otherwise ignore a plain pattern. The Zelon Midge also helps you track your fly without needing a bright strike indicator that might spook cautious fish.

Our best tip is to use sizes 18-20 for the best balance between visibility and realism. Fish it in slower water where trout have time to inspect their food.

4. Griffiths Gnat Emerger

Sometimes the simplest flies are the hardest for trout to refuse. Griffiths Gnat is one of the flies you can rely on. Its sparse body, soft hackle, and minimal movement can outfish other patterns when trout are feeding cautiously.

Fish it with a slow, drag-free drift and watch for subtle takes. Often there’s no visible rise, just a brief pause in the fly’s drift. A strike indicator can help you control depth when fishing deeper runs. Stick to sizes 18-20 for reliable winter success.

What Are the Best Nymph Flies for Winter Trout?

Below, we’ve compiled the best nymph patterns to get your down where trout are holding in deeper water. Use these patterns to imitate the aquatic insects and crustaceans that make up most of their winter diet.

5. Pheasant Tail Nymph

The Pheasant Tail Nymph has a natural profile that imitates mayfly nymphs, which are active in winter despite what most anglers think. You can fish it near gravel or rocky bottoms where trout feed, especially in riffles and runs that stay ice-free.

However, be sure you don't strip your fly. Let it tumble along the bottom as a real nymph would, so it’ll bounce off rocks and drift with the flow. You want that dead drift, where your line moves at the same speed as the current. Stock sizes 14-18, with 16 being your go-to.

8. Kaufman Stonefly

When trout want a big, high-protein meal but won’t chase fast-moving prey, heavy stonefly nymphs get the job done. Kaufman Stonefly is what we recommend the best because it lives on the river bottom year-round, right where trout are holding in cold water.

For the best catch, fish it low and slow with enough weight to tick the bottom. A dead drift is key, but adding a slight lift at the end of the drift can trigger strikes. It’s best to use sizes 8-12, and pair it with a smaller dropper fly to cover both large meals and cautious feeders.

6. Egg Fly Patterns

Egg flies work from December through March during the post-spawn period. After trout finish spawning in the fall, their eggs drift downstream, and other trout gobble them up. It's an easy meal to catch, but requires almost no effort at all.

We recommend using orange, pink, and peach in sizes 12-16. Use brighter colors in stained or off-color water, and switch to pale peach in clear conditions. Some days, one color outperforms the rest (I’ve had pink outfish orange three to one), so carry multiple options and let the trout decide.

Quick Tip: Fish egg patterns low and slow, enough to crawl your egg along the bottom in pockets and divots where real eggs would settle. (I learned early on that if you're not getting snagged occasionally, you're not fishing deep enough).

For a complete winter egg selection, check out our Egg Fly Assortment with 42 proven patterns ready to use.

7. Copper John

The Copper John sinks like a rock, which is exactly what you need for reaching deeper trout zones in winter. Its tungsten bead head and wire body get it down fast, even in faster currents where lighter nymphs would wash downstream.

Here's a tip: use short 3-4 inch hops, followed by 2-second pauses to trigger reaction strikes. That sudden movement imitates a nymph trying to swim, and the pause lets it sink back down. Trout often hit during the pause when the fly is falling.

Stock up on winter nymphs without buying individual patterns. Our complete nymph assortment has you covered, with sizes 14-18 being a great pick.

What Are the Best Winter Streamer Patterns?

Streamers target aggressive trout willing to chase larger food. Here are the 2 best patterns that imitate baitfish and large aquatic prey that winter trout will ambush:

9. Wooly Bugger

Wooly Bugger has a flowing marabou tail and soft hackle that imitates leeches and small baitfish, a high-protein food that trout see year-round. This pattern is most effective in deep pools, slow seams, and along undercut banks, especially during the warmest part of the day.

Here’s how to fish it: use short strips with long pauses, or let it swing gently. Most winter strikes happen when the fly is barely moving, so lift the rod when you feel a soft tug.

We highly recommend natural colors like this Black Wooly Bugger, Brown Wooly Bugger, and Olive Wooly Bugger for catching trout in winter.

For more read-to-use flies, check out our Wooly Bugger Fly Assortment, which includes 15 proven patterns for winter fly fishing.

10. Clouser Minnow

When trout are holding deep and won’t move far to feed, a fly that sinks fast is used. The Clouser Minnow excels because of its dumbbell eyes, which help it drop quickly and swim with a jigging action that imitates injured baitfish.

It’s most effective in deep pools, slow runs, and tailouts, especially during midday when water temperatures rise slightly. Choose sizes 6-10, and use a slow strip-pause retrieve or allow it to swing across the current near the bottom.

Learn more about fishing with streamers to maximize your success in cold water.

Now that you know which flies to use, let's talk about sizing. Getting the size right is just as important as choosing the right pattern.

What Fly Sizes Are Best for Winter Fishing?

Winter fly sizes run smaller than other seasons because trout metabolism slows and they focus on easy, small meals. Use this quick size reference when building your winter fly box:

Midge Patterns: sizes 18-24 (with 20-22 being most productive)
Nymphs: sizes 14-20 (with 16-18 as your go-to)
Egg Fly Patterns: sizes 12-16 (larger than midges but still reasonable)
Streamers: sizes 6-10 (bigger than everything else but still not huge)

Compare that to summer fishing, where anglers commonly throw size 10-14 hoppers and size 4-8 streamers all day. Winter trout simply don't want to work that hard for food.

FAQs on Winter Trout Flies

Do trout eat different flies in winter?

Yes, trout eat smaller flies in winter because their metabolism slows. They focus on small insects, nymphs, and occasional egg patterns instead of the larger insects they eat during warmer months. Winter trout want easy calories that don't require much energy to catch.

How hard is it to fish in winter?

Winter fishing is more challenging because of cold temperatures, limited daylight, and selective trout behavior. You need to fish smaller flies during narrow feeding windows. But the challenge is worth it. Fewer anglers mean less pressure and bigger fish willing to eat.

What's the number one winter fly for tailwaters?

The Zebra Midge is the number one winter fly for tailwaters. Its simple design and natural drift catch fish when nothing else works. Use sizes 20-22 in black or red, and dead drift them through slow pools and tailouts where trout hold.

Should I use dry flies in winter?

Use dry flies only when you see rising trout. Winter hatches are unpredictable and short-lived, so nymphs and emergers are more consistent. When insects do hatch (usually noon to 2 pm), switch to patterns like the Griffiths Gnat.

Final Takeaway

Alright, you've got the right flies. Now comes the fun part: staying alive while you fish. Winter fly fishing is fulfilling, but hypothermia (a condition where your body temperature drops below 95°F or 35°F) isn't. Be sure to set up your fly fishing gear before you head out.

Now, pick 3 to 5 flies from this list and master them before you try the others. It’s best to start with Zebra Midges, Pheasant Tail Nymphs, and Copper John, as they catch trout in almost any winter situation. For more fly patterns, check out our complete premium flies today.

Ready to stock up? Browse our premium fly collection today, or explore our 60-fly Mini Mega Assortment for a comprehensive winter selection.

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