I’m going to be down in Edisto in mid march an thought I’d dust off the old fly rod and take my yak up into the creeks in search of some reds and trout. I’d love some ideas on what type of structure I should be looking for to find some schools of these fish as I would love to be able to sight cast to something for a change. Also I’m not sure what type of fly pattern is best for this time of year, but I tied up a few and would love some input as to whether or not they might work. I’m thinking smaller flies are probably better for the colder water since it would seem to be an easier meal.
Here are some photos of the main things I’ve been working on.
Gotcha:
My version of the ultra shrimp
And a fiddler pattern I sort of made up. It’s ugly as sin but I think it might catch some fish.
These are all on no. 4 hooks. Nice and bite size. Let me know if I should go in another direction. Thanks.
google earth the area and look for draining flats and creeks and set up here for a start. look for activity, the fish should be starting to move more during the day with the warming water. Im not incred. familiar w/ the area but we have caught some nice fish deeper into the creeks there. w/ a yak, you should have no problems. On rising tides, look in the grass/flats. they wont be acting like they do in the summer/fall so try diff. flies. poppers and suspending flies have done pretty well in the spring and makes for exciting fishing. I gen. fish the poppers in less than 2 ft. in no. 4 w/ BIG eyes, little or no flash in them also. Enrico Puglisi shad series flies are also killer in spring. best o luck to ya! do google earth it, you’ll find it:wink:
It’s going to be a little early for tailers however you may be able to site cast to some nice schoolers provided the water has not warmed up too much. As for your flies I’d stick with shrimp and bait fish patterns with less flash.
try the flats off of Bank Creek or Two Sisters Creek in St. Helena … its not that far from big bay creek and that is the spot to be for sight casting if the winds not blowing… goo and look at the oyster bars off of two sisters at low tide and return for specks at the flood
Cat Sass
32’ Hydrocat with Yanmars
“Eat… Sleep… Fish…”
Thanks for all the advice guys. I’m pretty new to fishing flies in the salt so any info is great to hear. I’ve got some crease fly poppers and a mullet fly I’m working on that should do well.
