Check Your Flies Before Anything Else

Last night I was re-imparted with an important fly fishing lesson: regularly check your flies. I started the night fishing a reliable early season spot. The air was cold, but the fish were around. I presented my tandem fly rig as I usually do and, as if on cue, I felt that tell-tale jump in the line. The fish was schoolie size, but a fun fight in current.

I went to present the flies again. Nothing. I let out a little more line on the next cast, performed a few mends, and as my fly reached the end of the swing I felt a slight increase in pressure. I set the hook and found myself connected to a much bigger fish than the one before. It fought hard in the current, forcing me to walk it into shore. Once I finally had the fish in the shallows I could see that it was a true keeper.

I know I said I would try to get better at fish pics, but when my phone tells me the battery is too low to use the flash this is the result.

Then I made my way back where I was just standing to continue fishing. After all, there has to be more than two fish hanging around, right? One would think, but it seemed that after my battle with the keeper I could not get another fish to bite. I tried changing my position, adjusting my presentation, casting closer, casting further---nothing seemed to work.

With the cold air putting a chill in my bones I decided to call it a night. Just for good measure I decided to fish my way back to the shore. Once I was on the shore I reeled in my line, saw my flies, and let out a sigh. My two fly rig was severely tangled and both my flies were fouled. I had all but decided that the fish had left, but in reality they were probably still there. Rather than untangle my line and get back in the water I took it as a sign to go home.

Forget the Quasimodo Pheasant Tail, have you tried the Quasimodo Ray's Fly? I don't recommend.

The lesson of the evening: check your flies before checking anything else. If you have located one bass, there are probably multiple bass in that same spot. If you suddenly stop catching after going fish-per-cast, check your flies. Make sure they are not fouled or covered in seaweed. After years of fishing you tend to develop confidence in certain spots, at certain times, during certain tides. If you are coming up blank it's probably not the fish. It's you. Or in my case, my flies.