Floating lines are the most common for winter fishing, even when fishing pupa patterns. Although they cost more, fluorocarbon leaders (or at least tippets) are virtually transparent -- and that can be critical in winter lakes, which are usually very clear due to the lack of algae in their water.

You can cover far more water in a boat or float tube than by wading, but remaining aware of the weather is crucial. Even the most balmy winter days can quickly turn nasty. If the wind comes up or it starts raining or snowing, a float tube or raft can be uncomfortable, not to mention dangerous.

A trailer-sized boat with an outboard provides the safest fishing platform on winter lakes, especially on large bodies of water. You can carry extra clothes and a Thermos with hot soup or coffee, and if the weather goes south on you, you can quickly duck into a lee shore or return to the ramp. Shore-fishing is safest, but fairly restricts how much water you can cover. If you do wade, neoprene waders are much warmer than breathable waders.

As for presentations, "wind-drifting" is the traditional way to fish emergers or adults on the surface. Cast perpendicular to the wind with a floating line and 9- to 12-foot leader, tapered down to 5X or 6X. Then let the wind push the line. You don't have to do anything else except strip the slack out of the line if it begins to belly.

The hardest thing about wind-drifting is to keep track of the fly, which can be very difficult to see, especially if there's the slightest riffle on the water.

The trick to fishing midge pupae is to ensure that the fly hangs vertical in the water column. To do this, most lake anglers employ strike indicators -- usually little tufts of bright-colored yarn (so you can see them) or small cork bobbers. Leaders for pupa patterns are usually at least 10 feet long.

As with adults and emergers, most pupa patterns will be in the 16- to 22-size range, and you will use a 5X or 6X tippet. Weighted flies or flies with beadheads will get the fly down to the appropriate depth.

With pupa, cast out and then slowly retrieve the fly toward you, using a hand-twist retrieve. If you see insects in the air, but no rises, experiment with different depths until you find the zone where the fish are feeding.

Fishing midges on winter lakes takes patience and perseverance. There will be days when the hatch never materializes and you'll return home without having experienced a bump.

But eventually, you'll connect. And taking winter trout on small flies when nearly all other anglers are at home watching football is a most satisfying achievement!