Outdoors

Winter is perfect time for fly fishing

By NANETTE HOLLAND
Published February 6, 2005

I hear it every winter: it's too cold to go fishing.

Seems there are a number of fishermen out there who only take to the water when skies are blue and the temperature is at least 75 degrees.

That's good news for those of us who fish year-round in all types of weather. More room at the best fishing holes. .

Winter is my favorite fishing season in Tampa Bay. The humidity of summer is gone, the low winter tides mean lots of tailing redfish, and the clear water in the flats brings terrific sightfishing opportunities for fly anglers.

Winter requires altering techniques and tactics slightly. Fish before or after cold fronts; fishing the day a front is moving through is usually disappointing.

Staying warm in cold water requires only sweatpants or fleece pants under breathable waders, a pair of socks (or two) and layered lightweight shirts under a fleece jacket or waterproof wading jacket if it's especially cold. I often wear headbands or a knit ski cap to keep my head and ears warm.

Use a sink tip fly line in the winter for fishing potholes or deeper swash channels. Russ Shirley, a veteran Tampa Bay fly fishing guide, recommends a sink tip line for fishing waters deeper than 3 feet. Shirley says retrieving the fly slowly is key to wintertime success and advises, "If you think you're fishing slow, slow down." Fish, just like people, are more lethargic in the cold, so a slow retrieve is essential.

Trout are among the easiest catches on fly in the winter, and are in great abundance in the bay. We have outfished anglers using spinning rods and artificial lures with 7-weight fly rods and our favorite saltwater fly, the chartreuse-and-white Clouser minnow. During a recent wading trip, we averaged five trout on fly for every one landed by the spin fishermen next to us. Tailing redfish are a challenge any time of year, but winter makes it easier to see them from a distance. Fish the lower incoming tides, and station yourself near sandy areas that might serve as travel channels for them as they move into the shallow flats. It is not unusual to see tailers in a foot of water or less in the winter.

Clouser minnows are a good bet with redfish, as are shrimp or crab flies, and bendback flies. One key to finding reds is to watch for sheepshead since redfish often follow them onto the flats. If you're really up for a challenge, try casting at tailing sheepies. They are extremely skittish when tailing and catching one on fly is an accomplishment.

Jim Lemke, a veteran bay fishing guide, says night fishing for snook is excellent in the winter and can be better than summertime fishing under dock lights, as long as the water doesn't get too cold to shock them. Lemke recommends using an intermediate sinking line for night snook fishing in the winter, and a glass minnow fly or a small Clouser. Like Shirley, Lemke says slow retrieval is important to entice the fish.

TBFFC BANQUET: The Tampa Bay Fly Fishing Club is holding its annual banquet Feb. 19 at Valencia Gardens restaurant in Tampa. The event features live and silent auctions and a presentation by nationally known fly casting instructor Mel Krieger. Tickets are $30 per person or $50 per couple. A casting clinic with Krieger will be held the same day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost is $20 per person.

For more information, call Dick Miekka at (727) 866-8682.

Nanette Holland is a member of the Tampa Bay Fly Fishing Club.

[Last modified February 6, 2005, 00:22:15]