Fishing Galveston Fishing Galveston BayBay

Adapting Conventional Wisdom to a Fly Fishing Perspective

Converting to FlyConverting to Fly

New Fly Fishermen tend to be narrowly focused on the type of fishing they were New Fly Fishermen tend to be narrowly focused on the type of fishing they were educated in. educated in. Namely – Trout Fishing or Cold Water River/StreamNamely – Trout Fishing or Cold Water River/Stream

Simply put – almost all types of fishing can be accomplished by means of a fly rod. Simply put – almost all types of fishing can be accomplished by means of a fly rod. You just have train you mind to see it that way.You just have train you mind to see it that way.

Many new fly fisherman fail to convert over from conventional tackle because they Many new fly fisherman fail to convert over from conventional tackle because they do not give their fly rod an honest effort when pursuing fish. do not give their fly rod an honest effort when pursuing fish.

Give an Honest EffortGive an Honest Effort

Don’t set yourself up for failure: Don’t set yourself up for failure: Practice casting before you go fishing (Not During)Practice casting before you go fishing (Not During) Start with an area you already know how to fishStart with an area you already know how to fish

Control Beginner UrgesControl Beginner Urges Don’t take conventional tackle as a backupDon’t take conventional tackle as a backup Expect to catch a fish on every castExpect to catch a fish on every cast

At one point we all started new with conventional tackle and had to build confidence.At one point we all started new with conventional tackle and had to build confidence.

Trout vs. SaltwaterTrout vs. Saltwater Fly Fishing for Trout: Fly Fishing for Trout:

Lighter Lines and TippetsLighter Lines and Tippets Smaller flies with delicate presentationsSmaller flies with delicate presentations Short to Medium Casts on Slower Action RodsShort to Medium Casts on Slower Action Rods Generally Shallow Water ApplicationsGenerally Shallow Water Applications A Lot of NymphingA Lot of Nymphing

Fly Fishing Saltwater:Fly Fishing Saltwater: Heavier Lines and TippetsHeavier Lines and Tippets Larger flies with active retrievesLarger flies with active retrieves

delicacy of presentation is not an issue (due to chop)delicacy of presentation is not an issue (due to chop) Medium to Long Casts on faster action rodsMedium to Long Casts on faster action rods Shallow to deep water applicationShallow to deep water application Wind issues, Tidal Flow, Salt corrosionWind issues, Tidal Flow, Salt corrosion

EquipmentEquipment #8 Rod#8 Rod

(preferably medium fast) – due to wind. Better casters will go down to #6 – also depends on fly size(preferably medium fast) – due to wind. Better casters will go down to #6 – also depends on fly size

Reel (any w/ considerations)Reel (any w/ considerations) arbor size, backing capacity, corrosion resistancearbor size, backing capacity, corrosion resistance

Lines Lines floating WF & sinking lines: intermediate, sink tips, sink leaders, or longer leader w/light splitshot.floating WF & sinking lines: intermediate, sink tips, sink leaders, or longer leader w/light splitshot.

Tippet – 10 to 15 lb testTippet – 10 to 15 lb test Fly assortment Fly assortment

shrimp patterns, baitfish imitations, Clouser Minnows, crab patterns (on saltwater hooks) shrimp patterns, baitfish imitations, Clouser Minnows, crab patterns (on saltwater hooks)

Equipment (Cont.)Equipment (Cont.) WadersWaders Wading Boots (Stingrays)Wading Boots (Stingrays) Fly VestFly Vest Polarized Glasses & HatPolarized Glasses & Hat Pliers/ClippersPliers/Clippers Computer*** (Trip Planning)Computer*** (Trip Planning) SunscreenSunscreen Water / FoodWater / Food

Stripping Basket (Optional)Stripping Basket (Optional) Kayak/boat (optional)Kayak/boat (optional)

SkillsSkills Knots: Knots:

Loop knot (doubles surgeons, perfection loop)Loop knot (doubles surgeons, perfection loop) Terminal knot (clinch, loop knot, uni), Terminal knot (clinch, loop knot, uni), Line joining knot (double Surgeon***)Line joining knot (double Surgeon***)

