AS SEEN IN THE MAY/JUNE 2006 ISSUE

Two distinct challenges one simple solution

When stalking the flats with a fly rod, the angler perched on the pointy end of the skiff must be many things. He must be a presenter of the fly, making an accurate cast without spooking his quarry. He must be the teaser of fish, reading their subtle body language and moving the fly accordingly to convince the fish that this concoction of fur and feather is the real thing. During the periods between shots at fish, the angler must also be the keeper of the fly line coiled about his feet.

This line draped on the deck requires constant attention. Blown by the wind, the line will snake in ever-changing undulations toward anything it can wrap itself around. The inattentive angler will be unaware that his line has wrapped itself around something or slithered off the deck until he begins his false cast and finds that the line will not shoot properly, if at all. Ultimately, the angler will end up losing the shot. There are many things a fly angler can do to remedy these line problems, and most are fairly trivial.

For starters, as more and more anglers discover the joys of the long-stick, many shallow water skiff manufacturers are designing their boats with at least some consideration of the fly angler. Makers of backcountry skiffs have tailored forward decks accordingly, keeping the deck flat and clean with features that greatly minimize wrap-ups. Many of today’s skiffs have no front cleats. Since the majority of skiffs are lightweight, the lack of cleats poses little problem. In those instances when the boat is docked or staked-up from the bow, the eyelet in the front of the bow is easily accessible and makes for a nice alternative. For those boaters who cannot do without cleats, pop-up cleats are the best alternative. Pop-up cleats are flush mounted in the deck, and keep the surface unobstructed and tangle free. However, they pop- up with the push of a button when required.  

Running lights on many of today’s skiffs are found under the deck, mounted on the bow of the boat. However, some backcountry boats still have the running lights mounted atop the deck. These are sure fly line grabbers. Like cleats, flush-mounted pop-up lights are available as well. Pop-up chocks are also now on the market, and allow the angler to have everything he needs without negatively impacting the fly-fishability of the skiff. While these devices will allow the angler to keep the deck snag free, it does little to keep the shooting line coiled at your feet, under control and in the boat.

Casting platforms are ever increasing in their popularity and can be a great asset in helping the angler increase visibility. Casting platforms do carry a drawback to flyfishermen trying to control their lines. The casting platform has four legs, and often a thick center cable hooks to the deck to hold the platform in place. Both the legs and securing cable provide the fly line with even more obstructions to wrap around and must be watched carefully to prevent the line from doing so. The cable, because of its rough surface, also has the potential to damage the line. Many guides run beer cozies along the length of the cable. The foam helps prevent wrap-ups, and in the instance a tangle does occur, the fly line will not be damaged.

Toe rails help manage line and make it much easier to keep the line neatly on the deck. These are either rubber or molded rails set around the rim of the forward deck which rise up several inches forming a mini-wall. Line tends to bunch up on the inside edge of the toe rail, but will not go over the top and into the water, unless the winds are near gale force.

A stripping basket or bucket will also keep shooting line neatly bunched and under control. Stripping baskets are very portable and can be worn on a belt. Many baskets double as  wading belts and have ample room to store flies, tippet material and other fly fishing equipment. These can be invaluable when wade-fishing. Contrasted with the lightweight and portability of stripping baskets, buckets are much bulkier and less portable, but are excellent when fishing from a boat. Pro-Trim’s “Beachcomber” fly line tamer is perhaps the nicest product of its kind on the market. It has a weighted base that provides the unit excellent stability, and a deep bucket to facilitate stripping. The combination allows the angler to simply drop the rod into the bucket with the line stripped out, ready to run to the next spot without having to reel in line. In situations where more than one species may be targeted simultaneously requiring different rods, one rod can be kept in the tamer with line ready while the other rod is in the hands of the angler.  

Less technical methods can also be employed to ensure that the fly line behaves properly. When fishing windy conditions, the angler can step back and strip line behind so that the line rests on the recessed middeck of the skiff. If you have a cooler on the boat, the line can be coiled between the cooler and the casting deck.  Just peek over your shoulder every once in a while to make sure the line hasn’t wedged itself under the cooler. If an extra person is onboard, he or she should act as a caddy watching the line at the angler’s feet to make certain it remains tangle free, and correcting any problems that occur with the line.

The last and single most effective way to manage fly line is also the simplest. Simply remove your shoes. Bare feet allow the angler to feel the line around him. He will know if the line has gotten underfoot or wrapped around his leg before it is too late. Many of South Florida’s inshore gamefish are renowned speedsters capable of a 100-yard dash that humbles even the best Olympic sprinters. Experiencing these bursts of pure energy with fly line wrapped around your leg is comparable to the most heinous torture, and can be avoided in most instances by removing your shoes, giving yourself ample notice that the line has crept up your leg. 

