Saltwater Fly Selection Tips
By
Bob Salerno
In the past fifteen years or so, saltwater fly fishing has experienced a tremendous surge in popularity. This renaissance of sorts catalyzed major advancements in rods, reels, lines and even boats. The saltwater fly-rodder now has an incredible amount of tackle choices for all levels and budgets.
Of all of the changes and technological advancements to the equipment, no other component has revitalized the sport than all of the new and innovative fly patterns. Salt Water enthusiasts literally have over a thousand flies to consider for fishing and tying. With all of the varieties of patterns available, the decision on what fly to use when becomes more difficult, especially for the novice.
Successful fly selection is based primarily on a combination of fishing conditions and observations. Starting with the targeted species, it is important to understand and observe both the fish’s presence and behavior as well as bait fish activity. Are the fish holding in a specific area, chasing bait, schooled or dispersed? How is the bait acting? Is the bait being swept in the current, being chased, acting nervously, densely schooled or balled, scattered, or non-existent? Based on these observations the angler can tell what the primary food source is and if the gamefish are feeding opportunistically or selectively. To successfully select the right fly, the angler will need to match his observations with his fly and presentation. The attributes of length, color, shape, action, sink rate, translucence, and flash are important to the decision. For example, stripers that are actively feeding on 4-inch sand eels on shallow flats will probably not even shake a fin at a deep bodied menhaden pattern. Length is more relevant than shape because most fish spot their prey and strike from below where side profile does not come into play.
The importance of color is dependant on the amount of ambient light as well as the color sensitivity of the targeted fish. Bluefish and stripers perceive color very well, where as bonito and false albacore spend most of their time in the blue green offshore world and are indifferent to color. In murky waters, chartreuse and yellow stand out the best. In the opposite direction, in bright light and clear water hot colors will appear unnatural and can spook fish. Subdued and natural colors such as tan, gray, olive and blue appear more realistic and work better for most daytime shallow water situations.
With the exception of bottom feeders, fish move up in the water column to take prey. For this reason it is important to use properly weighted flies or presentation techniques to fish the fly at or slightly above the depth that the fish are feeding. The deadly action of the Clousar or other weighted flies can be very effective to reach fish feeding at different levels.
A flies’ action is the most subtle feature to consider. In general, slower water movement requires a fly with more action. Some of the best action oriented patterns are Deceivers, flat-wings and bunny flies. Stiff patterns such as a surf candy, stripped rapidly across a rip will usually draw strikes. When retrieved slowly in calm water, the pattern often times fails. The pattern must also be presented in relation to the critter it represents. Crab patterns must be retrieved to imitate a crab that is trying to escape along the bottom, as are squid flies that should be short stripped to resemble the darting movement of the real thing.
The amount of flash in a fly should match the bait being imitated. Generally baitfish that swim close to the surface have more flash than fish that live close to the bottom. Synthetic materials have become the go-to fiber in recent years due its translucency. When casting to selective fish in bright clear conditions, synthetics have an edge.
Saltwater fly selection is easier when the angler’s on the water observations are part of the decision. Northeast salty fly anglers can generally cover most situations with Deceivers in white, olive and black and Clorsars in the same flavors. The marine world is complex and we will never understand all of the behavior nuances, but careful observation will certainly increase fly angling success.
By
Bob Salerno
In the past fifteen years or so, saltwater fly fishing has experienced a tremendous surge in popularity. This renaissance of sorts catalyzed major advancements in rods, reels, lines and even boats. The saltwater fly-rodder now has an incredible amount of tackle choices for all levels and budgets.
Of all of the changes and technological advancements to the equipment, no other component has revitalized the sport than all of the new and innovative fly patterns. Salt Water enthusiasts literally have over a thousand flies to consider for fishing and tying. With all of the varieties of patterns available, the decision on what fly to use when becomes more difficult, especially for the novice.
Successful fly selection is based primarily on a combination of fishing conditions and observations. Starting with the targeted species, it is important to understand and observe both the fish’s presence and behavior as well as bait fish activity. Are the fish holding in a specific area, chasing bait, schooled or dispersed? How is the bait acting? Is the bait being swept in the current, being chased, acting nervously, densely schooled or balled, scattered, or non-existent? Based on these observations the angler can tell what the primary food source is and if the gamefish are feeding opportunistically or selectively. To successfully select the right fly, the angler will need to match his observations with his fly and presentation. The attributes of length, color, shape, action, sink rate, translucence, and flash are important to the decision. For example, stripers that are actively feeding on 4-inch sand eels on shallow flats will probably not even shake a fin at a deep bodied menhaden pattern. Length is more relevant than shape because most fish spot their prey and strike from below where side profile does not come into play.
The importance of color is dependant on the amount of ambient light as well as the color sensitivity of the targeted fish. Bluefish and stripers perceive color very well, where as bonito and false albacore spend most of their time in the blue green offshore world and are indifferent to color. In murky waters, chartreuse and yellow stand out the best. In the opposite direction, in bright light and clear water hot colors will appear unnatural and can spook fish. Subdued and natural colors such as tan, gray, olive and blue appear more realistic and work better for most daytime shallow water situations.
With the exception of bottom feeders, fish move up in the water column to take prey. For this reason it is important to use properly weighted flies or presentation techniques to fish the fly at or slightly above the depth that the fish are feeding. The deadly action of the Clousar or other weighted flies can be very effective to reach fish feeding at different levels.
A flies’ action is the most subtle feature to consider. In general, slower water movement requires a fly with more action. Some of the best action oriented patterns are Deceivers, flat-wings and bunny flies. Stiff patterns such as a surf candy, stripped rapidly across a rip will usually draw strikes. When retrieved slowly in calm water, the pattern often times fails. The pattern must also be presented in relation to the critter it represents. Crab patterns must be retrieved to imitate a crab that is trying to escape along the bottom, as are squid flies that should be short stripped to resemble the darting movement of the real thing.
The amount of flash in a fly should match the bait being imitated. Generally baitfish that swim close to the surface have more flash than fish that live close to the bottom. Synthetic materials have become the go-to fiber in recent years due its translucency. When casting to selective fish in bright clear conditions, synthetics have an edge.
Saltwater fly selection is easier when the angler’s on the water observations are part of the decision. Northeast salty fly anglers can generally cover most situations with Deceivers in white, olive and black and Clorsars in the same flavors. The marine world is complex and we will never understand all of the behavior nuances, but careful observation will certainly increase fly angling success.
