BFF Fly Lines. Interested in fly tying? BFF s Guide to Saltwater Fly Fishing In Southwest Florida. April Monday, April 10, 2017.

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "BFF Fly Lines. Interested in fly tying? BFF s Guide to Saltwater Fly Fishing In Southwest Florida. April Monday, April 10, 2017."

Della Shaw
5 years ago
Views:

Page 1 m BFF Fly Lines April 2017 BFF s Guide to Saltwater Fly Fishing In Southwest Florida Most of us here in Southwest Florida started fly fishing somewhere else.

when we arrived down here. What rod should I use? What can I expect to catch off the beach? Is 20 lb tippet enough for Snook? What's a double haul? When should I fish?

Well, THE fly fishing club of Southwest Florida, Backcountry Fly Fishers, has got you covered with our complete guide to the unique challenges of fishing here in SWFL.

You can check out a copy by clicking on the red button included on this page. Get a copy today! Click to Download Interested in fly tying?

If you are interested in BFF tying classes please send us an email stating whether you are a beginner or experienced saltwater fly tier and the months you are likely to be available for classes.

1 Page 1 m BFF Fly Lines April 2017 BFF s Guide to Saltwater Fly Fishing In Southwest Florida Most of us here in Southwest Florida started fly fishing somewhere else. Whether we fished 3-5wts for Greenback Cutthroats in the clear mountain streams of Colorado or 10wts for monster Stripers in the Atlantic waters of the Northeast, we probably needed a little help when we arrived down here. What rod should I use? What can I expect to catch off the beach? Is 20 lb tippet enough for Snook? What's a double haul? When should I fish? And the biggest question of all: Where are some places can I fish? Well, THE fly fishing club of Southwest Florida, Backcountry Fly Fishers, has got you covered with our complete guide to the unique challenges of fishing here in SWFL. The BFF's new Introduction to Saltwater Fly Fishing in Southwest Florida is now available for download on the BFF website, flyfishingnaples.com. You can check out a copy by clicking on the red button included on this page. Get a copy today! Click to Download Interested in fly tying? Your Board of Directors is trying to determine interest in BFF fly tying classes for beginners and/or experienced tiers for next season. If you are interested in BFF tying classes please send us an stating whether you are a beginner or experienced saltwater fly tier and the months you are likely to be available for classes. Click here bffoutings@flyfishingnaples.com to send us an . Next meeting: Monday, April 10, :30 pm Conservancy of Southwest Florida Captain Al Keller Topic: FL & LA Fly Fishing Captain Al Keller was born in Miami, FL and grew up in Tampa.In 1996 he received his U.S. Coast Guards License and started what he and many others dream about, fly fishing for a living. Captain Al migrated to New Orleans where he now spends the majority of the year chasing Louisiana redfish. He returns to Florida each spring for tarpon. In his free time, he hones his skill and feed his passion at fresh and saltwater tournaments throughout the year. His is fishalkeller@earthlink.net or call him at His website is Simple equationimprove casting accuracy, catch more fish! BFF members did just that with the help of the club s casting instructors at Pelican Bay Park recently.

Recently, BFF members participated in Casting Games Upcoming Casting Class where they

2 Page 2 m If you need help with casting (and who doesn't?) monthly BFF Casting Classes in season are the place to be. Recently, BFF members participated in Casting Games Upcoming Casting Class where they received help in, among other things, accuracy, distance & double hauling, casting under Mangroves. Beginners practiced the fundamentals with expert help.

Page 3 m Fishing Prospects for April Spring is here and fishing should improve from good to excellent. The keys this month will be water flow and wind.

The full moon brings extreme high and low tides, which creates good water flow and better fishing.

While cold fronts are still possible warm calm weather this month will raise the water temperature and with that fishing will improve.

So in general look for clean moving water. I am partial to incoming tides and if the weather is cool try fishing later in the day after the sun has warmed things up.

This is a function of water temperature and water clarity. Sometime mid month or later glass minnows should show up along the beaches. When fishing around glass minnows I like to use an all white DT.

