Re: what salt flies to use?
The one fly pattern that I would have for fishing saltwater anywhere in the world would be the Clouser Minnow, in chartreuse and white. I have caught more than fifty species, in cold, warm, and tropical waters, on Clouser Minnows. It helps that these are easy to find as just about every fly shop I have been in carries them in the basic colors. After chart/white I would want olive/white, tan/white, blue/white, red/white, and all white.
Re: what salt flies to use?
Clousers are about all I use. I tie them with different size eyes and with different colors. I've tied them with bead chain eyes on a number 10 hook and I tied them in a standard olice and white pattern on a 2/0.
Someone sent me a picture of what looks to be a Clouser that is mostly pink with a small amount of white in it. They call it a pink wonder becaue it's a wonder it catches anything, but it does.
Rusty <><
Re: what salt flies to use?
Im very new to tying and I have been working on my clouser because I was waiting on
(first salt rod) a St Croix Reign with a Trion reel to arrive.Im going to be heading out Tuesday for my first try and just hope all is well.
Heres a couple of the clouser and a sand ell ive tied so far ...nothing great I just hope they catch fish.
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b7.../flys002-1.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b7...49/flys005.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b7...myflies002.jpg
Re: what salt flies to use?
Something you might want to try... the fellow tha taught me to tie Clousers passed this on to me. Use red thread, at least to finish with. he claimed the red got him a little more action. It might be worth a try. I'm not sure I've personally noticed any difference as of yet though.
Of course I did catch a baby tarpon tied in red though.
Rusty <><
Re: what salt flies to use?
I don't have the salt water fly fishing experience of others, but I have a clouser on almost all the time. I have a lot of confidence in it. Around NJ, the conventional wisdom is char/white in stained water. If the water is clear, more natural colors are better -- olive/white, for example. I've met a lot of people who firmly belive in white/white.
The only thing about clousers is casting them. I shortened and stiffened up my leaders, and that helps. I've decided to tie all my clousers with white thread, and then use a marking pen if I want a different color. Helps with the thread inventory.
Re: what salt flies to use?
Clousers and decievers are standard flies for me in the salt.Joe Bruce's crab colored Clouser is a good pattern for the bay.Its white,tan & olive bucktail with gold crystal flash and copper flashabou between the layers of bucktail.I see you are located in Pittsville,MD.I suggest you drive to Salisbury to the Salisbury Fly Shop and talk to Mason.He is a good man to deal with and can steer you in the right direction.The # for the shop is 410 543-8359.
Re: what salt flies to use?
Skips -Any chance your in that Delaware fly club?
I have dealt with Mason in fact Ive tried to keep some buisness his way because of the service. Stopped by last week so I could get some help with my cast on this new 9 wt I got from him .I gave it a try off the bank earlier that day and well ...blood was spilled :( ....ouch. I wish my bait and tackle shop guy had that kind of service.
I always try to get some advice from several folks just to get a feel for what everyones doing.
Re: what salt flies to use?
You may want to play with some unweighted bucktails too. Ray's flies are the ticket up here in RI. Easy to tie and easy to fish.
Re: what salt flies to use?
I'm with Nick on this one, for the past five years or so I've gotten away from using Mr. Clouser's Deep Minnow when ever possible. I fish for my own enjoyment, and I don't enjoy throwing Clousers
When choosing salt water flies think in layers.
You need some for top water like poppers, sliders, or guglers.
Some mid level flies like deceivers, Ray's flies, or surf candies.
And some weighted bottom flies like the 'fore mentioned Clouser Deep Minnow