I was first surprised that the line was almost coil free. Really. Sometimes I have bough a line that I would have to stretch multiple times before it retrieves back straight… not with this line. The mint green line lays straight immediately; and I am not fishing as much as I would like. Usually allowing time on the spool is a sure way to create memory. The SA distance line floats high has been very durable.

Now I fish the Mosquito Lagoon and Indian Rivers mostly. Redfish and Seatrout are my targeted fish most of the time. I fish with an eight and nine weight rod normally and both cast the distance line well. I do a fair amount of blind casting in the mornings hoping to land a fly long enough away that a big Seatrout might consider as breakfast. As the sun rises I also do my share of wading the shoreline searching for a cruising Redfish that requires a shorter accurate cast. Long and short casts can be made well with the SA distance line.

The distance taper used by SA is similar to a bonefish taper; though different. They both allow the angler to carry more line in the air by extending the diameter of the fly line longer to give it enough body so it does not become to thin and collapse. The line is 105 feet long with a 40 foot section of running taper at the rear. This taper design is different than a lot of new lines that have a weighty and short head to allow quick casts. I like the stealth offered by the Mastery distance taper.

So if you are still hoping to find the right fly line for you… consider the Scientific Anglers Mastery distance line. It might just be what you and your rod are looking for. The price is also less shocking to my wallet. By the way… it has worked well in the cooler months as holds up well in the Central Florida summer heat.

I had started out the morning using a chartreuse and white Lefty’s Deceiver pattern fly tied on a 2/0 hook. We had arrived early and initially waded without seeing any early bird action at the diner. Blind casting at spooky mullet provided no results. We waded and waded. The water was cloudy, probably from recent rain, and happy algae.

We arrived at a trough in the river bottom that usually held mullet and redfish. I tried to wade quietly closer but a couple unimpressed fish moved away. I took the opportunity to change my fly as the sea grass tangled with my Deceiver. Next up… a bead chain chartreuse and white Clouser minnow.

I stood there talking with my friend as we rested. I gave him a copy of the fly I tied on and explained how I had added Finnish Raccoon to the fly. The added material gave the fly a bigger profile in the water. I also substituted bead chain eyes hoping to produce a slower sink rate than the standard lead eye pattern provided. I was messing with the perfect fly; a perfect pattern that allows great versatility.

I immediately raced away as a pod of happy, fining, rolling, splashing Reds swam into sight. I made a couple casts aiming at the slobs of the group. The Clouser worked its magic. After a run of 150 feet or so I landed a beautiful fish. A memorable catch even if it was not the biggest fish. Photos were taken. We waded back. It was a pretty good day.

The BVK’s have shorter grips than most rods of similar line weight. Less cork means less weight? Also the BVK’s have a lighter carbon fiber reel seat. I like it. The smaller grip makes it easy to keep my hand on the right part of the grip. My thumb meshes perfectly against the full wells grip to achieve acceleration and a stop. The Tactical Series guides are also new and lighter than other TFO rods.

The BVK’s are built on a dark Forest Green blank. I like the dark green blanks and wrapping. They seem stealthy. They are built on 4 piece 9 foot blanks. Temple Fork also has some longer 9 ½ and 10 ft rods for special applications for fly fishing.  The actions of the rods are fast. Not ultra fast. I believe most anglers can master them.

I know you want to know how they cast. I do not know how the rod charts that measure distance, presentation and lifting are developed. I see how the presentation is rated at 8 of 10 from the TFO guide. The lifting is rated at 3 of 10? The distance evaluation for the BVK’s is 5 of 10? I have not landed a fish on the rods yet… just yard cast them. I would give them much higher ratings for distance and accuracy. I also played tug of war with a friend using a ten weight before purchasing my 8 & 9 wt’s. It felt strong to me. Bring it on Mr. Redfish.

Here are a few last comments on casting the BVK rods. I have used a 9 wt SA distance line on both the 8 wt & 9 wt fly rods. The 9 wt loaded easily and also the 8 wt. The 8 wt did not feel over powered by the heavier line! I have also cast an 8wt line on the 8 wt rod and it also loads easily and feels appropriate for the rod, not under powered. I really like the rods. Great job TFO, Lefty & Flip for a rod series that is affordable, light weight and cast really well. No regrets here for buying them. Try them out… you will like.

Here is the menu to tie a Fleeing Crab. I used a Mustad 3407DT hook size #2. Lead eyes, size ex small. because of the shallow water I will be fishing. EP fibers in tan & olive. Tan Danville waxed thread. The tail is chartreuse silly legs & and brown olive finn raccoon.

I sharpen the my hooks first and will pinch down the barb when I tie in on… so I know the fished & not fished flies.

Here is the tie in point for the tail.

