2023-01-04 FLY FISHING REPORT
Surface Temp is about 68
Weedless Poppers, Dragon Fly Patterns, and Baby Batifish patterns
Reaction Strikes and bottom scrubbing are catching bass, And a second cast in the same place may be the key. We suggest Clouser Deep Minnows-White, Sexy Shad, Baby Bluegill and Chartreuse are good colors. On warm days, weedless poppers will be productive in grass and lilies. Use a heavy leader and a fly w/weedguard to prevent getting hung. Bluegill will be found, hanging around lily pads. Small foam spider with rubber legs, trailing a beaded pheasant tail or rainbow warrior-only a slow twitch. Five minutes of extra slow retrieve is normal for this technique. It is easy fishing that will drive Bluegill nuts.
Mayfly in December
When the wind settles down, we will find the fish cooperative. Crappie (Specs,) Bass, and Bluegill will be in water that is easily fished with a fly rod. Pheasant tail nymphs, squirmy worms, and dragonfly nymphs are perfect for bluegill fishing, subsurface. A small mayfly hatch is currently attracting bluegill attention. They are gey to clear size 14-I would try an Adams if There was any sign of them. Small foam spiders and dragonfly dries will tempt the bluegill and bass on the surface. Search for woody structure and canal seawalls to attract fish. Popper fishing can be very effective on warm afternoons.
Jonathan Cerra with a nice smallmouth
Best techniques for the week include Technique 1) Fish Clousers deep, cast and count them down (5 to 10 seconds) then use a steady retrieve to generate a reaction strike. Try counting down 5 sec, then 6 sec, then 7 sec... Add a Sink Tip or a new Sink polyleaders to your line, and you can fish deeper and faster. These tools can double the depth of a clouser. A Fluorocarbon (Mirage) leaders, this will get the fly down faster than a mono leader. Sink tip lines and full sinking lines take this to a new level, (and are a perfect use for that old rod you never use anymore.) Technique 2) Poppers and divers (with rubber legs,) should be fished on warmer afternoons and sunset. Low light conditions, and even during the day under shady over hang and around docks. Technique 3) Reaction style fishing-Cast long, bomber casts in deeper water. Cas to the area that you would normally place the boat to fish the weedlines. Deeper is better. Sinking lines and Game Changer flies fished deep, with movement. 4)Rubber legged spiders above or Wilson's bully spider below the surface for Bluegill. Move slow. They will be next to solid structure like metal sea walls, dock pilings, or knock down cypress.
2020-07-29 Fly Fishing Report
We are going to take a break from Fly Tying Club during this surge with the pandemic. Fly Tying Club will return, first and third Tuesdays at 6pm in September. Fishing is excellent right now-Get on the water! View full article →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.
2020-04-29 FLY FISHING REPORT
Last Chance on Sale Costa Del Mar Sunglasses Through May-Click for more info
Conditions: Excellent
Surface Temp: 79f
Clarity: Slightly Tannic 28-inches
Neil Warnock is having an amazing week on the Gulf coast. Baby Tarpon, Big Snook-Wow!
Austin Salter is catching schooling Bass on Sprogs (frog patterns.)
Tips
Topwater bite is excellent with black bugs and frog patterns being the top picks. Crayfish flies, olive or black patterns for your biggest bass. These flies should be fished on the bottom with a slow crawl retrieve. The panfish will be found in shallow water, hanging around lily pads and cattails. Small foam spiders and dragonfly dries have worked well as a surface presentation. Try to make these flies smack on the surface, then slowly retrieve the fly. 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. Bluegill are still munching on grass shrimp near the cattails. Their loud slurps can be heard and are a good indicator that fish are close by. Small olive scud patterns mimic the grass shrimp with orange patterns represent dying scuds. Some anglers prefer using a strike indicator several feet above the fly to keep them above the submerged grass. A deep rig, with your fly several feet under your indicator, has helped keep specs and big bluegill on the line.
Scott Crouse caught this hefty bass on a rootbeer and brown gurgler.
