There are two unavoidable truths that solidify fly fishing as a 12 season activity:

1. Fish eat all year long.
2. You don’t have the patience to sit the winter out.

Let’s be honest, though. It doesn’t make sense. It is cold. The fish are lethargic. There’s no hatches… or sunlight. But what else are you going to do all winter? Stay inside? Read a book? Tie flies? Tying flies is the jogging of fly fishing. Fly fishing is fly fishing.

Plus, this is the 21st century. Modern gear has made us masters of the natural world. A little technology, and a little planning can help you make the most of fly fishing in the winter. Here are 8 gear suggestions for making the most of your time on the water (no matter how frozen it may be):

• Winter flies. Microscopic nymphs. Microscopic midges. Basically anything on a hook they will only accept 6X tippet. Perfect for below-freezing temperatures.
• Layers. You’ll need a base layer for wicking moisture. Then an tight insulating layer. Then a fleece layer. Then normal clothes for when you finally get to dinner. Then another layer on top of that because you still might get cold. Finally, a layer that will inhibit most motion necessary for fly fishing.
• Rubber soled wading boots. Felt soles work. Regardless of their role in the spread of invasive species, nothing grips like felt. Felt is particularly good at sticking to snow. Unless you want ten inch platforms that make you look like you are an extra in a 1970’s exploitation film,  leave the felt at home
• Premium camera. You’re going to have plenty of opportunities to capture memories of your day: snow covered pine trees, icy banks, tracks in the powder, iced-up guides… that’s about it, I think.
• The perfect pair of gloves.* You’ll want fleece for warmth. You’ll want neoprene for water-resistance. You’ll want something loose so you can fit hand warmers in them. *This pair of gloves does not exist.
• A huge net. If dragging a four-foot long net around the trout stream isn’t ridiculous in season, there isn’t any reason not to haul it out in the middle of winter. Did you know that a giant net, dragging in the water all day can weigh up to 55 pounds from accumulated ice?
• Chap-stick, beeswax, and a can of Pam spray. Rotate through applying each of these on your guides to prevent them from freezing up. None will actually work, but in the frigid conditions you won’t remember  that the previous attempts didn’t work.
• A watch. This way you can see when it is time to get off the water and get a warm dinner. Additionally, it can be useful throughout the day so you can see how long you have until you can get off the water and get a warm dinner.

So get out there. Get after glory. Get after trout. And remember, if none of those things happen you can still get a warm dinner. You’ve earned it.