Post by greenmonster on Sept 15, 2014 8:23:52 GMT -5
Hey all,
While a lot of this forum is devoted to conventional fishing teqniques, I thought we could open up the discussion a bit to include flyfishing reports, techniques, tips, and general discussion. For now, if it is flyfishing, put it here - all species, all discussions all reports. Hopefully this section can help boost the sport on SML and get more people to give it a shot.
For those of you who have considered it but thought catching a striper on a fly was akin to landing a unicorn, I can tell you that you will be pleasantly surprised. Yes, you will build up some serious muscle casting that 9wt that many times, but the fishing is pretty productive. My first time out (thanks to the tips from many on this forum on where to find the fish) I landed two and hooked and lost several others. Fall, winter, and spring are your best chances, but summer will keep things interesting with bass, carp, and the occassional striper.
For those getting started, here is a rundown on the basic set up:
Rod: I prefer a 9wt, though I throw poppers on a heavy, fast action 7wt.
Lines: Use them all. Floating should be ready at all times with a popper or topwater fly for breaking fish, I like a (clear)sinktip for hitting the banks or when the fish are in 30 ft of water or less. I use a totally clear intermediate fly with a weighted fly when fishing deeper water. If you are gonna go deep, go deep, so my flies tend to be pretty heavy.
Flies: Remember what you are imitating - alewives are stripers favorites and shad will work too. Long skinnier white flies with lots of action are going to be your best shot. Blaine Chocklett's "Gamechanger", long clousers, or flies tied around long shank hooks with marabou tails will get the appropriate attention. Don't over think the fly, though. These aren't picky little trout. These are ravenous, aggressive saltwater fish that need to keep up their calorie count. Make it white, 3-6 inches long, a little flashy, and give it action, then be ready, because after casting 100 times, you won't be expecting the hit.
Leader: I dont think these guys are terribly leader shy but floro in the 20-30 lb range is generally sufficient. I have lost a few fish on 20lb, but tend to go lighter in the winter when the water is clear. Better to get the hook up and lose the fish than to go all day without a bite. Go heavier if you feel differently, I honestly don't know that even a clear 40lb will cost you fish.
Techniques: Man, this could be a book, so I will simplify as much as possible. If you are fishing the banks, fish like you would fish for bass. Once the fish start coming up in the water column and up the river arms (Late sept through November depending on the weather) you can start looking for schools of fish and fish away from the banks. Don't be afraid of being out in the middle "blind casting" over a school. I tend to look for a few fish hitting the surface periodically after I have seen enough on the graph to tell me they are around. Once I see a fish break, I position the boat upwind and drift with the wind over the school, casting with the wind at my back if possible - this saves your arm too!
Strikes can be subtle, even though they are more often violent. If you are out in the middle and feel ANYTHING assume it is a fish and strip strike but do not raise the rod until you feel pressure.
The battle itself makes it all worthwhile. These guys will run and dive and I usually find myself laughing as they abuse my already tired arms. Get out there in the early morning - most of my bites end by 9 a.m., though I am sure that if your arm can handle it and you can find fish, there are fish to be taken later in the day.
Hope to see more flyfishermen out there this year!
While a lot of this forum is devoted to conventional fishing teqniques, I thought we could open up the discussion a bit to include flyfishing reports, techniques, tips, and general discussion. For now, if it is flyfishing, put it here - all species, all discussions all reports. Hopefully this section can help boost the sport on SML and get more people to give it a shot.
For those of you who have considered it but thought catching a striper on a fly was akin to landing a unicorn, I can tell you that you will be pleasantly surprised. Yes, you will build up some serious muscle casting that 9wt that many times, but the fishing is pretty productive. My first time out (thanks to the tips from many on this forum on where to find the fish) I landed two and hooked and lost several others. Fall, winter, and spring are your best chances, but summer will keep things interesting with bass, carp, and the occassional striper.
For those getting started, here is a rundown on the basic set up:
Rod: I prefer a 9wt, though I throw poppers on a heavy, fast action 7wt.
Lines: Use them all. Floating should be ready at all times with a popper or topwater fly for breaking fish, I like a (clear)sinktip for hitting the banks or when the fish are in 30 ft of water or less. I use a totally clear intermediate fly with a weighted fly when fishing deeper water. If you are gonna go deep, go deep, so my flies tend to be pretty heavy.
Flies: Remember what you are imitating - alewives are stripers favorites and shad will work too. Long skinnier white flies with lots of action are going to be your best shot. Blaine Chocklett's "Gamechanger", long clousers, or flies tied around long shank hooks with marabou tails will get the appropriate attention. Don't over think the fly, though. These aren't picky little trout. These are ravenous, aggressive saltwater fish that need to keep up their calorie count. Make it white, 3-6 inches long, a little flashy, and give it action, then be ready, because after casting 100 times, you won't be expecting the hit.
Leader: I dont think these guys are terribly leader shy but floro in the 20-30 lb range is generally sufficient. I have lost a few fish on 20lb, but tend to go lighter in the winter when the water is clear. Better to get the hook up and lose the fish than to go all day without a bite. Go heavier if you feel differently, I honestly don't know that even a clear 40lb will cost you fish.
Techniques: Man, this could be a book, so I will simplify as much as possible. If you are fishing the banks, fish like you would fish for bass. Once the fish start coming up in the water column and up the river arms (Late sept through November depending on the weather) you can start looking for schools of fish and fish away from the banks. Don't be afraid of being out in the middle "blind casting" over a school. I tend to look for a few fish hitting the surface periodically after I have seen enough on the graph to tell me they are around. Once I see a fish break, I position the boat upwind and drift with the wind over the school, casting with the wind at my back if possible - this saves your arm too!
Strikes can be subtle, even though they are more often violent. If you are out in the middle and feel ANYTHING assume it is a fish and strip strike but do not raise the rod until you feel pressure.
The battle itself makes it all worthwhile. These guys will run and dive and I usually find myself laughing as they abuse my already tired arms. Get out there in the early morning - most of my bites end by 9 a.m., though I am sure that if your arm can handle it and you can find fish, there are fish to be taken later in the day.
Hope to see more flyfishermen out there this year!
