Fly Fishing

ctm26 · Location: new york

i'm planning on heading down to the florida keys the second week in may (get a little break from business school, and need to take full advantage of it) and was wondering if anyone had recommendations for in terms of flies and gear for my DIY days.

i've got a guide for the first couple days, but then would like to take a crack at it myself if possible (not even sure if it is?), but could use any pointers the crew has.

thanks.

jeremy · Location: Portland, Maine

I got some tips based on what I have learned through the years of fishing down there. As always, I know everyone has there own preferences and ideas and opinions - these are merely mine. Take them for what they are worth.

1. Good that you are doing a guided trip your first couple days. That way you will know what it is that you are looking for and the types of water to look for.

2. The Florida Keys has lot's and lot's and lot's of water. It all looks pretty but not all of it is "fishy" - the guide should be able to help you with what to look for - and don't be fooled by "it looks pretty" .. "pretty" does not necessarily mean "fishy"

3. Know what you can catch on the flats - basically boils down to - tarpon, bonefish, permit, barracuda, sharks, jacks and redfish. (more or less)

4. Tarpon eat baitfish patterns - big flies that look like mullet .. usually (not always) fished with floating line

5. Bonefish and Permit eat crabs - long leaders required and make one cast count. look for tailers or mudders. If you see "mud" puffs on the flat its somehting alive - if its really big - its a ray - if the puffs are small its bonefish - but it could be a school of bonefish, in which case it could be a big mud.

6. Jacks - these will eat most any flies (streamers or crabs) - the jacks are usually running around on the flat causing a ruckus or following the rays .. if you see a ray (which you will see alot of) be sure to look for jacks or bonefish following the ray - as they tend to follow and eat whatever the rays are kicking up.

7. Sharks - you will see alot of sharks on the flats - and if you are not see sharks and rays - move -- as, in general, you want to be around "the life force" .. and in general, lots of sharks and rays = there's probably fish around. There are lots of types of sharks you will see .. lemon sharks, black tip sharks and bonett heads. the bonnet heads look like little hammerheads and they are really cool to catch on fly and great practice for bonefish and permit ..

8. no blind casting - in general, you will want to look for fish and stay away from blind casting .. except in deep channels by bridges etc.. you may be able to get a passing jack or something like that. some people do blind cast of the deep edge of the flats for bonefish .. but, i would recommend looking for the bonefish and permit tailing or mudding.

9. tarpon - you won't be able to miss the tarpon if they pass you by - they will typicall be found in the "veins" of the flats (the deep channels that wind through and seperate the flats ) ... look for multiple fish daisy chaining and moving with the current.

10. tides - tides are probably the most important factor .. in general, fishing sucks when its DEAD low and DEAD high .. you want to fish the beginning of the incoming and the last half of the dropping tide. typically you never want to be wading above your knees .. as you will be too deep. keep your back to the sun for optimal visibility .. work out with the tide or in with the tide depending on if its going out or coming in.

11. specific flats - NOBODY (including me) will our should tell you online the specific flats that should fish .. but, i will give you some hints .. stay on the atlantic side (for the most part) as the sand is harder, stop into any of the fly shops in islamorada or key west and buy some flies and ask them (believe it or not, they will often give you some great advice and point you in the right direction) ... also, think "state parks" .. and early in the morning or evening.

12. Flies - here's the good news. Fly selections are pretty "Simple" (for the most part) thank god! .. permit and bonefish eat crabs. and tarpon eat bigger flies .. honestly, the best flies that all of the guides use down in the florida keys can be found here www.ssflies.com - get a bunch of the crab patterns (that's all you need) and some of the various tarpon patterns (i especially like chartreuse .. but get a couple different colors (black is great too .. and white isn't bad either))

13. Not static fish -- when speaking to tarpon, bonefish and permit - remember these fish do not LIVE on the flats ... they come on the flats at opportune times to feed or they are just passing over the flat .. so, things can turn on in an instant .. you could be wading a flat for 2 hours and see nothing .. and then all of a sudden fish come onto the flat and you are surrounded by tails .. so, be ready at all times .. innevitably the fish always seem to show just when you say, "uh forget it , there is nothing here."

14. Again, you are wise for going out with a guide on your first couple days. Ask him everything! there are no stupid questions! and make mental notes of everything such as the type of bottom that the fish like, the water depth he is fishing, how he tells you to strip the fly etc..

15. Some general tips are .. limit your false casting, get your fly to the fish without spooking it .. hit the permit on the head, lead the bonefish by a foot or two and strip really slow and steady for the tarpon .. wear flats boots and not teavas, fish a 12 foot leader (the longer the better as those permit and bonefish are pretty well educated down there) .. for tarpon be sure to use some shock tippet and not the same leader as you would for the bonefish and permit .. fish a flat, if you see nothing .. move to another flat .. and watch on the sides of the road as you are driving .. you may see some tarpon rolling in select spots.

Ok -- again, these tips are not definitive by any means .. and I am sure others will read them and think, "he is so wrong about this or that." My intent here was simply to just give you a bunch of tips and things that I have learned from my friends and personal eperiences fly fishing in the florida keys. Take them for what they are worth .. combine them with the advice that others give you and you will eventually find your own way ... ultimately, have fun! that's what its all about - and the florida keys offer some amazing fly fishing opportunities and some beautiful clean/clear water! good luck.

captmike · Posted: Tue 04/07/09 2:21 pm Post subject:

good advice above. I'd throw a couple of crazy charlies or gotchs for the bones too. If you're not hell bent on the flats there can be some great fishing by the bridge pilings especially for jacks. One thing that I like to do with the long leaders is move up a weight line on my rod (use a 10 weight line on my 9 weight rod) this allows the rod to load more when making short casts with the long leader. Not everyone does that so it's not necessary but I think it helps. It's awesome down there you should have a lot of fun.