Question:

Hello all; I find myself in the Fargo, ND area next week and I have pretty much all day on Friday to fish.  Can someone please provide suggestions for an easy day on the water – be it trout, smallmouth (my favorite), pike or panfish?  I will be fishing solo and would prefer to either wade or rent a small boat or canoe.  Thanks in advance for the response. Joe C.

Response:

Joe,    You could fish the tail water of the Garrison Dam, I think there are trout there.  Or fish the river anywhere for other species. Ernie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all; I find myself in the Fargo, ND area next week and I have pretty much all day on Friday to fish.  Can someone please provide suggestions for an easy day on the water – be it trout, smallmouth (my favorite), pike or panfish?  I will be fishing solo and would prefer to either wade or rent a small boat or canoe.  Thanks in advance for the response. Joe C.

Response:

Hello all; I find myself in the Fargo, ND area next week and I have pretty much all day on Friday to fish.  Can someone please provide suggestions for an easy day on the water – be it trout, smallmouth (my favorite), pike or panfish?  I will be fishing solo and would prefer to either wade or rent a small boat or canoe.  Thanks in advance for the response. Joe C.

The Red River flows right through town, and has smallmouth, pike, walleye, and extremely large channel catfish.  I don’t think I would try to wade it, I think the bottom would be pretty soft. Here is a link to an article about the Red from the ND Game & Fish website: http://www.state.nd.us/gnf/divfish/Redbro.html Also try browsing around their fishing page (http://www.state.nd.us/gnf/fishing.html) There is a county-by-county listing of all of the lakes in the state, showing what fish are in each lake, and contour maps in PDF format for most of the smaller lakes. The Sheyenne River has pike and smallmouth (and a variety of other fish), and is small enough to be wadable, but it is a beautiful canoe river, especially in and aroung Ft. Ransom State Park. You can find North Dakota fishing reports at: http://www.fishingbuddy.com/ Hope this helps, Kevin

Response:

Joe,    You could fish the tail water of the Garrison Dam, I think there are trout there.  Or fish the river anywhere for other species. Ernie

There are in fact brown, rainbow, and cutthroat trout and chinook salmon in the Garrison Tailrace, and pretty damn big ones too, but it isn’t exactly tailored for fly-fishing.  Occasionally you will see them feeding near the banks and you can catch them on dries. More typically, they are way down deep, and real hard to get to. Todays average flow is 23,000 cfs (way low, 40,000 would be more typical) and it is very deep, so wading is, well suicidal, and you are required to have a 10hp minimum motor to fish in a boat.  A productive strategy is to fish a crankbait (you could probably substitute a streamer) on heavy mono, with a 2 oz. lead sinker tied on a 4 lb. mono dropper.  The sinker gets it down and holds it where the fish can see it, and the light mono dropper is to make sure if the sinker hangs up on the bottom, then you only lose the sinker. Plus, it would be about a 4 to 5 hour drive from Fargo. Kevin

Response:

leaders, keep your backcast low or you’re apt to snag one of those B-52’s flying their VFR low level route right over your head. Frank (love them BUF’s!) Church

|Joe, |   You could fish the tail water of the Garrison Dam, I think there |are trout there.  Or fish the river anywhere for other species. |Ernie |

| Hello all; | | I find myself in the Fargo, ND area next week and I have pretty much |all day | on Friday to fish.  Can someone please provide suggestions for an |easy day | on the water – be it trout, smallmouth (my favorite), pike or |panfish?  I | will be fishing solo and would prefer to either wade or rent a small |boat or | canoe.  Thanks in advance for the response. | | Joe C. | | | |

Response:

