Low and slow winter fly fishing isn’t some sort of revelation.

Based on the river and the conditions, one could theoretically fish any kind of fly in the winter. Yet virtually everywhere, dragging streamers slowly across the riverbed produces. It isn’t fast and furious fly fishing, but it is consistent and effective. This is especially true if you are targeting larger, predatory trout.

There is more to it than just tying on a big fly and casting. Even if you find the best spots, there are some steps you can take to increase your odds of getting your fly where it needs to be. Again, the following five tips aren’t new or surprising. But cold weather and sluggish fish aren’t conducive to anglers sticking to the fundamentals.

Here are five things to stick to as you are streamer fishing in the winter:

Fly: Hook-Point Up

While winter stream bottoms aren’t covered in aquatic vegetation and the same kind of muck you’ll find other times of the year, there are still plenty of rocks and limbs that can snag your fly. Using a jig hook or simply a streamer tied hook-point up will reduce your frustration. You’ll still get stuck. You’ll still lose flies. But you’ll get stuck less and lose fewer flies. And less frustration is very good in the winter.

Line: Sinking

There are plenty of casting and mending techniques that will allow your streamer to swing across the bottom of the river. Executed well, they can be performed with floating line. On the other hand, you can use some sort of sinking line and just cast and fish. Another spool and line is a worthwhile investment. Depending on the depth and the current, sink tip lines or poly leaders might be more than sufficient.

Rod Tip: Low

Regardless of all other variables, your fly will always move towards your rod tip. Even if it is travelling along a protracted arc (due to a long cast, a strong current, weighted line, etc.), every stripped fly will migrate towards the rod tip. Keeping your rod tip low will decrease the angle between the bottom of the river and the direction of your fly. Don’t obsess, but aim for an inch right above the water’s surface. Personally, I don’t like putting my rod tip in the water when I’m stripping slowly. The pulsing of the current interferes with sensitivity.

Stripping: Slow… No, Even Slower Than That

Look at sculpins and other baitfish that aren’t fleeing. They move deliberately, but slowly. In any square foot of travel, they move as much side-to-side as they do upstream. Vary your retrieve to figure out how the fish are feeling. But consider starting with a slow strip, twitch, slow strip, twitch rhythm. Patience pays, so don’t rush. Trout aren’t looking to chase, they’re looking to eat. Don’t try to trick nature out of its comfort zone.

You: Laser-Focused

For even the best wintertime anglers, slow doesn’t just classify the retrieve speed of the streamer. Going big absolutely produces, but in an intermittent manner. If you want to fish this way, then commit to it. Don’t get sloppy with your rod tip or your retrieve after a half hour of silence. Don’t let your mind wander or your attention to nicks and bumps slack. Strikes aren’t the same as the rod-jarring hits in the warm water months. Sensing takes requires concentration. Stick with it, and fish hard.

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Have any other low and slow techniques that are necessary for winter streamer fishing? Or, are there other elements you really enjoy integrating into this method? Let me know in the comments below.