3 Page 3 m Fishing Prospects for April Spring is here and fishing should improve from good to excellent. The keys this month will be water flow and wind. Weak tides which occur during the half moon result in minimal water flow and consequently poor fishing. The full moon brings extreme high and low tides, which creates good water flow and better fishing. Strong winds in addition to making fly casting a challenge can muddy the water which will obviously have a negative impact on the fishing. While cold fronts are still possible warm calm weather this month will raise the water temperature and with that fishing will improve. When water temperature gets above 70 degrees the snook will become more active. As the month progresses and water temperature increases fishing should just get better and better. So in general look for clean moving water. I am partial to incoming tides and if the weather is cool try fishing later in the day after the sun has warmed things up. When searching for fish, bait schools are always a good place to start. If there are birds above the bait there are probably predators below. Finding bait schools may be spotty early in the month. This is a function of water temperature and water clarity. Sometime mid month or later glass minnows should show up along the beaches. When fishing around glass minnows I like to use an all white DT. In case you missed it last month the DT is my personal go to fly. Not sure if I like it so much because it works or because it casts so well. In either case I never leave home without them. For the latest information on license requirements, open seasons, sizes and possession limits check the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission website for at SNOOK In our area (Everglades National Park, Gulf of Mexico, and Monroe County) the snook season is open until May 1. Early in the month small snook should be found in the passes and river mouths. As the month progresses snook will move into the back bays and larger snook will be found around outside points and islands. Snook should be along the beaches by the middle of the month. By the third week snook fishing should be excellent. REDFISH Look for redfish on outside oyster bars and points during the lower portion of the tide. By the third week of April reds should start showing up along the mangroves in the backcountry. TROUT and POMPANO Trout and pompano will continue to be found just outside the passes into the second week of April. During the second to third week trout will move onto grass beds and outside points. Rising water levels over grass beds with the incoming tide is a good time to fish for trout. Some large trout can be caught this time of year. Clousers are a good choice of fly pattern. If you are targeting Pompano try smaller Clousers. TARPON Tarpon really become the fish of the month in April. Early in the month small tarpon can be found in the back creeks and bays. Bigger tarpon should start being found in the passes and along the beaches. By the second week of the month they should be in the passes. Check in back bays for laid up tarpon. From there chances to hook up with a tarpon should improve for the remainder of the month.

The access gate for the boat ramp opens promptly at 7:00am. The park is just a couple hundred yards west of the draw bridge over Matlacha Pass.

4 Page 4 m Quite a few BFF members set off in the fog on Wednesday, March 22 from Port of the Islands Marina for a recent club outing. Some fish were caught, others Upcoming Outings Matlacha Wednesday, April 12 Launch: Skiffs can use the double ramp at the Matlacha Community Park (Fees apply) on the south side of Pine Island Road. The access gate for the boat ramp opens promptly at 7:00am. The park is just a couple hundred yards west of the draw bridge over Matlacha Pass. Turn left off of Pine Island Road at the Blue Dog Bar and Grill and go over a small bridge and then bear to the right. The Park's Kayak Launch is to your left as soon as you go over the small bridge as you enter the park. No fee for kayakers and you can access the kayak launch before 7:00 am. Restrooms are unlocked around 7-7:15am. Gulf Coast and Carmen's offer very reasonable rentals and will deliver a rental at the park's launch site. Also Gulf Coast Kayak has a launch site at their store which is ideal if you plan to paddle to the north of the draw bridge. They are located on the north side of Pine Island Road before you would cross the Matlacha Pass draw bridge. Lunch: If you are finished fishing, please meet at the Blue Dog Bar and Grill at 1:00pm for lunch. Matlacha has very clean (clear) water and a healthy population of reds, snook, and large sea trout that weren't, but a good time was had by all. Lunch at the marina followed the morning outing. Thanks to all who participated and especially to the fish that cooperated. spend a good part of their time waiting for baitfish near the numerous sand holes. Often motionless, these fish seem like they are asleep, but often difficult to fool with the fly. Longer leaders and a stealthy approach are mandatory! Isles of Capri Thursday, April 13 Launch: Multiple launch sites include the Isles of Capri Paddle Park($4 fee), the 951 Collier County Boat Park($8 fee), and the Henderson Creek (Free) Rookery Bay Unimproved Launch off of 951 near Fiddler's Creek and a couple miles down Shell Island Road are the most often used. Lunch: If finished fishing, we will meet at the Isles of Capri Fish House next to the EMS Station on CR 952 aka Isles of Capri Blvd. Tides for both outings are quite similar with a mid morning low tide around 9:30 to 10:00 or so. Fishing protected areas is not too difficult with all the available creeks and mangrove islands. 7 or 8wt rods, 12' plus leaders and pound tippets for reds are a starting point. Questions or Concerns: Alan Kuhre Sign up at the next BFF Meeting. All outings are intended for members only and are one of the benefits of membership.