Practice casting in windy conditions Practice casting in windy conditions (considerations) – Wind direction with respect to casting arm, casting into the wind, casting with wind at back(considerations) – Wind direction with respect to casting arm, casting into the wind, casting with wind at back

Maintaining contact with line Maintaining contact with line Slack is bad but sometimes necessarySlack is bad but sometimes necessary

Fly stripping Fly stripping Creating lopes, when to pick up and recastCreating lopes, when to pick up and recast using roll cast to begin next cast when stripping in closeusing roll cast to begin next cast when stripping in close

Hook setting & Fight the fishHook setting & Fight the fish

Trip PlanningTrip Planning Check ConditionsCheck Conditions

Marine ForecastMarine Forecast Chance of Precipitation (Also Recent Rain Effects)Chance of Precipitation (Also Recent Rain Effects) Barometer (pre-frontal conditions)Barometer (pre-frontal conditions) Moon PhaseMoon Phase Water Temperature***Water Temperature*** Wind Speed & Direction***Wind Speed & Direction*** Tidal Flow***Tidal Flow***

Water Temperature, Wind Direction, and Tidal flow will ultimately determine where you decide to fish. Water Temperature, Wind Direction, and Tidal flow will ultimately determine where you decide to fish.

Also Check Recent Fishing Reports Also Check Recent Fishing Reports www.2coolfishing.comwww.2coolfishing.com

3 Features to Key On3 Features to Key On BaitBait

No Bait = No Fish, got to have bait!No Bait = No Fish, got to have bait! Look for SlicksLook for Slicks Look for BirdsLook for Birds

StructureStructure Mud to Sand, sand to Shell ReefsMud to Sand, sand to Shell Reefs Grass, PotholesGrass, Potholes Guts, Drains, CutsGuts, Drains, Cuts Mud with Deviations in surfaceMud with Deviations in surface

Tidal FlowTidal Flow The tide moves the baitThe tide moves the bait Controls saltwater inflow into bayous and back baysControls saltwater inflow into bayous and back bays

Fishing ScenariosFishing Scenarios

Saltwater FlatsSaltwater Flats Fish are looking for bait in grass/mud estuariesFish are looking for bait in grass/mud estuaries Fishing with the tideFishing with the tide Movement is stealthy with some chop preferred Movement is stealthy with some chop preferred Less blind casting as opposed to watching for signsLess blind casting as opposed to watching for signs Keeping it moving but out of sea grass (lower coast)Keeping it moving but out of sea grass (lower coast) Look for potholes in grassLook for potholes in grass When tide is falling target drains and inletsWhen tide is falling target drains and inlets Floating lines, longer leadersFloating lines, longer leaders

Saltwater FlatsSaltwater Flats

Target Tailing Reds (Not Schools of Target Tailing Reds (Not Schools of Mullet)Mullet)

Fishing Deeper WaterFishing Deeper Water

Fishing deeper water (3+ feet)Fishing deeper water (3+ feet) Fishing channels, guts, and drop offsFishing channels, guts, and drop offs More blind castingMore blind casting Using sinking mechanisms to get fly downUsing sinking mechanisms to get fly down

Intermediate to Slow Sinking LinesIntermediate to Slow Sinking Lines Sink Tips, Sink Leaders, SplitshotSink Tips, Sink Leaders, Splitshot

Modify Retrieve to Match ConditionsModify Retrieve to Match Conditions

Surf FishingSurf Fishing Using the wash to move the fly for youUsing the wash to move the fly for you Fishing drop offs between sandbars or cutsFishing drop offs between sandbars or cuts Vented stripping basketVented stripping basket Kayaking in the surfKayaking in the surf

Wade Fishing RulesWade Fishing Rules Work an area thoroughly – fan casts from 9-12-3Work an area thoroughly – fan casts from 9-12-3 Move slowly, shuffling feet (stingrays)Move slowly, shuffling feet (stingrays) Don’t stomp on shell – when you find it stop and fish it Don’t stomp on shell – when you find it stop and fish it

before moving on.before moving on. Start skinny and work out deep.Start skinny and work out deep.

LocationsLocations