Fly Fishing

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The Southwest Florida coast offers some excellent, exciting and rewarding wade fly fishing opportunities. Of course, if you are looking for the full Southwest Florida fly fishing experience – you’re experience will be heightened significantly if you hire a good guide. Clearly, not every fly fisherman can afford to hire a guide for 5-7 days straight – so, a balance of guided trips and “do it yourself” fly fishing is a great way to go. Just realize that there is a big difference between experiencing “tarpon on foot” and “tarpon with a guide.” Nothing can replace that feeling of seclusion and adventure associated with the remote places and fly fishing environments that a good guide can show you. Anyway, here is some information to help you within the context of your “do it yourself” fly fishing excursions. Some of the species of fish that you can target and realistically in Southwest Florida on foot and on fly are jacks, snook, redfish, sea trout, lady fish, baby tarpon and a variety of other exotic but not so “high profile” species. The availability of these fish appeals to many anglers, especially to the fly fishers who are on a budget and have limited interaction with these species. If you find yourself in Naples, Florida a stop to Clam Pass (at low tide) will usually yield some snook, jacks, trout and ladyfish. As with all locations time of day and tide are important factors to consider for any spot. Another option is to head a bit south and park on 33rd St. in Port Royal. It’s a bit of a walk but not too bad. Start walking south to Gordons Pass and don’t rush to get there! Be sure to look for signs of life (cruising snook or busting jacks) while making your way down to the actual pass. Look for the snook in the skinny water but keep an eye in the relatively “deeper” water too. Fish in this area like structure, because the bait tends to collect around any structure (old pilings, rocks etc..) and structure also provides the predatory fish (that you want to catch) with a means of using the structure to take advantage of “ambush” type feeding tactics and the element of surprise. If you’re not seeing any “action” on top or signs of life don’t be afraid to make some blind casts. You will want to focus your blind casting efforts to “fishy’ type environments such as rock piles, holes, old wooden pilings, coves, points of land and areas (edges) where the flats drop off into deeper. Good Luck! Of course, this little article does not cover everything. So, if you have any supporting information to add such as types of flies, etc. that you feel might help other Flies And Fins crew members – your input is encouraged and welcomed! Hope you found this helpful!