Items for sale by members Renzetti Vise & Accessories Traveler 2000 Cam Vise with pedestal for hook sizes #28-4/0-retails for $169.95 Traveler 2000 spare jaw set-retails for $39.95. Traveler Clouser 2200 "C" clamp model-retails for $214.

95. All of above retails for $649.70. Make offers for individual items or all for $400. Mike Franz-239 269-5016, mikefranz5@gmail.

com and it will be posted on the website and added to future monthly announcements until you inform us via the same email address to cease publication.

5 Items for sale by members Renzetti Vise & Accessories Traveler 2000 Cam Vise with pedestal for hook sizes #28-4/0-retails for $ Traveler 2000 spare jaw set-retails for $ Traveler Clouser 2200 "C" clamp model-retails for $ Tube vise head fits stem of either Renzetti Traveler or Clouser vise-retails for $ Bobbin cradle for Traveler vise-retails for $ Renzetti vise & Tool Case holds all of the above & more-retails for $ All of above retails for $ Make offers for individual items or all for $400. Mike Franz , If you have fishing equipment you would like to sell send the necessary information to and it will be posted on the website and added to future monthly announcements until you inform us via the same address to cease publication. Page 5 m Educational Programs found on the Events & Program Page under the Programs tab. Gallery Page can always use new photos. If you have any pictures you would like to share send them to me at the address below. I am sensitive to the FWC current position about taking pictures of tarpon and proper handling of fish. Therefore, pictures of tarpon in the boat or pictures of fish held vertically will not be posted on the website. If you have any suggestions regarding the newsletter please let me know. What Are You Throwing? Capt. Greg Bowdish's Baboon fly. Historically a great flats fly for tailing redfish in the Matlacha area. Go to the club website for: By Alan Kuhre Pattern Hook: #4 Tiemco 811S Thread: Flat Waxed Nylon Black Tail: Gold or Orange Craft Fur over 6 strands of black crystal flash followed by 4 strands of sililegs. Eyes: Black mono at hook bend with lead eyes at eye of hook(xsmall or Mini). Body: 2 batches of Copper Pearl Braid figure eighted onto underside of hook shank. Weedguard: 16 to 20 lb. Hard Mason Note: Use thin, UV light-activated resin to stiffen the copper braid, then trim to shape with scissors! What are you throwing? Send me a picture and recipe for your favorite fly for use in an upcoming edition of BFF Fly Lines. Send to: craigw601@me.com

