Deadly Flats Fishing Mistakes

When it works properly, flats fishing is one of the most rewarding forms of fly fishing. When it doesn’t, few things are more frustrating. Read about the Deadly Flats Fishing Mistakes to learn about a compendium of sins to use when you wish to scare off every fish on any flat you find yourself working, and of course the antidote for such foolish behavior, too. Let’s start with what I call the stalking mistakes.

Clothing

If you can see them, you should assume they can see you, too. Flats fish can see bright clothing, especially brightly colored shirts or hats, more easily than more subdued shades. My friend Barry Kent was disgusted with himself one day while we were fishing together, saying his white hat had spooked several fish. White, bright red, and bright yellow are definitely colors to avoid when chasing skinny water fish. Wear subdued earth tones to avoid becoming a neon DANGER sign to your quarry.

For the ultimate in flats camouflage, Aqua Design makes a line of technical clothing printed with computer enhanced images taken from underwater photographs looking through the water’s surface. If you make it harder for the fish to sense your presence you ought to get more good shots at fish.

Noise

Fish in shallow water respond negatively to noise, even the human voice. The following example illustrates this.

On a picture perfect morning (the kind fishermen dream about) I was wading with a friend. We were surrounded by tailing redfish, literally hundreds of them, in water less than knee deep. My friend decided he needed to tell me something, even though he was 100 yards away. After he shouted over to me, every tail in the vicinity immediately disappeared.

Hopefully it’s obvious that bumping the inside of a boat, wave slap on the hull, and other sounds that alert the fish to your presence will not help you increase your catch rate.

If you want more shots at fish while on the flats conduct yourself as though you are stalking wary wild animals that are intent on surviving. That’s exactly what you are doing.

Hesitation

An old proverb says that, “He who hesitates is lost.” Flats fishing proves this adage true over and over again. If you hesitate once the fish is in casting range, the fish either moves too close and sees you or else it moves too far away and you can’t reach it. It’s better to do anything, screw up, and learn from your mistake than stand there wondering what to do and let the opportunity disappear.

When fishermen call me to inquire about my guiding services one thing they often ask is, “How far will I need to cast?” I tell them in most flats fishing speed and accuracy of delivery will be more important than distance. Fifty feet, on target and right now, will usually do the trick.

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Life is short. Go Fishing!

John Kumiski
http://www.spottedtail.com

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