Forecast
The topwater bite will continue to excel with the calmer days and warmer weather. White, Black or Frog poppers are working, especially in the shade. The streamer fishing is straight forward with small chartreuse and white Clousers being the top choice. Stick with scuds and dragonfly nymphs for bluegill fishing subsurface, fished near the bottom. Small foam spiders and foam dries work well to tempt the bluegill on the surface. Searching for areas close to deeper water will allow you to locate the fish easier. Rivers provide an excellent shelter on those windy or crowded days. Weather looks like bluebird skies for a few days. At the time of this report: Lake Levels are ear norma and gently falling. The Peace River low and rising (97CFS). Econ River is low and rising (51 CFS). Myakka River is low and steady (6 CFS). Hillsborough is average and rising (70 CFS). Withlacoochee is about normal trickle (1CFS). Kissimmee River near Frostproof is below average and steady (13 CFS). This time of year, water levels should be lowest.
Laina Lindsey re-covered John's work chair. Looking Good!
Techniques
Best techniques for the week include Technique 1) Chartreuse and white Clouser is the color. Other colors to consider are bluegill, or pink and white Clousers fished tight to shore and slowly retrieved. Technique 2) Mayfly season has come. Fish classic dry flies in size 10-16. Our mayflies can be huge, and we’ve been tying some oversized foam dries. Dangle a pheasant tail, prince or hare’s ear in a tandem rig. Technique 3) Frog poppers anddivers fished slowly during low light conditions, and even during the day under shady overhang and around docks. Technique 4) 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. Keep an eye open for the Mayfly hatch.
ORDER FLY TYING MATERIAL WITH FREE SHIPPING FOR A LIMITED TIME->CLICK HERE
Craig Jameson is producing some cool Wilson's Bream Reapers
Fly Tying Club and Fly Fishing 101 are postponed. These activies will resume as soon as possible! We are hopingfor May Dates.
2020-04-21 FLY FISHING REPORT
Costa Del Mar Sunglasses are on sale for a short time-Click for more info
Conditions: Excellent
Surface Temp: 74f
Clarity: Slightly Tannic 28-inches
Matt Ring caught this nice snook on a Clouser
Chris O'Byrne, Director of Fly Fishing Schools for Andy Thornal, caught some beautiful panfish. Check out his new book: The Beautiful Addiction-Learn to Fly Fish Near Home
Tips
Ramp Report, some public boat ramps are closed, but there are many exceptions. We are expecting to see many more open up in the near future. If you can get on the water, the topwater bite is good with white, black, and frog being the top color picks. Larger bass are schooling shad in open water. Keep your eyes out for nervous water or exploding fish. Anglers continue to catching some bass on crayfish flies, olive or black patterns have worked best. These flies should be fished on the bottom with a slow crawl retrieve. The panfish will be found in shallow water, hanging around lily pads and cattails. Small foam spiders and dragonfly dries have worked well as a surface presentation. Try to make these flies smack on the surface, then slowly retrieve the fly. 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. Bluegill are still munching on grass shrimp near the cattails. Their loud slurps can be heard and are a good indicator that fish are close by. Small olive scud patterns mimic the grass shrimp with orange patterns represent dying scuds. Some anglers prefer using a strike indicator several feet above the fly to keep them above the submerged grass. A deep rig, with your fly several feet under your indicator, has helped keep specs and big bluegill on the line.
Check out the Treble hook experimental popper by Brad Mannes
Forecast
The topwater bite will continue to excel with the calmer days and warmer weather. White, Black or Frog poppers are working, especially in the shade. The streamer fishing is straightforward with small "electric chicken" streamers being the top choice. Stick with scuds and dragonfly nymphs for bluegill fishing subsurface, fished near the bottom. Small foam spiders and foam dries work well to tempt the bluegill on the surface. Searching for areas close to deeper water will allow you to locate the fish easier. Rivers provide an excellent shelter on those windy or crowded days. At the time of this report: The Peace River low and rising (97CFS). Econ River is low and rising (51 CFS). Myakka River is low and steady (6 CFS). Hillsborough is average and rising (70 CFS). Withlacoochee is about normal trickle (1CFS). Kissimmee River near Frostproof is below average and steady (13 CFS). This time of year, water levels should be lowest. Lake levels are steady.