The  east side of the Red River is Minnesota.  Check out the Minnesota DNR below.  It’s september now so it could snow any time. I think it was about this time of year the Chinooks & Cohos in Lake Sacajawea ( spelling is bad but it’s the lady on the new dollar coin). would show up in the lake at the east end of the dam.  I have always wondered if they could be caught on a fly.  They didn’t have a stream to spawn in but for some reason they would show up there. Probablly where they were dumped  in.   I would like to try it.  So many places, so many fish – so little time. Watch the B-52s.  There was a target range north of Bismark and they scored the BUFFs as they "bombed: Garrison Dam.  Tehy fly all over at tree top height, that if there were trees in NoDak. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing.html – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all; I find myself in the Fargo, ND area next week and I have pretty much all day on Friday to fish.  Can someone please provide suggestions for an easy day on the water – be it trout, smallmouth (my favorite), pike or panfish?  I will be fishing solo and would prefer to either wade or rent a small boat or canoe.  Thanks in advance for the response. Joe C.

Response:

Any opinions about Detroit Lakes?  I am staying at the Holiday Inn there – a lakeside room.  I figure that must mean water and perhaps a shorter drive to find a spot to fish?  Anyone know the area??? Joe

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Question:

Thanks everyone! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi! Might anyone know places for fly fishing lessons in the Greater Wash. D.C. Area? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! Eric Eric, Smith Coleman is an outstanding fly fishing instructor and works from his shop in Outdoor Adventures on Rt. 3 in Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania Virginia.  Excellent one-on-one lesson packages.  For a bit more advance lessons try Harry Murray in Edinburg Virginia over in the Valley. — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine! Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

– Eric Schurr                     Coord. for Public Relations Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Maryland         2409 A.V. Williams Bldg. College Park, Maryland 20742 Phone: (301)405-3516 Fax: (301)314-9281

Response:

Hi! Might anyone know places for fly fishing lessons in the Greater Wash. D.C. Area? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! Eric

Response:

Hi! Might anyone know places for fly fishing lessons in the Greater Wash. D.C. Area? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! Eric

Eric, Smith Coleman is an outstanding fly fishing instructor and works from his shop in Outdoor Adventures on Rt. 3 in Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania Virginia.  Excellent one-on-one lesson packages.  For a bit more advance lessons try Harry Murray in Edinburg Virginia over in the Valley. — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine! Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

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Hi! Might anyone know places for fly fishing lessons in the Greater Wash. D.C. Area? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I took a very good class a few years ago from TROUT AND ABOUT. They have different length classes, and also trips if you like. http://www.troutandabout.com/ — Jeff Cook http://www.cookstudios.com Washington DC area

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Question:

Ken, Go to Mariott’s in Fullerton, on Orangethorpe, and have them brief you on Bear Creek. I lived in Anaheim two years ago and fished there a number of times after being briefed.  It was the only place I found where you could be away from the crowds of Southern CA and catch some good fish in some beautiful surroundings. Small browns, 10 to 12 inches, in a small stream setting.  I used a 3 wt outfit and had a ball.  Elk hair caddis flies were the ticket then. Good luck! Tom

Response:

Ken, The stream that drains the lake at Big Bear has trout in it, but it is a rough one to fish.  It is nothing like Hot Creek.   — Ernie Harrison Remove NOSPAM to send E-mail GO TO http://users.ccnet.com/~emh FOR ECONOMY WADING BOOTS – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –  Hi All:          Does anyone know if there are any stream’s or creek’s that can be fished near Arrowhead or Bigbear? I live in SO CAL and just started fly fishing this April when I went to Bishop for opening day.Boy am I hooked I had a great time at Hot Creek! Anyway I want to find a place local to fish and learn more. Any advice?                        Thanks                                  Ken

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 Hi All:          Does anyone know if there are any stream’s or creek’s that can be fished near Arrowhead or Bigbear? I live in SO CAL and just started fly fishing this April when I went to Bishop for opening day.Boy am I hooked I had a great time at Hot Creek! Anyway I want to find a place local to fish and learn more. Any advice?                        Thanks                                  Ken

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Question:

I posted a request for patterns a few weeks ago and I thank all of you who posted replies to this news group or by direct email. I am now searching for a good beginners book on steelheading. A friend as past me his "Advanced Fly Fishing For Steelhead" by Deke Meyer. But I think I should read about some of the basic also any information would be appreciated. Norm

Response:

I posted a request for patterns a few weeks ago and I thank all of you who posted replies to this news group or by direct email. I am now searching for a good beginners book on steelheading. A friend as past me his "Advanced Fly Fishing For Steelhead" by Deke Meyer. But I think I should read about some of the basic also any information would be appreciated. Norm

The Deke Meyer book is a good one and the title is a bit misleading- it is advanced only in the sense it reviews most if not all the flyfishing methods employed primarily on the west coast – discussion of great lakes fishing is largely ignored. As Deke says in the intro the book was meant to follow Fly Road Steelhead by Bill Stinson that is a more general discussion of tackle and technique well salted with fishing yarns –  much of the tackle advice in that book is a bit dated. The other book is the original Steelhead Flyfishing by Trey Combs which I think is still available from Amato publications. Ralph H "…      the sabbath rang slowly      in the pebbles of the holy streams!" Dylan Thomas, "Fern Hill"

Response:

I am now searching for a good beginners book on steelheading. A friend has passed me his "Advanced Fly Fishing For Steelhead" by Deke Meyer. But I think I should read about some of the basic also any information would be appreciated.

This is actually a good book for beginning steelheading since it covers the most fundamental technique, the wet fly swing.  Probably the best source of information for someone wanting to learn to fish for steelhead is the Scientific Anglers video called Fly Fishing for Pacific Steelhead.  Another good book was written by Bill McMillan and published in 1986.  The title is something like Dry Line Steelhead but it may be out of print.  Another good source of information is contained in the chapter on summer steelheading in John Shewey’s book called Northwest Flyfishing: Trout and Beyond.

Response:

Question:

Hello All, Anyone ever hear of catching steelhead in any of the streams/rivers south of Santa Cruz?  

How far south you lookin’?  Ernie’s Casting Pond is a shop in Soquel that specializes in the steelhead fishing as far down as the monterey area at least.  They have a "web presence".  Don’t have the URL handy but you can find it with a search.   Phil

Response:

Hello All, Anyone ever hear of catching steelhead in any of the streams/rivers south of Santa Cruz?  They have these areas listed in the punch card but I’ve never heard of it before.  Also any recs on a good wt rod for steelies?  Trying it for the first time this year so any advice is helpful.  Thinking of a 7 wt… Aaron

Response:

Hello All, Anyone ever hear of catching steelhead in any of the streams/rivers south of Santa Cruz?  They have these areas listed in the punch card but I’ve never heard of it before.  Also any recs on a good wt rod for steelies?  Trying it for the first time this year so any advice is helpful.  Thinking of a 7 wt… Aaron

There are some steelhead in the little rivers around the Santa Cruz/Montery area. Jan/Feb is the prime time. Please don’t kill any if you are lucky enough to catch one. Call Ernie’s Casing Pond in Soquel. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY

Response:

I do alot of Steelhead fishing up here in Oregon and I would’nt try a 7wt, I would use a minimum of an 8 and if your looking to hook into anything bigger than 10-12lb you will want the backbone of a 9. I hope this helps. David Also any recs on a good wt rod for – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – steelies?  Trying it for the first time this year so any advice is helpful.  Thinking of a 7 wt…

Response:

   Newsgroups: rec.outdoors.fishing.fly    I do alot of Steelhead fishing up here in Oregon and I would’nt try a 7wt,    I would use a minimum of an 8 and if your looking to hook into anything    bigger than 10-12lb you will want the backbone of a 9. I hope this helps.    David I’ve landed steelehad on a 6wt without problems.  Instead of worrying about the size of fish you are going to catch, you will be a lot better off worrying about the size of river you are going to fish, and the size of flies (and possibly sink tips) that you wish to cast.  For big flies and/or fast sinking tips, you will need a larger rod. I’ve lost plenty of steelhead that I’ve hooked on the fly, but none of them were because of an insufficient rod weight. cheers,         -tgades

Response:

   I do alot of Steelhead fishing up here in Oregon and I would’nt try a 7wt, I’ve landed steelehad on a 6wt without problems.  Instead of worrying I’ve lost plenty of steelhead that I’ve hooked on the fly, but none of them were because of an insufficient rod weight.

