FLY FISHING REPORT 2019-04-15
Week 04/15/19 Report by Hunter Towery
Conditions: Good
Surface Temp: 76f
Clarity: Slightly Tannic 18-24-inches
Reservations are open for the April 27th Class. FF101 is a quick start 2-hour program. We have plenty of gear, join us!
Let us know what you are catching-or not catching-Send your pics of fish, beautiful places, or some of the flies that you have tied. We love to post them on our fishing report! Send to Allen@andythornal.com
Nice size bass are taking topwater again, caught by Trevor Brown
Tip:
Topwater is still working well early in the morning. The fish are still staying shallow early in the day then as the day progresses they head to deeper cooler water. The winds are making it a little tricky to fly fish but sticking to the calmer portions of the lake are a good bet to still boat some fish. Sinking lines are very important as the bass continue to feed on baitfish in deeper water.
Beautiful Bluegill caught by Trevor Brown
Techniques:
The bluegill bite is still going strong with topwater flies still working early before the winds pick up. Blue Sprogs and white spiders have been the best topwater patterns. Small streamers like the Myakka Minnow have done a great job of picking up fish during the warmer parts of the day. These flies should be fished parallel to the shoreline with a steady retrieve. Adding a small split shot will help these streamers sink more quickly and stay deep during the retrieve. This time of year is a great time for pan fishing but the bass bite has been excellent as well. Topwater poppers fished near docks and cattails have produced some explosive bites. With electric blue and olive being the top color choices. All of the dragonflies out is a good indicator to throw blue poppers. The hexagenia mayflies are starting to hatch in our lakes. This is a great time of year to throw some big bushy dry flies like a stimulator pattern to match the hatch Try using a shorter leader with your topwater as it will help turn over wind resistant flies in the higher winds. Keep your flies a little deeper than usual and focus on submerged grass lines when throwing streamers. Also try to cast the streamers parallel to the shoreline. Bluegill pattern streamers have still been the ticket for the bass. Try using a faster retrieve rate this allows you to cover more water. They have started schooling up pretty regularly on the windblown side of the lake. Specs(Crappie) have pushed up shallow as well and are hanging out in the pads or in thicker grasslines. Use baitfish patterns in white, or bright colors such as chartreuse in sizes 6, or 8. The crappie have been caught midday, suspended near shore on heavy, small clousers. When retrieving the fly long slow strips have been the best. This keeps the fly deeper in the water column and closer to the fish.
Calvin Lopez caught this bluegill in the pads using a our weedless fly, Sloppy Jose
Forecast
Expect bluegill to continue staying shallow and get more aggressive of their beds. The topwater bite will get better even through the higher winds. Take advantage of the calmer days and throw more topwater flies. The full moon is April 19th. The Peace River is at average yearly levels. The Econ and Myakka Rivers are at below average levels. The Hillsborough and Withlacoochee Rivers are at above average levels. The rivers are a great way to fish even with high winds as the banks will protect you from the gusts.
Fly Tying is regularly at Andy Thornal Company on the first and third Tuesdays of the month, 6pm-7:30pm. We usually tie two patterns including Bass, Saltwater, and small flies, too! This club atmosphere is friendly for beginners and experts, ages 10-70. Bring your tying tools or borrow some of ours. The class is free, but we ask that everyone make a $10 purchase to offset costs. Next club meeting is April 16th.
Allen Wyatt
Author