I start with the finnish raccoon & then the silly legs.I lay the silly legs down. make a few wraps and then fold over the other half of the legs and then secure.I now add the EP fibers in alternating colors and tie toward hook eye. criss cross a couple wraps on each side of shank to secure the fibers. After completing the body with the EP fibers I will shape the fly. I usually leave the fly full and will cut back after in see the size crabs where I’m fishing.I wrap in the lead eyes. Since this fly will be presented in shallow water the eyes are smaller & lighter. I straightened some hard mono and pinch it into a V shape. Last step  tie weed guard since the fish will be hanging in the spartina grass in the Jacksonville area.

I make 4 wraps across the mono toward the lead eyes first. next 4 wraps on the side toward the hook eye. Then tie off. I pinch the mono to keep the mono sides from crossing. Here is the finished Fleeing Crab fly. Hope the Redfish in the grass for the flood tides like it. Use different color EP fibers to make sure you have a pattern that looks like the area crabs. Good luck.

]]> http://floridafishingonthefly.com/2011/09/how-to-tie-a-fleeing-crab/feed/ 0 http://floridafishingonthefly.com/2011/02/loughman-lake-february-2011-wading-trip/ http://floridafishingonthefly.com/2011/02/loughman-lake-february-2011-wading-trip/#comments Mon, 28 Feb 2011 13:00:05 +0000 Cas Summers http://floridafishingonthefly.com/?p=475 A good friend and I did some wade fishing for Shad in the Loughman Lake section of the St John’s River yesterday. We were planning on repeating on a fantastic outing that we experienced 5 plus years ago when water conditions were at a similar low level. I had not fished in the area for years. We were after Shad and any other species that liked our Shad pattern flies. A few weeks before, my friend, reported of a catch that included Shad, Bass, Bluegill, Redbreast and Crappie all a short hike and wade from the ramp.

We did nail the trip as far as weather goes. Another Chamber of Commerce day as the news stations report. The water levels continue to drop, and besides a few soft muddy areas we had no problems getting to the fish. I would suggest that if you want to duplicate our trip, bring along a back pack for your lunch, water and fishing gear, bug spray & sunscreen. You can use breathable waders or an old pair of shorts and wading boots can work.

We both fished six weight fly rods and floating lines. We cast tandem flies with leaders somewhere around 6 to 8 feet long with # 6 & #8 size flies. Chartreuse and orange and red and white flies with silver flash seemed to work well. The Bass were very active this day. They were located tight to the banks and slightly larger brothers were in the slower pockets off the main flow of water.

We did not find the Shad we hoped to find. The Bass were willing substitutes. I believe that Shad are still active in our area. I would plan to fish the Mullet Lake area if targeting Shad. If you are interested in some fun wading and unpredictable fishing, then try the Loughman Lake area. By the way, an air boat ride during the week in an out of the way location sounds fun. Good luck on your next trip.

We all started with different rigging until it was obvious that one worked a lot better. The flies that worked best were # 6 hooks with weighted lead eyes (red) with white bodies, white tails or silver tinsel tails. I used tandem flies, 12 lb fluorocarbon leader, 6 & 7 feet in length. We tried to stay as slow as our outboard engines would allow. Fish were caught everywhere and more hookups occurred when the water depth was 10 plus feet.

The success really had nothing to do with the angler, fly or weather. The obvious difference was a Full sinking lead line. The fish seemed to all be on the bottom. Yes, some fish were seen “washing” but the biters were below them. A lead tip was just not enough to reach the fish. I myself combined 2 sections of 30’ shooting head lines followed by a running line and changed my luck. My friend’s full sinking line was the best. Check your local fly shop’s inventory for this necessary equipment. Good luck.

By the way, if you like competition… check out the Coastal Angler Magazine website and see the details about the Shad and Crappie Derby that is going on. The Shad seem to be a bit larger this year. I believe that the Derby has fish measured and released fish up to 19.5” in the fly division. Captain Tom Van Horn has quite a few prizes for a variety of divisions with a lot of local sponsor support. The derby is catch, measure, photo & release. You must register to compete. Take care of the fish, they are spawning.

Thanks.

CCA FLORIDA ADAMANTLY OPPOSES LEGISLATION THAT ELIMINATES SALTWATER FISHING LICENSE – SB 744 WILL DAMAGE FLORIDA’S 18 BILLION DOLLAR RECREATIONAL FISHERY AND UNDERMINE FISHERIES CONSERVATION PROGRAMS

Senator Joe Negron ( R- Palm City ) has filed SB 744 which would eliminate the saltwater fishing license and the critical funding that is needed to protect and manage Florida’s 18 Billion dollar recreational fishery and the thousands of jobs that it supports.

Contact Senator Joe Negron Now To Voice Your Opinion!

negron.joe.web@flsenate.gov

(772) 219-1665 local office (850) 487-5088 Capital office

“We met with Senator Negron to explain the benefits of the license money and the damages that would occur if it was eliminated” said Ted Forsgren, Executive Director of CCA Florida. “He told us that he did not believe that a license should be required to fish. He simply disagreed with all of our comments and concerns, but was open to further discussions.”