I agree!  I have never had any problems with rod weight fishing for steelhead (down to 4 wt.), only with large chinook salmon. -Burton

Response:

Over 30 years ago, I caught a steelhead in Rincon Creek near Ventura. The runs inthose small creeks are probably now history.  There were records of them running in the Los Angeles and Santa Ana rivers much further back. Jim Jim, Nevada Jim’s Outdoor Sports, Elko, NV

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Question:

I want to get my wife a set of waders for fly fishing, but have been unable to find anything.  Does anyone know of a reputable mail order dealer and/or any suggestions on brands. Thanks for any suggestions. David

Response:

Sorry to be glib on what is supposed to be a serious request, BUT, I just realized that I must have been wearing womens waders all along.  Why else would the zipper be missing from where I need it the most? Mike – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I want to get my wife a set of waders for fly fishing, but have been unable to find anything.  Does anyone know of a reputable mail order dealer and/or any suggestions on brands. Thanks for any suggestions. David

Response:

I want to get my wife a set of waders for fly fishing, but have been unable to find anything.  Does anyone know of a reputable mail order dealer and/or any suggestions on brands.

Orvis is just one of many manufacturers that makes a women’s wader. If your local shop doesn’t carry them you can always mail order. jackie billings, mt

Response:

I want to get my wife a set of waders for fly fishing, but have been unable to find anything.  Does anyone know of a reputable mail order dealer and/or any suggestions on brands. Thanks for any suggestions. David

Hi David, Orvis sells excellent women’s waders (both rubber and neoprene).  They aren’t cheap but they’re good.  A quick web search should get you a catalogue (that’s how I got mine). –Margot F.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I want to get my wife a set of waders for fly fishing, but have been unable to find anything.  Does anyone know of a reputable mail order dealer and/or any suggestions on brands. Thanks for any suggestions. David Hi David, Orvis sells excellent women’s waders (both rubber and neoprene).  They aren’t cheap but they’re good.  A quick web search should get you a catalogue (that’s how I got mine). –Margot F.

LL Bean also offers woman’s waders and custom made waders too.  They are on the web as well. — The views expressed are my own and does not represent those of my employer.

Response:

Orvis is just one of many manufacturers that makes a women’s wader. If your local shop doesn’t carry them you can always mail order.

Someone also once posted the address of a California company called Damselfly which specializes in women’s flyfishing needs. Their number is 1-800-966-4166. I haven’t dealt with them personally, being a double victim of both chronic poverty and the Canadian exchange rate, but I’m willing to bet they’re worth checking out before going to Orvis… — K.G. (Kat) Cruickshank, ichthyophile. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. see my illustrations at http://www.mackerel.com/fish/home.html

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I want to get my wife a set of waders for fly fishing, but have been unable to find anything.  Does anyone know of a reputable mail order dealer and/or any suggestions on brands. Thanks for any suggestions. David

Bare, Simms and Orvis have womans neoprene wader. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY

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 I want to get my wife a set of waders for fly fishing, but have been  unable to find anything.  Does anyone know of a reputable mail order  dealer and/or any suggestions on brands.

