2020-05-15 FLY FISHING REPORT

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.  Bigger fish are moving deeper.  The panfish will be found in shallow water, hanging around lily pads, cattails, and Kissimmee grass.  Small foam spiders and dragonfly dries are dependable. Small weighted black Wooly Buggers are still a good choice when the bluegill quit hitting topwater flies and move to slightly deeper water. A slow crawl works best giving the fly a chance to sit still. Mayfly Hexagenia are 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.  A deep indicator rig with your fly several feet under has helped with keeping specs and big bluegill on the line. Tilapia have been chewing these deep rigs too.

Steve Gibson is catching beautiful Snook from the beach.  Contact him (941) 284-3406 for trip info.  

Forecast                                                                                      

What, a tropical storm?  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.  AND Gulf Coast Snook fishing is great along the beaches!  Same white baitfish patterns as the bass, 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 below average and falling (67 CFS). Econ River is below average and falling (19 CFS).  Myakka River is above average and falling (10CFS). Hillsborough is below average and slowly falling (58 CFS). Withlacoochee is at a trickle (normal) and not measurable (- CFS). Kissimmee River near Frostproof is below average and falling (7 CFS).  Tropical Storms can change these levels to flood stage, very quickly.

Trevor Brown was giving the 3wt a workout.

Techniques

Best techniques for the week include Technique 1)Time for some dry fly fishing.  Dap a big stimulator or let a big foam dry fly settle on the surface.  Technique 2) White or olive poppers fished slowly during low light conditions, and even during the day under shady over hang and around docks. Technique 3) Black or olive crayfish flies fished low and slow on weedline down to deeper water.  Sink tips will help. 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 4) Small baitfish patterns fished on the edge of grass, lillies, and cat tails in the morning or evening.

Chris O'Byrne,is catching bass in the neighborhood pond.  Check out his new book here.

Plans to offer this very popular program are being made following Phase 2 Guidelines of Florida Govenor DeSanits.  Social Distancing is easy, and we will reduce class sizes.  Want info on the next class?  Call us (863) 299-9999 Mon-Sat 10-6 eastern or info@andythornal.com