Find the Best Saltwater Fishing Flies
Posted on May 23rd, 2008
Flies sure have come a long way. Today there are dozens of specialized vices and tools as well as hundreds of supply outlets. And of course you can buy ready made fresh or saltwater fishing flies from anywhere in the world, with the click of a button. But one thing remains the same; the best flies are hand tied by people who tie from experience. And that’s what this article is about. We’re going to take a look at some of the best flies, for any fishing conditions and locals, hand tied by the true masters.
Let’s do this by region. If you’re planning a trip this will give you plenty of time to get the best flies you need for where you want to fish. And of course, it never hurts to try a new fly at you favorite local spot. You never know…
Starting in the northeast I bring your attention to Joe “Flycatcher” O’Clair. If the name sounds familiar, you might have heard it mentioned by fly tying legend and editor of Fly Tier Magazine, David Klausmeyer. David featured Joe as one of the “top 13 US fly tiers” in his fly tying hardcover classic; “Striped Bass Flies: Patterns of the Pros.”
A saltwater fly tying innovator, Joe has designed some great flies for fishing conditions common to many coastal anglers. Located on Cape Cod, he caters to the need for distance casting by beach bound anglers and saltwater flies that are visible, but natural looking, in the cloudy Atlantic waters of New England. His “Cone Head Deceivers” go the distance and sink at just the right speed. They do the trick nicely, working especially well on Striped Bass and Bluefish. http://www.FlycatcherFlies.com
If you’re looking for saltwater flies that work like magic from the coast of Nova Scotia down to the outer banks of Carolina, FlycatcherFlies.com should be your first stop.
Now we head down south to St. Petersburg, Florida and fly tying great Danny Sauvageau, of DansCustomFlies.com.
We visit with Dan for one of his latest creations, “Dan’s Weedless Shrimp” http://members.ij.net/danscustomflys/WeedlessShrimpPage.html. This little beauty is virtually snag proof and great for Seatrout, Snook, Bonefish, and just about anything else that will eat shrimp.
Dan has been designing and selling his award winning flies for over a decade. Next time you find yourself in his neck of the weeds, a visit to his online store is a must.
Now we head over to the Pacific Northwest and http://www.adiposflytying.com. If you’re looking for great Salmon, Steelhead or Trout flies, look no further. The pros at Adipos got their experience fishing the best that British Columbia, Alaska, Washington, and Oregon have to offer.
These are rugged flies for hearty fish that are as at home in the Washington as they are west coastal Canada.
We finish our online pursuit of great saltwater fishing flies in Southern California with a visit to Gary Bulla of http://www.garybulla.com. Gary is one of the foremost experts in designing flies that work especially well for kayakers and surf casters going after Yellowfin Tuna and Roosterfish.
These are just a few of the great saltwater fly tiers out there. Most of them and countless others sell out of local bait and tackle shops as well so look around the next time you take a last minute fishing trip. There’s bound to be a local legend fly tier that has just the right fly for what you’re after.
Keep those lines tight!
Tags: saltwater fly tying
Filed under Fly Tying - Pros, Fly Tying - Tools, Saltwater Flies - Tips, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Where’s the Best Saltwater Fly Fishing in the North-East?
Posted on May 8th, 2008
Ok gents, we have a request from a newcomer who wants to know where the best saltwater fly fishing can be found in the north east. I’ll start us off with one of my favorite spots, the deep water of Nantucket Sound; south side of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
When you’re getting started using saltwater flies, the Albies, Stripers and Blues close in make for a good day of fishing. Then once you’ve got the bug and crave a little more, the deeper water holds Thresher, Mako and Blue sharks that will give you the fight of a lifetime.
If you ask me, saltwater fly fishing is best wherever you happen to be, because it’s just plain fun. But if you have the time and money for a trip, Cape Cod saltwater fly fishing always makes for a great time and should be at least one destination in your future.
OK guys, let’s get some more hot-spots for our new friend here.
Filed under Fly Fishing - Destinations, General, Saltwater Flies - Tips | 3 Comments »
Fly Tying Vice Advice
Posted on May 7th, 2008
This is a tip for all you fly tiers out there. The Nor-Vise by Norlander has beaten every other vise I’ve used. And I’m pretty hard on them.
I’m turning out saltwater flies every night and weekend and it never quits or cramps up when spinning (it spins instead of just rotating) and has never missed a stop when I lock it into any of the four stop angles that make for very accurate flies.
I also like the fact that it’s American made and the quality is apparent from the very first use and every one after.
- via email by “Flybait Sal”, Clearwater, FL
Filed under Fly Tying - Tools, General, Saltwater Flies - Tips | 1 Comment »