Chase Masters tied a beautiful shrimp box.
Techniques
Best techniques for the week include Technique 1) Electric Chicken Clouser minnows are getting great reports. Whether it is bass, bluegill, or saltwater snook, electric chicken is the color. Other colors to consider are bluegill, chartreuse, pink and white Clousers fished tight to shore and slowly retrieved. Technique 2) Mayfly season has come. Fish classic dry flies in size 10-16. Our mayflies can be huge, and we’ve been tying some oversized foam dries. Dangle a pheasant tail, prince or hare’s ear in a tandem rig. Technique 3) White, black, or frog poppers fished slowly during low light conditions, and even during the day under shady overhang and around docks. Technique 4) 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. Keep an eye open for the Mayfly hatch.
ORDER FLY TYING MATERIAL WITH FREE SHIPPING FOR A LIMITED TIME->CLICK HERE
Craig Jameson has mastered the EP Pinfish
Fly Tying Club and Fly Fishing 101 are postponed. These activies will resume as soon as possible!
FLY FISHING REPORT 2019-10-01 for Central Florida
Report by Allen WyattWeek of 10/01/19
Conditions: Good
Surface Temp: 80f
Clarity: Slightly Tannic 27-inches
Register Now for FLY FISHING and CASTING SCHOOL on Oct. 17th
AN ALL DAY EVENT TO LEARN THE BASICS OF FLY FISHING. OVER THE LAST 15 YEARS, THIS SCHOOL HAS TAUGHT THE ART OF FLY CASTING FOR 25 YEARS. THIS IS WHERE GREAT TRADITIONS BEGIN!
Registration here -> https://www.andythornal.com/products/fly-fishing-school
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
Shallowfly Walt is catching Tarpon in October!
Tips
The shad will begin to school in the mid areas of the lake. It will be obvious as there will be action on the surface. Bass will find these schools. Fish the edges of the schools with patterns from 1 to 3 inches. You will need to motor up to the schools as they appear for only a minute or two before diving for submerged hydrilla. You will find this action in the mornings and early evenings. Frog patterns are still good in the shallow weeds and lilies. Push as close to shore from a boat, or fish from shore. Get out a stiff rod, stout leader and make sure you use frog flies with a weed guard. This is the time of year when some of the old-timer-live-bait anglers start net dipping grass shrimp. Blue gill can key into grass shrimp and become selective. Try grass shrimp (scuds) in a dropper rig, a tandem rig, or a tripler. This will be a go-to around Kissimmee grass for Bluegill.
Congratulations to Joey Murphy. A recent graduate from one of our casting school. On a trip to Spring Creek in South Dakota, e caught Rainbows,Browns, and Small Mouth
Techniques
Best techniques for the week include 1) Popper/dropper tandem rig for panfish. Using foam body poppers or hoppers, attach a dropper underneath- pheasant tails, hare's ear or a prince nymph-these should hang 3 to 5 feet off the floater. Technique 2) The smaller bass are cruising with the moderate weather. Anglers should work the edges early and late in the day. Clousers in white, baby bluegil, baby bass, should be worked as far into the weed lines as you dare. Cruising crappie (Specs for the locals) are taking small baitfish patterns next to weedlines. Technique 3) Sinking lines with deep baitfish (EP Everglades Special, EP Shad, or Choklett's Game Changer) should be fished 20-30 ft off the weedlines during the day as Bass are staging for shallower water in 5ft - 8ft of water. This is an opportunity to air out your longest cast as it is all blind casting.
Congratulations! First Fish on youra fly that you tied!
Congratulations! First Fly Rod Bass
Forecast
Cruising bass and specs will be shallow and near the weedlines. Small black and small white minnow patterns will be good. Watch for schooling shad in the mornings and late afternoon. Try grass shrimp in the Kissimmee grass and cattails. Winds will be moderate, increasing in the afternoon. Chance of rain is low for several days, then, several days of scattered showers. Pressure remains low. WE are coming off a new moon, Full moon 1s Oct 13th and should be the first of the good spec fishing. Lake levels are high, and we expect lake levels and river levels to fall through the week. At the time of this report: the Peace River is below average. Econ River is below average level. Myakka River is far below seasonal average. Hillsborough is below average but the Withlacoochee is flowing above average. Kissimmee River near Frostproof is below average. This week should be excellent for paddle craft on the lakes and rivers.