6 Final 2017 BFF Tournament Standings Page 6 m TARPON - UNGUIDED - FLORIDA 1 Alan Kuhre Tarpon 10/17/16 33 Collier Seminole SP 8 Redfish Candy Shrimp 2 Carl Knobloch Tarpon 10/13/ ,000 Islands 7 Pink Fly Alan Kuhre Tarpon 10/13/16 28 CR 92 Canal 9 Redfish Candy Shrimp Alan Kuhre Tarpon 10/13/16 15 CR 92 Canal 9 Gurgler TARPON - GUIDED - FLORIDA 1 Buddy Ferber Tarpon 12/27/16 120# Everglades NP Black/Purple EP streamer 3/0 2 Thane Hawkins Tarpon 2/14/17 100# Capt. Kevin Mihailoff 3 Scott Silver Tarpon 3/27/17 95# Capt. Kevin Mihailoff Black Baitfish Scott Silver Tarpon 12/1/16 44 Everglades N.P. 8 Black Baitfish SNOOK - UNGUIDED - FLORIDA 1 Roger Jacobsen Snook 3/9/ Rookery Bay 9 Lightbulb 2 Alan Kuhre Snook 2/11/ ,000 Islands 8 Black/Purple baitfish 3 tie Ed Tamson Snook 1/14/17 30 Everglades NP White baitfish 3 tie Craig Winter Snook 2/10/ ,000 Islands 8 White & Chartreuse baitfish Alan Kuhre Snook 10/17/16 29 Collier Seminole SP 8 Redfish Candy Shrimp Dick Shafner Snook 1/16/ Light Bulb Mike Santangelo Snook 10/30/16 22 Zach Rose Snook 10/17/16 21 Naples area docks 8 Glass Minnow Zach Rose Snook 10/17/16 20 Naples area docks 8 Glass Minnow Jim Snyder Snook 1/2/17 18 John Dowd Snook 3/26/17 15 DT SNOOK - GUIDED - FLORIDA 1 Craig Winter Snook 1/30/17 33 Capt Kevin Mihailoff 8 Black Marabou Muddler 2 Scott Silver Snook 11/3/16 32 Capt Bill Faulkner 3 Joe Beauchamp Snook 3/18/17 31 Capt Kevin Mihailoff 8 Black baitfish pattern Bruce Wilson Snook 3/18/17 30 Capt Kevin Mihailoff 8 Black baitfish pattern Craig Winter Snook 2/10/17 30 Capt Bill Faulkner 8 White & Chartreuse BF Craig Winter Snook 12/16/16 29 Capt Bill Faulkner 8 White & Chartreuse BF Scott Silver Snook 3/20/17 29 Capt Ken Chambers 8 Black baitfish pattern Scott Silver Snook 12/12/16 26 Capt Kevin Mihailoff 8 Black baitfish pattern Bill Clutter Snook 3/1/17 26 Capt Rhett Morris 9 White gurgler Mike Santangelo Snook 11/13/16 24 Capt Bill Faulkner REDFISH - UNGUIDED - FLORIDA 1 Alan Kuhre Redfish 2/8/ Isle of Capri 8 Brown Mangrove Crab 2 Mike Santangelo Redfish 1/6/ Craig Winter Redfish 2/1/ ,000 Islands 8 Black Marabou Muddler Alan Kuhre Redfish 12/15/16 28 Isle of Capri Brown Mangrove Crab Mike Haines Redfish 11/25/ ,000 Islands Alan Kuhre Redfish 12/17/16 26 Johnson Bay Brown Mangrove Crab Alan Kuhre Redfish 10/15/16 24 Goodland 7 Black/Purple Gurgler John Dowd Redfish 10/29/ ,000 Islands 8 DT Mike Santangelo Redfish 10/13/16 22 Steve D'Onofrio Redfish 3/13/17 22 REDFISH - GUIDED - FLORIDA 1 Jack Weber Redfish 1/9/17 34 Capt Kevin Mihailoff 8 Black Bug 2 Jim Truchan Redfish 1/9/ Capt Kevin Mihailoff 9 Ebony Super Bug 3 Scott Silver Redfish 1/16/ Capt Ken Chambers Little Black Dress Jack Weber Redfish 1/9/17 29 Capt Kevin Mihailoff 8 Black Bug Jim Truchan Redfish 1/9/ Capt Kevin Mihailoff 9 Ebony Super Bug Mike Santangelo Redfish 11/13/16 24

Final 2017 BFF Tournament Standings Page 7 m REDFISH - GUIDED - OUTSIDE OF FLORIDA 1 Jim Schneider Redfish 12/11/16 45 Venice, Louisiana 2 Lou Minghinelli Redfish 12/11/16 44 Venice, Louisiana 3

