Here is a short list of the flies I have found to be most productive this time of year and the conditions that might influence my decision to use these flies. I hope that this will make fly selection a little easier for you and that it will make your fishing trips more productive. Thanks and tight lines, Al Campbell. Any time I see surface activity and small flies are present. This is the most common winter fly.
Fish feed on nymphs and larva year round, especially in the winter when food is scarce.
Good open water lake patterns. These are available to the fish all winter. Some mayflies, especially Baetis, hatch on warm days year round and a selection to match these flies is a good idea any time. Look for these hatches on warm days especially spring and fall.