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When I was younger, I fished year round. I haven't fished in the winter in many years, at least not with flies. I have drowned some bait for catfish in the winter.

I once read an article in Field & Stream, or Outdoor Life in the early 70's about a fly that was intended for winter bass, and it was a worm imitation. I remember the author was from North Carolina (my father too, that's why I remember it!) It was tied with long, thin, dyed grizzly saddle hackle for the tail, a palmered grizzly hackle body & it had plastic eyes. I think the eyes were some type of bead chain but not sure about that. I don't however recall what colors he had the best success with. The whole fly was about 6 inches long.

Anyway, it was basically a Seaducer type fly, but the body hackle was small diameter giving it a snake like appearance. It's possible it was even clipped, but not sure about that either. The key to fishing the fly was to fish it very slowly, and allow it to slither along the bottom & over obstructions where bass may be hiding. It had a weed guard too.

I've used a similar fly ever since and it was what I used in the colder months, although it's good year round. When I first tied this fly I used plastic beads for the eyes, then as they became available, added some different eyes, large bead chain, lead or brass barbells, or cone heads. Olive grizzly, and a black version have been my best producers. I've also tied some with Estaz bodies, and they work pretty well too. I think Dave Whitlock has one that is similar, with the Estaz body.

I've also become very fond of long rabbit strip type worm flies too, and like real plastic worms, in all kinds of colors. But again, olive or black have been best for me, and versions tied with the bar dyed rabbit have out produced solid colors many times. The great thing about rabbit, is the fly can be as long as you like. I've tied them as long as 10 inches, but 6 to 8 seems to work the best.

I would guess that this type fly is what you would want for winter fishing. Something that would be a good meal, and move very slowly!

When I did fly fish for bass in the winter, I seemed to have the best luck on warmer days, and in places where the sun had warmed up the water a little, but always near some deep water or cover. As long as the water was at least 40 degrees I could sometimes catch a bass or 2, but below that I didn't do well at all on flies.

Yep, basically the same fly! Tying steps are the same. Here's a link to a pic of one of the updated versions I use with the Estaz body & barbell eyes. http://www.flytyingforum.com/pattern123.html

I generally tie mine on size 1/0 to 3/0 straight shank worm hooks.

Jeff, you're welcome! I'm pretty much trying to stock up some myself. That fly is one of my favorites. Good for any species and fairly simple to tie. I've been tying some rabbit strip flies too recently. I found some offset, barbless Gamakatsu worm hooks on ebay that I've been playing with. Makes a cool looking rabbit strip fly. I'm going to try & spend more time on the water this coming season chasing bass & stripers.