The Tampa Bay Times
Introduce fly fishing fun to children and adults close to home
Ponds or any freshwater impoundment, large or small, contain a variety of warm water species that are always anxious to take a fly that represents their natural food. Golf courses, roadside ponds, housing developments and small lakes are easily accessible, but may require permission, and can usually be successfully fished from shore. Light tackle will not only be more fun but easier to use and generally readily available. Hand-me-down trout outfits from up north are perfect. Have a knowledgeable fly fisher make sure the equipment is balanced, usually meaning that the line matches the rod. Panfish and bass will be the target so think small. 3 to 5 weight rods are perfect with matching weight forward floating lines. A 7 to 9 foot tapered leader to 8 pound test will even handle the occasional large bass that engulfs your offering. Flies that duplicate terrestrials, ants, crickets, hoppers, beetles and other bugs are great for exciting surface action. Below the surface, use minnow or insect larvae imitations to score. Early and late in the day when the water is cooler is usually best. In the middle of the day, look for shade. Docks, overhanging trees, lily pads, rafts and bridges are my favorites. Most fish are close to shore so use stealth often casting parallel to shore not out into the center of the pond. Be especially careful not to have your shadow hitting the pond surface where you plan to fish. Use very slow presentations, as many strikes occur on the pause. Keep your eye on the floating fly and raise the rod tip to set the hook when the fly disappears in a swirl. Watching the end of the floating line for any unusual movement will tell you when your sub-surface offering is taken. If vacationing, follow the same suggestion.
Fly fisherman Pat Damico charters Fly Guy in lower Tampa Bay and can be reached at captpatdamico.comand (727) 504-8649.
- Capiains Corner. Damico - December 26, 2023
- Pat Damico - December 21, 2023
- CaptainsCorner: Pat Damico - November 27, 2023