Managing the line on the deck is the last thing a fly-fisherman should expend his energy on. All his concentration should be on the water before him. He should be lost in the stalker’s meditation, focused towards properly presenting the fly to the fish.

While not comprehensive, implementing these methods for fly line management will make us all better fly-fishermen. 

In addition to fly line management, etiquette on the flats is a code of conduct born out of necessity. Freshwater fly-fishermen, because their sport has enjoyed a large following for many years, have long ago forged an etiquette used to control behavior when fishing the most popular runs on the most legendary rivers. These rivers with famous names have for many years received immense angling pressure that comes with world renown. Now, as destinations in South Florida like Shell Key and The Pocket enter the pantheon of fly-fishing’s greatest locations, flats fishermen must also exercise etiquette to deal with crowding. 

Etiquette for fishing the flats need not be too complex, but it must be respectful of anglers sharing the same waters and also respectful of the environment. Simply following the Golden Rule of don’t do onto others what you wouldn’t want done to yourself, and using a little common sense, is all that is needed to avoid raising the ire of your fellow fly-fishermen. Failure to consider other anglers when fishing may lead to the exchange of harsh words. No one needs this.

Each morning, the most popular flats are akin to little pieces of unclaimed territory. The first skiff on the flat at the beginning of each day has the right-of-way. If the flat you wish to fish is pre-occupied, you should either find another flat (which is preferable) or creep in behind the boat already fishing. Never get in front of another skiff already working a flat, as you will be essentially stealing his or her shots. If you decide that you must share a particular piece of property and have no choice but to motor around the other anglers to get in behind, swing way out so your engine noise will not disturb the fishing. As you get into position, do so at a distance so you are sure not to disturb either the other boat or the quarry being stalked. Pole in rather than motor in, and be sure to keep your distance as you both work the same piece of promising real estate. Allow the first angler to take all of the time needed without feeling pressured to leave. 

The same principles apply to boats staking up on many of the thoroughfares for tarpon. These popular ambush spots may have several boats on them during the height of the season. The first skiff at the spot gets the choice location. As you approach these spots, get in behind the other boats and do so as unobtrusively as possible. If and when a boat ahead of you departs, then you may move into a more optimum position.

Fishing around bridges, cuts, and passes in South Florida is another instance where etiquette must be employed. In these situations, boats will motor up-current and drift though the strike zone, repeating the process until a hook-up is achieved. It is important to watch as you approach these spots so as not to interfere with another boat’s drift. Study the pattern to determine where the start of the drift is located. When it is your turn, go to the starting point by motoring around the main body of fish so you avoid spooking them, and enter the rotation without getting in front of another boat. When your drift is complete, go well around and start your drift again. When you hook up, get the fish out of the main body of boats as quickly as possible.

Etiquette also extends to the environment. All fishermen should adhere to the “leave no trace” wilderness ethic. While this ethic was forged as a way for backpackers and campers to ensure proper use of the backcountry, many of the principles apply to the flats. Following the principles will help maintain our fragile environment in a more pristine state, for both the wildlife and fishermen. 

The first principle is to “plan ahead.” For anglers, this requires we carry charts so we are aware of banks and flats, and the marked channels that will get us through them safely. It also means we must be aware of the fishing regulations such as closed seasons and slot limits.

Next is to “travel and camp on a durable surface.” While this is meant to apply to land based outdoorsmen, it does have applications in the saltwater realm. Rather than blast your own path though the flats to get from Point A to Point B, follow the marked channels if they are provided, or look for a way around the underwater hills. This will prevent damage to the seagrass and prevent disruption of fish feeding on the flats. While in the backcountry, make landfall in places designated for that use, such as in Florida Bay’s Rabbit Key or Nest Key. 

If you “bring it in, bring it out.” Most fishermen follow this rule religiously, but some fail to do so, to the detriment of the environment and the enjoyment of other anglers. Everything you take into the backcountry should come back out with you.  That applies to organic leftovers such as apple cores and orange rinds which may take up to a month to degrade. For that which you can’t pack out, you must properly dispose of it.

While poling the flats or kayaking deep into the backcountry, one often comes across shells, bromeliads, orchids, and other objects of great beauty and interest. Left alone, these objects will be in place for others to enjoy. Fishermen have been for the longest time, the stewards of the water, spearheading most of the conservation efforts to protect fish and their fragile habitat. As our population grows, we must be even more respectful of both our surroundings and each other.

While not comprehensive, implementing this level of etiquette will make us all better fly-fishermen.

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