Between fronts, the fishing has been exceptional. After the cold fronts, the winds are too high to even think about getting in a boat. We had gusts over 30 mph last Tuesday, 12/14. I had a group come down from Atlanta, and we couldn't go out. However, it looks like the weather pattern of one severe front after another has changed, and the fishing will improve. The water temperatures reached 41 degrees, but should warm up over the next few days. The cold water makes the fish a little lethargic and they don't fight as hard. However, if you put a fly on their nose they will usually eat.
The upside to cooler water is that the water is clear, so we are sight fishing to the fish rather than simply fishing to pushes and wakes.
Right before the last two fronts, I went with Alan from S. GA to a nice flat North of St. Simons. We ended the day with five reds to the boat, and five or six more with long line releases. The big shrimp are gone, and all that remain are small ones. I am fishing smaller more delicate flies, and have come up with a new pattern that seems to be working well. Check out my website (
http://www.flycastcharters.com)under the Flies Page and look for the pattern for the "Prawn's Revenge." It will be available in several coastal fly shops early next year.
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When the fish are active, you can see them come tailing and finning down the flats. When I was out with Alan, at dead low, the wind stopped blowing and the flat became slick calm. I looked up, and counted five different schools of red fish on the flat. AND NOT ONE OTHER BOAT TO BE SEEN THE WHOLE AFTERNOON.
Tight lines, strip strike, and practice the double haul,
Hopefully these pictures will show up. I still haven't figured out how to do it. If they don't, you are welcome to visit the Picasa Web Album. Lots of red fish porn on it. If they don't, right click the little box and click open image in new tab.
