Kytroutbum

Norm's book on Snook fishing is great and I recommend it. The refuge is Ding Darling. Bring Binoc's with you the birds are wonderful. I haven't SEEN Snook at all last year. In the past, I usually see several and hook into a throwback everyday. I will just Target the Red's and forget Snook for a couple years. The Red's I've caught are mainly in a couple feet of water under the mangroves. I seen very few tailing. I've only seen one gator in the Mangrove area and the flats outside of it in 7 winters. They are fairly benign there. THE GLADES ON THE TAMIAMI ARE A ANOTHER STORY. I wade the flats to fish the "breaks" with current going in and out to the mangroves. My concern is more for Rays. I use a 3ft florocarbon 30LB tippet and fish under the mangrove roots and where ever there is current on a tidal change. Personally, I feel spending time looking for tailers is a waste. I didn't mention that there is an area on the right side of Tarpon Bay that is supposedly good also. Accessed from the Concessionaire. If the water stays cool at the time of the year you are there, there are some large Sheephead in the area. My wife and I usually get several good meals by fishing a live shrimp along the bottom of the current areas. In moving water they hit it HARD, unlike the folks fishing the pilings. Use a Carolina Rig type system.

I fish Sanibel a lot and will be leaving as you arrive. You are coming at the beginning of Prime Winter Fishing. I wish I could make it in March this year. The Snook population has really took a nose dive after the cold snap a couple years ago. 1)I suggest driving the wildlife drive on the refuge, about 3 miles into it there is a canoe (free) launch site. You can pull off to the right and launch anywhere. An annual pass is $12. I drive the drive slowly and watch for Baby Tarpon rolling on both sides. You can fish the left side of the road from the roadside only. You can access the Bay and the large Mangrove area. You will find lots of Reds, Seatrout and Ladyfish in the area. I fish the Breaks between the Mangroves and the bay. 2)You can also launch at the concessonaire -Tarpon Bay Outfitters. They charge around $7 to launch. You can access the large Tarpon Bay area from there. (Kayak access elsewhere on the Island is extremely expensive and hard to find. Parking anywhere on the island other than the Wildlife Refuge is extremely hard to find.) I fish spoon flies, copperheads and clousers with a LOT of flash! Throw them up under the mangrove roots and any deep holes you can find. The BAITBOX is my favorite source of info (coming on the island)and has some fly fishing supplies. Even though they are not exclusively flyshop they know flyfishing and are probably the BEST ,MOST RELIABLE SOURCE OF INFO. There is a Bass Pro also near the Airport. Wade fishing for Seatrout is available at the Sanibel lighthouse beach- Parking $2 an hour or on the Ft Myers side on the Bridge access road the flats recieve a lot of attention. You can kayak fish at Lovers Key State Park's canals or wade fish the River and beach there. Koresian State Historic Park has the Estero River flowing through it and easy access. Tight lines

I've read several places that some tyers soak their completed dry flies in Thompson Water Seal after tying. What experiences have some of you had with this procedure?

I believe AK Best uses a 50-50 strength Lacquer and Lacquer thinner as a head cement.

I sent you a PM , I have one I don't use. the Kytroutbum

After breaking the razor blade place several layers of masking tape on the broken end.

Probably how its removed is just as important as how the fly is made. This is another arguement for going barbless.

I'm heading to Southern Florida next week. I'm going to put some Shrimp scent on a Hairy Fodder for Redfish. I've tried it on the Hairy Fodder at home last fall. It really soaked into the rabbit fur. I looked at the fly last week and it was still "oily". So if you use it be aware it could affect your other flies. Randall Sale the Kytroutbum

Thanks- am planning on making some foam fly rod lures from them.

Someone last fall or winter listed a source for 6 mm thick sheets of foam. I thought I had kept the source but apparently have lost it. Can anyone steer me in the correct direction?

Indian Creek in the Red River Gorge had bridge repair on an access road so check with forest service to see if the road is open. It was closed a while this summer. Swift Camp has had a heavy D.H stocking so has Rock Creek in McCreary Co. Or do as I do head to the Smokies. Randall Sale theKytroutbum

I'm going to tie up some spinner- fly combinations for Smallies. Anyone tie these up, and if so what diameter wire do you use?

Spring with the breeding plumage and the feathers are not worn and broken. Just be sure to clean it well and treat for pests.

HOW TRUE!!! Sorry to say.

http://www.riverroadcreations.com/TieFrog.htm This site gives some extra tips on tying this frog pattern. I like to use a 3mm foam on top and 2mm on the bottom. Pay attention to the Green tips. This is a GREAT PATTERN especially when you throw it on shore- with weedguard of course and pull it into the water. Be careful with good trout fly tying scissors, the foam will dull them quickly

I have had problems seeing dry flies in the late afternoon-early evening on western streams and the WB of the Penobscot in Maine. I want some suggestions as to poly yarn colors for parachute posts. I've tried a bright orange and it didn't seem successful? Randall Sale Kytroutbum

I have been using them for several years. Seed beads, bar bells, mono eyes, etc. I had to use clear tape to keep the lid from slipping off. Great orghanizer though.