I’m new to the sport of fly fishing and to charlestonfishing so I appoligize in advance if this is a little bit lengthy.
Yesterday, after a quick look at the tide charts I decided on a whim to go try some evening flatts for some reds. Inshore fly fishig has always intrigued me so I decided it was time to get my feet wet.
Jim Scagline of the carleston angler in s-ville set me up with a reddington 9’ 8wt fly rod and recommended a couple different china-back fly patterns. 4 hours later I found myself wading through knee deep grass in the middle of Daniel island. Needless to say I had no idea as to what I was doing, my head was full of preconceptions of how the evening would play out.
Was I out to deep? to shallow? Are the reds going to out in the open or in the thick stuff? Is this all just a waste of time? I sat motionless for about 15 min. The tide was full and then like clock work , fish started to move through. I sat there in awe as I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. The fish were making quite a ruckus as they were weaving their way through the thick grass. As a beginner, my first instinct was to just sit, wait and observe. I tried to make out their behavior and I wasn’t sure how to present the fly to them. The thick grass made it nearly impossible. I casted to couple that passed directly to my right but no takers. They didn’t seem spooky at all (so I thought) just slowly sloshing through the grass.I spotted a total of 6 reds, some as close as 20 ft. My heart rate was through the roof and it was a learning experience I wont soon forget.
The reds were on the move and it seemed like they were gone as soon as I spotted them. It was a pretty surreal experience and I’m hooked for sure. I think a couple more practice sessions and I’ll be ready. I might go out again tonight. To all the fly fisherman, thanks for reading!
i call that a successful trip. iv e only hooked a couple on fly but the stalking is really cool. enjoy your first hookup whether its quick or slow to come
Ry I’m glad you posted that. Sounded exhilarating! I, just as you, are new to the fly fishing aspect of saltwater fishing. I’ve been in a boat on the flats, I’ve caught plenty of reds, but I just recently got a fly rod and have planned on walking the marsh grass in the hopes of seeing what you just saw. First though I’m concentrating on learning to cast. Your post leaves me with hope that I won’t be disappointed!
Thanks everyone, I’m stoked for sure. It will take a ton of patience and skill/luck but I think the rewards are much more worth while when it finally happens. My background in fly fishing has been exclusively stream fishing up in NC so my only question is this…
As far as flats fishing at a higher tide, move slow, keep your eyes peeled, i get it for the most part.
I know a few creeks that some reds get trapped in at low tide. I,ve fished them before with live bait and have caught numerous fish.
What is a good approach to fly fishing at lower tides? Is it a good idea to try these spots at low tide with a fly and if so what colors/style flies should I use? Typically they would bite mud minnows when I would use live bait.
Thanks in advance - Ryan D.
PS - Working on a local fly fishing Photo/video blog so I’ll keep everyone posted on that. If you have a story, let me help you tell it!
Consider your first trips scouting. I recommend moving around to begin with to get a sense of where they are tailing, and at what point/depth you can see the tails.
Thank’s for the feed back cut mullet and stone fly. I appreciate the input.
I know learning and scouting is half the fun, and certain spots are kept to ones self because of all the hours that go into it. I checked some area out over the weekend on JI so I may try to sneak out there this afternoon. It looks really promising with this flat I found so Ill keep my fingers crossed.
How do you like that Reddington? I was looking at the same one. I am researching SWFF now and am pretty new to inshore fishing and kayaking fishing. It looks like a blast!
yaks and ff are perfect for each other!
cast the redingtons, i think you will like it- their predator rods are also highly recomended for kayakers and are faster than most of their other rods.
yaks and ff are perfect for each other!
cast the redingtons, i think you will like it- their predator rods are also highly recomended for kayakers and are faster than most of their other rods.
