WRITING ON THE FLY
By GEORGE LISET

       There is snow on the ground and Christmas decorations and music abound. I haven’t been on the water for six weeks, and instead of sugar plums dancing in my head, I have Brook Trout. They are beautiful in their fall colors. They fit right in with all the other decorations. Fly fishing withdrawal is a “reel” thing, no pun intended. So what does an angler do to combat it?

    There are limited fly fishing opportunities for non ice fishers that can be found on the New Hampshire Fish and Game website, under “Rivers and Streams with Special Regulations.” Once the snow and cold weather arrives it becomes more problematic for the seasoned angler. I have a few go to spots that can be easily accessed even in the most difficult circumstances, however, unless the temperature is above freezing, I’d prefer to sit by the fire.

    Sitting by the fire with a good fishing book or magazine is another way to ease the withdrawal. During the fishing season I will pick up a book and put it in a pile in my office for such occasions. I also subscribe to a couple of fishing magazines that I will put in another pile. There are also some free Outdoor Sports newspapers that have hunting and fishing articles which I usually pick up at Kittery Trading Post.

    Reading sometimes can exacerbate the withdrawals. I find myself making lists of places I would like to fish, and then get on my computer and find maps of the areas I’d like to fish, and then draw my own maps with notes. Then down the rabbit hole I go. Then I try to get my friends to go down the rabbit hole with me. Withdrawal likes company.

    If you can’t get out to fish, YouTube is a fun way to live vicariously and watch other people catch fish. There are a lot of “Young Guns” out there that produce some entertaining videos and some informative and instructive videos by some savveyed veterans. There are a few anglers that have been producing videos about fly fishing small streams in the White Mountains, which has me again drawing maps and taking notes.

    Another way to fight withdrawal is fly-fishing shows, sportsman shows and fly-tying classes. At the shows I like to find the New Hampshire or Maine Fish and Game officers and pick their brains about fly fishing spots that may be under utilized (aka Honey holes). They laugh, but are very helpful and have provided me with some great information.

    My favorite pastime this Christmas season is looking. Notice I didn’t say shopping. I usually hit all my favorite angling stores and scout out new rods and reels and other sundry supplies that I might need during the season. Although there may be some good deals to be had, there are usually great deals to be had after the first of the year. I’m not sure that I mentioned what great kids I have. They all have married other great kids, and all those great kids give me gift cards for Christmas which I use to buy more toys. It’s great to have great kids. Merry Fishmas, I mean Christmas.

 George Liset of Dover is an award-winning outdoor writer and avid fly fisherman who shares insights of his time on the water exploring New Hampshire streams and rivers as well of those around New England. George is a graduate of Wheaton College, Illinois, and the University of New Hampshire. His column Writing on the Fly has been honored by the New England Press Association and the New Hampshire Press Association.