If your wife is what is considered average in size, Damsel Fly should have waders to fit her.  Otherwise, any of the companies that custom make waders is your best bet.  Mine came from StreamLine in Bainbridge, Washington but most good flyshops can order for you and will have the necessary form to get all the measurements right.  I’m not sure if all the manufacturers are making a women’s cut in waders yet but StreamLine does.                         – Jewelee

Response:

Hi, My wife wears Simms Womens neoprene waders and loves them.  She has gotten quite a bit of use out of them.  They are a bit expensive (I don’t know how much wading your wife will be doing), and the pair she has is purple (which just happens to be her favorite color). Actually, the waders appear dark blue in the water. Otherwise, the ORvis womens waders have received good reviews also from a few women I have guided. -paul Paul Williamson Emigrant, MT 59027

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Question:

Now that summer is more than half over, thoughts about a mid winter break are stirring. What are the best places in bahamas for bonefishing holiday in terms of price, ease to get to, accomodations, and, of course, fishing opportunties. How far in advance must one book. what are the best travel people to use. I(s there a better choice from the North east US? Your thoughts are appreciated.

Response:

Now that summer is more than half over, thoughts about a mid winter break are stirring. What are the best places in bahamas for bonefishing holiday in terms of price, ease to get to, accomodations, and, of course, fishing opportunties. How far in advance must one book. what are the best travel people to use. I(s there a better choice from the North east US? Your thoughts are appreciated.

November is a good time for a fall trip to the Bahamas, the FL Keys or Central America. There are many excellent destinations to choose from. Call Frontier Travel at 1-800-245-1950 and they can send you some good info on many lodges. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA

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Question:

I am planning a trip to Montana in mid to late September and could use some advice on fly selection. My  girfriend will be fishing the Yellowstone, Madison, and in the park. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

Response:

I am planning a trip to Montana in mid to late September and could use some advice on fly selection. My girlfriend and I will be fishing the Yellowstone, Madison, and some in Yellowstone Park. I would like to tie as many flies as possible before the trip. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

Response:

I am planning a trip to Montana in mid to late September and could use some advice on fly selection. My girlfriend and I will be fishing the Yellowstone, Madison, and some in Yellowstone Park. I would like to tie as many flies as possible before the trip. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

Hi Tim, In September, in particular, the browns are quite active preparing to spawn. Preparing for this results in two activities: gorging lots of food to build up necessary fat deposits for spawning, and protecting their spawning lies from predators. Both activities result in excellent streamer fishing from September to November. Be prepared with a selection of Muddlers, Woolly Buggers, Matuka and Woolhead Sculpins, and Zonker patterns, to name a few of the more locally popular flies. September is also a fine time here for insects. Hydropsyche caddis are still emerging heavily on all the rivers (size 14-16, pale green & tan), as well as the late emergence of Rhyacophila (the "Bright Green Caddis Larva," size #14-16, olive adult). Baetis become the dominant mayfly (olive, size #18-22 with smaller sizes more typical of the fall emergence), with Mahogany duns (brown, size 14) providing late season action for the larger mayflies, especially on the Gallatin River. There are lesser hatches which are also "locally" important on some rivers, including Tricos (Madison), Attenella (upper Yellowstone), etc. I’d also suggest that you contact local fly shops for the area you’ll be visiting, including Jacklin’s in West Yellowstone and Montana Troutfitters or The River’s Edge in Bozeman. They can provide you with locally effective "hot" patterns and up-to-date fishing reports. Good Luck, Ryan Jordan J&J Flies (Bozeman)

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I had good luck using a PMD nymph at Buffalo Ford last Sept. Not much else was working at the time. Frank Cada

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I am planning a trip to Montana in mid to late September and could use some advice on fly selection. My girlfriend and I will be fishing the Yellowstone, Madison, and some in Yellowstone Park. I would like to tie as many flies as possible before the trip. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

