2020-05-29 Fly Fishing Report, Fly Tying, and 101 Class schedule
Tips
The topwater bite is excellent. Fish small poppers and sliders for bluegill and buck bass with white or olive being the top color picks. Larger bass have moved into deeper water, mostly. Except a couple of people are finding afternoon schools of shad on the surface. While very late for schooling shad, the weather has kept water temps a little cooler than normal. Small white streamers and EP style minnow flies will be the right size. Crayfish flies, olive or black/blue should be fished pretty low to the bottom with a slow crawl retrieve. The panfish will be found in shallow water, hanging around lily pads, cattails, and buggy whips. Small foam spiders and dragonfly dries are dependable. Small weighted black Wooly Buggers and Bream Reapers are a good choice when the bluegill quit hitting topwater flies and move to slightly deeper water. A slow crawl or short hops but slow on the bottom. Mayfly Hexagenia are still hatching on some of the lakes. This large, 1.5" bug drives the fish, nuts. Big Stimulators and or foam tail dry flies are the ticket. We like a deep indicator rig-with your fly several feet under for specs and big bluegill, fished on weedlines, or fished vertically in the deeper grass. Tilapia have been chewing these deep rigs too. Had a report that they are taking grass shrimp, too.
Forecast
The topwater bite will continue to excel with the warmer weather. Stick with white or olive poppers They are working, especially in the shade. The streamer fishing has been very good, white is the top choice. New colors in clousers to try are sexy shad and bluegill (small size 6.) AND Gulf Coast Snook fishing is great along the beaches! Same white baitfish patterns as the bass, but add shrimp and sand flea patterns to the mix. Back to lakes-big mayfly patterns on top and dragonfly nymphs subsurface, for bluegill. Windy days can bring all types of terrestrials onto the surface. Bluegill will key on them. Small foam spiders, beetles and ants are important for bluegill on the surface. Bigger bass will be in 5-9 foot. Buck bass will be cruising the grass lines. At the time of this report: the Peace River is above average (258 CFS). Econ River is above average (243 CFS). Myakka River is far above average (99 CFS). Hillsborough is below average and slowly falling (58 CFS). Withlacoochee is high at (1.4CFS). Kissimmee River near Frostproof is high (79 CFS). Afternoon Storms can change these levels to flood stage, very quickly.
Techniques
Best techniques for the week include Technique 1) White or olive poppers fished slowly during low light conditions, and even during the day under shady over hang and around docks. Technique 2) Black or olive crayfish flies fished low and slow close to the shoreline. Crawl the fly over prospective areas, frequent pauses can coax a bite. Add a small split shot 18 in. above the fly if the winds pick up. This will help maintain proper depth. Technique 3) Small baitfish patterns fished on the edge of structure in the morning or evening.
Craig Jameson tied this beautiful Wilson's Bully Bumble
Fly Tying Returns on Tuesday, June 2nd. We will set up in our larger room, and seating is very limited. 6 foot spacing, and mask is recommended. If you are interested, please contact Allen Wyatt allen@andythornal.com 863-299-9999Mon-Sat 10-6eastern Also, we can send instructions electronically.
Allen Wyatt
Author