Cutting down the family tree. Caroling around the neighborhood. Candlelight Christmas Eve service.
…and culling the chewed up flies from the wool patch on your vest?
While fly fishing and Christmas might not inherently go hand-in-hand, that doesn’t mean you can’t integrate two amazing things. And if two amazing things come together for your good, you might as well make plans to do them year after year.
Below are four potential Christmas fishing traditions. Even in the cold and dark of winter, they’re great ways to keep your foot in the icy waters of your favorite past time while also looping in some of the benefits that come with the most wonderful time of the year.
Hit up the fly shop for more than gifts.
So many good fly shops have holiday events. Christmas-themed tying nights, get togethers, and “shop for your husband” programs are all the kinds of things that demonstrate a company’s desire to be a part of the community. Even Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s go all out with decor, snacks, and Santa. If you have kids or want to get plugged in with like-minded anglers, make plans to go to the store to shop and more. There is a good chance that it will become something that ends up as part of your yearly routine.
Do something.
There is a good chance you’ll get some flies, gadgets, or maybe even a reel for Christmas. Well, flies need to go into a box, gadgets need to be clipped to a vest, and a reel needs to be spooled with line. And since you’ll already be fiddling with those things, you might as well reorganize your flies, tidy up your vest, and clean your lines. I can’t imagine a better way to spend a few hours of your holiday vacation.
Walk your water.
An underappreciated way to fill the offseason is by spending time where you usually fish. Without a rod in hand, the rest of the environment has the tendency to pop. You’ll see critters, plants, and all sorts of other things that you’d normally walk right on past. A holiday afternoon is the optimal time to have the woods to yourself. The fullness of the river’s scene comes into view in a manner that ought to enrich your overall experience when you come back ready to catch fish. And as you meander down the bank, there is always a chance you’ll see some surprising dimples across the water’s surface.
Go fishing.
I know. The odds of catching fish where you live might be slim in the dead of winter. But assuming there isn’t ice bank-to-bank, you can get out and cast. Set your expectations low. Bring along everything you need for an amazing shore lunch. Spend your time basically hanging out in your waders, rod next to you, and flask in hand. But get out on the water and go fishing. Plus, there is always the chance you’ll have an experience that blows your expectations out of the water. That kind of day will keep you fishing this winter and establish a new Christmas fishing tradition that will last.
Have a favorite Christmas fishing tradition? Let me know in the comments below.