For more than a hundred years, conservation minded sportsmen, fishers and hunters have actively supported and promoted license fees to manage public natural resources. As the original proponent of the saltwater fishing license in 1988, CCA Florida has worked to protect and improve the license for more than 20 years.

Since then, the saltwater fishing license has provided more than 250 million dollars in revenues specifically dedicated to marine research, management and law enforcement. The funding provides critical information for the management of fisheries like snook, redfish, spotted sea trout and grouper. “If you don’t have basic research which establishes the levels of abundance and monitors the impacts of regulations you can not properly manage a fishery” said Forsgren.

“The other huge issue that was either overlooked or disregarded by Senator Negron is that elimination of the Florida license will simply trigger the imposition of a federal fishing license” said Forsgren. “Florida’s anglers will pay more to fish and all the money will go to the federal government!”

Starting in 2010, the federal Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act requires all anglers fishing in saltwater or for anadromous species to obtain a federal registration. The fee is about 20 dollars per angler and the funds are deposited into the National Treasury, not into Florida’s Marine Fisheries Conservation Trust Fund. A provision in the Act exempts states that have an adequate saltwater fishing license. Florida’s current license has qualified for the exemption so our anglers do not have to purchase the federal license.

“CCA Florida has a long history of conservation advocacy. We are always in the front lines promoting management and research funding for Florida’s marine fisheries and its 18 billion dollar recreational fishery,” said Ted Forsgren, CCA Florida Executive Director. “We will continue to talk with Senator Negron. We are requesting all concerned anglers and other conservationists to contact Senator Negron now and urge him to withdraw his damaging bill!”

***

For more information, please visit the CCA website at www.ccaflorida.org

If you need tying materials…you can most likely find it here. Hooks, natural & artificial materials galore can be found. They also offer full service rigging. They carry Sage, Scott & TFO rods as well as Tibor, Mako, Nautilus & Abel reels. Vices, clothing, artwork & most gadgets can be found here.

I f you need to borrow a vice to try out tying…give them a call and arrange it as well as some instruction. One of the most satisfying aspects of the sport of fly fishing is the ability to make the fly that you use to catch fish. It also helps you to think about and understand the waters & the prey that feeds our fish. Hope to see you there on a Wednesday in the near future.

The first activity was acquiring a Drill Press so that we could prepare Oyster shells by drilling a hole in them so that they could be tied to mats to help restore Mosquito Lagoon waters. Day in and day out this job might get boring… but we had a few beers and had a good time. I did not get to place them… here is a link to the finished job.

I am currently helping by contacting Central Florida Captains and hoping to books a charter with them in order that the Orlando CCA Chapter can raise funds. Funds are always needed to help maintain and improve fishing in our ever growing economy. The CCA allows me to participate in keeping Florida fisheries healthy. I support them individually, and with other individual supporters, our wishes can be heard.

Special thanks to Captains for their generous donation of their time and a guided trip to the 2010 CCA Auction:

• Todd Fuller
• John Turcott
• John Kumiski
• Keith Kalbleisch
• Nick Sassic
• Troy Perez
• Randy Dumars
• Scott MacCalla
• Drew Cavanaugh
• Russ Rivers

If you plan on fishing with a Captain in the Central Florida area… please give one of these guys a call. You will enjoy the fishing & the company. Tickets to attend the Banquet on October 14^th are available. Hope you can attend and enjoy the event and support CCA by buying one of these Captains trips.

I was fishing with a Lefty’s Deceiver pattern, about 6’’ long, with a gray body and a chartreuse back. It did not take long for the Seatrout to appreciate my offering. Most of them were small and the bite did not last long. The water temperature was very hot. We had to do quite a bit of blind casting due to the low light and water color. We wanted to see tails with our early start.

We were going to tag team the fish this morning. My friends & I decided to fish together and cover the water completely instead of lots of paddling & searching. We did find fish. A friend scored big with a beautiful Redfish. He was just a little more observant than the rest of us and noticed some “different” dorsal fins mixed in with the schooling mullet. A light colored baitfish pattern cast accurately hit a home run.

We did see some more Redfish and Black Drum tails throughout the day. Fish can be amazingly elusive with Septembers’ algae colored water. Now you see them, now you don’t. Everyone caught trout. A few others landed nice Reds. From the census… most of the successful flies were minnow and baitfish imitations.

I am thinking that we were a little bit early in fishing the NMZ. The fall and winter seasons are such a great time to be on the water in Florida. Lower temperatures and fewer rain showers make it easier to cover the water and find fish. Today, we enjoyed sharing the waters of the famous No Motor Zone with our friends.