Catch More Trout in the Driftless This Winter

Winter in the Driftless is pure magic—picture snow-topped limestone bluffs, crystal-clear spring creeks, and trout that are still totally game to play. Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to bust out of that winter rut, bundle up, and chase some feisty fish.

But let’s be real: winter trout success often comes down to having the right flies. Below, we’re hooking you up with 17 of our favorite cold-weather flies, a quick winter hatch rundown, and a few pro tips to seal the deal. 

The Must-Have Winter Trout Flies

We like to break down our winter patterns into three buckets:

1. The Modern Must-Haves – slick new flies that might not be on your radar yet.
2. The Classics – those old faithfuls that never stop producing.
3. Streamers – because big browns still have to eat, even when it’s cold.

1. Modern Must-Haves: New & Crazy-Cool Patterns

These are the hotshots you might not have tried before, but trust us—fish don’t know what hit ’em. 

Umpqua Poison Tungsten

• What’s the Deal? Flashy, buggy midge with a hefty tungsten bead.
• How to Fish: Dead drift under an indicator or tight-line nymph.
• Sizes: 16–20

Umpqua Egan’s CDC Tungsten Rainbow Warrior

• What’s the Deal? A twist on the classic Rainbow Warrior, topped off with CDC for extra movement.
• How to Fish: Pair with a smaller midge or as a dropper. Keep it close to the bottom in slower currents.
• Sizes: 14–22 (18–22 are our January sweet spot)

Solitude Tungsten Jig Purple Tears

• What’s the Deal? Eye-catching purple body with a jig hook—perfect for deeper runs.
• How to Fish: Drift it low or swing it near the bottom. The tungsten bead gets it down fast.
• Sizes: 14–18

Solitude Tungsten Jig Soft Spot

• What’s the Deal? Subtle color palette plus a soft hackle collar for sweet movement.
• How to Fish: Ideal for tight-line nymphing—let that soft hackle sway in the current.
• Sizes: 14–18

Solitude Expecting Scud

• What’s the Deal? Classic scud silhouette with a bit of sparkle.
• How to Fish: Roll it along weed beds or rocky edges—Driftless trout love scuds.
• Sizes: 14–18 (Tan & Olive)

Umpqua Inferno-Gons

• What’s the Deal? Super-buggy silhouette and bold colors that say, “Eat me!”
• How to Fish: Drift through prime holding water; let the brightness do the talking.
• Sizes: 12–18 (smaller is better right now)

2. The Classics

These oldies are still goodies. Never head to the Driftless without ’em.

Pink Squirrel (All Kinds)

• What’s the Deal? A Driftless legend with a pink hotspot.
•  How to Fish: Dead drift under an indicator. Works in just about any water clarity. We prefer the tungsten jig pink squirrels. 
• Sizes: 14–18

Solitude Copper John Nymph

• What’s the Deal? Weighted body that sinks fast—an ace attractor pattern.
• How to Fish: Perfect point fly in a two-fly rig; helps smaller droppers get down.
• Sizes: 14–18

Solitude Bead Head Zebra Midge

• What’s the Deal? Simple, sleek midge with a bead head for a little extra depth.
• How to Fish: Drift it near the bottom or mid-column if fish are suspended.
• Sizes: 16–22

Solitude Brooks’ Sprout Midge

• What’s the Deal? A delicate emerger that imitates those tiny midges perfectly.
• How to Fish: Use in slower seams or tailouts where subtle sippers hang.
• Sizes: 18–22

Umpqua Egan’s Frenchie / Jig Frenchie

• What’s the Deal? A modern twist on the Pheasant Tail, complete with a bright hotspot.
• How to Fish: Toss it year-round as an all-purpose nymph.
• Sizes: 14–18

Umpqua & Solitude RS2 Emerger/Nymph

• What’s the Deal? A staple for matching BWOs and small emergers.
• How to Fish: Drift it in slower water when fish are focusing on emergers.
• Sizes: 18–22

3. Streamers

Big browns still gotta eat, even when there’s snow on the banks. Don’t be shy—chuck some meat and see what happens. Most folks overlook this bite every year in the driftless...

Mayer’s Mini Leech & Jig Radiant Mini Leech

• What’s the Deal? Small leech pattern with subtle flash and lifelike motion.
• How to Fish: Strip slowly near undercut banks; pause often to let the marabou breathe.
• Sizes: 8–12

Umpqua Baby Gonga

• What’s the Deal? A downsized articulated streamer with a full, fishy profile.
• How to Fish: Swing it or strip in short bursts; watch for big follows around log jams.
• Sizes: 6–10

Solitude Tungsten Jig Mini Dart

• What’s the Deal? Jig-style streamer that gets down fast. Smaller profile, big attitude.
• How to Fish: Ideal for deeper pools; use a lift-and-drop retrieve.
• Sizes: 8–10

Solitude Bead Head Hale Bopp Leech

• What’s the Deal? Classic leech pattern with a bead for a little extra sink.
• How to Fish: Works great in slower, deeper water; slow strips and pauses.
• Sizes: 8–12

Solitude Tungsten Jig Squirrel

• What’s the Deal? Squirrel tail for natural movement; tungsten jig rides it near the bottom.
• How to Fish: Dredge it through deeper runs and let the current do the rest.
• Sizes: 8–10

Winter Insect Life in the Driftless

Yes, it’s freezing. No, the bugs don’t vanish. Here’s what’s happening under the icy surface:

Midges

• When & Why: Winter’s MVP. They hatch all day, keeping the trout happy.
• How to Match: Tiny patterns (18–24) in black, olive, or cream. Emergers and pupae are key when fish are rising or suspended.

Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs)

• When & Why: On warmer days (think mid-30s and up), you might see mini BWO hatches.
• How to Match: RS2 Emergers or small parachute BWOs (18–22). Light nymphs (Frenchies or Pheasant Tails) in the same size if they’re not taking the dry.

Winter Stoneflies (Tiny Black Stones)

• When & Why: These small black stones (16–20) can pop on milder days. You’ll sometimes spot them crawling on snowbanks.
• How to Match: Use slim black stonefly nymphs, unweighted or lightly weighted, near the surface before they hatch.

Scuds

• When & Why: Driftless spring creeks stay warm enough for scuds all year.
• How to Match: Tan, olive, or gray (14–18). Fish ’em low near weed beds or bottoms.

Quick Pro Tips for Winter Fishing

• Hit the Slow Pools - Trout get lazy in cold water, so focus on deeper, slower spots. Don’t skip those tailouts.

• Go Light - Clear winter water = spooky fish. Roll with longer leaders, 6x or 7x fluoro, and small indicators for a stealthy approach.

• Stay Patient - Winter trout aren’t always in overdrive. Work the water thoroughly, vary your drifts, and don’t be afraid to swap flies if things aren’t clicking.

Need more winter-fishing mojo? Check out our short video for deeper tips and fly breakdowns! Link here! 

At Musky Fool, we’ve got the flies and gear you need to make the most of the cold months. Our shop is stocked with Driftless-tested, trout-approved patterns—so head over and go make winter your new favorite season.

Tight lines,

The Musky Fool Crew