Hi Tim You will need a series of Bead Head nymphs and Hare’s Ear Nymphs #10 – #16, assorted Wulffs #12 – #18, Parachute Adams #16 – #20, assorted Compara Duns #14 – #22, Elk Hair Caddis #12 – #20 both light and dark,   Real important for that time of years is #8 Grass Hoppers — my favorite is a Whit’s Hopper or something similar.  By the time September rolls around the fish will have seen many different Hopper patterns and the more realistic the better.  This is especially true in the Park.  The fish on Slough Creek as an example will often "nudge" a hopper patterns several times before taking it.  It’s important that you not strike when they nudge the fly but wait for them to take it.  It can be a real nerve racking experience but a lot of fun as well. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

Response:

It matters a GREAT deal WHERE on the Yellowstone you’ll be fishing.  The Yellowstone, as you know, is a very large river that can be broken down into several sections.  If you can be more specific as to the area you’ll be fishing, I’ll tell you the information you want to know.

Response:

I am planning a trip to Montana in mid to late September and could use some advice on fly selection. My girlfriend and I will be fishing the Yellowstone, Madison, and some in Yellowstone Park. I would like to tie as many flies as possible before the trip. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

Have some hoppers for warm days. Wooly buggers in whatever fancies you. I like black with a touch of flash and the Bakers hole special which is yellow and brown with a touch of flash. Bead head Hares ears in a variety of sizes and bead head Prince seems to work on the Madison. Definitely have some size 18-22 pmd type emergers in pale yellow. Last year this was our most effective fly on the madison the first week of October. (I still after all these years can’t figure out how those trout see those flies in all that rough water!) Fished them with a small strike indicator on the nymphs and like a dry for the emergers. I personally still used the strike indicator on th emergers cause I sure can’t see the fly. I would also still have the basics in a variety of sizes like Wulfs Adams, Caddis and sparkle duns, but the nymphs were most productive for us. The Wooly Buggers were the most productive on the Yellowstone above Le Hardy Rapids. Kevin Williams

Response:

I am planning a trip to Montana in mid to late September and could use some advice on fly selection. My girlfriend and I will be fishing the Yellowstone, Madison, and some in Yellowstone Park. I would like to tie as many flies as possible before the trip. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

I suggest calling Madison River Outfitters in West Yellowstone.  (I don’t feel comfortable publishing phone numbers, but I’m sure you can call information.)

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Question:

How do you decide where to fish? (I’m talking about stream flyfishing). It is mainly by checking maps…word of mouth…roaming around until somebody yells at you? Or is public land open to those with a license?

Jeff,  If it’s fenced, or obviously private property, get permission. It’s a common courtesy that more sportsmen could afford to practice.   Often, the owners are so overwhelmed that a member of ‘the public’ is courteous enough to ask permission that they deed the land to you and volunteer to build a house for you at the water’s edge. ‘Course, other times, they just start shooting! :^) Charley

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A couple of friends are helping me into this sport, but I have a question about stream access I’m still a bit uncomfortable with…Some people seem to be very bold about entering a new stream, and some stick to obviously marked recreation areas. How do you decide where to fish? (I’m talking about stream flyfishing). It is mainly by checking maps…word of mouth…roaming around until somebody yells at you? Or is public land open to those with a license?

Response:

How do you decide where to fish? (I’m talking about stream flyfishing). It is mainly by checking maps…word of mouth…roaming around until somebody yells at you? Or is public land open to those with a license?

Well-organised states (i.e. not all) print basic legal information about access in the booklet distributed free with fishing licences. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

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How do you decide where to fish? (I’m talking about stream flyfishing). It is mainly by checking maps…word of mouth…roaming around until somebody yells at you? Or is public land open to those with a license?

This is really easy Jeff.  The more signs there are threatening castration for trespassing, the better and more exciting the fishing will be. Tim Walker

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That attitude Tim is what causes property owners to POST property. Mike

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Question:

I have three upcoming trips this spring: New Orleans in March, Miami in May, and North Carolina in July. I am looking for suggestions for

I guess it is time for a Keys, Bonefish, and Miami FAQ.. Here are some posts others have found useful. Have fun, and mail me if you have further questions…  Alan Barrow  km4ba         | If a little knowledge….. As if Santa wasn’t good enough to me, I found out that I have business in Ft. Lauderdale in January. It looks like a two hour drive down to the end of the Florida peninsula according to my atlas, and I plan on scamming a couple of extra days to cast for bonefish.

