Joel | February 24, 2010
I stopped by Tailwaters this past weekend to check in and see what’s new in the realm of flats fly fishing equipment for the season. Here are some interesting tidbits: 1) The new Simms Flats Boot – these are amazing and the greatest advancement in warm water wading since Patagonia first came up with the [...]
Joel | February 20, 2010
Over 9 inches of snow last week and an unexpected 5 day weekend gave me some “forced” time-off with nowhere to go and little constructive to do. So, I got to spend some much needed time at the vise and started on the carp fly needs for the upcoming season. Small Clousers, bitters, wooly worms, [...]
Joel | February 20, 2010
Here are some cool shots my wife took last week of an immature Cooper’s hawk that has been hanging around this winter. You can tell it is a Cooper’s and not the smaller Sharp-shinned by the slight crest on the back of the head and the more rounded shape of the tail. Immature accipiters like [...]
Joel | February 12, 2010
So I’m messing around with Goggle and search “carp flies” and look what pops up. By definition, this carp flies. It’s a smaller carp to be sure – osperys have a body length of about 20-24″ – and it REALLY does not look to be enjoying the ride.
Joel | February 11, 2010
My wife’s grandfather, Mr. Jack Moon of Columbia, South Carolina, passed away this morning at the age of 92. He was a southern gentleman to the hilt and will be sorely missed. He was a B-24 navigator in WWII and I have his .38 Colt revolver with a US Army shoulder holster that is just [...]
Imagine wading through ten inches of clear water,trying to be as quiet as possible. Fifty feet ahead is a pod of large fish "tailing" on the flat. You strip out fly line, make the cast, and pull your fly in front of the lead fish. After agonizing seconds the fish spots the fly, rushes forward for a quick grab, and feels the hook. The silence is broken as the fish accelerates across the flat, quickly exposing backing on your screaming reel. Sounds like a great day on the coast, or even an exotic bonefish flat, right? Actually it's a great description of the usual day my clients have fishing for Carp on the flats of Lake Ray Roberts where many clients are blown away by the water clarity and the actual ability to sight cast along miles of flats. Big spooky fish in shallow water. They fight and tail like Redfish and can sometimes rival Bonefish in nervousness. This is an EXCELLENT WAY to hone your flats fishing skills and test your "eyes" where it's more about stalking the fish than simply stumbling upon them. You will be a better flats angler!