Hey gang,
If I’m coming to FL to fish for reds, trout, snook, etc. what types/sizes of leader and tippet material should I stock up on? I’ll be using an 8wt 9’ rod.
Also, what are a few “go to” fly patterns for this type of fishing? I’m planning to be there during the Winter for the FAOL FL fish-in.
Fishing the Ozarks
I use a furled leader with a 20 lb tippet of three to fie feet. Fluorocarbon works well.
Depending ont the area, Clousers, shrimp imitations, and, if you can cozy him out of the pattern, one or two of Flats Dude’s golden bendbacks will set you up.
I tend to tie my Clousers with yak hair because it is relatively durable and has a great translucency. I have the best luck using polar bear white and orange yak hair with some krystal flash added.
aka Cap’n Yid.
Stev Lenon, 91B20’68-'69
When the dawn came up like thunder
SilverMallard
You need to ask Flats Dude really nice for one of his gold bend backs to use as a pattern, and then tie a bunch of those. Clousers and a mullet fly would be a great start.
I agree with Stev for the leader and tippet. We fish together some so it has worked for us both.
Robin ties all my leaders for me, I have no complaints with his work.
As for the colors of the clousers,
orange and brown
green and white
red and white
purple and black
I am also going to be trying a white only clouser. I am not sure how that will work but since we have white bait here it should do just fine.
Send me an e-mail and we can discuss this at length.
Harold
Wouldn’t it be nice to see the Gold Bent Back as a fly of the week.
jed
hey duck…depends a lot on WHERE in Florida are you planning to visit. Kinda like what kind of cover, open flats, mangroves such as the Everglades, around structure…
The bend-back is a fly that Chico Fernandez came up with, I just put a twist to it and tie it mostly in gold colors. I use a Mustad 3407 1/0 but the hook has to be bent on the shank close to the eye, and opposite of the bend so the fly will ride upside down. I’ll email you a picture of it.
The mullet fly that Harold mentioned (I think) is my deer-hair slider, also tied on a Mustad 3407, 'cept on a 2/0.
Jed, if I put the golden bend-back as fly of the week, I’d have ta kill ya!G
I’d thoroughly agree that the Golden Bendback, as I’ve seen it tied and fished by our own Flats Dude, would be an excellent FOTW, I need something of decent size to tie now after tying all those teeny little 14-22 size flies we took north with us.
aka Cap’n Yid.
Stev Lenon, 91B20’68-'69
When the dawn came up like thunder
Thanks for the input y’all. I really appreciate it. I’m reading everything I can find on saltwater fly-fishing right now so that I can at least get intellectually familiar with the equipment, tactics, flies, and terminology. And I’m practicing with my new rod-n-reel. I’m probably going to spring for some casting lessons from a local pro to help me with distance casting and some more technical stuff. I also need to learn some more retrieve techniques. I’ll probably end up just buying some flies instead of tying them because it will be cheaper than buying all the different materials needed. I’m set up for trout and panfish, and I really don’t tie that many different patterns…maybe a dozen or so in different sizes and color combos.
Fishing the Ozarks
SilverMallard
Take a deep breath there, no need to go out and buy flies, bring some of your flies with you and we can trade you enough to get by. Saltwater flies are expensive.
Send me an e-mail and I’ll drop you a dozen clousers different colors.
I can afford the 200.00 fly reel, I can afford 80.00 line but I’ll be durned if I can afford a 5.00 fly. I can tie a dozen for less. <grin>
One hint about casting, you need to practice with wind in the 10 mph range. WE seldom see a windless day.
Harold
[This message has been edited by Harold Hattaway (edited 15 July 2005).]
SilverMallard,
Feather-Craft out on Manchester Rd used to conduct free fly casting lessons on Saturday mornings. I can also put you in touch with some tourny casters in the StL area if you need some additional help with DHs and such. But I think your best bet is Feather-Craft for some freebie lessons.
OOPS!! Thought you were in St. Louis when I posted and afterwards read your profile. Would be a long drive up to St.L just for some (NOT) free lessons!
Where are you going in FLA? There are some salty pirates on the northern Gulf Coast that will help you if you’re in the area.
I fly fish the salt because the voices in my head tell me to…
[This message has been edited by caibill (edited 15 July 2005).]
Harold,
Thanks! I’ll definitely take you up on that offer and tie a bunch of trout flies to bring with. I’ll email you soon. I gotta head to the office right away.
Caibill,
Thanks for the heads up, but FC is 4.5 hour drive from my house and I have a good relationship with a graduate of the Joan Wulff Casting Instructor Course right here in town. She won’t charge me as much as the commute to STL would cost and she is an excellent instructor.
Fishing the Ozarks
Harold, did you tell him that if he fishes with us he is likely to wind up fighting 30 MPH winds?
I’d thought about trading him flies but as usual, when it comes to being big-hearted, you beat me out of the blocks without trying. But I can likely add a yak hair Clouser or two or three. Unless you’e changed your habits I don’t recall you tying with yak hair.
aka Cap’n Yid.
Stev Lenon, 91B20’68-'69
When the dawn came up like thunder
Stev;
You know you can never have enough flies, I am sure Silvermallard could use 3 or 4 thousand. I’ll bet he will even swap some with you. Stev some of those white flies you tie would be good for him also. With some of your flies a few of mine and some of Flat’s patterns he will be well on his way to a complete fly bag. IF he really wants to turn green with envy then he needs to see Saltydancindave’s flies… I still dream of keeping that truck and all those flies.
And you are right as usual, no yak yet… But I am getting close to needing white so it might be yak next…
<grins>
Harold
[This message has been edited by Harold Hattaway (edited 15 July 2005).]
Right you are, Harold.
Silvermallard, contact me via e-mail and I suspect that we can arrange some yak hair Clousers for you.
You may want to have a few big flies to practice hurling into the wind in order to practice for conditions here.
What weight rod are you anticipating using?
aka Cap’n Yid.
Stev Lenon, 91B20’68-'69
When the dawn came up like thunder
An 8wt. TFO TiCrX w/TFO 375 reel.
Fishing the Ozarks
SilverMallard,
WHERE in FL are you headed?
Regards, Bill
I fly fish the salt because the voices in my head tell me to…
TiCr-X is a good choice, IMO. I have one in 6 wt and the TiCr in 8. Both will do far more than I can coax from them. You’ll have no problem, I’m sure.
I don’ know where the 06 fish-in is to be held, but you’ll have a good time.
Don’t hesitate to e-mail me if I can be of help.
aka Cap’n Yid.
Stev Lenon, 91B20’68-'69
When the dawn came up like thunder
Bill,
I can’t answer that yet. I’m heading down to the FL fish-in for 2006 combined with a visit to my wife’s family in FL. I’m just trying to get up to speed early as I’ve never fished saltwater.
Fishing the Ozarks