The Tampa Bay Times

  • When your time to fly fish arrives, do you hope for a day without wind? Knowledgeable fly fishers know there are many ways to deal with different wind situations. Avoid open water, and select an area that offers protection. Stay close to shore and use many of our smaller protected bays. The high banks seen on some rivers, trees, mangrove shorelines, buildings, and canal systems all offer protection. Check wind conditions the day before and plan your trip on paper. Morning easterly wind is frequently followed by afternoon wind from the west. A large narrow bay that runs north to south often provides protected fishing all day. Begin on the eastern side in the morning and fish on the west side in the afternoon. Explore docks and canals, concentrating on points where tidal flow is optimum. Know where there are grass flats with sand holes and dropoffs to find concentrations of fish. A bow-mounted electric motor controls speed and direction. Employ your preferred anchoring system carefully when a concentration of fish is found. Using a fast action rod, a 7 1/2-foot or shorter leader with a 20-pound tippet, downsize flies and reduce their weight to make casting and leader turnover easier. A wind-created chop on the water will allow you to get closer to the fish. If the wind has affected water clarity, use darker flies. Baitfish patterns size 2-4 will work.Fly fisherman and casting instructor Pat Damico charters Fly Guy in lower Tampa Bay and can be reached at captpatdamico.com and (727) 504-8649
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Capt. Pat Damico
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