7 Final 2017 BFF Tournament Standings Page 7 m REDFISH - GUIDED - OUTSIDE OF FLORIDA 1 Jim Schneider Redfish 12/11/16 45 Venice, Louisiana 2 Lou Minghinelli Redfish 12/11/16 44 Venice, Louisiana 3 Kevin Becker Redfish 11/17/ Venice, Louisiana 10 Black/Purple Streamer Craig Winter Redfish 10/30/16 41 Venice, Louisiana 10 Jim Worden Redfish 11/2/16 41 Port Sulphur, LA 10 Dick Shafner Redfish 10/28/16 38 Venice, Louisiana 10 Scott Silver Redfish 10/31/16 38 Venice, Louisiana 10 Ralph Pike Redfish 10/1/39 33 Venice, Louisiana 10 Yellow baitfish OPEN - UNGUIDED - FLORIDA 1 Jim Schneider False Albacore 12/17/17 29 Doctors Pass 2 tie Zach Rose Jack Crevalle 12/26/16 28 Tampa Bay 8 2 tie Alan Kuhre Jack Crevalle 2/20/17 28 Matlacha 7 Baitfish pattern 3 Mike Santangelo Tripletail 11/25/16 26 Gulf of Mexico Jim Schneider Tripletail 12/2/16 22 Doctors Pass Steve Patton Spotted Seatrout 11/15/16 20 Rookery Bay Soft body green popper Mike Santangelo Barracuda 12/2/16 18 Doctors Pass Ralph Pike Ladyfish 12/15/16 17 Isle of Capri 8 White baitfish John Dowd Spotted Seatrout 3/8/ ,000 Islands DT Bill Flowers Bluefish 12/29/ Pine Island Dick Shafner Largemouth Bass 2/18/17 15 Camp Discovery John Dowd Spotted Seatrout 1/31/17 13 Everglades NP Mike Santangelo Snapper 12/2/16 10 Craig Winter Barracuda 11/7/16 9 Marco Island 9 Tan, white, chartreuse baitfish John Dowd Jack Crevalle 12/29/16 Everglades NP John Dowd Ladyfish 12/29/16 Everglades NP John Dowd Mangrove Snapper 12/29/16 Everglades NP John Dowd Yellow Jack 12/29/16 Everglades NP Manfred Schillinger Jack Crevalle 12/29/16 Everglades NP Manfred Schillinger Horse-eye Jack 12/29/16 Everglades NP Manfred Schillinger Mangrove Snapper 12/29/16 Everglades NP OPEN - GUIDED - FLORIDA 1 Craig Winter Black Drum 2/3/17 23 Capt Kevin Mihailoff 8 Redfish Candy Shrimp 2 Dick Shafner Black Drum 2/3/17 22 Capt Kevin Mihailoff 8 Redfish Candy Shrimp 3 tie Scott Silver Bluefish 11/17/ Capt.Drew Naeckel 9 Baitfish pattern 3 tie Craig Winter Bluefish 11/17/ Capt.Drew Naeckel 9 Baitfish pattern John Skiffington Peacock Bass 11/30/16 18 Capt. Joe Mahler 6 Jr's Craftfur Minnow OPEN - UNGUIDED - OUTSIDE OF FLORIDA 1 Kevin Becker Bonefish 3/11/ Grand Bahama Island 9 #4 Bonefish Scampi Leadeye Kevin Becker Bonefish 2/27/17 26 Grand Bahama Island 9 #4 Gotcha Kevin Becker Bonefish 12/27/ Grand Bahama Island 9 #4 Gotcha OPEN - GUIDED - OUTSIDE OF FLORIDA 1 Craig Winter Alligator Gar 10/30/16 42 Venice, Louisiana 10 2 William Taylor Brown Trout 3/2/17 36 Rio Grandee, Argentina 6 #14 Green Scud 3 Kevin Becker Bonefish 12/21/16 28 Grand Bahama Island 10 #1/0 Tan Permit Crab John Dowd Brown Trout 1/27/17 24 Neuquen, Argentina #14 Adams Wulff Check out the BFF Channel:

8 Page 8 m

9 Page 9 m

10 Page 10 m Tight Lines, Craig Winter, BFF newsletter Editor bffinfo@flyfishingnaples.com

11 Page 11 m

12 Page 12 m

BFF Fly Lines January 2017

Page 1 m BFF Fly Lines January 2017 Next meeting: Monday, February 13, 2017 6:30 pm Conservancy of Southwest Florida Speaker 1: Captain Daniel Andrews Topic: Captains for Clean Water Captain Daniel Andrews