Learn to tie your own flies at our club meetings! Next meeting is Oct 1st! Check out the new Big Screen Showing the fly tying action! 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 Oct 1st.
FLY FISHING REPORT 2019-07-22
Weekof: 07/22/2019
Conditions: Good
Surface Temp: 86f
Clarity: Slightly Tannic 16 inches
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
Billy Williams is catching Bluegills in the heat, last week he was chasing trout in Alaska.
Tips:
After poking several frogs near shore, I have decided that it's frog week. They are busy laying eggs in the shallow weeds and lilies. Push as close to shore from a boat, or fish from shore. Get out a stiff rod, stout leader and you can catch a 'personal best.' Umpqua Diving Frogs, Dahlberg Divers, Stewarts Hula Frog, and Raineys Georgia Bullfrawgs are great patterns for this fishing (make sure you use flies with a weed guard.) Take your time working these jungles. Bright days will congregate fish into shadows. Docks create shade, but so do tree lines. A good angler will follow the shadows across the lake-East side at sunrise, West side at sunset. Topwater for Bluegill in the morning. The fish are shallow early in the day. As the day progresses they head to deeper and cooler water.
Steve Barringer's Double Barrel Frog on a custom Jolly Roger display clip
Many miles from Florida-The River Life
Techniques:
When the sun is high, bream and bass will move deeper. Small streamers along deep weedlines and docks will produce fish. We have been tying Sloppy-Jose jig-flies just for this. Small wooly buggers and bigger clousers will get the flies near the bottom. Next technique is a floater/dropper tandem rig for panfish. Using foam body poppers or hoppers, attach a dropper underneath-using pheasant tails, hare's ear or a prince nymph-these should hang 3 or 4 feet off the floater. The diving style flies are working too-using a long quick strip to make them dive, and waiting till the fly resurfaces-seems to be irresistible to larger bass with a personal best reported. While most fish are hunting cover and shade, Tilapia seem to be the exception. Cruising Tilapia are taking small baitfish patterns in clear areas of water near shore.
Levi Payne doesn't fool around with the little fish. He pulled the biggest rainbow from the Watauga River, seen all season! Gonna need a bigger net!
Hunter Towery, catches a trophy brook trout on the Eagle River in Colorado
Forecast :
We anticipate bluegills to be shallow, surface bite at sunrise and sunset. Tilapia are a possibility with a dropper rig. Grass carp will be cruising the shallows-let us know if you can get them to eat. Big Bass will be found in shaded cover. Small black and small white minnow patterns will be good. Clear mornings with Summer-pattern, afternoon rain this week. Winds will be moderate except when storms are near. Lake levels are near the same as last week, but we expect lake levels and river levels to rise through the week. At the time of this report: the Peace River is above average level. Econ is at average level. Myakka River is above seasonal average. Hillsborough is at e average and the Withlacoochee spillway is flowing heavy when it should be near 0. Changing locations on the Kissimmee to the Frostproof area. All Florida rivers can double, triple, or higher, during our extreme heavy rains. Use caution this week when on any river with paddle craft.
Steve Barringer with his masterful Deer Hair Flies from fly tying club.
LEARN TO TIE YOUR OWN FLIES AT OUR CLUB MEETINGS! NEXT MEETING IS JULY 30th.
Special Event, Fly Tying at Beer Rev, Tuesday 7/30/19 6-7:30 [It is Taco Tuesday-Grab some food and brews from our hosts at Beer Rev.]
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.
LEARN TO TIE YOUR OWN FLIES AT OUR CLUB MEETINGS! NEXT MEETING IS JULY 30th. FLY FISHING REPORT 2019-07-15
Week 07/03/2019
Conditions: Good
Surface Temp: 86f
Clarity: Slightly Tannic 16 inches
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
Shauna and Jason Bergwell on the Manistee River in Michigan.
