There I was going to my favorite/only flat, when I got surrounded. Everything was perfect- the wind, water depth, bait everywhere, wading birds, crabs eating snails off the grass, etc. I couldn’t get them to glance at my fly. I even had 2 fish swim under my fly line without spooking! Everytime I thought I had missed my last chance, I would turn around and there was another fish! This happened at least 3 times. It was great seeing them cruising and tailing but they would not eat my fly. I was using a copperhead, never switched. I’m thinking because of the grass it wasn’t getting down far enough for them to see it. I’m not the most accurate caster but I’m only complaining about the good shots I had with not eats. Maybe a heavier weighted fly would have worked? Any suggestions?
Seems to be a lot of that going around. I have had good luck recently using more mute colored flies, cutting out most of the flash. Olive pluglisi mullet and an olive crab pattern have been the most productive flies for me. Flashy crab patters or anything making much of a disturbance has sent them running the other direction.
I’ll have to try some flies without much flash tomorrow. I had few swim right by without spooking.
if you got no reaction, they didn’t see it. They will eat most of the time if its presented properly. Try crossing their path 2 feet ahead/2 feet beyond and strip it to be in line with their nose a few inches in front of them. I’d rather get a little aggressive and get a spook, than having them just disappear never having seen the fly.
quote:
Originally posted by CH Allen
if you got no reaction, they didn’t see it. They will eat most of the time if its presented properly. Try crossing their path 2 feet ahead/2 feet beyond and strip it to be in line with their nose a few inches in front of them. I’d rather get a little aggressive and get a spook, than having them just disappear never having seen the fly.
Listen to this guy…
“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
SC Chapter Coordinator- Heroes on the Water
http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.org
Charleston Director- SCKayakfishing.com
Tarpon 160os
I know the purist in the crowd won’t approve, but, when the soft flies aren’t working, I really like the Hamilton and Dupre spoons. Relatively weedless. Sink pretty well. No legs or other parts allows them to slide through the grass more smoothly. I think the fish can feel(hear?) the flutter of the spoon when you give it a quick spark strip. Put it 2-3 ft past and in front. Wait for the tail to drop. Strip… strip… wait… strip… Rinse and repeat.
17’ Henry O Hornet
26’ Palmer Scott