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| GuideLines - The new, Reel-Time
way to have your fishing questions answered by the
experts. FishWire correspondents and GuideLines editors Bob
and Sandy Rodgers will pick questions from Reel-Time
readers and post the answers every two weeks in this new service. Answers will
be gathered from current FishWire correspondents as well as from other full-time guides,
whose livelihood depends on their expertise. While not intended to solve the riddle
of what specific fishing spots to try on a future outing, you will gain the benefit of
years of knowledge from professionals in the saltwater fly fishing field. This can
help you overcome obstacles encountered on such subjects as Boats and how to rig them,
Tackle, Flies, or Terminal gear. |
August 12th, 1999 Many anglers enjoy traveling in the Summer, and in this edition of GuideLines, we check out what works for stripers in California, what to expect on the flats this month in the Keys, and where to bonefish in the British Virgin Islands. Question: FLOAT TUBING AT O'NEILL FOREBAY Answer: Mike Costello (fishtrips@fishtrips.net), who guides California's Sacramento Delta, said: "Regarding the second question, about float tubes being popped by a striper, I have had this happen to me twice while float tubing in Discovery Bay. It can be a problem but I'm not sure a net is the answer, because the fish's dorsal fin can still stick out through a net. My solution is to be very careful. Regarding the first question about equipment and flies: I fish and guide in the Delta 120 days a year and prefer to use 8- and 9-weight rods set up with a 26 to 28-foot section of lead core (lc-13 ) sinking line, and use the Cortland braided mono running line or the Scientific Anglers Mastery series running lines. Leaders are kept short, 4 to 5 feet at 15- to 20-pound test. My favorite fly is Dan Blanton's Whistler series; I prefer red and white and green and white. Clousers and Sar-Mul-Macs are also very good choices." We have more information that came in later on this subject, and will follow it up in another GuideLines. Question: WHAT
TO EXPECT IN EARLY AUGUST
Answer: Capt. Chris Duncan (nativecharters@email.msn.com), who guides the Lower Keys and Key West, said: "August is a great time to fish the flats with a fly rod here in Key West and the Lower Keys, for bonefish and permit. The wind is usually light during the summer and the bonefish like to tail early in the morning and in the evenings. The calm flats make casting a fly to the tailers easier and you can really see a long ways in the clear water. During the day or if the tide is higher you can get some really nice shots at cruising bones and permit as well. The permit aren't as heat sensitive as the bones are, so if the bones slow down during the heat of the day you can still go after the elusive permit on fly. The bonefishing has been awesome here in the Lower Keys and looks like it's going to continue all the way through the summer. We caught a nice 9-pound bone recently on fly and my customers loved it and are ready to come back and do it again. I can't help you too much with what to expect offshore but you should be able to get a dolphin on fly or have a good shot at it. The Lower Keys give you a great opportunity to catch or pursue a GRAND SLAM, which is the most awesome thing you can do on the flats. We had two Grand Slams on my boat in June and some of my other friends who are guides had some, too. This doesn't happen all the time, but when it does you don't forget it. Catching any of the three prize species is a true thrill and to put any one of them in the boat in a day is a great day, and then again every day on the flats is a GREAT DAY! I hope this is of some help to you." Answer: Capt. Bob Rodgers added: "Water temperatures in August often mean bonefishing is good only during the cooler hours of the day. I often look for permit through the hotter hours and better visibility. Redfishing in the Everglades should be fairly good. There is always a possibility of baby tarpon, depending on wind and rainfall. Offshore, dolphin fishing should be good and is a lot of fun on fly. Location shouldn't make a big difference for offshore species. Similarly, most areas will provide ample shots for bonefish and permit. If you plan on fishing in the Everglades, I would recommend staying north of Marathon. Since a lot of the guides down here trailer their boats anyway, location isn't as important as mobility. I hope this helps you out with your plans."Question: FISHING THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLES Answer: Melvin Vanterpool (ffkenz@tomatoweb.com), at Anegada Beach Cottages replied: "The place to flyfish for bonefish is on Anegada. Arrangements for tours can be done on arrival; if interested… rates start at $700 per week." Answer: John Vasatka (jrv@media1.caribsurf.com), resident manager at Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda, said: "…Regarding bone fishing in the BVI: Although most of our visitors come to the BVI for the fantastic beaches, sailing and diving, there is also great sport fishing (including bonefishing) here. The flats are located on the island of Anegada, a large coral island that is 15 miles North of Virgin Gorda and has a year-round population of approximately 400. Anegada is an hour by boat charter or 15 minutes by plane from Virgin Gorda. Guides (and brothers) Garfield and Kevin Faulkner have the latest flats gear and are available for half and full days. Many high-profile Hollywood and sport celebrity types love the anonymity of the BVI while stalking bonefish. Summer Specials at Little Dix are offered through the month of October and start at $195 per room (plus tax & service). Guides can be booked through our watersports desk or directly with Garfield Faulkner."Thanks, readers, for your extremely diverse questions. They continue to fascinate and surprise us, and keep us busy digging for the answers. Our next edition takes some of the mysteries out of leaders, from tarpon to dolphin. Keep those questions coming! Bob and Sandy Rodgers |
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