Tips:
Bright days will congregate fish into shadows. Docks create shade, but so do tree lines. A good angler will follow the shadows across the lake-East side at sunrise, West side at sunset. Topwater for Bluegill in the morning. The fish are shallow early in the day. As the day progresses they head to deeper and cooler water. Big Bass are pursuing frogs. They are pushing shallow where the frogs are laying their eggs. Umpqua Diving Frogs, Dahlberg Divers, Stewarts Hula Frog, and Raineys Georgia Bullfrawgs can produce a personal best. For a simple alternative for bluegil, try the new mop flies, in chartreuse.
Billy Williams on the Kenai River in Alaska
Techniques:
When the sun is high, bream and bass will move deeper. Small streamers along weedlines and docks will produce fish. Small wooly bugger and bigger clousers will get the flies near the bottom. Next technique is a floater/dropper tandem rig for panfish. Using foam body poppers or hoppers, attach a dropper underneath-using pheasant tails, hare's ear or a prince nymph-these should hang 3 or 4 feet off the floater. Dragonflies are year round in Florida. Throw blue poppers and/or wooly buggers (dragonfly nymph) to match the hatch. Because the Dragons are year round, every size is appropriate. Proving the irony of fishing-we have two contrasting popper techniques that are recommended. One customer insists on popping vigorously and then waiting till the rings dissipate, then pop again... Another insists that gentle, quick and continuous tugs are what is generating strikes. The diving style flies are working well-using a long quick strip to make them dive, and waiting till the fly resurfaces. Seems to be irresistible to larger bass with a personal best reported. Dahlberg divers have been in the mouth of several photos over the last two weeks.
Shawn Ceranic caught some nice bluegill on a chartreseu mop fly. Bluegill are very tough!
Forecast :
We anticipate bluegills to be shallow or near shallow water. The topwater bite will continue in the morning. Frogging for bass should continue to be good. Also, small black minnow patterns will be good. End of the week shows a return of rain for the next seven days. Winds will be moderate except near pop up storms. Expect lake levels and river levels to rise through the week. At the time of this report: the Peace River is average level, Econ is average level, Myakka River is at seasonal average, Hillsborough is at seasonal average and the Withlacoochee spillway is flowing heavy when it should be near 0. Kissimmee River gauge below the Hwy 60 dam is currently not reporting.
Learn to tie Curt's Lineside at Fly tying club on 7/16 6pm-7:30. Email us at info@andythornal.com
for a copy of the tying directionss.
Special Event, Fly Tying at Beer Rev, Tuesday 7/30/19 6-7:30 [It is Taco Tuesday-Grab some food and brews from our hosts at Beer Rev.]
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.
FLY FISHING REPORT 2019-07-03
Week 07/03/2019
Conditions: Good
Surface Temp: 84f
Clarity: Slightly Tannic 16 inches
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
Jeff Skipper's first brown on a river in Montana.
Tips:
Bright days will congregate fish into shadows. Docks create shade, but so do tree lines. A good angler will follow the shadows across the lake-East side at sunrise, West side at sunset. Topwater for Bluegill in the morning. The fish are shallow early in the day. As the day progresses they head to deeper and cooler water. Big Bass are pursuing frogs. They are pushing shallow where the frogs are laying their eggs. Umpqua Diving Frogs, Dahlberg Divers, Stewarts Hula Frog, and Raineys Georgia Bullfrawgs can produce a personal best. Get out your 8wt to cast these big flies. Presentation is opposite of tradition. Frog patterns should definitely plop when they hit the water, just like a frog. A successful plop will get the bass to look up. Heavy leaders are needed in the heavy cover-where this style of fly fishing is most effective.
Trevor Brown on some top water bass. Great release pic Trevor!