I would allow a little extra time, it can take longer depending on traffic. The only way in or out of the keys is US-1, and it is mostly 2 lane for miles. (You can take card sound road for a nice alternate route coming back. About the same time, and you see a different part of N Key Largo.) I am a steelheader from Seattle who knows NOTHING< about bonefish except that my 8wt rpl will work, and the flies under the heading "bonefish" are small shrimpy weighted flies.

You ought to be ok, use as much of a WF line as you have. Make sure you have as much backing as your reel will hold. Nevertheless, the thought of ‘wading the flats’ wearing shorts in January is too much to resist for someone from latitude 47.

And you can do it, you just have to be a bit trickier during winter time. The bonefish are still there, they just will not come onto the flats until the water warms up. I would plan on fishing mid-day if the night time temp is below 70. The flats will be too cold in the AM, but will warm up. I am groveling for information! (fishing dates: Jan 14th – 16th)

Here are some posts I have made earlier. Not all will be relevant, but most info should be useful. I grew up down there, and spend 2-3 weeks a year flats fishing in the upper Keys. My brother works in Key Largo and Key West about half of the time, and he gets me current fishing reports. Both he and I have flats boats, and are into flyfishing for bonefish and tarpon. Have fun! Call me if you have questions… 404/850-2644  Alan Barrow  km4ba         | If a little knowledge….. Newsgroups: rec.outdoors.fishing Some friends and I, serious fly fisherman all, are thinking about going to the Florida Keys to do some bonefishing (and maybe tarpon, permit, etc.)  this winter.  Never having done this before, I have scads of questions: * Is end of December/beginning of January a good time?

Bones are there year round. They will not come up onto the flats if the water temp is too cold. Also wind is more likely, and impacts the number of "fishable" (sight fishing) days. However, the largest bonefish are usually caught in winter. I have hooked (not landed) very big bonefish during XMAS trips last year. Tarpon migrate, and are not in the Keys in large quantities until May/June. There are year round Tarpon spots in the Keys ( and Miami) but it is usually deep water. (Bridges/channels, etc) I consider June/July the best time all around for fishing in the Keys. I still fish year all seasons, because even "off season" the fishing is better than most places I know. But for fly fisherman, winter may be less desirable. Redfish are available year round, as are sharks and barracudas. Many fly types are sight fishing for big ‘Cudas during winter when it the flats are too cold for bonefish. * Where are the good spots in the keys?  Should we try Grand Bahama or  Belize instead?

My conclusion is that if you want numbers and lot’s of action, hit the bahamas, Christmas Island (near Hawaii), or costa rica. However, If you want big fish on a regular basis, Miami down to Marathon for bonefish is hard to beat. For Tarpon, Boca Grande pass in June is fantastic. Not the same as sight fishing the flats edges for tarpon in the Keys, but killer in a different fashion. Tarpon are all around florida mid year, so there are many good places for them. The keys are ideal due to: Big Bonefish, good tarpon, great Permit, OK redfish, great trout, great dolphin close in (the fish). The water is great for sight fishing in the Keys. Other parts of Fla are less "clear". The Bahamas are tough to beat in water clarity. * Know any good guides/outfitters?

I have not used a guide for 3 years, but recommend using one until you become proficient in finding fish yourself. Even then, guides will put you onto more fish. * Will I need my own equipment or can I rent?

