[MTskibum]

Tomorow a cold front is coming in. Today we had a high in the mid 30's, tonight it's down to -5, and a high of 13 tomorow, with tons of snow.
Do you think that fishing on the first day of a cold front in wintertime would have a negative impact on fishing?

The coldest day i went out this year was 7 degrees, but it was in the midst of a cold snap, not on the first day, and i did great, except for lots of ice in the eyelets and the broken rod.
I would like to go fishing tomorow, but just wondering if it would be even worth my time.
Conversely, i had a pretty good day today by winter standards. It could of been because it was the last day of mid 30's before the cold snap??

[FlyFisher77]

Originally Posted by MTskibum

Tomorow a cold front is coming in. Today we had a high in the mid 30's, tonight it's down to -5, and a high of 13 tomorow, with tons of snow.
Do you think that fishing on the first day of a cold front in wintertime would have a negative impact on fishing?

The coldest day i went out this year was 7 degrees, but it was in the midst of a cold snap, not on the first day, and i did great, except for lots of ice in the eyelets and the broken rod.
I would like to go fishing tomorow, but just wondering if it would be even worth my time.
Conversely, i had a pretty good day today by winter standards. It could of been because it was the last day of mid 30's before the cold snap??

In my opinion, the fish bite better as the front comes in, but if you use the typical winter fare, you shouldn't have any problems reeling in the fish. Coldest I have been out is 4, and I also ended up with a broken rod. The damn ice is simply frustrating. I would love a rod with heated guides, so if anyone can figure it out, I will be your first customer.

[Joe D]

MTskibum,

The day before a cold front usually has more active fish. Once the front is in fish activity slows down. This doesn't mean you cant catch them, it just means you have to do things a bit differently.

The colder it gets the slower the fish will move. Their metabolism slows and they need less food. The clear bright sky can send the fish into deeper water or into cover, or both. It all comes down to fish slow and fish deep and fish structure.

There does come a point when it's too cold to play in the water for either safety reasons or reasons of practicality. That's why there are tying vises.

Joe

[FlyFisher77]

Originally Posted by Joe D

There does come a point when it's too cold to play in the water for either safety reasons or reasons of practicality. That's why there are tying vises.

Joe

-19 (without windchill) this morning when I got up. I think that is WAY past the point you mention above.

[BigCliff]

I think a cold front affects fishing no matter what time of year it is. Fish bite better as the front is coming in, and then get temporary lockjaw after it blows through.

I can still remember fishing on a summer night as a thunderstorm blew in from the north when the wind was blowing like crazy. I hadn't converted fo fly tackle yet, and thus was throwing unweighted flukes as high as I could and letting the wind carry them out on the longest casts I've ever made. I think I caught a bass on every cast for a while there.

[Joni]

I am going to say yes it effects also. When the storm hits I find go DEEP to find the fish. The pressure from the storm seems to push them down. That is the time for those Woolly Buggers.

[MTskibum]

Yeah i agree with the rest of you guys, that, along with the 7 degree temps we had that day, kept me inside. It should be warm(relatively speaking 38!) again by the time the weekend roles around so i will be fishing this weekend for sure.

[FlyFisher77]

Originally Posted by MTskibum

Yeah i agree with the rest of you guys, that, along with the 7 degree temps we had that day, kept me inside. It should be warm(relatively speaking 38!) again by the time the weekend roles around so i will be fishing this weekend for sure.

That makes the two of us. I was planning on being out every day this last weekend until the negative temperatures hit!