THE STARTING LINEUP: 3 Flies You Must Have for the Month of January with Matt Fletcher

flyfish19
Jan 11
3 min read

January fly fishing separates the anglers who are willing to slow down, dial it in, and fish with intention from everyone else. Winter conditions demand a different mindset, and when you approach it correctly, some of the best and most technical fishing of the year happens right now.

According to CRO guide Matt Fletcher, success in January comes down to understanding fish behavior, timing your day correctly, and carrying the right flies. Think of this as your winter starting lineup. Simple, proven, and deadly when fished well.

The Winter Game Plan

Before we talk flies, let’s talk strategy. In January, trout are conserving energy. They are not chasing meals, and they are rarely holding in fast water. Your goal is to put a small, realistic fly directly in their feeding lane with zero mistakes.

Matt’s biggest winter priorities:

Fish the warmest part of the day, typically 10:00am to 3:00pm. This is when water temperatures stabilize and fish actually feed.
Target slow, deep water where trout can eat without burning energy.
Strive for perfect drifts. If your fly is not drifting naturally, you are not getting eaten.
Stealth is key. Slow movements, longer leaders, lighter tippet, and careful wading matter more now than any other time of year.

With that foundation in place, here are the three flies Matt never leaves the dock without in January.

1. Red Zebra Midge, Size 20–22

If winter had a confidence fly, this would be it. Midges are the primary food source during the cold months, and the Red Zebra Midge checks all the boxes. The red profile and silver rib give trout just enough reason to commit without looking unnatural.

Matt likes this fly in deeper runs and slow seams where fish are stacked up and inspecting everything closely. Fish it under an indicator or as the bottom fly in a two fly rig. Pay attention to depth, because being a few inches off can mean the difference between a great day and a long one.

Pro tip from Matt: Start deeper than you think and adjust up slowly until you find fish. Winter trout rarely move far to eat.

2. Black Daysaver Midge, Size 22

The Black Daysaver has earned its name for a reason. When fish are extra picky or you are dealing with flat light and clear water, this fly shines. Its slim profile and natural silhouette mimic the most common midge pupa trout see all winter long.

Matt fishes this fly when he starts to see midges hatch. It is especially effective in tailouts and softer inside bends where fish can eat selectively.

Pro tip from Matt: Fish this fly with lighter tippet and focus on a drag free drift. Any hesitation or micro drag will get refused.

3. Black RS2, Size 20–22

The Black RS2 is a winter staple and a must have in January. It represents an emerging midge and works incredibly well during subtle midday feeding windows. This is often the fly that turns lookers into eaters.

Matt likes the RS2 when fish are suspended slightly off the bottom or when you notice subtle surface activity but no full blown hatch. It is also an excellent dropper behind a heavier midge (like the red zebra midge) to cover multiple parts of the water column.

Pro tip from Matt: Watch your indicator closely. Winter takes are soft and often look like nothing more than a pause or slight tilt.

Final Thoughts

Winter fly fishing rewards patience, precision, and preparation. When you fish during the 10:00am to 3:00pm feeding window, focus on slow deep water, stay stealthy, and commit to perfect drifts, these three flies will consistently put fish in the net.

Winter trips are still happening on our local waters, and conditions are better than many anglers realize. If you want to shorten the learning curve and fish with confidence, our guides have winter fishing dialed.

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