Techniques:
When the sun is high, bream and bass will move deeper. Small streamers along weedlines and docks will produce fish. Small wooly bugger and bigger clousers will get the flies near the bottom. Next technique is a floater/dropper tandem rig for panfish. Using foam body poppers or hoppers, attach a dropper underneath-using pheasant tails, hare's ear or a prince nymph-these should hang 3 or 4 feet off the floater. Dragonflies are year round in Florida. Throw blue poppers and/or wooly buggers (dragonfly nymph) to match the hatch. Because the Dragons are year round, every size is appropriate. Proving the irony of fishing-we have two contrasting popper techniques that are recommended. One customer insists on popping vigorously and then waiting till the rings dissipate, then pop again... Another insists that gentle, quick and continuous tugs are what is generating strikes. The diving style flies are working well-using a long quick strip to make them dive, and waiting till the fly resurfaces. Seems to be irresistible to larger bass with a personal best reported. Dahlberg divers have been in the mouth of several photos over the last two weeks.
Tiger Godwin on the Nantahala-hooked another rainbow.
Forecast :
We anticipate bluegills to be shallow or near shallow water. The topwater bite will continue in the morning. Frogging for bass should continue to be good. Also, small black minnow patterns will be good. End of the week shows a return of rain for the next seven days. Winds will be moderate except near pop up storms. Expect lake levels and river levels to rise through the week. At the time of this report: the Peace River is average level, Econ is average level, Myakka River is at seasonal average, Hillsborough is at seasonal average and the Withlacoochee spillway is flowing heavy when it should be near 0. Kissimmee River gauge below the Hwy 60 dam is currently not reporting.
First time spinning deer hair, last Tuesday!
Special Event, Fly Tying at Beer Rev, Tuesday 7/30/19 6-7:30 [It is Taco Tuesday-Grab some food and brews from our hosts at Beer Rev.]
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.
FLY FISHING REPORT 2019-06-19
Conditions: Excellent
Surface Temp: 78f
Clarity: Slightly Tannic 16 inches
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
Levi Payne and an Idaho Rainbow
Tips:
Topwater for Bluegill in the morning. The fish are shallow early in the day. As the day progresses they head to deeper and cooler water. Big Bass are pursuing frogs. They are pushing shallow where the frogs are laying their eggs. Good indicators of frog activity are patches of black dots floating on the surface(frog eggs.) Umpqua Diving Frogs, Dahlberg Divers, Stewarts Hula Frog, and Raineys Georgia Bullfrawgs can produce a personal best. Get out your 8wt to cast these big flies. Presentation is opposite of tradition. Frog patterns should definitely plop when they hit the water, just like a frog. A successful plop will get the bass to look up. Heavy leaders are needed in the heavy cover-where this style of fly fishing is most effective.
David Brooks has been using tandem rigs on Tilapia, all summer.
Techniques:
Bluegill are taking topwater flies. Lite color bugs with bellies of yellow or chartreuse and yellow sprogs and white rubber spiders. We also had a report of tilapia biting BH pheasant tails. We recommend a floater/dropper tandem rig for panfish. Using foam body poppers or hoppers, attach a dropper underneath-using pheasant tails, hare's ear or a prince nymph. Have you seen all of the dragonflies? It is a good indicator to throw blue poppers and/or green wooly buggers (dragonfly nymph.) Look for wind blown hyacinths, these create instant pockets of shade, and usually harbor tons of bugs. Panfish and Bass will be attracted to them, Tilapia will like eating the roots, and bugs. They create mobile cover for baitfish.
Trevor Brown and one of the huge Bluegill he caught this week.
Forecast :
We anticipate bluegills to be shallow or near shallow water. The topwater bite will continue in the morning. Frogging for bass should continue to be good. Also, small black minoow patterns will become important. End of the week shows a slowing of rain through the weekend. Winds will be moderate or light except near pop up storms. Expect lake levels and river levels to rise through the week. At the time of this report: the Peace River is double the average level, Econ is a double the average level, Myakka River is above seasonal average, Hillsborough is very high and the Withlacoochee spillway is flowing heavy when it should be near 0. Kissimmee River gauge below the Hwy 60 dam is currently not reporting.
Pat Allen tied this beautiful Electric Minnow at the most recent Club Meeting.
LEARN TO TIE YOUR OWN FLIES AT OUR CLUB MEETINGS! NEXT MEETING IS JULY 2ND.
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.