| Are you a seasoned freshwater fly fisherman or a | | | | Gulf and approximately six hours afterwards return a |
| saltwater fisherman looking to add a new and fresh | | | | more diluted mix of water back to the Gulf. Flats and |
| dimension to your angling pleasure? Why not take up | | | | estuaries go through a cycle of being flooded and |
| saltwater fly fishing? It is a wonderful pastime although | | | | almost drained. This serves to provide the food eaten |
| it can be challenging. | | | | by the baitfish and other prey that attract redfish, drum, |
| If you are already doing freshwater fly fishing, be | | | | trout, and other gulf game fish. |
| prepared to gear up for a different type of fishing. You | | | | This constant flooding/flush cycle generates natural |
| will in all likelihood need a heavier rod, reel, and line. | | | | channels. All life forms use these channels as "roads" |
| What is the reason for this? Well, unlike fishing | | | | on which they travel. These channels are any number |
| freshwater, the ocean or bay tends to be windier and | | | | of sizes, depending on local conditions. They can up to |
| you need more weight to slice through the wind. | | | | a hundred yards wide and several inches or a few |
| Additionally, the fish tend to be heavier in the saltwater. | | | | feet deeper than the surrounding bottom. |
| For example, the best models for all around use would | | | | Phytoplankton languidly float in the prevailing current |
| be a rod 8-1/2 to 9 feet long. Line weight? Again, for all | | | | and your baitfish come along next, because |
| around use a 7, 8 or 9 weight line would be ideal. It | | | | phytoplankton is their primary food source. The game |
| goes without saying that you need to use a rod and | | | | fish you are after navigate these "roads" and feed on |
| reel balanced to your line weight. Of course these are | | | | the baitfish, crabs, and other prey. You, as a fly |
| just average weights. If you know you will be fishing in | | | | fisherman, use these same roads to find and flush out |
| primarily low wind conditions, you can bump your line | | | | your prey, which is of course the game fish. |
| weight down three notches or so and for high wind, | | | | So you see, you are just another part of the natural |
| you can bump it up three notches. Since fly fishing | | | | cycle of life. By becoming familiar with the local tides |
| equipment is expensive, do your homework and buy | | | | (you can buy a chart or just reference the |
| what will work for you. | | | | newspaper) and the whereabouts of your channels, |
| The fly patterns used in Saltwater are different than | | | | the fisherman can find the areas where game fish are |
| the ones you would use in fresh water. This makes | | | | active and the when their feeding is most likely to be |
| sense when you think of it because the food available | | | | aggressive. |
| to the fish is different. Remember, match the hatch. | | | | Now let's take a few moments to consider how you |
| Some popular patterns are crabs, shrimp, baitfish, and | | | | are going to get to the fish. If you are fishing close to |
| marine worms. Just as with fresh water, what works | | | | shore, say on a pier or on the shore, you can just find |
| splendidly on one day might be a total wash on the | | | | a spot where you judge the fish to be and where you |
| next. | | | | can make a good presentation. A popular alternative |
| How does the fisherman find the most productive | | | | to this is wading. If you are wading, stingrays can be a |
| water? Consider that tidal activity is the device that | | | | real problem. Fortunately, some of the newer waders |
| modulates the entire living environment of the shoreline. | | | | on the market are made of a material that deals with |
| Let's consider the Gulf of Mexico since that is what I | | | | this very effectively. One case of stepping on a |
| am most familiar with. | | | | stingray's tail will ruin potentially a month's worth of |
| Passes and estuaries bring in fresh saltwater from the | | | | fishing as you recuperate. |