I have not seen much rental equipment. If you have a guide, he will provide top notch equipment. I hope you have a good time! Newsgroups: rec.outdoors.fishing I will be on Islamorada from February 10-17 of this year.  I plan to do some inshore fishing, and am wondering if this is a particularly "hot" time for specific fish. Can anyone give me some help? I’ll be

Entirely dependant on water temperature. (Wind may also be an issue) Some of the largest bonefish are caught in "winter" (dec-feb). You may also go all day without seeing a fish on a flat. A guide is a big win here. They may know when/where fish may make an appearence. We have found that "normal" behavior does not apply. (normal for bonefish is: fish move on flat with low incoming tide.) Problem is that with colder water temp, at may be midday before the water warms up enough. Thus traditional early morning/late evening "best times" may not apply. Barracuda are found (and fished for) on the flats in the winter. Any other time, these guys are almost impossible to catch. (Except when a big bonefish is about to nail your shrimp/lure) Also sharks on the flats can be fun. Tarpon are pretty much somewhere else, except for a few "bridge" types that hang around year round. Redfish and trout in the backcountry (Fla Bay, as opposed to the Atlantic) should also be a good option. (Not as exciting as bonefish, but still pretty good) I believe offshore is pretty good this time of year. (Sailfish, grouper, Kings, snapper, etc) out for a full day, and would like to spend about half the day fishing purely for sport (i.e. tarpon, bonefish, maybe permit) and half the day fishing for something I can cook up afterwards. Is this possible?

Bonefish or permit then hit backcountry for redfish or trout. I have limited out on big trout within 30 min skiff ride from Islamorada. (By the way, you will be "in" Islamorada, the city. You will be "on" upper or lower matacumbe. Just a "nit" :- ) Any suggestions would be appreciated. I’d like to call up and reserve a guide ahead of time.

We had good luck with Jamie Brodie, who booked out of Holiday Isle. I could get other names from Fla Sportsman if needed. Secondly, since I can’t afford a guide every day I’m there, but would like to do some fishing most of the days I’m there, I’m wondering if anyone can give me advice about wading/shore fishing. I’ll cast for

This is how we got started. Harry Harris park up in key largo (20 min N of Islamorada) is a good flat to wade for bonefish. Also flats off the bridges at shell and indian key ( Just S of Islamorada. ) are good. If you see brown bottom that you can get too from your hotel, etc. I would give it a try. Wear tennis shoes, or booties. (I use "aquasox" as well) Be aware of stingrays. (Some say to shuffle. I do if I cannot see the bottom very clearly. I have found if the bottom is hard enough to wade, the stingrays do not bury themselves. They are also very spooky, and will avoid you.) Also bridge fishing all along that area is good. You can also rent a boat. (not cheap, but cheaper than a guide.) Plan on using it mainly to get too flats. Do not try to take it on the flats, as you will get stuck unless it is very high tide. You will not have a pole anyway. Even with our flat’s boats, we wade alot. (during low tide) anything, I just don’t know what’s there to cast to, or what to cast to whatever is there (to state a simple point in a fairly unruly way).

On the flats you will see:         stingrays- do not try to catch them. Look for bonefish/jack         following them. try to cast on the back of any stingray you see.         Many times you will not see the fish following them. Best sign         that bonefish are on the flats. Stingrays are your friend.         Bonefish- swim most in straight lines. best case is to find them         tailing in low water. (why wading is good). You may see one or a         dozen. Very spooky. Cast in front of them, let them swim up on         your lure/bait.         Permit- The most spooky. look for "sickle" fin sticking out of         water.         Baracuda- usually loitering around. Moving very slowly, then         disappears faster than your eye can follow. If you see a fish,         and it does not move 5-10 feet in a few seconds, then it is probably         a barracuda. cast past it 10 feet in front of it. reel as fast         as you can. They strike instinctively.         Jack- Usually you do not see them, but catch them by accident.         can get pretty big, fights almost as good as a bonefish. (Just         missing the 200 yd runs.)         Sharks- 2-5′ nurse, lemon,

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I have three upcoming trips this spring: New Orleans in March, Miami in May, and North Carolina in July. I am looking for suggestions for saltwater flyfishing in these places. If you can recommend guides or

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